Everyone lost their minds earlier this year when the rumor of a Led Zeppelin reunion first started circulating. They lost their minds again, this time in a bad way, when it was announced that Robert Plant tore up a lucrative $800 million contract, effectively ending any talks of the reunion. While both the reunion and the contract destruction turned out to be overblown and false, it didn’t take long for fans to start speculating what it would be like to see the greatest heavy metal band of all time take the stage once more.
But, here at Glide, we took the conversation in a different direction. All this talk of reunions got us talking about other bands we would want to see get back together, either for another album or just a tour. We tried to stay away from bands that have broken up in the last few years, choosing instead to pull from bands that haven’t been around for a good long while and deserve another round in the spotlight. While there was no shortage of bands that fit this bill, after much discussion we finally whittled it down to the five we’d want to see most….
Rage Against the Machine: You know, it was real easy to be a radical, socialist, militant leftwing political band back in the 90s when, comparatively, everyone was doing pretty okay. Where are they now, when we need them? You can disagree with their politics all you want, but their presence in the scene was important—they not only incited but demanded conversation. A debate about the pros and cons of Zack de le Rocha’s political poetry becomes, necessarily, the type of political conversation that’s so missing from today’s spectrum. You’ve been away for too long, guys. Seriously. Not to mention, Zack’s verse on the new Run the Jewels record was a tantalizing tease of what would happen if he would just, you know, do fucking anything. I don’t care what it takes. You want to revamp the sound of the group with Tom Morello playing an acoustic guitar while Tim C. plays banjo and Brad Wilk rocks the tambourine? Fine. Or maybe you’re interested in doing an all instrumental jazz-fusion experiment while Zack plays the keyboards like on “One Day as a Lion”? I can dig it. I really don’t care, just as long as you’re doing something—anything—that gets you back into the consciousness of the people. PLEASE.
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Dire Straits: Like Zeppelin, it’s possible that Dire Straits have achieved everything they could hope to musically achieve with their existing catalogue. And that’s cool; I don’t necessarily need a new Dire Straits record. What I do need is to see Mark Knopfler embrace his spot in the limelight one more time for one last tour. He’s stated he would only consider reforming Dire Straits—one of the most popular bands of all time—for charity, so maybe they can find a suitable organization to donate proceeds to? Whatever, don’t care. Knopfler might be an accomplished solo artist, even if his records don’t move like Dire Straits’ did, but there comes a point when you’ve got to embrace your past. People just don’t write songs the way Dire Straits wrote songs, and it’s far past time the world was reminded what music can be when the right combination of technical ability and true passion is mixed.
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A Tribe Called Quest: It’s been almost 17 years since the release of The Love Movement, the final release from this seminal crew. While all involved have moved on to solo projects, nothing has ever gelled quite like it did when Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, and Ali Shaheed Muhammad were working together. Hell, you can even bring Jarobi back into the mix and give us a true old school reunion. It’s hard to overstate the influence A Tribe Called Quest had (and still has) on the entirety of hip-hop. They were one of the last of the true-school; their rhymes were fun while managing to be thought provoking. Their style set the blueprint for every crew that came after them. Hell, they even made a few established groups adjust their formula to better match with the vibe they were throwing down. And we need to be real here: none of the associated solo releases from former Tribe members have any real lasting appeal. Mostly it just reminds us of how much we loved Tribe. If Outkast can do it, anyone can. It doesn’t even need to evolve into a new record. Just seeing these three on the stage once again would be a powerful reminder of just what can be accomplished with hip-hop when the right crew puts their minds to it.
