If James Labrie left DT, who would you like to see fill his place as vocalist?

[The Silent Cody]

I was thinking about this for a while and only few vocalists that I like could replace James, but only for me, because I think that He the voice of DT. My shots are: Tom Englund from Evergrey, Jorn Lande (that would be interesting), David Coverdale and Joey Tempest of course from Europe, my favourite singer from childhood

[CodyWanKenobi]

Actually I'd love to see DT perform with Jon Anderson.. if he was a bit younger. haha.

[Chrissalix]

Tommy Karevik from Seventh Wonder or Russell Allen. Although I'd hate to see them leave their respective bands.

Karevik couldn't do it. His voice is too boyband.

Myles Kennedy, when his voice isn't ruined by touring all the goddamn time with both Slash and Alter Bridge, is the guy with the closest voice to James' and would do an amazing job. I reckon he can bust that f# too.

[Orion1967]

If James LaBrie left Dream Theater, I'd want Dream Theater to retire.

This

[Perpetual Change]

Honestly, if James left I'd be sad but I wouldn't want the other guys to give up, especially if they were willing to keep going. JLB is of course signature to Dream Theater's sound but as long as John Petrucci is still writing songs under the Dream Theater name I will be willing to give it a shot regardless of who the other members are.

[Super Dude]

Don't do this thread, last time we did was just before MP left.

[smegolas]

CANDICE NIGHT!!!

[The Silent Cody]

CANDICE NIGHT!!!

Lady Gaga...

[coffees for closers]

David Lee Roth, on a serious note Kelly Sundown Carpenter

[Nefyn]

I would want DT to retire, call Mike Portnoy and Tony Levin, recreate LTE but with 2 drummers and 2 bassists.

[Nat Eleison]

I would want DT to retire, call Mike Portnoy and Tony Levin, recreate LTE but with 2 drummers and 2 bassists.

Maybe they could bring Bill Bruford out of retirement and get Andrew Belew on Guitar and vocals too and call it Crimson Tention Experiment.  This is probably the best alternate reality I could imagine, LOL!

Guitar/Vocals: Andrew Belew
Guitar: John Patrucci
Keybourds: Jordan Rudess
Chapman Stick: Tony Levin
Bass: John Myung
Drums: Mike Portnoy
Drums and Percussion: Bill Bruford

[Tis BOOLsheet]

almost anybody. ideally, russell who is the best in the business at this moment in time.

[JustinSire]

I know he takes a lot of flak sometimes, but I really don't think you can replace James Labrie. He is far too valuable a vocalist for that. It's not just his technical skills, it's his unique voice. You can't just plug and play another major player into the spot and expect it to go like how the Mangini transition went. It's far different for a vocalist. I think you would have to sign some unknown talented singer out there that was a huge DT fan and sounded much like JLB, in order to even approach what might work.


Dream Theater has a sound, that sound a voice, and that voice is James Labrie's.

[Cranky]

I know he takes a lot of flak sometimes, but I really don't think you can replace James Labrie. He is far too valuable a vocalist for that. It's not just his technical skills, it's his unique voice. You can't just plug and play another major player into the spot and expect it to go like how the Mangini transition went. It's far different for a vocalist. I think you would have to sign some unknown talented singer out there that was a huge DT fan and sounded much like JLB, in order to even approach what might work.


Dream Theater has a sound, that sound a voice, and that voice is James Labrie's.

Yeah, exactly.
It's different when note-worthy and distinguished vocalist leave a band, they are generally the most recognized and prominent member...
James is no exception. He does get a lot of flack, and I don't think he really deserves it... He really sets Dream Theater apart from any other band, his voice is so unique.
What if Geoff Tate left Queensryche? If you showed me a new song by them without Geoff Tate, I would have no clue it was Queensryche unless you told me...
What if Freddy Mercury left Queen? Same deal...
Geddy Lee to Rush, James Hetfield to Metallica... The list goes on.

You just cannot replace these vocalists, *especially* James LaBrie, in my opinion.

[?]

I would be sad if James left; he has a recognisable voice and even though he isn't an original member, he's become a huge part of DT's identity.

[Tis BOOLsheet]

I know he takes a lot of flak sometimes, but I really don't think you can replace James Labrie. He is far too valuable a vocalist for that. It's not just his technical skills, it's his unique voice. You can't just plug and play another major player into the spot and expect it to go like how the Mangini transition went. It's far different for a vocalist. I think you would have to sign some unknown talented singer out there that was a huge DT fan and sounded much like JLB, in order to even approach what might work.


Dream Theater has a sound, that sound a voice, and that voice is James Labrie's.

out of all the members now except mangini because he is new, labries release would be the most welcome and easiest. what you are saying about his voice being unique is correct. however, the reality is that he is extremely technically limited as a vocalist and consistently has basic musicianship problems. as the band has accumulated more heavy and metal tunes, his voice sounds even more out of place. it would be easy to replace him. you'd just have to get someone who fit the band well and who people generally accepted as a good singer. the sheer fact that his voice has been under so much scrutiny for so long should tell us that his departure would be welcome by a LOT of people. this thread is sorta pointless though because hes not going anywhere.

