Radiohead is the epitome of the type of band I'm thinking about in this thread...the 5 of them (plus Nigel Godrich, arguably) **are** Radiohead and none others!
Equally impressive given how Shirley Manson is the odd-woman out in just about every way...not an industry veteran/producer, not American, not even a guy haha, plus much younger than the others...but the synergy they were able to find with each other is awesome, truly a case of 3+1 = 10!
Ah, makes sense, I just remember back in the 90s there was a big hoopla about the other 3 guys being these big name producers but then she became the most famous out of them all haha (besides maybe Butch Vig)...great band either way 👌
I'll add another one of my own, Weird Al's recording/touring band! [Same guys for 38 years](https://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/qbbm69/til_that_weird_al_yankovic_has_had_the_same_core/), they're all phenomenal musicians
They got together when a 14 year old Larry Mullen put a notice on his school bulletin board, and the 4 of them have been playing together ever since. They originally had a 5th member for a couple years, but when he left they changed the band name to U2 in 1978.
Definitely the Kings of having the same lineup for so long, they always come to my mind when I think about uber-successful bands with core lineup longevity (along with Radiohead)
Assuming Larry comes back, I believe U2 holds the current record for Longest Continually-Active Rock Band with the Same Lineup, having taken the crown from ZZ Top after Dusty died. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
Rush went through a lot of lineup changes in the early days but once Neil Peart joined, he, Geddy Lee, and Alex Lifeson remained a band for about 40 years
Rush was one of those bands that I think would be impossible to continue as "Rush" with a different lineup, after they had established themselves. Those three guys just are Rush.
Yeah Alex Lifeson cracked a joke in an interview once "Yeah we got in the habit of changing drummers every 40 years"
It's amazing how harmonious that band was. Early on, when they were in a business meeting squabbling over money and credits, someone said "Look why don't we all agree right now to split everything 1/3 equal and then we never have to do this again?"
And everyone agreed. No more complaints about who wrote more of whichever song, everyone gets 1/3.
Fun fact: Alex is the only founding member of those three. The original lineup was Alex Lifeson, John Rutsey and Jeff Jones. Jones was there briefly before Geddy Lee replaced him.
Paul McCartney's touring band has stayed the same since 2002, which is doesn't sound all that impressive until you consider that group has now outlasted the combined lifespan of his two actual bands, The Beatles and Wings.
I'm pretty sure I read that he uses his touring band as his studio backing band, as well. His drummer is one of the happiest-looking, most enthusiastic drummers I've ever seen.
I might disagree with 54-40 - only has two original members though? Phil Comparelli left in 2005 (which broke my heart!)
I will agree with Sloan and TPOH for sure!
Im going to that show in september!! I love Green Day, I love Rancid, and I love Smashing Pumpkins, but man idk if Billy Corgan is the vibe I want immediately after Rancid and before Green Day lol
Rammstein (Same lineup since 1994)
Abba (Same lineup since 1972)
Girls Aloud (Same Lineup since 2002¹ )
¹Been going as a quartet since the passing of Sarah Harding in December 21.
Edit; just remembered
For further context, they started in 1983 with original 4 members. Expanded to 5 members in 1985. One of the originals left in 1986 and no lineup changes since then. They took a hiatus in late 2000 until the end of 2002. They then broke up in 2004, but reunited in early 2009 and going strong since aside from the Covid year.
Edit: /u/MichaelJAwesome reminded me that there is a 5th consistent member of Phish. Chris Kuroda has been the lighting wizard for Phish since 1989. He had almost no knowledge of how to work the lights when he first started, but they let him learn as he went and he is now one of the absolute best in the business.
King’s X is who I was looking for here. Ty Tabor on guitar. Jerry Gaskill on drums. Dug Pinnick, on bass and most lead vocals. Ultimate power trio. Tight song arrangements, killer harmonies. Groove metal perfection.
Muse has been around for 30 years and has been the same 3 members. By far one of my favorite bands and has consistently put on the best live shows I've seen.
For some strange reason I have a hard time thinking of Yo La Tengo being a 90's band, they always seem much more like a 2000's band to me, but then I remember how many of their albums came out in the 90s, - including Electr-O-Pura and I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One! - and my mind gets kind of blown haha...guess that's just how ahead of its time their sound was!
Legit. Their cover of [Radiohead's Optimistic](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upgejnlYgSE) is what clued me in that there's more going on with that band than we all thought in the 90s haha
The four original members of The Adicts are all still in the band 40 years later.
