Music's Biggest Quitters: 20 Who Quit

Spinner:

They say winners never quit, but in the music biz there's something to be said for going out at the top of your game. Whether they left for greener pastures, fled amid feuds and controversy, or just dropped off the face of the earth, here are some of the biggest quitters in rock music history.

Read the whole story: Spinner

Comments

[Destin]

Some of these don't belong on the list, unless they have a very vague and obscure definition of "quit", lol.

I know that Peter Criss quit Kiss, but I wasn't aware that Ace Frehley did. To listen to Gene Simmons talk, he was fired from Kiss after a couple of drunk driving car crashes and longtime substance abuse that hampered the bands ability to perform during his last few years with the band. Officially it was a "negotiated split". Not a quit, not a firing. Still, the infamous videos of Ace refusing to go out on stage after being passed out backstage, stuff like that. He may have been a legend and on top of the world in the guitar driven music scene, but he quickly, VERY quickly found out that he was not irreplaceable. Just ask Vinnie Vincent. And funny, Eddie Van Halen was practically begging Gene Simmons to let him take Ace Frehley's place. Oh how that would have ROCKED!!

The article does have it right in regards to Frehley contributing little to nothing on the last 2 albums he was technically still with Kiss, tho in a comatose state much of the time. But it does have it wrong on the disco allegations. That was all rumor simply because Kiss signed on with the Casablanca music label, which was known worldwide for it's lineup of disco artists.

[BLSabob]

Ted Nugent quit the human race well over 2 decades ago.

[Redeemer777]

Still can't get over Lauryn Hill quitting.

[DeepsyRascal]

The ones that stand out for me are Johnny Marr leaving The Smiths and Johnny Rotten's departure from Se x Pistols. Also, William Reid from Jesus & Mary Chain though there has been a reunion, Peter Hook from New Order, probably won't make much difference as NO are eternally on sabbatical. Lol from The Cure, for the best as he became a raging alky and Robbie from Take That, whatever.

[PathofTotality]

Of all listed, the split between RATM and De La Rocha sucked the most. Audioslave was pretty good IMO as I liked Chris Cornell but you just can't beat a good RATM song at high volume.

[pjgm]

Yep, the RATM split was a bummer. At least some great music came out of it in the form of AudioSlave. Cornell's voice with Morello's guitar work is awesome.

[Scalawag]

Yeah, they split just when we needed them most....the Bush administration.

[luziannagirl]

Gregg Alexander, New Radicals. Apparently hated all of being a rock star. Now produces & writes for others. Too bad....for me, who just discovered them & their one cd!

[stevezep]

Do your own thing, some people don't get along with other people. Live and let live.

[JLivermore]

Steve Perry did not quit Journey, they left him because of his hip problems.

[jessicajuliette]

Peter Cetera--Chicago....

Tucker Crowe???

[Milash]

Its just like when Ginger Spice left The Spice Girls or when Greg Brady left the family group to become Johnny Bravo. Two dark days in musical history.

[Ishmael1]

I'm showing my age here, but what about Peter Green and Jeremy Spencer quitting Fleetwood Mac?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxux5LdmjQU

CCR broke up because of conflicts between John Fogerty and Saul Zaentz of Fantasy records over John's publishing rights. Tom and the rest of the band sided with Zaentz. The John Fogerty/Zaentz feud went so far as Zaentz suing John over "Centerfield" claiming fogerty palagiarized his older songs that Zaentz owned the copyrights to. I actually saw CCR's last performance in 1984 at the Lucky Lion Inn in Walnut Creek, CA. when my ex-wife and I crashed the El Cerrito High class of 1964's 20-year reunion and CCR(John and Tom's old alma mater) were playing the reunion.

[Catothemuchyounger]

I agree, the Green God quitting the Mac should be on the list. And how about Brian Jones quitting the Stones? Syd Barrett quitting Pink Floyd?

[skeeterp]

john frusciante bailing right after mtv got hold of the chili peppers.

phil anselmo leaving pantera.

mike patton laying faith no more and mr bungle to rest.

[princeza]

The only one on the list that I was interested in- Jason Newsted. When I heard that he was leaving Metallica, I was puzzled. I wonder if he regrets it?

[Firestarterfive]

Happy Birthday Sammy Hagar (62)

[CherrySpring]

Dear Lauryn Hill,

Come back to us! Your devoted fans patiently await your next brilliant album. Please snap out of it (whatever *it* is) and grace us once again with your song writing prowess. I propose the "Re-Education of Lauryn Hill" be the title of your next album.

Sincerely,

CherrySpring

[hopefull2008]

Seconded

[jazzofcourse08]

Co-sign. I was disappointed when Lauryn quit. Hopefully she returns to the studio.