Has a Musical Group Ever Disbanded to Reunite Under Another Name?

Throughout the annals of music history, many bands and musical groups have faced the brink of dissolution only to come together again, albeit with a different name and new aspirations. These instances are as fascinating as they are numerous, offering insights into the resilience and adaptability of musical talent.

Not Identical Groups But Big Parts of Successful Groups

One of the most notable examples is the case of King Crimson, whose members

These instances demonstrate that even the most successful bands can maintain the essence of their sound and spirit, even after significant lineup changes.

Simon Dupree and the Big Sound

Another interesting case involves Simon Dupree and the Big Sound, a British pop group of the 1960s. The core members, Derek Phil, Ray Shulman, and Martin Smith, were joined by Peter O’Flaherty on bass and Eric Hine on keyboards. Eric fell ill during a tour, and Dudley Moore and Reg Dwight covered for him.

Feeling disenchanted with their pop genre, the group decided to discontinue their appearances but not without making a significant change. They hired new musicians Gary Greene and Kerry Minear, and reemerged under the name Gentle Giant. The lineup of Martin Smith was eventually replaced by Malcolm Mortimore and then John “Pugwash” Weathers. Finally, Phil retired from the group after a few years of activity.

The RB Group: The Moments

The Moments faced a slightly different challenge. They lost the legal right to use their name after leaving their record label. Instead, they continued to perform under the surname of their band members, Ray Goodman and Brown.

A Rather Unusual Band: Feesh Bowdish

No discussion of these musical rarities would be complete without mentioning Feesh Bowdish. This duo consisted of two skanks, Aloeass and Highnecker, who walked a fine line between the beauty and androgyny of the punk and fetish scenes. Frank Zappa was once interested in having them open for one of his tours, which reflects the band's diverse yet unconventional approach to their performance.

Feesh Bowdish was not only a clothing spectacle but also a performance art. The pair wore extremely tight bodices that verged on masochism, complete with neck rings that stretched their necks. Their performances were so avant-garde that they used firecrackers hidden in mannequins to create a stunning visual effect. However, the chemical reaction of Aloeass's hair setting on fire during a performance sent the group into a panic, leading to an unexpected fire that spread throughout the venue.

The drive behind the group's original fire performance was to draw attention and create a memorable spectacle. Instead, it ended in a catastrophic chain of events that nearly resulted in loss of life. The fire spread from the stage and captured the attention of a nearby audience member, who was holding an alcoholic beverage. The vodka ignite, causing a voracious flame that soon engulfed the audience members.

This incident not only cost the band their reputation temporarily but also highlighted the dangers and complexities involved in such unconventional performances.

In conclusion, the story of bands like King Crimson, Simon Dupree and the Big Sound, and Feesh Bowdish illustrates the enduring spirit of music and the creativity that can arise even from the most chaotic and unpredictable scenarios.