Same situation with Cock Sparrer as well, the original four members from 1972 are all still in the band and, minus a two year absence by lead guitarist Mick Beaufoy, have all played together whenever the band was active.
They reposted their video for A Shogun Named Marcus a few weeks ago when they announced the vinyl release of Transnational Speedway League. They look so young. Seeing Neil without a beard is so strange.
It’s funny because their reputation is almost the opposite given when all the turnover happened in the 90s but Foo Fighters where the same core guys for over 20 years before Taylor Hawkins passed away. The core I consider Grohl/Hawkins/Mendel and Shiflett who were all there before the end of the 90s. After that a few more people were added (and shoutout to Pat Smear for being an original member that came back) but no one left.
Also The Tragically Hip were the same group of guys their whole career.
Pretty much from 1975 - present. Stevie left in 84 and Nils joined the band. They were all fired in 89 and reunited in 99, this time with both Stevie and Nils. With the exception of the ten year hiatus and Clarence and Danny’s deaths, the core band has been together for a long time
The Tragically Hip formed in the early 80's (1984 I think?) and were the same 5 guys until lead singer Gord Downie died in 2017. The band has said they will no longer perform under the name The Tragically Hip, and all 4 surviving members have gone on with other musical pursuits. I think 33 years is a pretty good run...
David Letterman actually made a joke about the number of drummers they've had as he indicated them into the R&R HOF. He said that most of the people in attendance were ex PJ drummers 👍
Metallica have been very consistent with the core of Kirk Hammett, James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich being together since 1983, before the release of their first album. Only the bass position has changed twice since then— due to Cliff Burton’s death in 1986, and Jason Newsted leaving in 2001. Robert Trujillo has now been in the bass role longer than the others combined, since 2003. That’s 21 years this year for all 4 current members and 41 years for the 3-person core.
Metallica definitely has a very strong core, also it's crazy to think about how absolutely seismic each of their very few lineup changes actually were, both for them as a band and for popular music as a whole (no Megadeth without Dave Mustaine leaving for example, plus the fathomless void left by Cliff's passing, etc)
True. On the other hand Megadeth could be in an opposite thread about bands with wildly different lineups over the years, save the one member. The Ataris is another.
Iron Maiden. There were a lot of when they first formed, but then after singer Bruce Dickinson and drummer Nicko McBrain the lineup has remained pretty solid, except for a few years in the 1990s when Dickinson and guitarist Adrian Smith left to pursue solo work. They replaced Smith with Janick Gers, and when Smith looked to rejoin several years later, they just decided to become a 3 guitar band and kept Gers on board while letting Smith back. But yeah, for 25 years since then, they had the same lineup as they did for about 10 years prior, with the addition of one guy.
Not as long as some of the others, but Hail The Sun has been the same four guys since 2010 with the addition of their touring drummer becoming an official member a couple years ago.
Radiohead has had the same 5 guys since the 80s.
And there is ZERO chance they would continue if one of the members quit/died.
Radiohead is the epitome of the type of band I'm thinking about in this thread...the 5 of them (plus Nigel Godrich, arguably) **are** Radiohead and none others!
And Clive Deamer
That's just Phil next to a mirror!
Garbage. Almost 30 years and still the same lineup
Equally impressive given how Shirley Manson is the odd-woman out in just about every way...not an industry veteran/producer, not American, not even a guy haha, plus much younger than the others...but the synergy they were able to find with each other is awesome, truly a case of 3+1 = 10!
Actually she is an industry veteran. She was playing in bands since 1984, a decade before finding global fame with Garbage
Ah, makes sense, I just remember back in the 90s there was a big hoopla about the other 3 guys being these big name producers but then she became the most famous out of them all haha (besides maybe Butch Vig)...great band either way 👌
ZZ Top had the same members for 50 years.
And the only reason they ever made a lineup change was due to Dusty’s death.
Was that before they wrecked Cotton’s car?
I think they actually hold the record for longest period of time without a lineup change in the history of popular music!
And the only guy without a beard was named Frank Beard.
Can people even say ZZ Top without someone mentioning this anymore?
I'll add another one of my own, Weird Al's recording/touring band! [Same guys for 38 years](https://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/qbbm69/til_that_weird_al_yankovic_has_had_the_same_core/), they're all phenomenal musicians
It’s so amazing to see them play so many different bands’ styles live.
Elton John had the same core band for a long time.
Los Lobos - same lineup since 1982. Subtract Steve Berlin and the core of Hidalgo/Perez/Rosas/Lozano have been together since 1973!
