View source for Ghost band

{{Short description|Legacy band that performs under the name of a deceased leader}}
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{{Original research|date=October 2024}}
{{more citations needed|date=October 2024}}
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{{for|the Rancid song|Indestructible (Rancid album)}}
{{for|bands named Ghost|Ghost (disambiguation)#Groups and labels}}
A '''ghost band''' is a legacy band that performs under the name of a deceased leader. In [[rock and roll]], it is a band that performs under the name of the band whose founders are either deceased or have left the band.  Use of the phrase may refer to a repertory [[jazz music]] ensemble, such as a [[Dixieland]] band, with a longstanding, historic name.  But in the strictest sense, a ghost band is connected in some way to a deceased leader.

==Origin of the phrase==
[[Gene Lees]], [[Woody Herman]]'s biographer, and several other sources attribute the coining of the phrase to Woody Herman, who used it to refer to successors of dance bands from the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s.<ref name="LATimes 1996 Jul 18" />

The [[Vanguard Jazz Orchestra]] is a ghost band with a twist: the name is new, but the band is closely identified as being the legacy of [[The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra]], and like the [[Mingus Big Band|Mingus Band]], is producing new works. [[Thad Jones]], who had once been a trumpeter with the [[Count Basie|Count Basie Orchestra]], led [[Count Basie]]'s ghost band with critical acclaim.<ref>''Jazz A–Z,'' by [[Peter Clayton]] & [[Peter Gammond]], [[Guinness Superlatives]] (1986) {{OCLC|15353474}}</ref>

== Authorization ==
Ghost bands fall into three categories: (i) authorized, (ii) unauthorized, and (iii) unspecified.  Authorized ghost bands fall into two sub-categories: (a) authorized under the will of the decedent and (b) authorized by agreement with the heirs, successors, and assigns to the rights of the name.  Unauthorized ghost bands are those that exist in the face of opposition, or those that prevail in a legal challenge.  Unspecified ghost bands subsist with no preference or will given.  In this case, more than one band might subsist, and even remain unopposed if money is not an issue.{{CN|date=June 2022}}

Ghost bands often do not have full access to unpublished, original music arrangements.  In lieu of ghost bands, some leaders have opted to bestow their music and papers to academic institutions, in some cases, to music schools devoted to research, restoration, and repertory studies, and in other cases, to ''alma maters.''

== Connotation ==
The phrase "ghost band" is sometimes viewed as an underhanded way ''({{linktext|i.e.}},'' [[pejorative]] way) of saying that the ensemble is not the "[[real McCoy]]".  Not being the "real McCoy" does not automatically mean "inferior."  The current pool of virtuoso musicians, world-wide, is abundant. Moreover, ghost bands in recording studios are often composed of high-caliber musicians who might have otherwise been (a) unwilling to tour full-time, back in the day or (b) too expensive or (c) both.  Willingness to embrace the phrase is mixed.  Legacy bands – those that have grown new, distinct identities and have generated new works – value their roots; but they also appreciate recognition for their contributions to the art.  From a branding perspective, some repertory big bands, such as the [[Glenn Miller Orchestra]], embrace the phrase as a statement of commitment to the preservation of the original sound.{{CN|date=June 2022}}

==Dance bands and jazz==
The [[Glenn Miller Orchestra (1956–present)|Glenn Miller Orchestra]] has been performing for {{cardinal to word|{{age|format=raw|1946|12|15}}}} of the {{cardinal to word|{{age|format=raw|1944|12|15}}}} years since [[Glenn Miller]] went missing.  In dance band and big band jazz idioms, ghost bands typically perform the repertoire of the original band.  Exceptions, however, include the [[Mingus Big Band]], which performs and records new works in the creative spirit of its founder, [[Charles Mingus]].  The examples of Miller and Mingus are, in a sense, the same because both are striving to preserve the original models.

The estates of some notable band leaders, such as those of [[Stan Kenton]] and [[Maynard Ferguson]], specifically forbid ghost bands in their names.<ref name="Martin-Waters 2010" />

==Popular music==
In classic rock/pop/R&B, a ghost band may refer to a group composed of musicians from newer generations and perhaps owned or led offstage by a secondary founding member who may perform, or may not even perform with the group as is the case with [[Blood, Sweat & Tears]] and [[The Platters]]. Many classic rock/pop acts still tour with musicians who were in the last stages of their success and were not founding or crucial members of those acts, such as [[Little River Band]].  Other acts such as [[The Grass Roots]], [[The Guess Who]], [[The Temptations]], and others are now led by a drummer, bassist, or other background rhythm musician or backing vocalist who had little to do with the unique original sound (as compared to a lead instrumentalist or lead vocalist who made the sound identifiable to fans). These acts typically play at festivals, casinos, cruise ships, clubs, theaters and small venues, typically billed with other similar acts in "oldies packages", and are essentially tribute acts in all but name only.{{CN|date=June 2022}}

