10 Rock Bands That Survived Key Members Leaving
9. Blondie Chaplin - The Beach Boys
Hailing from Durban South Africa and making his name originally with The Flames when he was just 13 years old, Blondie Chaplin joined up with American group The Beach Boys in 1972 after drummer Dennis Wilson suffered a hand injury. The Beach Boys had soared to superstardom in the 1960s with their innovative and lighthearted summer hits that reflected the teenage California generation who were all into surfing, cars and romance.
Blodies's arrival coincided with a huge restructuring of the group's musical direction however, releasing the more soulful sounding albums Carl and the Passions - So Tough in 1972 and Holland in 1973. Blondie would take over singing duties throughout his time in the band, however an argument with business manager Steve Love resulted in Blondie departing in late 1973.
The Beach Boys kept going however, releasing 10 more studio albums following Blondie's departure. Active in the music world pretty much non-stop for sixty years now, they have amassed sales of well over 100 million, were inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 and would produce 9 films of some of their very best shows from across their career.