For many bands, the passing of a member is not just tragic, but also life changing. Having to face the loss of someone who helped build what the band has become is something that can determine what legacy they will leave behind. This tragedy has left many bands feeling that there is a void that can never be filled, and that it wouldn’t feel right continuing without their fallen bandmate. However, there are also many bands that have felt that they were able to continue the legacy that person and the rest of the band have created by continuing to make music and performing. Here are four famous bands that have made one of these choices and how that choice affected their legacy.

Linkin Park

Linkin Park is an American rock band that was formed in 1996 at Agoura Hills, California. They released their first full-length album Hybrid Theory in 2000 which was praised as “the best selling debut of the 21st century.” They are best known for their songs “In the End,” “Numb,” and “What I’ve Done.” 

On July 20, 2017, the lead singer Chester Bennington passed away at the age of 41, causing the band to stop with a dramatic halt. Chester’s death left the band filled with grief and uncertainty that put them on hiatus for seven years. 

On November 15th, 2024, they would make a comeback with the release of their eighth album, “FROM ZERO.” This return came with new faces, one of them being Emily Armstrong who became the new lead singer of the band. This comeback came with some controversy, some fans feeling that the band shouldn’t have continued after Chester’s death. 

“I think they should have stopped after Chester died because it could be perceived as disrespectful and loyal to your band mates,” says Olivia Capobianco, a local Linkin Park fan. 

However, the band felt it was time to move forward and felt that they should continue celebrating the band’s history by making new music. I listen to Linkin Park in my free time and after listening to the newer songs it just doesn’t feel the same. I do think it’s good, but it sounds so different that it’s holding me back from liking it more. I think if they changed their name I would probably have liked it more. 

AC/DC

Formed in the Australian city of Sydney by brothers Malcolm Young and Angus Young in 1973, AC/DC has an undeniable presence not just in the music industry, but in pop culture as well. You have definitely heard of at least one of their songs before, whether it be in the radio, movies, big events, or even in your gym class. They are not only one of the most famous rock bands of all time, but probably the most recognizable on this list. They are most famous for their songs “Back In Black,” “Thunderstruck,” and “Highway to Hell.” 

On February 19th, 1980, the band suffered the loss of their lead singer, Bon Scott, which left the band completely devastated. In an interview with Angus Young during the day of Scott’s passing, he describes it as “like losing a member of your family.” 

Scott’s death was such a huge blow to them emotionally, that many thought the band wouldn’t come back from it. However, all that changed during Scott’s funeral when his father, Chuck Scott, pulled the Young brothers aside. Scott’s father encouraged them to keep on going since he felt it was what he would have wanted. With this encouragement the band would continue on with a new lead singer, Brian Johnson, who Scott actually knew and liked. 

With this new addition to the band, they released their album, Back In Black, which acted as a tribute to Bon Scott. The album absolutely blew up and made the band more popular than ever before, despite the album cover being very simple and not that eye-catching. After listening to ACDC’s music before and after Scott’s passing, I feel like both lead singers have a very similar voice and I feel like if I never knew the story I would have never noticed that they were two different people. However, I haven’t listened to a lot of ACDC throughout my life, so maybe people who grew up with it could see more of a difference than I can. 

Led Zeppelin 

Led Zeppelin was founded by Jimmy Page in the English city of London in 1968. They are known for their legendary songs “Stairway to Heaven,” “Immigrant Song,” and “Whole Lotta Love.” The oldest and most influential rock band on this list, influencing many famous rock bands like Metallica and Black Sabbath. 

On September 25th, 1980, the lead drummer of the band, John Bonham, passed away, forever changing Led Zeppelin’s career. The loss of their friend left the band’s structure feeling broken beyond repair. Due to this disharmony, along with their respect for him and his family, they decided to discontinue. 

The three remaining members have gone into their own separate careers, but have collaborated with each other on multiple occasions. They also reunited for the Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert at London’s O2 Arena, with all three surviving members being supported on drums by Jason Bonnham, John Bonnham’s son. Despite being discontinued for 46 years, Led Zeppelin have left an undeniable presence in the music industry. From influencing many other major rock and metal bands, to still being listened to by many generations today, they will forever be rock legends. 

Nirvana

Fast forward to seven years after Led Zeppelin disbanded, the band Nirvana was formed in 1987 in Aberdeen, Washington. Formed by lead singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic, they would be one of the major bands that made grunge rock mainstream. They are best known for their songs “Come As You Are,” “Heart-Shaped Box,” and of course, “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” They would have a breakthrough with the release of their album Nevermind in 1990 after the acquisition of drummer Dave Grohl. 

On April 5th, 1994, everything changed with the tragic passing of Kurt Cobain. This sudden loss automatically caused the band’s career to end for many reasons. Cobain was not just their frontman but also their central creative vision,  which made it feel impossible to continue without him. In addition, the surviving band members were so overcome with grief, that it made them unable to continue performing. It took them some time to deal with his death and eventually the remaining members went into their separate directions, such as Dave Grohl founding the band Foo Fighters. Although Nirvana’s popularity only lasted for a few years, they are still listened to by many people to this day and are a staple in the rock community. 

What these four bands have in common is that they faced a terrible tragedy, and then were faced with a very difficult choice to make, a choice that would determine their legacy. However, these choices that bands make can be very controversial at times, and has often sparked a debate that still continues to this day. 

Rest in peace Chester Bennington, Bon Scott, John Bonham, and Kurt Cobain.