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Guns N’ Roses: I don’t mean whatever half-assed, lame project Axl Rose is trying to pass off as Guns and Roses these days. I mean a 100% return of all members of G ‘n’ F’n R from their glory days. Hell, everyone but Axl proved they still got their rock and roll chops with Velvet Revolver and Axl has done nothing but prove that no one particularly gives a shit about what he’s doing if it doesn’t involve Slash and Co. so maybe it’s time he stopped deluding himself. They were one of the last great rock and roll bands, wrongly thrown into the same ring as cock rockers like Motley Crue, Poison, and the like. A return to their glory days would be absolutely devastating to the rest of the rock and roll world as they could once again show everyone what happens when true behemoths take the stage to rock together. More than anyone else on this list, this is just pointless wishing, and I get that. There’s absolutely no way in Hell Axl will ever swallow his pride enough to allow for a full-fledged reunion and that’s our loss as much as it is his. But they’ll never stop me from imagining what it would be like to see Axl and Slash on the stage once more.
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Uncle Tupelo: I might have spoken too soon. It’s possible that Axl and Slash have a better chance at resolving old differences than Jay Farrar and Jeff Tweedy do. Even though they’ve both become successful without the other—Farrar with Sun Volt and his solo records, Tweedy (and the rest of Uncle Tupelo) with Wilco—the work they did together is still arguably some of the best work either has ever achieved (and that’s saying a lot). Uncle Tupelo helped define a scene; their cover of the Carter Family’s “No Depression” even helped provide the title for one of the most important scene-specific magazines in all of music publication. On top of that, Uncle Tupelo still sounds as great as it did 20-25 years ago. Though they quickly caved due to conflicts of personality and direction, it’s possible that there’s been some growth in the last couple of decades. Everyone is a little bit older, a little bit wiser. Maybe everyone has matured and tours won’t quickly descend into egomaniacal dick measuring contests and screaming matches. But, once again, this might be wishful thinking on my part. Some people just aren’t compatible and it might be that Farrar and Tweedy are too much like oil and water for their own good. That’s too bad, really. A reunion would be a magnificent final chapter for this band, who never got the commercial acclaim they absolutely deserved.
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47 Responses
The Smiths!
I’d like to see Van Halen bring back Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony, and further enhance Eddie’s guitar playing by putting Wolfgang on guitar too ! Apparently Wolfgang Van Halen can play a mean guitar, but his bass playing pales in comparison to Mr. Anthony’s, for sure.
We just need Dave and Sammy to get along, and for Eddie to mend the fence with Sammy.
It would be a huge sellout tour if they could combine both catalogs of Van Halen songs with both singers, maybe even find a way to get Sammy to play guitar while Dave plays his songs too…..
C’mon guys, give me a break !!!!! Hey Hey, One Break…. Coming Up !!!!! 🙂
I agree with that hands down. VH is missing half of its vocals. Without M. Anthony’s bass and vocals its not the same. I have seen Sammy with Anthony and it sounds great.
Seriously?…you may be the only person on earth who wants a vanhagar reunion WITH David Lee Roth…I’m a big fan of Sammy/Montrose etc..but nothing even comes close to the original VH lineup. I’ve seen them live in all “formats” and there is no comparison…even the recent tours with DLR and Wolfgang without Michael Anthony were better than any VH with Sammy even though its painfully apparent that wolfgangs bass/vocals are no match for MA.
you didn’t list Van Halen. Seriously, though, I cannot think of a reunion that ever captured the magic of the original band enough to make it worthwhile. The albums are always subpar and the tours are nothing more than a last ditch opportunity for the younger generation to say, “Yeah…I saw (insert defunct band name here) in concert.” Music is always better when it moves forward…ALWAYS.
The Roxy Music reunion tour was REALLY fantastic….I never saw them live before that tour (though I had seen Bryan Ferry solo three times) It’s hard to imagine a better live performance.
Yes! To everything you said! I want more Roxy.
In most cases, I think reunions are pointless, but I will say I caught the original Go Gos a few years back in Myrtle Beach and they were even better than they were in the ’80s — solid, tight and they rocked!
Forget Uncle Tupelo, bring back Whiskeytown! However, it even more unlikely to happen.
are you fuckin serious? that’s a joke, right? sarcasm?
Sadly, most of these came true except the one big one for me, Uncle Tupelo. Rage sorta came back with prophets of Rage which isn’t bad. TCQ released a killer album but sadly it came out after Phife Diggy died. GnR was back……but who cares. They should have went on without Axl, they are better without him. Dire Straits? Couldn’t give a rats ass.
