Styx has few original members. Lynyrd Skynyrd has ... none? When is a band still a band?

Of all the philosophical questions posed by pop music over the past 60 years or so — — among the toughest in 2024 is this: When is a famous rock band or R&B act no longer themselves? When should a group of musicians with a famous name stop performing under that famous name? For example: Kurt Cobain killed himself 30 years ago this past spring. But if Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic had continued to play together after Cobain’s death, even if they called themselves Nirvana, would it have been Nirvana? Alex Lifeson of Rush has hinted in interviews that he may record again with Geddy Lee. But without drummer Neil Peart, who died in 2020, is that still Rush? Before The Beatles became stars, Pete Best was replaced on drums with Ringo Starr.

But if Ringo was fired after they became THE BEATLES, would it have been The Beatles? Could they have lost George Harrison and been The Beatles? The Rolling Stones at Soldier Field with two original members — Keith Richards and Mick Jagger. But without the laidback yin of Charlie Watts on drums and Bill Wyman on bass to Richards/Jagger’s revved-up yang, was that really the Stones? There are more important questions in life. Such as, And But it’s and ticket prices are no longer reasonable.

Don’t you deserve to know who is actually in ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd these days? They co-headline at Ravinia next month, and though even lawn seats are $72 (before fees), only one of the two original long-bearded guitarists of ZZ Top will be pre.