Which bands got better after replacing an original member?

[blueparrot]

Arguably Yes.

Drama - without Jon Anderson - is my favorite Yes album of all. And check out Fly From Here: Return Trip from another album with this same lineup.

At the same time, I really enjoy Yes with Anderson. But Drama for me tips the balance. Yes without Anderson is somehow a little bit better.

That said - check out Anderson performing with Band Geeks. It's fucking awesome.

For example:

Best Yes related release since Drama or maybe 90125

 

[City Hobgoblin]

The Bunnymen replacing Echo with Pete DeFreitas.

 

[C90]

The Bunnymen replacing Echo with Pete DeFreitas.

And they got considerably worse when Pete left/died and then Les left eventually. Will & Mac plodding away still, more fool them.

 

[BlueTG]

I don’t necessarily think they got better, though personally I enjoy both eras as much as the other - Bond Scott to Brian Johnson