Famous musicians who were fired from their bands

Pearl Jam went through a bevy of drummers before Matt Cameron provided some stability. Abbruzzese, though, is perhaps the most notable of that past group. He played on the band's second and third albums "Vs." (1993) and "Vitalogy" (1994), respectively. However, Abbruzzese's rather outgoing personality and love of the spotlight didn't mesh with other band members, and he was shown the door in August 1994.

As often is the case in the music business, drugs and alcohol tend to be the basis for termination from a band. It was Adler's heroin problem that got the drummer fired from Guns N' Roses in July 1990. Though Matt Sorum proved a serviceable replacement on the "Use Your Illusion" LPs, it's Adler tempo, timing and swing behind the kit that helped the band to stardom with its debut smash, "Appetite for Destruction."

There is one true voice to progressive-rock Hall of Famers Yes, and it's Anderson. However, in 2008, Anderson was dumped from the group he helped create after health issues sidelined him for some years prior. According to Rolling Stone, Anderson was not even informed by the band of the decision to move on without him, rather hearing it from a friend. Anderson, however, sang with Yes at its 2017 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

An original member and key cog to the Van Halen machine, seeing or hearing Anthony no longer being associated with the rock gods still seems strange. It's been stated that Anthony's continued working relationship and friendship with former VH frontman Sammy Hagar were at least two reasons the stellar bassist was dropped as a full-time member as early as the late 1990s.

The "Madcap Genius," Barrett was the true leader of Pink Floyd in the band's early, psychodelic years. Much of Barrett's creativity was fueled by his acid intake, which in turn led to increased erratic behavior and failure to be depended on. The group finally had enough in the late 1960s and let Barrett go. In one of the most famous stories in the band's history, Barrett showed up during the recordings of Floyd's 1975 smash "Wish You Were Here," based in part on him, looking overweight and unrecognizable. 

Often referred to as the "Fifth Beatle," Best joined the band in 1960, was around for its work in Hamburg and popular with fans for his good looks. However, when it came time to hit the studios back in England, producer George Martin felt a seasoned session drummer was needed to record. The rest of the band reportedly knew Best's lack of overall talent as a complete drummer and songwriter would not help it down the road. Best was fired in 1962 and replaced by the lovable Ringo Starr.

Fleetwood Mac was toiling in relative obscurity when Buckingham and then-girlfriend Stevie Nicks joined in the mid-1970s. That pair helped the band achieve stardom, and Buckingham was usually at the forefront of its success down the road. However, he was fired from the group in 2018 for a dispute regarding the set list for its tour at the time, which caused tension within the band.

It's not often the driving force behind a band's success is let go, but that's what happened to DeYoung. The co-founder and main singer-songwriter of Styx, DeYoung was suffering from a light-sensitivity disorder and unable to tour in support of 1999's "Brave New World" album. The rest of the band hired a new singer and pressed on minus DeYoung, who asked the group to delay the tour. There had also been growing creative differences with DeYoung's pop-fueled, theatrical stylings and the rock preferences of bandmates James Young and Tommy Shaw.

General metal fans might forget that Bruce Dickinson is not the original Iron Maiden frontman. Di'Anno sang on the band's first two albums, the self-titled 1980 debut and follow-up, "Killers," still regarded as two of Maiden's finest works. Though the story might differ in some circles, the band opted to move on from Di'Anno because of his often lack of interest, substance abuse issues and an inability to conform with management and its overall hierarchy.

Evans lasted only one year (1973-74) as the voice of AC/DC, but not many rock fans likely remember that fact. Evans sang on just one single, the earliest version of “Can I Sit Next To You, Girl.” However, reports suggest Evans didn't have the right voice as the band progressed to a bluesier, harder sound. Enter Bon Scott, then Brian Johnson, and the rest is rock 'n' roll history.

For parts of almost 30 years, Felder played with the Eagles and helped pen such classics as "Hotel California." But he was let go from the group in 2001 for what was reported as creative and professional differences. What followed were years of lawsuits between him and the band, more specifically Don Henley and the late Glenn Frey.  

Jones was the co-founder of one of rock's greatest bands, but by the late 1960s he had fallen out of favor with bandmates Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. In addition to Jones' creative differences with the pair and Stones management, he was heavily involved with drugs and alcohol. He was finally let go by the group in June 1969, and the next month he was dead in his swimming pool at age 27.

