It is a shame my friends Black Rose- Thin Lizzy tribute broke up in December because you would have loved them Darren, Ange Clark XX, Peeps XX.

Wow thanks for your comments folks. Looks like the overall assessment is "yes but" lol, but yeah tough one but i think the positives just edge it.

If the band(s) in question truly love and respect the band to which they are paying tribute, they will do their utmost to play the music to the best of their ability; ok, some have been awful but, in recent years especially, a great tribute band is as good as the real thing for many people. This is a double-edged sword because they are taking the gig -goers money and time when they could be watching the ‘real’ band BUT are also promoting the bands and introducing music to fans who otherwise may not have experienced the band’s music before. At the end of the day, if they are promoting bands and getting them more widely recognised , why not? If they do them justice and attract more fans then I think they do deserve credit. 😊

I love the Australian Australian Pink Floyd and I was upset when my friends Black Rose (Thin Lizzy) broke up at the end of last year.

If the band is good, I say fair play to them but I do agree with you about some of them writing their own songs.

What we need to do is support local live music venues and help them to stay open so that these artists can play live.

YYNOT - Rush tribute band have a cd out of their own stuff (sounding like Rush) Geddy and Alex have their CD . So yeah, all bands have to start somewhere and where else will you hear the old classics if it wasnt for bands covering them? From The Jam is another excellent cover band, Australia Pink Floyd ( we hope to see them now we have a car!)

Personally i would say yes. Having seen a few tribute bands i will admit there are some really good ones and some equally bad ones as well, Limehouse Lizzy, State Of Quo and GnR Experience are 3 excellent tribute bands that i have seen.

I think so long as they are keeping the spirit of the music alive and doing well then they deserve the credit.

I agree mostly with what you say Baron and especially agree that tribute bands that are for artists that are still performing is 'cashing in'. Some tributes like The Australian Pink Flloyd are exceptional and the chance to hear such good acts at a reasonable cost is a very big plus. I know the pub type venues sometimes prefer to book a tribute band as it brings in more punters but at the loss of an original artist or band. Sat on the fence here too.

Love a band called Limehouse Lizzy its keeping the music alive as long as they dont sound awful lol

Good question batman, Simon says merit more than credit. They are preserving the music of the past for the present generation.

To be honest, a great many "tribute" bands are a lot of fun but aren't particularly good speaking from a musicianship point of view. BUT some of them are incredible musicians who then frustrate me because I think, why not create new music?

When I ask that question I forget one thing about the vast majority of tribute artists: they are fans of the bands (or artists) they portray. To their minds they are paying homage to their heroes, or keeping their message and music alive (certainly most of the rock tribute bands of artists from long ago would argue that!). And to that task, some of them transcend simple homage. Purple Zeppelin for example are a great fun band who may not be as great as Blackmore and Page et all, but put on one of the most fun sets I have ever witnessed, and Aussie Floyd, well, their stage show has to be seen to be believed.

I never got to see any of those original bands live (although Blackmore I have seen several times with Rainbow and Blackmore's Night) so I really appreciate the activities of these tribute bands. I'm not so sure about tributes to artists still touring and producing music however. Is that fandom or simply cashing in?

I guess what I am saying is I am on the fence about this one. I see their value, I appreciate their skills when present, but their popularity as a movement in the US and USA seem disproportionate to their impact on music per se.