[JediKnight1969]

James must stay. Period.

Worst case scenario? Mark Boals only.

[dongringo]

I know he takes a lot of flak sometimes, but I really don't think you can replace James Labrie. He is far too valuable a vocalist for that. It's not just his technical skills, it's his unique voice. You can't just plug and play another major player into the spot and expect it to go like how the Mangini transition went. It's far different for a vocalist. I think you would have to sign some unknown talented singer out there that was a huge DT fan and sounded much like JLB, in order to even approach what might work.


Dream Theater has a sound, that sound a voice, and that voice is James Labrie's.

out of all the members now except mangini because he is new, labries release would be the most welcome and easiest. what you are saying about his voice being unique is correct. however, the reality is that he is extremely technically limited as a vocalist and consistently has basic musicianship problems. as the band has accumulated more heavy and metal tunes, his voice sounds even more out of place. it would be easy to replace him. you'd just have to get someone who fit the band well and who people generally accepted as a good singer. the sheer fact that his voice has been under so much scrutiny for so long should tell us that his departure would be welcome by a LOT of people. this thread is sorta pointless though because hes not going anywhere.

I couldn't disagree more.

[Herrick]

Ha Ha, Hetfield would be a riot going "Oooohhh Yay-Yeah!" after every line 

I'm sure most of you have seen/heard this guy already and I saw someone mention a singer who does covers...so this may be the same guy. Anyway, I watched these musicians do a cover of Metropolis Part I the other day. The guitarist and the bassist were also part of the On The Backs Of Angels cover. Anyway, the singer who did Metropolis was very good and one of the comments left was something like, "I think this is what they were thinking when they hired Dominici". He was like a better version of Dominici who could stay on key and everything. The only thing I'm not sure about is how aggressively he could sing. He sounded a bit wimpy. Not that LaBrie has a "tough" voice but this other singer seemed even softer than LaBrie.

Edit: Tis BOOLsheet's post: I kind of agree actually. Now, I am by no means a "LaBrie Hater" and it would be sad to see him go. However, I'm sure they could find someone in the world with a similar voice who could replace him. Someone with all of his strengths (past & present) but none of his weaknesses. I think LaBrie's voice is what turns off a lot of people from their music. Now does Herrick want this to happen? Nope.

[JustinSire]

Many of these posts musing that JLB is sometimes an inhibitor of a more widespread popularity for Dream Theater seem to be acting under the assumption or belief that a more main-stream targeted vocalist might improve DT's sound. I do not agree with this. I think while being decidedly different to the point of deterrence for some, his voice is incredibly unique to the point of elation to many. I love how fresh JLB sounds compared to just about every other vocalist for a band of DT fame. There's a certain stamp JLB puts on the band, and while you can suggest he isnt a founding member, I would argue that DT wasn't really DT until Labrie anyway. Not knocking on Dominici here, but Labrie is as DT as DT can be.

Again, its not just his voice, its one of those "the sum of the whole is greater than the sum of the parts" type things.


but this is just my opinion, and unfortunately I sometimes tend to express it as fact, and that's kind of arrogant, so I apologize...

[johncal]

Actually I'd love to see DT perform with Jon Anderson.. if he was a bit younger. haha.

Jon Anderson does Mehtul! 

[Tis BOOLsheet]

I know he takes a lot of flak sometimes, but I really don't think you can replace James Labrie. He is far too valuable a vocalist for that. It's not just his technical skills, it's his unique voice. You can't just plug and play another major player into the spot and expect it to go like how the Mangini transition went. It's far different for a vocalist. I think you would have to sign some unknown talented singer out there that was a huge DT fan and sounded much like JLB, in order to even approach what might work.


Dream Theater has a sound, that sound a voice, and that voice is James Labrie's.

out of all the members now except mangini because he is new, labries release would be the most welcome and easiest. what you are saying about his voice being unique is correct. however, the reality is that he is extremely technically limited as a vocalist and consistently has basic musicianship problems. as the band has accumulated more heavy and metal tunes, his voice sounds even more out of place. it would be easy to replace him. you'd just have to get someone who fit the band well and who people generally accepted as a good singer. the sheer fact that his voice has been under so much scrutiny for so long should tell us that his departure would be welcome by a LOT of people. this thread is sorta pointless though because hes not going anywhere.

I couldn't disagree more.

you have a compelling point lol

[Dusk Till Dawn]

Axl Rose.  Just kidding.  I would hate to see James go but I would love to see Mike Patton do it.  That man can do any style of music.