== Notable ghost bands ==
'''Jazz'''
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Glenn Miller Orchestra (1956–present)|Glenn Miller Orchestra]]<ref name="Cusack 2005" /><ref name="NYTs 1988 Feb 7" />
* [[Mingus Big Band]]
* [[Duke Ellington Orchestra]]
* [[Count Basie Orchestra]]
* [[The Modernaires]]
* [[Harry James|Harry James Orchestra]]
* [[Les Elgart|Les Elgart Orchestra]]
* [[Hal Mcintyre|Hal Mcintyre Orchestra]]
* [[Nelson Riddle|Nelson Riddle Orchestra]]
* [[Cab Calloway Orchestra]]
* [[Tommy Dorsey Orchestra]]<ref name="Cusack 2005" />
* [[Les Brown (bandleader)|Les Brown's Band of Renown]]
* [[Russ Morgan|Russ Morgan Orchestra]]
* [[Sammy Kaye|Sammy Kaye Orchestra]]
* [[Jimmy Dorsey|Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra]]
* [[Jan Garber|Jan Garber Orchestra]]
* [[Dick Jurgens|Dick Jurgens Orchestra]]
* [[Gene Krupa|Gene Krupa Orchestra]]
* [[Guy Lombardo|Guy Lombardo Orchestra]]
* [[Xavier Cugat|Xavier Cugat Orchestra]]
* [[Artie Shaw|Artie Shaw Orchestra]]
* [[Lester Lanin Orchestra]]
* [[Woody Herman|Woody Herman Orchestra]]
* [[Chick Webb]]
* [[Ted Heath (bandleader)|Ted Heath]]
* [[Sun Ra Arkestra]]
{{div col end}}

'''Classic rock, R&B, and pop'''
* [[38 Special (band)|38 Special]] (only frontman [[Don Barnes]] remains)
* [[The Animals|Animals and Friends]] (leader [[Eric Burdon]] left in 1983, continued by drummer [[John Steel (drummer)|John Steel]])
* [[April Wine]] (leader [[Myles Goodwyn]] died in December 2023, continued by guitarist [[Brian Greenway]])
* [[Asia featuring John Payne]] (version of [[Asia (band)|Asia]] fronted by non-original member of band)
* [[Atomic Rooster]] (leader [[Vincent Crane]] died in 1989, continued by guitarist [[Steve Bolton]])
* Bob Jackson's [[Badfinger]] (version of Badfinger fronted by non-original member of band / frontmen [[Pete Ham]] and [[Tom Evans (musician)|Tom Evans]] died in 1975 and 1983)
* [[Blackfoot (band)|Blackfoot]] (no original members since 2011)
* [[Blood, Sweat & Tears]] (no original members since 1977)
* [[Brian Poole & The Tremeloes]] (no original members since 1966)
* [[The Buzzcocks]] (leader [[Pete Shelley]] died in 2018, continued by guitarist [[Steve Diggle]])
* [[Canned Heat]] (leader [[Bob Hite]] died in 1981, continued by drummer [[Adolfo "Fito" de la Parra]])
* [[Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich]] (leader [[Dave Dee]] died in 2009, continued by Beaky)
* [[Dr. Feelgood (band)|Dr. Feelgood]] (leader [[Lee Brilleaux]] died in 1994, continued by his band since 1983)
* [[Foghat]] (only drummer [[Roger Earl]] remains)
* [[Foreigner (band)|Foreigner]] (sole original member & leader [[Mick Jones (Foreigner guitarist)|Mick Jones]] not touring as of 2023)
* [[The Four Tops]] (last original member, [[Duke Fakir]], died in 2024)
* [[The Fourmost]] (no original members since 1980)
* [[Gong (band)|Gong]] (no original members since 2015)
* [[The Grass Roots]] (no original members since 2011)
* [[Herman's Hermits]] (namesake & lead singer [[Peter Noone|Peter "Herman" Noone]] left in 1971)
* [[Iron Butterfly]] (no original members since 2020)
* [[Jack Russell (musician)|Jack Russell]]'s Great White (spinoff of Great White / leader Jack Russell died in 2024, continued by guitarist Tony Montana as "Once Bitten")
* [[Jefferson Starship]] (leader [[Paul Kantner]] died in 2016, continued by keyboardist [[David Freiberg]])
* [[Little River Band]] (no original members since 1997)
* [[Lynyrd Skynyrd]] (no original members since 2023)
* [[Mahavishnu Project]]
* [[The Manfreds]] (version of [[Manfred Mann]] started up without the bands [[Manfred Mann (musician)|name sake member]])
* [[Molly Hatchet]] (no original members since 2017)
* [[Nazareth (band)|Nazareth]] (only bassist [[Pete Agnew]] remains)
* [[The Orchestra (band)|The Orchestra]] (formerly known as "[[ELO Part II]]" not including [[Jeff Lynne]])
* [[Outlaws (band)|Outlaws]] (leader [[Hughie Thomasson]] died in 2007, continued by guitarist [[Henry Paul (rugby)|Henry Paul]])
* [[The Platters]] (no original members)
* [[Quiet Riot]] (leader [[Kevin DuBrow]] died in 2007, continued by bassist [[Rudy Sarzo]])
* Riley's [[L.A. Guns]] (spinoff of L.A. Guns / leader [[Steve Riley (drummer)|Steve Riley]] died in 2023, continued by bassist [[Kelly Nickels]])
* [[Smash Mouth]] (only bassist Paul de Lisle remains)
* [[Tangerine Dream]] (no original members since 2015)
* [[The Swinging Blue Jeans]] (no original members since 2010)
* [[Thin Lizzy]] (leader [[Phil Lynott]] died in 1986, continued by guitarist [[Scott Gorham]])
* [[Three Dog Night]] (led by sole original member [[Danny Hutton]])
* [[T-Square]] (leader [[Masahiro Andoh]] retired in 2021, continued by saxophonist [[Takeshi Itoh]])
* [[Vanity Fare]] (no original members since 1979)
* [[Vixen (band)|Vixen]] (only drummer [[Roxy Petrucci]] remains)
* [[The Yardbirds]] (leader [[Keith Relf]] died in 1976, continued by drummer [[Jim McCarty]])
* [[Yes (band)|Yes]] (leader Chris Squire died in 2015, continued by guitarist [[Steve Howe]])

