It the wake of one Directioner quitting his band, here's looking at others that kept making music despite their mates' exits
Bands take stage, blow your mind, and in their short spurts of brilliance, create magic. And while lineups change all the time, it's the first exit that always hits fans the hardest.
Whatever their reasons, the show does go on. Sometimes new members take over, but it rarely ever remains as magical as that first team. But some persevere and do better, too. In essence, the show does go on. Maybe 1D fans needn't be as gutted about Zayn Malik's exit?
Band: One Direction
Mate who quit: Zayn Malik
The world might just have ended. Well, for 1D fans, it was almost that, when it was confirmed that Zayn Malik was quitting the biggest, most successful boyband in the world.
A little history first, members Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson formed the band in 2010, after auditioning as solo acts in The X Factor and were promoted by Simon Cowell. Since then, they've become teenybopper pop culture phenoms.
So why did Zayn bail? Reasons are not clear yet.
Band: Green Day
Mate who quit: Billie Joel Armstrong
Punk rock band Green Day was born in 1988. Though members Raj Punjabi, Sean Hughes and John Kiffmeyer have been a part of the band in the past, it's the absence of its frontman Billie Joel Armstrong that's of the most significance. In 2012, the vocalist/guitarist was seeking treatment in rehab for substance abuse. The remainder of the band, Tré Cool and Mike Dirnt continued touring in 2013 in Billie's absence. They had a quiet year in 2014 and buzz is that the band will return 2015.
Band: The Black Eyed Peas
Mate who quit: Fergie
This band shot to global fame with their third album Elephunk in 2003, with the addition of female vocalist Fergie who joined in 2002 and then went solo successfully in 2006. In 2009, she returned to the band for their album THE E.N.D. Late 2012, Fergie declared she was going to be working on her second solo album, slated for release in 2015. Her breakaway is attributed to husband Josh Duhamel, who wishes her to pursue a career as a solo singer. Meanwhile, the rest of BEP -- Will.i.am, apl.de.ap and Taboo -- has maintained that Fergie will always welcomed back into the band in future.
Band: Backstreet Boys
Mate who quit: Kevin Richardson
You can't speak about boybands and leave them out! Formed in 1993, they shot to overnight fame with their self-titled debut album in 1996 and they were the epitome of boybands of that era. In 2006, Kevin Richardson called it quits from the band for good to pursue other interests. The band continued on releasing three more albums till 2013 and touring. Backstreet Boys: Show'Em What You're Made Of is a documentary featuring all other members -- A. J. McLean, Howie Dorough, Nick Carter and Brian Littrell -- except Kevin, is slated for a worldwide release this year.
Band: Spice Girls
Mate who quit: Geri Halliwell
This British pop girl quintet was formed in 1994 and was idolised by countless teen girls across the globe in the band's heydays. Melanie Brown was Scary Spice, Melanie Chisholm was Sporty Spice, Emma Bunton was Baby Spice, Geri Halliwell was Ginger Spice, and Victoria Beckham, Posh Spice. In 1998, Geri quit the band citing exhaustion and wanted a break. Her departure from the group shocked fans, in the middle of rumours of fight with fellow bandmate Mel B. Initially, Geri made it as a successful solo artist while the remaining girls continued with the band.
Band: Westlife
Mate who quit: Brian McFadden
This Irish boyband formed in 1998, and were another favourite boyband. After the band had four albums, member Brian McFadden quit the band in 2004, to spend time with his wife Kerry Katona of Atomic Kitten and two daughters. The band continued with Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily and Shane Filan churning out five more albums till the remaining members decided to disband in 2011 after their Greatest Hits album and a farewell tour.
Band: Take That
Mate who quit: Robbie Williams
Formed in 1990, Take That has given some memorable hits. Bad boy musician Robbie Willams left the group in 1995 and Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, and Mark Owen completed their world tour and released a final single before splitting up in 1996. Robbie went on to become a successful solo artist, and rejoined the band in 2010 for the band's sixth album Progress.
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