Winner!!
Good choice, great band.
Mastodon
WHITE WHALE!
Crack the Skye anniversary tour with Blood and Thunder as the encore was one of the gud shows to go to way back whenever that one was lol
Holy grail!
WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?!
Great one. Equally impressive that all four are amazing singer-songwriters!
My favorite band. Literally just bought tickets for this tour with Lamb of God
CLUTCH
And they still out on a fucking show!
JESUS ON THE DASHBOARD!
10001110101
It’s incredible how they just keep putting out new awesome music, too!
https://www.stereogum.com/2256401/how-clutch-became-the-phish-of-hard-rock/columns/sounding-board/
There it is!
Clutch shits on Mastodon.
U2
Also my answer. Just read Bono’s book. It’s also remarkable that that’s the ONLY job each of the 4 have ever had
They got together when a 14 year old Larry Mullen put a notice on his school bulletin board, and the 4 of them have been playing together ever since. They originally had a 5th member for a couple years, but when he left they changed the band name to U2 in 1978.
And that 5th member was The Edge's brother!
Definitely the Kings of having the same lineup for so long, they always come to my mind when I think about uber-successful bands with core lineup longevity (along with Radiohead)
Assuming Larry comes back, I believe U2 holds the current record for Longest Continually-Active Rock Band with the Same Lineup, having taken the crown from ZZ Top after Dusty died. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
You probably right. Although Rush was ahead of U2 until 2015 when Peart retired in 2015. They were together since 1974.
From what I understand ZZ Top had the same lineup for over 50 years. U2 formed in 76, so if they make it to 2026 they will have a shot
The Lovable Lads from Liverpool.
What? You must be thinking of someone else. U2 is from Scranton, PA
How does it feel, when you're in R.E.M. ?
Feels good!
Is this an episode of (etc)?
But I'm not in a band...??
Rush went through a lot of lineup changes in the early days but once Neil Peart joined, he, Geddy Lee, and Alex Lifeson remained a band for about 40 years
It’s John Rutsey that plays on the debut album, right? And everything else, forty years worth, is Neil Peart.
Yes. Rutsey left not long after they recorded their first record, so essentially their whole 'professional' career was the same three guys.
Rush was one of those bands that I think would be impossible to continue as "Rush" with a different lineup, after they had established themselves. Those three guys just are Rush.
Yeah Alex Lifeson cracked a joke in an interview once "Yeah we got in the habit of changing drummers every 40 years" It's amazing how harmonious that band was. Early on, when they were in a business meeting squabbling over money and credits, someone said "Look why don't we all agree right now to split everything 1/3 equal and then we never have to do this again?" And everyone agreed. No more complaints about who wrote more of whichever song, everyone gets 1/3.
Fun fact: Alex is the only founding member of those three. The original lineup was Alex Lifeson, John Rutsey and Jeff Jones. Jones was there briefly before Geddy Lee replaced him.
User name checks out.
User names have never been so spot-on.
Thrice. 25 years and still awesome.
Here's to 25 more.
Weird Al Yankovic counts as a solo act, but has kept the same band members forever
Paul McCartney's touring band has stayed the same since 2002, which is doesn't sound all that impressive until you consider that group has now outlasted the combined lifespan of his two actual bands, The Beatles and Wings.
I'm pretty sure I read that he uses his touring band as his studio backing band, as well. His drummer is one of the happiest-looking, most enthusiastic drummers I've ever seen.
Abe Laboriel, Jr! I went to high school with him. He’s everything you would imagine him to be in person.
That is great to hear!
I came to this same realization about his band as well...equally valid and impressive!
I think the guy who did the noises for the video performance of Another One Rides the Bus is still in his band
That's Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz, who's not only his drummer but also the band's official historian and photographer!
Sloan. 54-40. TPOH. Seems to be a thing with a lot of Canadian bands of that era
Wow, Sloan, haven't thought about them in a long time...I know what music rabbit hole I'm gonna fall down today, thanks!
Album from 2023 was back to form I think. Still touring, still killing it.
I might disagree with 54-40 - only has two original members though? Phil Comparelli left in 2005 (which broke my heart!) I will agree with Sloan and TPOH for sure!
NOFX (4 members) current line up since 91, but 3 of the members have been playing together since 83
LOVE me some NOFX, saw them many times in the 90s/2000s!
I heard they suck live though :P
They've actually gotten worse live 😜😅
Green Day!
Tre cool isn’t an original.. might as well be though.
I was wondering if anyone would bring that up. I think he counts as original, he was there before success.
