Many iconic incredible guitarist with distinct solos, a far-reaching artist brand, or any other musical aspect. The band's chemistry can change, and the impact may not be the same for some fans.

On a positive note, some rock bands were more successful after losing an original member. As for the departed , powerful solo careers have emerged, granting fans new sonic options. Although sometimes devastating and destabilizing, beautiful new styles and creations have emerged from schisms in musical groups.

10 Marty Friedman

Megadeth (1990-2000)

Shake-ups within the "big four" thrash metal bands are always quite newsworthy because of their prominence in the heavy metal fandom. Megadeth has had countless member changes, but Marty Friedman particularly stood out because his artistry and unorthodox guitar-playing approach helped shape Megadeth's most successful albums. He was known for using exotic, Eastern-sounding guitar phrases and prioritizing emotion and melody over speed despite having immense shredding capabilities. Consequently, his unusual musical voice didn't always align with Megadeth's thrash metal direction, so he moved on to other, more fitting projects.

Although Friedman liked heavy music, he did not want to be limited solely to that style. However, following public criticism of Megadeth's experimental 1999 album Risk, the band sought to cement themselves in their foundational thrash metal sound. So, Marty left and moved to Japan, where he had more creative freedom to explore the exotic styles of music that resonated with him. He did not leave on bad , though, and maintained a positive relationship with the band, even reuniting with them in 2023 for a special performance in Tokyo.

9 Tarja Turunen

Nightwish (1996-2005)

In one of the most shocking and publicized schisms in metal history, Tarja was handed an open letter from her bandmates informing her that she was being fired. Tarja and the rest of Nightwish had opposing views about the events that led to her removal. Both entities felt that the other had become too distant. Nightwish believed that Tarja had become more concerned with money and fame than her musical ion, as influenced by her husband. Tarja felt betrayed and believed that concern for her finances was rational. However, she later mended her relationships with some Nightwish amidst her solo career.

Tarja Turunen is a classically trained soprano who brought a powerful operatic voice to Nightwish, cementing their distinct symphonic metal sound. Her firing from the band radically transformed Nightwish's entire feel, for better or worse. Replacement singer Anette Olzon's style did not resonate with some Nightwish fans because her pop/rock vocal style deprived the band of its foundational opera metal statement. The likability of this change is subjective, but the band undeniably became something very different from such a huge shift. However, some of the band's operatic elements were restored when mezzo-soprano singer Floor Janson replaced Olzon in 2012.

8 Adam Gontier

Three Days Grace (1992-2013, 2024-present)

Adam Gontier suddenly left Three Days Grace, blindsiding his bandmates and fans right before a scheduled tour. He cited prolonged health issues and dissatisfaction with the band's creative direction as his motivations. More specifically, he felt that Three Days Grace's music had become too commercialized, and he preferred to write songs that more personally reflected his struggles. The band replaced him with Matt Walst, while Adam formed Saint Astonia to fulfill his creative aspirations.

This lineup change was quite the stylistic paradigm shift for Three Days Grace. Matt Walst had a cleaner, more melodic vocal timbre compared to Gontier's grittier, raspier voice. Adam's vocal grit suited his personal lyrical themes involving inner turmoil, depression, and addiction. The lyrical writing significantly changed following his departure, exploring less personal and more universal themes of resilience and defiance.

In 2024, Adam Gontier reed the band, sharing vocal duties with Matt Walst and giving fans the best of both worlds. Their live shows and artistry have united Gontier's gritty, emotional style with Walst's more mainstream style in a revitalized fashion that has resonated well with much of the fanbase.

7 Joey Jordison

Slipknot (1995-2013)

Joey Jordison, known for his lightning speed and technical precision on the drums, left Slipknot in 2013 under mysterious circumstances. Later, possible explanations emerged. The band fired Joey via email, and internal band tensions and medical complications were possible reasons. Joey revealed in 2016 that he suffered from transverse myelitis, a neurological disorder that can weaken muscles and coordination. Whether the disorder's effect on his playing was a factor in his dismissal is still unconfirmed. However, Slipknot singer Corey Taylor stated that, without going into details, there was more to the story.

In addition to drumming, Jordison was involved in much of Slipknot's songwriting, contributing guitar parts, lyrics, and song structures.

Jordison's exit was an unfortunate loss for Slipknot's fans, given his exceptional skill, energetic live drum solos, and songwriting. However, his work can still be ired in his other projects, such as Scar the Martyr and Vimic. Jordison tragically ed away in 2021. His talent and legacy will be forever ed by fans.

6 Geoff Tate

Queensrÿche (1982-2012)

Lead singer Geoff Tate and the rest of Queensrÿche split after things got really ugly. What began as a dispute over Tate's preferred musical direction for Queensrÿche evolved into lawsuits and even physical altercations. A physical fight allegedly broke out between Tate and his bandmates right before they took the stage at a show in Brazil in 2012. Tate was fired shortly after but retaliated with a lawsuit. Geoff sought the rights to the Queensrÿche name, asserting himself as the band's primary creative force.

What began as a dispute over Tate's preferred musical direction for Queensrÿche evolved into lawsuits and even physical altercations.

The judge gave the rest of the band the name, but Tate was given the exclusive rights to perform Operation: Mindcrime, the band's most commercially notable album. Geoff Tate and his replacement, Todd La Torre, are both recognized for their incredible high-range vocal abilities. Queensrÿche remains one of the most impactful classic progressive metal bands, demonstrating superb musicianship, excellent lyrical storytelling, and musical innovation. Luckily, fans can still appreciate both of them live, as Geoff tours as a solo artist, where he still performs some of Queensrÿche's most beloved songs.

