I’ve been seeing quite a few concerts over the last handful of years. It’s become a running joke with my wife that I never listen to any new music. I guess I kind of worked my way into a groove in the mid 1980s, and haven’t really ventured too far from there since. There have been some more recent performers that I have come to appreciate, and certainly some that I’ve gone to see live (almost always attending with others who were fans of those acts.) But I usually get excited when a band that I’ve loved for 30 or 40 (or more) years has a concert near me.
A few weeks ago, my wife and I went to see the Doobie Brothers. I’ve seen them before – the last time was around 2011 or so. The lineup then and now was a little different. It got me to thinking. the only 2 founding members still with the band are Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons. Now, don’t get me wrong – the Doobie Brothers put on great shows at both concerts. And they played all of the great hits that I came to hear. But I started thinking about other bands that are still touring – both those that I’ve seen live, as well as those I haven’t seen, but that I liked “back in the day.” Bands like Chicago, Eagles, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Deep Purple, Blue Oyster Cult, Styx, REO Speedwagon, ZZ Top, Red Hot Chili Peppers…. The list could stretch on for miles. But my point is that NONE of them still have all the original members. Members were fired, retired, died, or quit for other projects.
In fact, in some cases, there are NO original members in the lineup. I saw Lynyrd Skynyrd last summer. Two of their original members died in a plane crash in 1977. The rest of the band continued after they had recovered, with other talent taking the place of those absent. Johnny Van Zant (younger brother of the original – now deceased- lead singer Ronnie Van Zant) explained that the last surviving ORIGINAL band member, Gary Rossington, had died earlier that year, and they had dedicated the tour to him.
I began to ponder the idea. If the original members are gone, is it STILL the band, or does it morph into a tribute band? And is the “official” band any more sacred than a group that was inspired by the original, and who preforms that material? Tribute bands names are often a play on words to the originals’ name or songs. Bands such as Brit Floyd, ZUSA, American Eagle, and Rumours are all tribute bands that bring a well honed representation of their source act.
Here’s my takeaway. When you see a tribute, they are bringing their interpretation of a band, at its prime – the “classic line up” of that group, in their heyday. Their goal is typically to sound like the best iteration of that group.
Contrast that with the “name brand band.” They may not have the original players, but they typically carry with them the traditions and sounds that have evolved over time. They usually play a lot of hits, as well as newer material that has continued to move them forward. People don’t go to see a tribute band to hear them play the original group’s latest, current record. They want a “best of” experience. But seeing the “real” group (even after a long line of changes,) continues that evolution.
I’ve seen excellent examples of both. I see a tribute band as a reenactment. They provide an experience – “as if you were there.” Compare that with a current lineup of an original band- it’s like a favorite sports team. A Yankees fan may look back lovingly on the days of Mickey Mantle. Some of those fans weren’t even born while he was playing. But the Yankees remain THEIR team. If they visit NY, they want to see a real game, as “preformed” by THE CURRENT TEAM. Mickey Mantle (or Joe DiMaggio, or Babe Ruth) have been dead for years. There are no “original” members. But they’re still the Yankees.
The bottom line (at least for me) is this. The “name brand” (I really need a better way to describe them than that!) carries the fans along with them – old and new – into who they ARE today. A tribute group is a picture (albeit a photo shopped one) of the greatest moments of that group; like a docudrama is to an historical event.
Both can provide a great experience to the music fan. If the new sound of your old favorite is something you have enjoyed as they evolved, continue to see that group. If you prefer the “glory days” of something that no longer exists, see the tribute. No matter what – as the Doobie Brothers suggest – listen to the music.
-Toph