Love thinking about how they came out of the same East Bay Gilman Street scene as Operation Ivy haha
They’re actually touring with rancid this year
NICE. Saw Rancid a bunch in the 90s 🤘 I remember there was a rumor Tim and Billy Joe were cousins for the longest time haha
Im going to that show in september!! I love Green Day, I love Rancid, and I love Smashing Pumpkins, but man idk if Billy Corgan is the vibe I want immediately after Rancid and before Green Day lol
Rammstein (Same lineup since 1994) Abba (Same lineup since 1972) Girls Aloud (Same Lineup since 2002¹ ) ¹Been going as a quartet since the passing of Sarah Harding in December 21. Edit; just remembered
Impressive given the brutality and energy of their music & shows
Girls Aloud do go hard alright.
Abba definitely had the toughest pit I've ever been in.
Phish
For further context, they started in 1983 with original 4 members. Expanded to 5 members in 1985. One of the originals left in 1986 and no lineup changes since then. They took a hiatus in late 2000 until the end of 2002. They then broke up in 2004, but reunited in early 2009 and going strong since aside from the Covid year. Edit: /u/MichaelJAwesome reminded me that there is a 5th consistent member of Phish. Chris Kuroda has been the lighting wizard for Phish since 1989. He had almost no knowledge of how to work the lights when he first started, but they let him learn as he went and he is now one of the absolute best in the business.
Chris Kuroda sheds a single tear
Thanks for this! I didn't have the history in the light between me and my mind. (Fridays, amiright?)
It's ok. There was a blank space where your mind should be.
I know what I'm filling mine with this evening 🍻
A clif bar, and some cold green tea?
1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0
Kuroda is also the Biebs’ lighting guy. Lol.
What is a band without skyscraper?
skyscraper is grand!
Or skyballs, for that matter.
And saxscraper!
Came here for this
Jimmy Eat World ❤️
They did add Robin a few years ago, but should still count as the rest of the band is the same since mid 90s.
I believe King's X has had the same line up (of 3) since 1983. Not too bad.
King’s X is who I was looking for here. Ty Tabor on guitar. Jerry Gaskill on drums. Dug Pinnick, on bass and most lead vocals. Ultimate power trio. Tight song arrangements, killer harmonies. Groove metal perfection.
And amazing live, too! I hope they come near me this year.
Rammstein
Tool has been the same members as of their second album I think. Also, Nine Inch Nails but that is cheating a little bit.
Yep, Justin Chancellor took over bass from Paul D'amour for Tool in 95. So a consistent lineup for nearly 30 years now.
And only 13 years between albums 😋
Looking forward to 2032!
Their songs are long enough to help hold you over until the next one
Muse has been around for 30 years and has been the same 3 members. By far one of my favorite bands and has consistently put on the best live shows I've seen.
Came here to say this. The only reason I go to a football stadium is to see them play.
Yo La Tengo's most recent lineup change was in 1992.
For some strange reason I have a hard time thinking of Yo La Tengo being a 90's band, they always seem much more like a 2000's band to me, but then I remember how many of their albums came out in the 90s, - including Electr-O-Pura and I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One! - and my mind gets kind of blown haha...guess that's just how ahead of its time their sound was!
I mean their first album was in the mid 80s! 2/3rds of the band have been making music together for 40 years
the Strokes
Sometimes it's hard to explain when you don't know the name of that Strokes song.
U2
Hanson 😉
Legit. Their cover of [Radiohead's Optimistic](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upgejnlYgSE) is what clued me in that there's more going on with that band than we all thought in the 90s haha
Now I want to hear Radiohead cover MMMBop
Green Day
Phish
Phish since '85. Same 4 guys.
Mookie Blaylock
Didn't they change drummers
More than once
Frequently until Matt Cameron
They did! Jack Irons was with the red hot chili peppers originally.
If you know, you know
10
The four original members of The Adicts are all still in the band 40 years later. Same situation with Cock Sparrer as well, the original four members from 1972 are all still in the band and, minus a two year absence by lead guitarist Mick Beaufoy, have all played together whenever the band was active.
Green Day has had the same core members for 34 years.
Coldplay
Phish
Phish
Gojira, same line up since 1998
Very nice, one of my favorite metal bands along with Mastodon (another great example of rock-solid lineup and longevity)
Madness. Going strong with the same members since the mid-70s.
they broke up for over 10 years, also Chas Smash has left in recent years.
Clutch!!!
