The music scene is a battlefield. You assemble your troops – talented musicians who can shred, not just show off (sorry, musos!). They gotta have decent gear, maybe even that rockstar mane (depending on the decade).
But the real enemy is fragmentation. Keeping a young band together when your pockets are perpetually empty and the only gigs are sticky-floored dives with TVs blaring over your amps – that’s the ultimate test. Some musicians leave, others get the boot.
But what if you were one of those who left, or got the boot, from a band on the cusp of greatness? The five following musicians have a story to tell – a tale of near misses and what-ifs that will sting like a dropped pick during a stadium show.
Dave Mustaine (Metallica)
Dave Mustaine was part of Metallica’s early, hard-drinking days. But unlike his bandmates who embraced the “Alcoholica” lifestyle, Mustaine’s aggression turned destructive when fueled by alcohol.
“I’d be aggressive and confrontational because I was a violent drunk,” Mustaine admitted. This volatility became too much for Metallica, who were on the verge of recording their debut album, Kill ‘Em All. They fired Mustaine and brought in Kirk Hammett as his replacement.
While Mustaine went on to form the highly successful Megadeth, a longstanding tension remained between him and Metallica for many years.
Jason Cropper (Weezer)
Though his time with Weezer was brief, Jason Cropper left a lasting mark on the band. The iconic blue Stratocaster that became synonymous with Rivers Cuomo actually belonged to Cropper initially. Back then, Cropper played acoustic while Cuomo used an electric Strat copy (later known as the “Blue Guitar”).
Cropper’s influence went beyond gear. He also wrote the fingerpicking intro to the beloved “My Name Is Jonas”. However, fate intervened during the recording of Weezer’s debut album. News of his girlfriend’s pregnancy caused Cropper anxiety, leading to tension within the band. An argument over her arrival in New York culminated in Cropper’s dismissal.
Cuomo re-recorded Cropper’s parts, and Weezer finished their groundbreaking album without him. Brian Bell ultimately filled the vacant guitarist spot later in 1994.
Chad Channing (Nirvana)
In 1990, frustration simmered within Nirvana. Their then-drummer Chad Channing felt sidelined creatively, wanting more input in songwriting. Meanwhile, Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic weren’t happy with his drumming style. The tension became undeniable – a change was needed.
Nirvana wrapped up a tour in May 1990, and by June, Channing was out. Thanks to a connection from Buzz Osborne of the Melvins, Dave Grohl, recently of the disbanded Scream, entered the picture.
Nirvana landed a deal with DGC Records and with Grohl behind the kit, began recording their explosive album, Nevermind. Grohl’s musical contributions would extend beyond drumming, as evidenced by his future band, Foo Fighters.
Tony Chapman (The Rolling Stones)
The Rolling Stones’ story could have been different. In the early 1960s, Tony Chapman held the drum seat for a pre-fame Stones. He even played a role in bringing bassist Bill Wyman into the fold. Chapman was present when the band got its iconic name.
Legend has it a journalist inquired about a name, and Brian Jones, spotting a Muddy Waters album, blurted out “The Rollin’ Stones”. However, Chapman wasn’t destined to be part of rock history. He clashed with the band’s increasingly experimental direction and left before they hit the recording studio.
In 1963, Charlie Watts took over drumming duties, and The Rolling Stones, soon dubbed the “World’s Greatest Rock Band”, were off and running. Chapman, meanwhile, formed The Preachers and later joined The Herd, both featuring a teenage Peter Frampton.
Pete Best (The Beatles)
Summer 1962 wasn’t a happy time for Pete Best. The Beatles’ drummer for two years, Best was unexpectedly fired by manager Brian Epstein. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison decided his drumming wasn’t a good fit, opting for Ringo Starr instead.
The years that followed were tough for Best. He witnessed the band he once belonged to explode into global superstars, leaving him feeling adrift. The pressure became overwhelming, leading to a suicide attempt at the peak of Beatlemania. Despite this, Best later denied The Beatles were the cause, telling The Irish Times he refused to dwell on the past.
Choosing to move forward, Best adopted the motto “to hell with what happened yesterday.” He rebuilt his life, finding success with his own band and ultimately making peace with his near miss at superstardom.