Uncle Tupelo….it’s never gonna happen. Sadly. The music they wrote together was amazing. I’m not a huge Wilco fan but I was also a bigger fan of Faraar’s songs over Tweedy’s. I just bought Son Volts new album and the first couple songs out there show a return to a guitar driven record, although I’ve only heard 2 songs. I would hop on a plane on a moments notice to see UT anywhere, anytime. But it’s never gonna happen. That time is gone……
System Of A Down!!!!
Yes!!!
just saw YES here in northern California…without J Anderson on vocals: they were fantastic. I know…its shocking…but seriously. Check them out on this current tour. Its the “core” of the band with a younger/hippier version of Anderson and he sounds fantastic. My favorite member has always been the bassist Chris Squire and he was in TOP FORM!
Jane’s Addiction
AGREED.
dave and steve back w/ a Traffic reunion and ray and dave back w/ Kinks reunion.
Ok let’s get real here author. There was never a big demand for Uncle Tupelo or Tribe Called Quest in their heyday and reuniting won’t change that. Guns would be huge and I could see a Steve Perry fronted Journey also selling out arenas. New music from either band would be irrelevant as no one is buying music anyway and there is no way a rock song will be played on the radio these days.
GnR I could almost see other than the fact Axl is a doosh and a lousy singer to boot. Journey??? Let’s get real here, with or without SP, that is a lousy lousy band with cheap syrupy music. The Tribe sold out some arena my friend and would do it again if ever reunited. Uncle Tupelo? They barely had a following other than good sized bars and small theaters but I would take them back over ANYONE on this list, in these comments or any other list you can find. You may not like their style or genre but if you have really ever listened to them, they are a phenomenal band that broke up before they were truly finished. When they name a genre of music after one of your songs (I actually did not know that No Depression was a cover, bad me) the. You know you did something right. Son Volt, who I like and Wilco (who I am so-so with) are both great bands but it is t the same. They need to get over themselves and tour again for us fans.
Talking Heads
Oingo Boingo
White Stripes
CCR
Police
I can’t believe no one thought of the best one. the KINKS!! Dave just toured the US.
Rush…oh wait, check that. Gee, they’ve been together for over 40 years now, still exploring new directions and still maintaining amazing chops. And get this…they still like each other.
Hum needs to get back together for a nationwide tour and album. I know they do shows around Illinois here and there, but this band was too good not to enjoy greater success than they’ve had.
No reunion would be bigger then be this lineup.
Ringo Star
Paul McCartney
Julian Lenon
Dhani Harrison
The second biggest would be.
Dave Gilmour, Roger Water and Nick Mason Pink Floyd would sell out everywhere.
1. It’s Starr and Lennon
2. That’s the most ridiculous suggestion I’ve ever seen.
Agreed. Ridiculous!!! This is called reunions. Not dreamed up combos that would never happen nor anyone wanting them to happen.
As unlikely as the Uncle Tupelo thing is that would be a super reunion in my eyes.. I never had the chance back when they were together.
A Rage tour would definitely kick ass too.. I have to throw my nomination out there though and it is going to be now as it always will be WEEN!!! Why they broke up I may have some idea, but I will never understand…
WEEN 2015!!!
The Police
Killed me when I heard the Kinks reunion wasn’t gonna happen cuz the brothers hated each other again. I’d give my left testicle to see the original Pat Metheny Group (Metheny, Lyle, Dan Gottlieb, Mark Egan) together again.
VAN HALEN SUX!
How do you not mention The Grateful Dead??? 2015 is their 50th anniversary. One of the greatest bands that ever existed.. These internet writers (on multiple websites) are rather stupid. There are several other bands too, that should rank above the ones listed!!!
What about the grateful Dead!!!