[dongringo]

I know he takes a lot of flak sometimes, but I really don't think you can replace James Labrie. He is far too valuable a vocalist for that. It's not just his technical skills, it's his unique voice. You can't just plug and play another major player into the spot and expect it to go like how the Mangini transition went. It's far different for a vocalist. I think you would have to sign some unknown talented singer out there that was a huge DT fan and sounded much like JLB, in order to even approach what might work.


Dream Theater has a sound, that sound a voice, and that voice is James Labrie's.

out of all the members now except mangini because he is new, labries release would be the most welcome and easiest. what you are saying about his voice being unique is correct. however, the reality is that he is extremely technically limited as a vocalist and consistently has basic musicianship problems. as the band has accumulated more heavy and metal tunes, his voice sounds even more out of place. it would be easy to replace him. you'd just have to get someone who fit the band well and who people generally accepted as a good singer. the sheer fact that his voice has been under so much scrutiny for so long should tell us that his departure would be welcome by a LOT of people. this thread is sorta pointless though because hes not going anywhere.

I couldn't disagree more.

you have a compelling point lol

Thanks for noticing. 

[contest_sanity]

Matt Smith from Theocracy.

[Orion1967]

I know he takes a lot of flak sometimes, but I really don't think you can replace James Labrie. He is far too valuable a vocalist for that. It's not just his technical skills, it's his unique voice. You can't just plug and play another major player into the spot and expect it to go like how the Mangini transition went. It's far different for a vocalist. I think you would have to sign some unknown talented singer out there that was a huge DT fan and sounded much like JLB, in order to even approach what might work.


Dream Theater has a sound, that sound a voice, and that voice is James Labrie's.

out of all the members now except mangini because he is new, labries release would be the most welcome and easiest. what you are saying about his voice being unique is correct. however, the reality is that he is extremely technically limited as a vocalist and consistently has basic musicianship problems. as the band has accumulated more heavy and metal tunes, his voice sounds even more out of place. it would be easy to replace him. you'd just have to get someone who fit the band well and who people generally accepted as a good singer. the sheer fact that his voice has been under so much scrutiny for so long should tell us that his departure would be welcome by a LOT of people. this thread is sorta pointless though because hes not going anywhere.

Dude...  step away from the crack pipe.... you are talking crazy shit now!

[Nokturnum]

Either...

a) They quit for good

b) They become an instrumental band

c) They make use of their own voices, maybe invite MP back. JP, JR and MP don't have bad voices, but I doubt they would be able to reach JLB's range.

But JLB will always be the voice of Dream Theater

I totally agree

[WildeSilas]

I don't get this "JLB isn't an original member" thing. Technically, yes. But by the same token, neither is Neil Peart or Steve Howe an "original" member of their respective groups, yet they have played a huge role in defining the sounds of those bands. I don't see what place that observation has in a discussion about replacing them. At what point does the "new' member's longevity negate their absence on the first (rather crappy) album and fade into history? IMO, JR amd JLB have just as much relative tenure and investment as JP and JM at this point. I never liked it when MP made that distinction and it seems irrelevant especially now since whatever heirarchy it implied has been swept away.

[The Silent Cody]

IMO James is the voice of Dream Theater, without him it wouldn't be the same... but we can always discuss, that doesn't hurts

[tristl]

I was thinking about this for a while and only few vocalists that I like could replace James, but only for me, because I think that He the voice of DT. My shots are: Tom Englund from Evergrey, Jorn Lande (that would be interesting), David Coverdale and Joey Tempest of course from Europe, my favourite singer from childhood

first of all i think nobody can and should replace JLB, secondly david coverdale was a brilliant singer[/colorbut this a long time ago tom englund and the rest lol.
there can be only one JLB

[The Clairvoyant]

If James LaBrie left Dream Theater, I'd want Dream Theater to retire.

Me too !!!! 

Anyway, anyone can replace James LaBrie, he's the only singer of this wonderful band...

[Kotowboy]

No Pirate CJS.


NO Dream Theater.

[Slain]

Don't do this thread, last time we did was just before MP left.

I remember that, and there was also a thread about who was most likely to leave (or least likely to leave?), it was pretty unanimous amongst everyone that Mike would stay. Weird.

On topic, it's a tough one because I love James. I'd stray away from getting a known vocalist and get someone relatively unknown, someone who does great vocal covers on youtube maybe (similar to what Journey did).

[FlyingBIZKIT]

Nobody.

[Shattered Glass]

If Journey goes on without Steve Perry and Yes goes on without Jon Anderson, than I guess DT would go on without James.     The voice is susceptible to age.  But, like Journey and Yes, losing James would be a tragic thing to happen so I hope he stays for a long time yet.  I'm glad that JP has demonstrated that he's such a big fan of James that he has stood by him when James has had so many detractors. 

My vote would be the Journey/Yes route - an unknown from a DT cover band who sounds exactly like him...