Indie-rock pioneers Guided By Voices played their last show together in January. They, like thousands of other bands, have decided to move on, to change their style and maybe find themselves as individuals.
With music, every good thing must come to an end, but it seems we lose track of certain band members of some of the greatest bands to ever exist. After breaking up, most bands say they need time to move on while they do \other things.""
Some try solo careers while others take different, more bizarre career paths. But what really are these ""other things"" they pursue?
Guns N' Roses endured a nasty break up with no possibility of reunification. Guitarist Slash went on to other solo projects. Singer Axl Rose, who received the rights to the name ""Guns N' Roses,"" toured with a new Guns N' Roses. His highly anticipated comeback failed without the original band members.
Guns N' Roses bassist Duff McKagan took a different approach to the break up by attending college and began working on a degree in finance at Seattle University.
Imagine you are in one of Duff's classes and are studying for a final with him, accompanied by music mix playing in the background. Suddenly, your mix plays ""Welcome to the Jungle."" What are you to do? Demand Duff to play air bass as you sway your hips pretending to be Axl and use your pencil as a microphone?
An even crazier post-band career comes from Beatles member Ringo Starr. Ringo kept the steady beats for the group and showed off his comedic side in the movie ""Help.""
In the '80s, Ringo put down the drumsticks and became the wise voice of Mr. Conductor in the PBS children's sitcom ""Shining Time Station."" Thomas the Tank Engine probably never thought he would learn life lessons from a former Beatles member.
Maybe ""Shining Time Station"" was the place where Ringo Starr's ""dreams could come true.""
Some former band members just cannot help but stay in music. Instead of joining another band, they find solace in being a part of Broadway musicals.
Former Skid Row lead singer Sebastian Bach drastically changed musical directions when he played the lead in Broadway's ""Jekyll and Hyde.""
While it may seem hair band singers just scream and shout, Sebastian Bach actually has an amazing, powerful voice, perfect for Broadway. Maybe Bach was a Broadway baby to begin with, not an '80s hair band babe; his name definitely illustrates where his passions lie.
Death tried breaking apart numerous bands, but the financial incentives to reform trump Death's will.
Recently, Queen announced they will go on tour in March without their infamous lead singer, Freddie Mercury. Mercury's 1991 death from AIDS seemed to be the end of Queen.
However, their band mate's passing did not stop remaining members Brian May and Roger Taylor from recruiting Paul Rodgers to fill in for Mercury. Their first show is a concert to join the fight against AIDS.
The Doors also slipped through Death's icy grip. Sure, frontman Jim Morrison died in 1971, but after more than 30 years apart, the band reunited in 2003 and replaced their Lizard King with a Jim Morrison look-a-like, Ian Astbury.
Morrison just cannot be replaced because of his song writing genius, stage antics and rock 'n' roll reputation. While the other members of The Doors are talented, the band is not complete without Morrison.
Without Morrison, a unifying and grandeur element is lost. So, the real Doors aren't exactly back together; we just have the locks and hinges.
Anything can happen after bands part ways. Hopefully for Guided By Voices they will move on to ""other things"" and still be successful in whatever they attempt, whether it be financial mastery, a career in Broadway or appearing in a children's show.
Once musicians have accomplished fame, there is no telling what they may do next, which can be even more surprising and obscure than the days of being in a band.
Beth Wick never plans on breaking up her column, which runs Wednesdays. She can be reached at eawick@wisc.edu.
