The life of a rockstar isn’t always as glamorous as it seems. While being part of a successful band can be a dream come true, it also comes with its fair share of challenges. From relentless touring schedules to creative disagreements, the pressures can weigh heavily on even the most seasoned musicians.
Sometimes, these pressures become too overwhelming, leading key members to step away. Whether it’s to explore solo projects or simply escape the chaos, leaving the band can feel like the only option. Yet, departures like these often leave fans wondering if the magic will ever return.
Surprisingly, some rockstars do find their way back to the stage alongside their old bandmates. These reunions often spark excitement, proving that even after stepping away, the bond of music can bring them back together. Let’s take a look at a few who made a triumphant return.
Vince Neil – Motley Crue
In 1991, Motley Crue seemed unstoppable after Dr. Feelgood topped the charts, earning them a $25 million record deal. But as grunge music took over, hair metal began to decline, and tensions within the band grew. Vince Neil’s drinking caused frequent absences from rehearsals, and by 1992, the band confronted him about finding a replacement. Neil left the studio, claiming he was fired, though Nikki Sixx argued he had quit.
With Neil gone, Motley Crue brought in John Corabi for their 1994 self-titled album. Unfortunately, the album failed to meet expectations, and its tour struggled to attract large audiences. Corabi eventually exited, leaving the band in a state of uncertainty. Meanwhile, Neil spent years trying to reconcile with his former bandmates.
In 1997, Neil officially rejoined Motley Crue and performed with them at the American Music Awards. Though the reunion felt strange at first, Neil realized how much he loved being part of the band. Reflecting on the experience, he admitted none of them had fully understood how much the group’s unity meant until they were back together again.
John Frusciante – Red Hot Chili Peppers
John Frusciante joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1988 as their fourth lead guitarist, stepping into big shoes left by previous members. He quickly became part of the band’s rise to fame, contributing to hits like “Give It Away” and “Under the Bridge.” However, the band’s growing success made him uncomfortable. According to Anthony Kiedis’s memoir Scar Tissue, Frusciante struggled with the pressures of fame and deliberately underperformed on Saturday Night Live in 1992. Later that year, he quit during a Japan tour, leaving the band to shuffle through three temporary guitarists.
By 1998, Frusciante faced a personal crisis, battling severe addiction to heroin and other substances. After completing rehab, bassist Flea invited him back to the band. Overwhelmed with emotion, Frusciante rejoined and went on to contribute to three more albums. However, in 2009, he stepped away once again, citing struggles with mental health.
A decade later, in 2019, Frusciante made a surprising return to the Chili Peppers, replacing his own replacement, Josh Klinghoffer. Fans rejoiced as the band reunited with one of their most iconic members, proving that sometimes, the right fit always finds its way back.
Pat Smear – Foo Fighters
After Nirvana disbanded following Kurt Cobain’s death, Dave Grohl started Foo Fighters, bringing Pat Smear onboard as guitarist. Smear, who had played with Nirvana as an auxiliary member, joined the newly formed band but struggled with his role. Personal tensions arose when Grohl divorced Smear’s close friend, adding strain to their relationship. Eventually, Smear decided to leave, feeling burnt out from the demands of being in a major rock band.
Grohl brought in Franz Stahl, his former bandmate from Scream, to fill the gap. However, Stahl’s tenure was short-lived, and he was replaced by Chris Shiflett. Meanwhile, Smear remained close to the band, and over time, he and Grohl reconciled. This renewed friendship paved the way for Smear to rejoin as a touring guitarist.
By 2010, Smear returned to Foo Fighters as a full-time member. His return solidified the lineup and brought a renewed energy to the band, with Smear once again becoming an integral part of their sound and success.
Rob Halford – Judas Priest
Judas Priest started as a progressive rock band in 1969 but skyrocketed to heavy metal fame with the addition of Rob Halford. His operatic vocals and lyrics about rebellion and aggression became the soundtrack to classics like “Breaking the Law” and “You’ve Got Another Thing Coming.” Halford’s powerful presence shaped the band’s identity, making him an icon in British heavy metal.
In 1992, Halford left Judas Priest to explore a solo career. Like many lead singers, personal struggles and creative differences played a role in his departure. The band continued with Tim “Ripper” Owens, who, fittingly, had been in a Judas Priest tribute band. While Owens filled the role admirably, the absence of Halford was undeniable.
Halford’s longing for his old bandmates eventually brought him back. In 2003, he penned an emotional letter spanning several pages, expressing regret and a desire to reunite. The band welcomed him back after reconnecting while working on the Metalogy box set in 2004. His return marked a triumphant chapter for Judas Priest, reuniting the band with its iconic frontman.
Peter Criss – Kiss
In the 1970s, Kiss was known for their theatrical stage makeup and larger-than-life personas. Drummer Peter Criss embodied “The Cat” and sang lead on the band’s biggest hit, “Beth,” which climbed to #7 on the charts in 1976. Despite his contributions, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley grew dissatisfied with Criss’ drumming skills. By 1980, an audition to replace him ended poorly, and Criss parted ways with the band.
