I mean, in terms of having all original members intact and no career breaks or splits?
We’re talking nearly forty years, aren’t we?
Whatever you think of the band, that’s quite an achievement, I say.
Are U2 the longest running band in the world ever?
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Alright! No need to rub it in…
ZZ Top – formed 1969.
All original members intact, and still performing
The Four Tops beat that, until the grim reaper started work
feels longer.
That is quite an amazing achievement, considering the amount of money that must be swilling around. Bono has done a few duets but he hasn’t done a solo song, as far as I know. I’d love to see him in a nice jumper singing some of the old standards.
My Lovely Mayo Mammy, perhaps?
Aren’t they one of those bands that decided early on to split all their royalties 4 ways, thus avoiding the money problems which tend to be the chink in the armour of any successful band where the (main) songwriter earns so much more than everyone else…? REM and Blur are others which immediately come to mind, and Queen did the same for their final 2 albums…
Similarly, weren’t all the writing credits for the Stranglers’ songs jointly given to “The Stranglers”?
I suppose it does depend on how you define ‘career break’. They have had long spells of inactivity, which must help keep them ‘together’. I just commented on the Sgt. Pepper thread that it was assumed the Fabs were in trouble after a few quiet months – bands didn’t have the luxury of taking time off back then.
Golden Earring, I think, have had the same line up since 1970 and have been on the go since 1961. Beat that.
I am thinking of The Blind Boys of Alabama (1944 to present) although the Grim Reaper has pulled at least one of the vocalists offstage.
So… the Grim Reaper has pulled some of them off? I see.
Well, if you have to go, probably best to go with a happy ending.
Moose, help me out here.
The Stones set list is over 40 years old.