George Harrison Almost Didn't Become a Beatle

It’s hard to imagine the legendary pop-rock group 'The Beatles' without George Harrison! During the late fifties, Paul McCartney and John Lennon—then known as the 'Quarry Men'—considered adding a guitarist as a way add new flavor to their sound.

Coincidentally, Paul went to the same school as George, and the two reconnected. The latter’s rendition of ‘Raunchy’ by Bill Justis proved he had the skills the group was looking for. However, Paul was skeptical about him because of his youthful appearance. Thankfully, his unmatched guitar skills secured him a spot in the world’s biggest rock band in history.

 

Nirvana Almost Lost Krist Novoselic to Another Band

Grunge rock was never the same when Nirvana came into the picture. Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, and Dave Grohl were legends in their time, and continue to be among the most influential in the industry even after disbanding in 1994.

What most people don't know is that Novoselic nearly left the group after running into some issues with Cobain. He reportedly reached out to Screaming Trees, another popular rock group, after learning that they were looking for a new bass player. However, Mark Lanegan, their vocalist, convinced Novoselic to stay with Nirvana, and the rest, as they say, is history.

 

Without His Gear, David Lee Roth Wouldn’t Have Been in Van Halen

Van Halen took the world by storm with their awesome music, and their crazy performances were always something to look forward to. David Lee Roth’s stage presence brought life to the band’s songs, earning him the love of fans worldwide.

But would you believe that he was admitted into the band just for his music gear? After multiple failed auditions, Eddie Van Halen let Roth join the group after realizing that by doing so, he would be cutting costs on rental fees. It turns out that the decision was made for the better, and they became one of the most successful rock groups ever.

 

Allen Collins Was On a Tree When He Agreed to Join Lynyrd Skynyrd

Allen Collins is responsible for co-writing many of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s hit tracks. That leaves us wondering what would have happened if he wasn’t recruited at all? Years before the sixties rock group made it big, Ronnie Van Zant and Bob Burns asked him to be their guitarist. But that nearly didn’t happen because of the duo’s tough persona!

Collins initially thought that he was about to be beaten up when Burns and Van Zant approached him. Out of fright, he ended up climbing on a tree to avoid them! Eventually, he did get convinced, and the legendary band was born. How’s that for an origin story?

 

Jim Root Rejected Slipknot Twice

Would you believe Jim Root passed up the opportunity to join the heavy metal band Slipknot all because he was apprehensive about his guitar skills? It might sound incredible to hear, but the humble artist believed he didn’t have what it takes to be a part of the group at the time.

The famed rocker was with Stone Sour when he got the opportunity again a year later, and he still believed he lacked the required talent. Good thing he took the advice of a friend and got the spot before anyone else could snag it!

 

Jefferson Airplane Landed on Grace Slick by Chance

The psychedelic rock scene was prominent in the sixties, and among those who soared the airwaves was Jefferson Airplane. Yet, a lot of people are not aware that frontman Grace Slick was a mere replacement to Signe Anderson when she got pregnant.

What's even more surprising is that Slick was not the first choice to replace Anderson; it was Sherry Snow. After she declined the offer, the band turned to Slick. Things panned out in the group's favor as it turns out that the singer's passion for music was the extra push they needed to attain superstardom!

 

Neil Peart Wasn’t Cool Enough for Rush

They say first impressions last a lifetime, but luckily for Canadian rock group Rush, their initial thoughts on Neil Peart turned out wrong. Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee initially thought that Peart was not cool enough and might be too goofy for the band. They immediately changed their mind after seeing him rock the drums onstage.

It turns out Peart was the missing piece who would complete the sound that Rush was looking for. He officially joined the group in 1974 and debuted in Fly by Night—their second album.

 

AC/DC Wanted Noddy of Slade to Be Their Frontman

AC/DC is wildly known for their massive success, but they went through a tragedy after Bon Scott, the group’s lead singer, passed away. The band went on a break as they scouted countless other singers who could replace Scott, and it took them a while before they found ‘the one.’

Apparently, Noddy Holder of Slade was tapped to replace Scott, but he turned down the offer. Krokus’ singer Marc Storace was also considered, yet he decided to stay with his band out of loyalty. AC/DC finally zeroed on Brian Johnson as their new singer, and his signature growl became a fan-favorite act in the years to come!

 

The Mamas and the Papas Almost Missed Out on Cass Elliot

The Mamas and the Papas were known for their impressive harmonies, which made them the most talked-about folk-rock groups back in the sixties. During their heydays, the quartet ran into some issues when John Phillips, the lead singer-songwriter, felt that Cass Elliott didn’t deserve a spot in the group.

Phillips reportedly had problems with Elliot’s voice range, but in reality, it was her physical appearance that caused his concern as she was overweight. Despite his hindrance, the songbird’s talent superseded his apprehension, and she went on to showcase her melodious voice in hits such as ‘Monday, Monday’ and ‘California Dreaming.’

 

Tony Iommi Left Black Sabbath for Jethro Tull—Then Changed His Mind

When people say Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne immediately comes to our minds. It is no surprise as the lead singer’s wacky antics made him a crowd favorite. But true fans would know that Tony Iommi is the pillar of the influential group.

Before Black Sabbath became a worldwide phenomenon, Iommi briefly left to join Jethro Tull, a British group led by Ian Anderson. This decision gave him some perspective as he changed his mind shortly after, stating he missed the strong camaraderie. The legendary rocker tightened up the rock band upon his return and made it an even more energetic ensemble!

 

The Yardbirds Had a Powerhouse Trio of Guitarists

The Yardbirds are an institution in the rock and roll industry, but you’ll never guess why! At the height of their popularity, three of the greatest guitarists were its members: Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and Jeff Beck. Page didn’t want to be a part of the group initially, but he caved in after Clapton’s persistent prodding.

Before leaving the group, Clapton sought Page as his replacement in hopes of taking the band to a new era of rock. Thanks to Page's recommendation, Beck was later added to the mix. They were the co-lead guitarists until Beck departed from the rock quintet in 1966.

 

Robert Plant Got Into Led Zeppelin With a Friend’s Referral

What would Led Zeppelin be without the charismatic Robert Plant? It could have been a very different band as Jimmy Page initially considered two other musicians before Plant came into the picture. Small Faces’ Steve Marriott was a prime contender for the position, but it was the Jaywalkers’ Terry Reid who got the much-coveted offer.

Since Reid already had plans to pursue a solo career, he turned down the offer and recommended the young Plant instead. As fate would have it, the rock god did Led Zeppelin justice, taking the group to new heights with his exemplary vocals.