Perhaps the best thing that ever happened to the legendary metal frontman was being sacked from the 1970s British progressive rock band Hawkwind. A drug arrest at the United States-Canada border in 1975 was ultimately the last straw for the band and Lemmy. He regrouped to form a new group, one that would eventually be called Motorhead, which incidentally was the name of the last song he wrote with Hawkwind. 

Though Mustaine has enjoyed massive success with his own band Megadeth, it will always live in the shadows of his former employer, Metallica. The lead guitarist played a key role on Metallica's debut, "Kill 'Em All," earning writing credits on classics like "The Four Horseman" and "Metal Militia." However, when the band arrived in New York to record the album, Mustaine's drinking was out of control and he was sent on a bus back to L.A., no longer a member of what would become one of the biggest metal acts in the world.

Navarro has been part of two of alternative rock's biggest bands in Jane's Addiction and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Of course, his time in the latter was rather brief. After joining in 1993, Navarro played on RHCP's "One Hot Minute" (1995). The album received lukewarm reviews, and by 1998 Navarro was out. Creative differences has been the popular reason for Navarro's dismissal, but his drug use might also have played a part.

Neil's situation might be more of a "he said, he said" one — or the good old, "you can't fire me, I quit." Neil insists he was fired from one of rock's biggest bands in 1992, though bassist and principal songwriter Nikki Sixx claims he quit. Since Motley has always been Sixx's baby, we can see the firing as more of a likelihood. After the band's self-titled 1994 effort tanked commercially with John Corabi on vocals and Neil didn't have much of a solo career, it made sense when the camps reunited a few years later.

Oliveri was an important piece in two of QOTSA's biggest releases, "Rated R" and "Songs for the Deaf." The bassist co-wrote and sung lead on several songs on both albums. However, even though he was a longtime friend and bandmate with the group's leader, Josh Homme, Oliveri was let go in early 2004 for what has been reported as alleged physical abuse of his girlfriend at the time. 

Rock's "Prince of Darkness" was not immune to a band sacking — even from one of the biggest acts in the world. As the band grew in popularity, so did its collective issue with drugs and alcohol. With Ozzy at the forefront, those demons began to hinder the singer's creativity and general interest within the group. He was booted in 1979 but became ever more popular as a solo artist and reality TV star.

Before Travis Barker manned the drum kit for pop-punkers Blink-182, Raynor was the man. However, when the band signed its major-label deal with MCA, Raynor thought the compromise was too big and began to lose interest. Personal issues and drinking problems further put a rift between Raynor and bandmates Mark Hoppus and Tom DeLonge. Raynor was eventually fired in 1998. 

Though Rourke would eventually be rehired by the Smiths, the bassist's firing in 1986 involves a good story that lead singer Morrissey claims was not how it went down. According to Rourke, who was allegedly involved with heroin at the time, he received a handwritten postcard left on the windshield wiper of his car alerting him of his sacking.

The voice of "My Girl" and "Ain't Too Proud to Beg," Ruffin was truly one of the Motown greats. However, as The Temptations' popularity grew, so did Ruffin's ego. At one point he wanted the band's name changed to David Ruffin & The Temptations. He also developed a serious cocaine habit and was missing rehearsals and even a performance. The late Ruffin was fired in June 1968 and replaced by Dennis Edwards. Though, Ruffin would often turn up at the group's shows and crash the stage to sing along with the rest of them.

Bon Jovi has always been about its leader and namesake, and if anybody went against the wishes of Jon Bon Jovi and the organization, there could be ramifications. While an official reason for the bassist's canning was never really given, Such's live performance struggles is one popular reason, along with his knack for spilling private band business to the public.

Another of rock's brilliant but tortured souls, Weiland was the face of Stone Temple Pilots, the band he founded and one that rose to fame in the 1990s. However, Weiland's drug addiction always plagued the band, and though that was not officially the reason he was let go in 2013, there was definite tension between him and his bandmates. Weiland died in 2015 of an accidental overdose.

The diminutive guitarist was a key component on Def Leppard's first two albums that signaled the band as a major player amid the British Wave of Heavy Metal. However, Willis' excessive drinking became a burden on the band and often hindered his professional work. In July 1982 Willis was fired, and Phil Collen was hired to continue Leppard's dual-guitar attack.

No doubt the most reserved member of the Pink Floyd, the late Wright was a founding member of the Hall of Fame band. However, due to a diminished writing and contributory role within the act, and the inability to always get along with pompous bassist Roger Waters, Wright was dropped as an official member after 1979's "The Wall" was released. Wright actually stayed on as a touring musician with the Floyd and returned as a full-time member long after Waters' departure in the mid-1990s.