In 1995, Criss found himself back in the fold. His solo career hadn’t taken off, and Simmons and Stanley, facing financial troubles after being misled by a manager, saw an opportunity to reconnect. They invited Criss and guitarist Ace Frehley to a Kiss convention and an “MTV Unplugged” performance. Initially hesitant, Criss eventually agreed, drawn by the potential for financial rewards.
The reunion sparked excitement among fans, leading to the highly successful 1996 Kiss reunion tour. According to The Washington Post, it was the most profitable tour of the year. Criss, much like Simmons, embraced the lucrative opportunity, proving that sometimes the show really does go on.
Mickey Hart – The Grateful Dead
Mickey Hart joined The Grateful Dead as one of two drummers in 1967, working alongside Bill Kreutzmann. However, trouble arose in 1970 when the band discovered that their financial manager, Lenny Hart—Mickey’s father—had stolen a significant amount of their money. After returning $10,000, Lenny vanished with the band’s remaining funds, leading to canceled tour dates and financial turmoil.
In 1971, Mickey left the band, deeply affected by his father’s betrayal, especially since some of the stolen money was his own. Lenny was eventually convicted of embezzlement and served six months in jail, but the damage to Mickey’s relationship with the band had already been done. It wasn’t until after Lenny’s death in 1975 that Mickey considered rejoining The Grateful Dead.
By 1976, Hart returned to the fold, though not without resistance. His bandmates sympathized with his plight, but Kreutzmann was hesitant to welcome him back. Ultimately, after some persuasion—allegedly during a drug-induced state—Kreutzmann agreed, allowing Hart to reclaim his place in the band.
Richard Wright – Pink Floyd
During the making of The Wall in 1979, tensions rose between Pink Floyd’s bassist, Roger Waters, and keyboardist Richard Wright. Waters felt that Wright wasn’t contributing enough to the album, particularly as Wright was going through a personal divorce. This led to Waters threatening to cancel the album unless Wright left the band, which caused Wright to step away.
Though Wright left, he returned to Pink Floyd, albeit in a different capacity. Rather than being a full band member, he rejoined as a salaried touring musician. This arrangement allowed Wright to continue working with the band without the internal pressure and expectations.
Financially, this shift worked in Wright’s favor. While the rest of the band struggled with the costs of The Wall tour, Wright made more money than if he had remained a full member. Despite the challenges, his return proved beneficial in the long run.
Steve Perry – Journey
In 1977, Journey shifted from jazz-rock to a more commercial sound, which marked the start of their massive success. With Steve Perry as their lead singer, the band released multi-platinum albums and iconic hits like “Don’t Stop Believin’” and “Separate Ways.” However, in 1987, Perry abruptly left the band, citing a need for personal time, including mourning his mother’s death.
In the 1990s, Perry’s nostalgia led him to reach out to his former bandmates. The reunion seemed promising, and Journey began working on a new album, Trial by Fire. But just as they were preparing for the tour, Perry faced severe hip pain from a hiking injury, leading him to give his blessing for the band to tour without him.
Despite Perry’s pivotal role in bringing the band back together, Journey moved forward under their original name but without him. His absence marked a bittersweet chapter in the band’s ongoing legacy.
Bruce Dickinson – Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden’s success skyrocketed when Bruce Dickinson joined as their lead singer in 1981. His powerful voice became the driving force behind the band’s iconic songs like “The Number of the Beast” and “Run to the Hills.” However, in 1993, Dickinson left to explore other musical projects, seeking to expand his knowledge beyond Iron Maiden.
After Dickinson’s departure, Iron Maiden brought in Blaze Bayley, but his time with the band didn’t resonate with fans, leading to poor album sales. Meanwhile, Dickinson’s solo career struggled, with only a few minor hits. Iron Maiden, unsatisfied with Bayley’s performance, decided to part ways with him.
In a twist of fate, Iron Maiden’s manager urged Steve Harris to reach out to Dickinson for a reunion. Initially hesitant, Harris eventually agreed, and the two began to warm to the idea during their first meeting. This marked the beginning of a successful return for Dickinson and Iron Maiden.
Tom DeLonge – Blink-182
Blink-182 rose to fame in the early 2000s with hits like “All the Small Things” and “What’s My Age Again?” But in 2005, the band went on a hiatus, which eventually turned into a split. Tom DeLonge formed Angels and Airwaves, while Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker continued with their side project, +44.
In 2009, Blink-182 reunited after sorting out personal issues, particularly after Barker’s near-fatal plane crash. However, tensions resurfaced in 2015, leading to another breakup. Hoppus and Barker blamed DeLonge for leaving, a claim he denied, and Matt Skiba replaced him to fill the gap left by the guitarist’s exit.
Years later, the bandmates reconciled following Hoppus’s cancer diagnosis, which gave DeLonge a new perspective on life. In 2022, Blink-182 announced their reunion with DeLonge, who thanked Matt Skiba for his time in the band and expressed his excitement for their return.