Rage would be the most awesome on this list. They’re the one band out of these not so great choices that would still tear it up and blow people away. I can’t believe The Kinks aren’t on here. They were one of the greatest rock bands of all time. Ray Davies is a master showman and they put on some of the best concerts you could ever see. To the guy that said Jane’s addiction…they do still play so I don’t know where you’ve been. They headlined the cbgb fest here in N.Y. and played in the middle of times square for free. It was the best show I saw all year and they did all of Nothing Shocking. Pure intensity. Complete with hot girls hanging from hooks in their back from way atop the stage. The Dead..they tour occasionally as Furthur and just The Dead. Don’t know where you’ve been dude or gal. Go see Phil Lesh and friends if you want an amazing Deadhead experience. Genesis with Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins is also my choice. How that was left off I don’t know. Axl is lame. I saw them with metallica and gnr got blown off the stage. Original Yes would be real cool but they’ve always had different lineups throughout their history. Thankfully I saw most. Floyd would be cool but Roger might have burned that bridge a long time ago. And Richard Wright is gone unfortunately. Zep would be the biggest hands down. That’s a dream that unfortunately Plant just won’t do for some weird reason. He’s fantastic solo especially with his new band. But Zep with Jason Bonham would be the biggest and best thing to happen in music. They could rework the tunes, write new material, anything. Just do one mega tour or simply play MSG for 100 nights. That would be the best!!
RAGE sadly won’t happen; G&R who cares, ditto for Dire Straits (no thanks), Tribe might be nice to see one more time. But if anyone is going to suggest “should” about any given band, research if the players can still play, especially the drummer(s). Prime Candidates to hit it one more time: Sex Pistols and Rollins Band. Why? Because they DELIVER THE GOODS, Every Time. But they won’t. Would you do something you did 40 years ago that you’re bored of doing, regardless of the amount of money offered? They’ve ‘been there done that”, enjoy what they recorded and be happy.
Just go see McCartney live. That’s really all you will ever need for a ‘reunion’ in so much as he is perfect, for 3 hrs straight.
I would have loved to see a Ritchie Blackmore´s Rainbow reunion with Ronnie James Dio on vocals, but since he´s no longer with us, I would settle for Rainbow with Joe Lynn
Turner
RIGHT ON EDDIE! Blackmore’s Rainbow would be great. Get Ace and peter back with Gene and Paul to do an updated Destroyer show ( I know no one cares about this but in 1976 KISS was my very first concert ).
Bachman Turner Overdrive
Credence Clearwater Revival with John Fogerty
Deep Purple with Ritchie Blackmore
Dokken
Grim Reaper
Nightwish with Tarja Turunen
Pink Floyd with Roger Waters
Riot
Skid Row with Sebastian Bach
Styx with Denis De Young
Triumph
Vandenberg
Vixen
White Lion with Vitto Bratta
The Who
Crosby Stills Nash and Young.
Genesis with Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins
Original members of Yes
Smashing Pumpkins
The Sugar Cubes w/ Bjork
What about bon jovi with alec jon such? lol.
You’d have better luck getting a nuclear war than blackmore in deep purple.
Remy Zero
Dieselfish
I would like to see a UFO reunion of sorts with Michael Schenker & Pete Way back in the line up. You can include the other guitarists at certain points just like the Scorpions did with Schenker and Uli.
Here’s one that would rock hard that I’ll bet some of you never heard. Original Scorpions with Uli Jon Roth. He’ll yeah. Him and Michael Schenker!! Omg that would be the shit. And Van Hagar is the worst. That crap didn’t hold a candle to Van Halen.
Hot clip o Dire Straits. I was immersed in other passions during their tenure and would love to see them i live now. it would be a world tour of massive cross generational pulling power. Can’t see how Mark Knopfler has any trouble choosing a worthy cause, but stuff charity – there’re too many humans already – green causes are the way to go these days.
i once took a newly free guns and roses freak to 1 of those axl rose turn out – woeful. Slash with myles kennedy and co turns on a very hot and steamy show and myles is better looking.
saw van halen on the idiot box last night good music, great performer, but he was always the comedian wasn’t he, a la dave grohl style. bit out of his time i guess.
Styx with Dennis De Young?? Oh please Lord NO!!!!!!! NOOOOO!! Two words; Radio Birdman! That is all.