Tuesday, July 06, 2004
Cover story for "I Can't Believe Anybody Gives a Shit" magazine
By Renee Graham, Globe Staff | July 6, 2004
When John Bonham drank himself to death in 1980, it effectively marked the end for Led Zeppelin. His surviving bandmates - Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Paul Jones - rightfully believed Bonzo, one of rock's protean drummers, was irreplaceable. Though the band was at the peak of its popularity, they determined Zeppelin simply could not exist without Bonham. In the decades since, Page and Plant have toured together, but never again have they called themselves Led Zeppelin.
At first, it seemed as if R&B trio TLC would follow a similar track. After the April 2002 death of its most spirited member, Lisa ``Left Eye'' Lopes, Tionne ``T-Boz'' Watkins and Rozonda ``Chilli'' Thomas completed their fourth album, ``3D,'' which had been in production when Lopes perished in a car accident in Honduras. Released in September 2002 and dedicated to Lopes, the album was received as a coda to one of the best-selling female groups in pop music history. Their performance last summer at Giants Stadium in New Jersey was billed as TLC's final appearance, and in various interviews, both Watkins and Thomas maintained Lopes would never be replaced.
``Is this it for you girls or are you going to be taking on another member?'' Jill Rappaport, ``Today'' entertainment reporter asked TLC's surviving members six months after Lopes's death.
``Never another member,'' Watkins said. Then, when asked whether they might continue as a duo, Watkins added ``The money's not worth it. There's nothing worth that. And it's either TLC forever or not at all.''
So it surprised many when it was announced last week that TLC was not only planning to replace Lopes but would do so on a Fox reality show documenting their search.
At this point, the show has neither a network commitment nor a premiere date, but that's hardly the point...
(It goes on... and on... and on... for another 19 inches or so...)
When John Bonham drank himself to death in 1980, it effectively marked the end for Led Zeppelin. His surviving bandmates - Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Paul Jones - rightfully believed Bonzo, one of rock's protean drummers, was irreplaceable. Though the band was at the peak of its popularity, they determined Zeppelin simply could not exist without Bonham. In the decades since, Page and Plant have toured together, but never again have they called themselves Led Zeppelin.
At first, it seemed as if R&B trio TLC would follow a similar track. After the April 2002 death of its most spirited member, Lisa ``Left Eye'' Lopes, Tionne ``T-Boz'' Watkins and Rozonda ``Chilli'' Thomas completed their fourth album, ``3D,'' which had been in production when Lopes perished in a car accident in Honduras. Released in September 2002 and dedicated to Lopes, the album was received as a coda to one of the best-selling female groups in pop music history. Their performance last summer at Giants Stadium in New Jersey was billed as TLC's final appearance, and in various interviews, both Watkins and Thomas maintained Lopes would never be replaced.
``Is this it for you girls or are you going to be taking on another member?'' Jill Rappaport, ``Today'' entertainment reporter asked TLC's surviving members six months after Lopes's death.
``Never another member,'' Watkins said. Then, when asked whether they might continue as a duo, Watkins added ``The money's not worth it. There's nothing worth that. And it's either TLC forever or not at all.''
So it surprised many when it was announced last week that TLC was not only planning to replace Lopes but would do so on a Fox reality show documenting their search.
At this point, the show has neither a network commitment nor a premiere date, but that's hardly the point...
(It goes on... and on... and on... for another 19 inches or so...)
