Is There Life After The Lead Singer Departs?

Can a band sell records even when it loses its trademark singer? Four groups will soon find out the hard way:

Genesis issues “Calling All Stations” Sept. 2, its first album since the departure last year of vocalist Phil Collins. The album, the band’s first release since 1991, features new chanteur Ray Wilson.

Talk Show, which includes every member of Stone Temple Pilots save singer Scott Weil, also debuts Sept. 2.

10,000 Maniacs just issued its first work since frontwoman Natalie Merchant split.

Van Halen bows early next year with fresh frontman Gary Cherone (in for Sammy Hagar, who, in turn, subbed for David Lee Roth).

“We’re watching Van Halen very closely. I feel like we’re in this together,” says Genesis bassist Mike Rutherford.

“We have to be honest. The first time you hear a new singer with a band, it is a shock. It takes some adjustment.”

Rutherford shouldn’t lose too much sleep about it. Historically, top bands have been able to pull off the singer-switcheroo - at least if they keep their brand names.

In 1954, The Drifters lost golden-throated Clyde McPhatter, only to keep the hits going with Johnny Moore, and then earning still more smashes after passing the vocal baton to Ben E. King.

In the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, a host of British bands enlisted different singers for almost every album while maintaining steady sales. These included King Crimson, Savoy Brown and Fleetwood Mac (which found superstardom with its fifth lineup of singers).

In 1971, after Jim Morrison died, The Doors kept going for a while with Ray Manzarek taking the mike (after almost hiring Iggy Pop). Deep Purple still sold well after swapping the brilliant Ian Gillan for the mediocre David Coverdale in ‘75. And the band Yes managed to go gold even when fronted by those dorky Buggles. Moreover, AC/DC sold more records than ever once it subbed Brian Johnson for the late Bon Scott in 1979, just as Van Halen moved more with Hagar than Roth.

But the strongest proof of a band’s brand-name appeal concerns Pink Floyd, which lost its main singer and writer (Roger Waters) in ‘84, yet still sold millions.

In fact, perhaps the only bomb substitute singers were hired by Anthrax and Motley Crue.

Lately, the newfangled 10,000 Maniacs has done better than anyone expected, gaining a Top 40 hit with a cover of Roxy Music’s ‘79 classic “More Than This.” Talk Show faces a far harder road. With a new name, the band is virtually starting all over again.

Genesis has already gotten good news on its new incarnation. The band sold out two dates at Earl’s Court arena in London before anyone heard a single line from the new guy.

Genesis can also boast the rare experience of having been in this position before. (In 1975, Peter Gabriel left and was replaced by Phil Collins).

Rutherford has a theory for why bands fare well even with new voices.

“There’s a lot of good singers who never get the right song,” he says. “Good bands have songs that work beyond whoever sings them.”