How relevant was LTE in DT's evolution?

[d-tailer]

Here's an extract from the Liquid Tension Experiment wiki that suggests the current DT lineup could have evolved a bit differently:

"Mike Portnoy invited Jordan Rudess (keyboard) and progressive rock icon Tony Levin (bass, Chapman Stick) of King Crimson and Peter Gabriel's band to join him. In his instructional video "Liquid Drum Theater", Portnoy said that his first choice for the guitar was Dimebag Darrell, but he was unable to join because of conflicting schedules. Two other primary choices, Steve Morse (Dixie Dregs, Kansas, Deep Purple) and Jim Matheos (Fates Warning) were also unavailable. Portnoy then turned to fellow Dream Theater member John Petrucci to fill the position (despite initially wanting to keep the project completely separate from Dream Theater). The combo was formed as a side project to Dream Theater in 1997. Both Mike and John confirmed on the 5 Years in a Livetime DVD commentary, that Rudess was asked to join Dream Theater largely because of the success of Liquid Tension Experiment, and the chemistry of the three working together. He had already declined a previous offer to join in 1994 and instead became a member of the Dixie Dregs, known for complex, "Southern fusion" instrumental music."
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid_Tension_Experiment)

I'm wondering 'What if any of the other 3 guitarists had been available and JP missed the opportunity to develop a bond with JR?' Also it reflects well on JP's character to accept the gig despite being fourth on the guitarist list - he must have been keen to play with JR and TL. I assume the Berkley connection would have kept the core group together, maybe with JR's inclusion.
So guys I'm interested to find out more about this episode in the DT chronicles.

[BlobVanDam]

An interesting question. They still would have felt that DS was a bad fit for the band, but would they have wanted to rock the boat and replace him with JR if not for having 2 members of the band (including the main songwriter) back it up?
They had already done a show with him, and wanted him then, so maybe that would have been enough to bring him on board. If his availability was the only obstacle, it wouldn't have made a difference, and we'd still have gotten JR. But if the songwriting connection was a key factor to the decision, then maybe not.

And on a related note, I think LTE would have been very interesting with JR, Levin, and Dimebag. I can't even imagine it.

[Bolsters]

And on a related note, I think LTE would have been very interesting with JR, Levin, and Dimebag. I can't even imagine it.

I've always wondered that myself.

[KevShmev]

Honestly, even if JP had not been a part of LTE, I think it is likely that the move from Sherinian to Rudess takes place.  Rudess, by that point, was already itching to get into a full-time band, and Portnoy likely could have established a connection on his own and then gone to JP and said, "Okay, we have got to get this guy in Dream Theater this time!"  And given that they had worked with him already briefly back in 1994, I don't think JP would have needed much convincing.

[Ben_Jamin]

And on a related note, I think LTE would have been very interesting with JR, Levin, and Dimebag. I can't even imagine it.

I've always wondered that myself.

It would've been interstingly great. Dimebag was capable of doing good clean parts, and it would've probably been a bit more metal. I also wonder, if he was in LTE, would have their been a song with vocals?....

If JP was never in LTE, I don't know, just the chemistry of them jamming is one thing to consider.

[BlobVanDam]

And on a related note, I think LTE would have been very interesting with JR, Levin, and Dimebag. I can't even imagine it.

I've always wondered that myself.

It would've been interstingly great. Dimebag was capable of doing good clean parts, and it would've probably been a bit more metal. I also wonder, if he was in LTE, would have their been a song with vocals?....

I'm sure it would have been cool, but I'm just having trouble imagining JR's keyboards meshing with Dimebag's style of playing, the heavier stuff at least. That in itself would have made that hugely interesting to me. It's a shame that hypothetical could never happen now.

[puppyonacid]

Also it reflects well on JP's character to accept the gig despite being the fourth guitarist on the list - he must have been mighty keen to play with JR and TL.

I think that's a bit misleading. From what I remember it went more along the lines of MP being a bit frustrated about not being able to get a guitar player lined up. JP was never really a consideration and if JP knew about MPs project at all, he likely would have known it was a side thing that MP had been asked to put together and that would have been the extent of it.

It wasn't like MP made a list of guitar players and put JP in fourth place. JP only came in to the project because of MPs frustration. IIRC I think it was MPs wife suggested that he ask JP after MP was drawing a blank with the guitar players spot. It was only at the point MP considered JP as a viable alternative as they have a writing chemistry and he'd already lined up TL and JR at that point.

[d-tailer]

Thanks for clarifying my incorrect assumption - I should be more careful how I interpret Wiki info.
After I posted the query I was thinking there may have been a mutual agreement between them about side projects that didn't interfere with the group's plans.
Anyway we're fortunate that the other 3 guys weren't available for LTE.

[Rodni Demental]

We can only guess. But to me the writing chemistry that was discovered during the composing of LTE sounds like it was a pretty significant reason for JP and MP to want to give another shot at getting JR into Dream Theater.

It's hard to say what was doing on with Derek at the time but obviously Derek was a competent player and doubt it was a skill or technical reason, besides it's a pretty big deal to replace a bandmember when you play this kind of music. Not anyone can play it straight away. I just think they wanted to bring over that connection they had with Jordan in the song writing process and saw the potential it could have in DT. Not to mention his technical ability obviously wasn't an issue either. 

Also, we did see LTE experiment pretty much come to a halt with much less activity after JR joined DT. And interestingly LTE is probably non existant now that MP has left DT. Soo, I think it's safe to assume the LTE/DT connection was pretty significant.

[d-tailer]

I found a live chat with the Wizard, Levin and Minnemann about a recent co-project they've recorded - released by Lazy Bones:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqqXlhs8y14  Haven't heard it yet but it should be an interesting mix.

It got me wondering if side projects are just an accepted practice by the other DT guys. From an elite muso's perspective I assume it helps to keep the creative ideas flowing. If that's the case, I guess MP wanted more than the occasional co-project. Any comments?