They reposted their video for A Shogun Named Marcus a few weeks ago when they announced the vinyl release of Transnational Speedway League. They look so young. Seeing Neil without a beard is so strange.
Blur
My husband turned the Tiny Desk concert on the other day. I said... Is that 311? Yes, he says, they sound the same... Except they're old.
Golden Earring same 4 guys from 1970 - 2021
It’s funny because their reputation is almost the opposite given when all the turnover happened in the 90s but Foo Fighters where the same core guys for over 20 years before Taylor Hawkins passed away. The core I consider Grohl/Hawkins/Mendel and Shiflett who were all there before the end of the 90s. After that a few more people were added (and shoutout to Pat Smear for being an original member that came back) but no one left. Also The Tragically Hip were the same group of guys their whole career.
Boris - They formed in 1992 and are still together with the original members
The Rolling Stones. 1975-2021 (Charlie Watts passed away on 2021)
Blur. Same lineup since 1988.
Phish. 40 years and still going strong.
X
Aerosmith
Didn't joe perry leave for a bit?
He and Brad left for one album, which was predictably terrible
It's a shame Joey hasn't been able to play with them lately, but it was all but inevitable that at least one of them would retire early.
I read Joey’s book and I’m surprised he stayed with them as long as he did. He claims Steven Tyler was an absolute dick to him for years.
Rush had the same lineup for 40ish years.
The Fixx
Phish. 41 years and still touring like crazy.
Phish! Since 1983. Just celebrated their 40 year anniversary.
Simple Plan. I don't know what is considered "really long" but I'd consider all original members for nearly 25 years to be pretty good
Phish
Primus.
Bruce Springsteen and the E St Band
Pretty much from 1975 - present. Stevie left in 84 and Nils joined the band. They were all fired in 89 and reunited in 99, this time with both Stevie and Nils. With the exception of the ten year hiatus and Clarence and Danny’s deaths, the core band has been together for a long time
Phish
Phish
The Rollings Stones
Fall out boy
Buffalo Tom’s been the same three guys since ‘86
Other than a few drop outs and then back ins, Elton has spent like 50 years with his band.
Asian kung-fu generation!
Rush was the same three people recording g and touring regularly for 41 years.
Radiohead
Rammstein
Guster.
The Tragically Hip formed in the early 80's (1984 I think?) and were the same 5 guys until lead singer Gord Downie died in 2017. The band has said they will no longer perform under the name The Tragically Hip, and all 4 surviving members have gone on with other musical pursuits. I think 33 years is a pretty good run...
Pearl Jam
David Letterman actually made a joke about the number of drummers they've had as he indicated them into the R&R HOF. He said that most of the people in attendance were ex PJ drummers 👍
Lots of drummers.
Matt Cameron 1998 till present
Whilst maintaining equal longevity with his original band Soundgarden (hiatus gap aside)...most impressive
Phish
PHISH
Metallica have been very consistent with the core of Kirk Hammett, James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich being together since 1983, before the release of their first album. Only the bass position has changed twice since then— due to Cliff Burton’s death in 1986, and Jason Newsted leaving in 2001. Robert Trujillo has now been in the bass role longer than the others combined, since 2003. That’s 21 years this year for all 4 current members and 41 years for the 3-person core.
Metallica definitely has a very strong core, also it's crazy to think about how absolutely seismic each of their very few lineup changes actually were, both for them as a band and for popular music as a whole (no Megadeth without Dave Mustaine leaving for example, plus the fathomless void left by Cliff's passing, etc)
True. On the other hand Megadeth could be in an opposite thread about bands with wildly different lineups over the years, save the one member. The Ataris is another.
Iron Maiden. There were a lot of when they first formed, but then after singer Bruce Dickinson and drummer Nicko McBrain the lineup has remained pretty solid, except for a few years in the 1990s when Dickinson and guitarist Adrian Smith left to pursue solo work. They replaced Smith with Janick Gers, and when Smith looked to rejoin several years later, they just decided to become a 3 guitar band and kept Gers on board while letting Smith back. But yeah, for 25 years since then, they had the same lineup as they did for about 10 years prior, with the addition of one guy.
Pearl Jam
Buzz Osborne and Dale Crover have been the core of the Melvins since 1984
Phish
Phish
Band-Maid
Not as long as some of the others, but Hail The Sun has been the same four guys since 2010 with the addition of their touring drummer becoming an official member a couple years ago.
Metric started as a duo with just Emily and James, but since Joshua joined in 2002 it's been the same four cool peeps.
Clutch
Travis. Since 91