The Barenaked Ladies have announced by a statement on their website that after 20 years frontman Stephen Page is leaving the band:
"By mutual agreement, Steven Page will be parting company with the remaining members of Barenaked Ladies. Jim Creeggan, Kevin Hearn, Ed Robertson, and Tyler Stewart will continue recording and touring together as Barenaked Ladies. Steven Page will pursue solo projects including theatrical opportunities while the band enters the studio in April 2009, and hits the road in the fall."While the rest of the band is going to stay together, tour, and record another album I cannot think of a single instance where the front man of a band has left and things have gone uphill afterward - at least not an established band.
As for Page he has a new blog and a twitter and says
" I am no longer a Barenaked Lady. After twenty years (plus a few months), I'm heading out on my own. I'm really excited about all the opportunities coming my way:"
Thanks to CanCult for the heads up.
6 comments:
Agreed, to the extent that I can recall. I can't help but think that this splitting-up is a mistake for Page and the Ladies as a band overall. Hopefully, if we're right, they'll see it themselves soon enough to help them.
"I cannot think of a single instance where the front man of a band has left and things have gone uphill afterward - at least not an established band."
Joy Division, Genesis, Iron Maiden and AC/DC all come to mind. Artistically, one can argue that things may not have gone 'uphill' for these bands but commercially? Absolutely.
Granted, in two of those examples, the front man died but, technically, they still 'left'...right?
Well, I can't speak to Iron Maiden, AC/DC or Genesis - never really been a fan of any incarnation.
As for Joy Division - maybe commercially (although they were headed there anyway) but other than that I don't think even New Order would agree with you.
I had forgotten Genesis. My gaffe, especially since I own several albums on cassette and CD. I should've remembered.
Especially since they've survived losing two lead singers, Gabriel and Collins. Collins returned, Gabriel didn't. Heck, they've even survived a decade of "hiatus" thus far!
Hoping we don't need such convolutions in BNL's case, though...
Just remembered another one...Pink Floyd.
One more -- Faith No More.
I'll stop now.
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