5 Jason Newsted

Metallica (1986-2001)

Following the tragic death of bass virtuoso Cliff Burton, Jason Newsted took Metallica's bass role in 1986 and performed on their next five studio albums. Newsted stood out with an energetic stage presence and by playing his bass primarily with a pick, distinguishing himself tonally from Cliff Burton in that regard. He also contributed to the band creatively by co-writing hits such as "Blackened."

However, Newsted's headbanging stage presence and differences with his bandmates took a toll on him, leading to his departure in 2001. He sustained neck and back injuries from his continuous touring and hyper performances. Additionally, singer James Hetfield opposed Jason's wish to work on other musical projects, fearing a lack of focus and prioritization of Metallica. Newsted felt controlled despite never being treated as an equal in the band. Therefore, he left to explore other creative projects but maintained a positive relationship with Metallica, even reuniting with them a few times in later years.

After splitting from Metallica, Jason Newstead worked with bands including Voivod, Echobrain, Newstead (self-titled project), and Ozzy Osborne's band, where he performed progressive metal, alternative rock, and traditional heavy metal styles, respectively. His work with these various groups showcases the stylistic diversity of Newsted's artistry, giving fans a motley of impressive options to listen to.

4 John Lennon

The Beatles (1960-1969)

As a factor in one of the most infamous musical breakups in history, John Lennon left The Beatles to regain creative freedom, followed shortly after by Paul McCartney. Lennon's desire to explore more avant-garde styles of music and political lyrical themes strayed from The Beatles' structured paradigm. Upon leaving, he found an outlet for such experimentation by collaborating musically with his wife, Yoko Ono. It is rumored that Ono's influence on Lennon led to his departure and the consequential crumbling of The Beatles. Historians say otherwise, though, as the band was already unraveling prior.

All four "Beatles" were starting to break off from the band in favor of their own direction. Each had outgrown each other musically and clashed on the band's business matters as well. John Lennon was the first domino to fall, and the breakup became public months later. However, every member was then poised for a successful solo career, each of which is still appreciated by fans for its unique style.

3 Slash

Guns N' Roses (1985 to 1996, 2016 to present)

Guns N' Roses' Slash, one of the most iconic names in rock history, is a defining aspect of the GNR brand, but he encountered some turmoil with the band's singer, Axl Rose. Slash is famous for his skillful and tasty guitar chops, as demonstrated in universally recognized songs, such as "Sweet Child of Mine" and "November Rain." His look, complete with sunglasses, long, curly hair, and a top hat, is an icon of the hard rock world.

Slash shoplifted his signature top hat moments before performing a gig in a last-minute attempt to create a stage fashion statement.

Axl Rose began making independent musical and business decisions on behalf of the band that clashed with Slash's vision. He legally took control of the band's name, brought in rhythm guitar player Paul Tobias, and pushed to evolve Guns N' Roses' sound in an electronically inspired way. However, Slash did not mesh well with Tobias' style and wanted to preserve the band's traditional blues and hard rock sound. Their creative differences yielded long delays in the creation of new music, and eventually, Slash left in 1996. Bandmates Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum followed his lead shortly after.

In the years following his departure, Slash participated in other musical projects, working with notable musicians, such as Michael Jackson and Alice Cooper. After a 20-year hiatus from Guns N' Roses, he returned to the band in 2016, reassembling the band's beloved image.

2 David Lee Roth

Van Halen (1974-1985, 1996, 2007-2020)

The fun, heavy rock band Van Halen was especially known for virtuoso Eddie Van Halen's guitar shredding and David Lee Roth's amusing and energetic stage presence. However, these two were fundamentally different people. Amidst the momentum of Van Halen's success, Eddie wanted to evolve the band by exploring new musical directions, while David wanted to further emphasize the mainstream party-rock feel and showmanship. The two fought quite a bit until Roth left or was pushed out in 1985.

Van Halen remained tremendously successful with Roth's replacement, Sammy Hagar, while Roth pursued a notable solo career that fit his personality. The Hagar era saw more tonally accurate singing, mature lyrical themes that were more commercially viable, and Eddie Van Halen's desired exploration of new musical ideas, including synthesizer use. David Lee Roth has since reunited with the band, once briefly in 1996 and again in 2007, remaining there until Eddie Van Halen's ing in 2020. This reunion brought a rewarding nostalgia to fans of Van Halen's earliest years.

1 Steve Perry

Journey (1977 to 1987,1991,1995 to 1998)

The legendary singer of Journey, known for his unmistakable voice and incredible range, faced some friction with his bandmates and career trajectory. Specifically, creative differences, health issues, and desired lifestyle changes prompted his departure. Perry resonated most strongly with ballad-style songs, as apparent in hits like "Faithfully" and "Open Arms." In contrast, the other Journey wanted a heavier, guitar-driven sound. Additionally, Perry had injured his hip while hiking. The band wanted to continue touring, but Perry hesitated to get the hip surgery he needed to do so, causing more band tensions.

Finally, Perry lost his drive for the musical grind, partially because he was a private person who disliked the pressures of fame. He departed from Journey and pursued a solo career that served him better, as it allowed for his authentic musical expression. Even though Journey's current singer, Arnel Pineda, is known to sound just like Steve Perry, many fans will still never be satisfied because Perry's legendary brand was such a highlight of Journey.