Iconic Guitarist Replacements in Rock History

Replacing a lead guitarist can be a make-or-break moment for a band, with some replacements becoming as iconic, or even more so, than their predecessors.

The top 3

  1. Guitarists Who Filled Legendary Shoes: Some replacements faced immense pressure, such as Tommy Bolin replacing Ritchie Blackmore in Deep Purple and Zakk Wylde stepping in for Randy Rhoads in Ozzy Osbourne's band.
  2. Replacements Who Redefined a Band's Sound: Guitarists like John Frusciante in Red Hot Chili Peppers and Lindsey Buckingham in Fleetwood Mac not only replaced members but significantly influenced their bands' most successful eras and sound.
  3. Successful Guitarist Re-Entries and Returns: Some bands have seen original or highly impactful guitarists return after absences, such as John Frusciante rejoining the Red Hot Chili Peppers for their critically acclaimed album 'Californication' after a previous departure.

Sources

Open the full topic