==Related musical terminology==
*[[Tribute band]] – Tribute bands can also be ghost bands.  Three fundamental distinctions: (1) tribute bands can play music of living artists, (2) tribute bands can be a one-time concert or recording by any group of musicians, and (3) tribute bands can showcase other subjects, such as a particular composer or arranger.  This category can also refer to ''[[ad hoc]]'' groups that appear occasionally with a big-name leader, a number of star soloists and arrangers from the big-band era. Leaders who did this included [[Illinois Jacquet]], [[Gerry Mulligan]], and [[Louis Bellson]].
*[[Cover band]] – Cover bands can also be ghost bands.  A distinction is that cover bands can play music of living artists and are usually not confined to one artist.
* There are several well-known bands that have endured for decades – bands that are promoted and perceived to be continuations of the original.  These types of bands are analogous to franchises, except, instead of multiple bands touring under the same name, only one band performs, but with a turnover of musicians.  Examples include [[Tower of Power]] (currently in its {{ordinal to word|{{age|format=raw|1967|07|01}}}}<!--subtract 1 year (i.e, 1968 becomes 1967) when using ordinal --> year).

==See also==
* [[Zombie strip]], a comic strip continued by one or more artists and/or authors after the death or retirement of its original creator(s)
* [[Ship of Theseus]]

==References==
{{Reflist|100em|refs=

<ref name="Martin-Waters 2010">''[https://books.google.com/books?id=QcewFVEyG6oC Jazz: The First 100 Years]'' (3rd ed.), by Henry John Martin, PhD (born 1950), & Keith John Waters, PhD (born 1958), [[Cengage Learning|Thomson/Schirmer]] (which became [[Cengage Learning]]) (©2010, pub. 2011), pps. 356 & 385<br />
{{space|4}}1st ed. (2002); {{oclc|48043606}}<br />
{{space|4}}2nd ed. (2005); {{oclc|762064466|58042911|79459705}}, {{oclc|615143267}}<br />
{{space|4}}3rd ed. (2010); {{oclc|760121791}}<br />
{{space|4}}3rd ed., enhanced media editions (2014, 2015); {{oclc|800032626|921611036}}</ref>

<ref name="LATimes 1996 Jul 18">[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-07-18-ca-25515-story.html "Sounds of Hot Jazz Stay Warm: Harry James Band to Play at the Mission,"] by Benjamin Epstein ''(né'' Benjamin Shipman Epstein; born 1951), ''[[Los Angeles Times]],'' July 18, 1996</ref>

<ref name="Cusack 2005">''[https://books.google.com/books?id=6NbszHgxCnkC&dq=ghost+bands&pg=PA27 Nostalgia Is What It Was],'' Bob Cusack ''(née'' Robert Thomas Cusack, Sr.; 1932–2013), [[iUniverse]] (2005), pps. 27 & 152; {{oclc|367612307}}<div style="margin-left:3em">Note: The author, Cusack, was a long-time radio broadcaster – from 1955 to 1991 – in Boston and Rhode Island ([http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/bostonglobe/obituary.aspx?pid=174581306 "Robert T. Cusack Sr.,"] ''[[Boston Globe]],'' April 9, 2015 – obituary retrieved May 24, 2017, ''via'' [[Legacy.com]])</div></ref>

<ref name="NYTs 1988 Feb 7">[https://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/06/arts/herb-friedwald-62-jazz-record-producer.html "Music: Ghost Bands Very Much Alive,"] by [[Will Friedwald]], ''[[New York Times]]'', August 6, 1997</ref>

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[[Category:Musical terminology]]
[[Category:Types of musical groups]]
[[Category:Jazz terminology]]