Nazareth name new singer

[That 70s Guy]

classicrockmagazine.com

Nazareth have named fellow Scot Linton Osborne as the replacement for singer Dan McCafferty, who was forced to retire last year due to ill health.

The veteran outfit are gearing up to hit the road once again, while their final album with McCafferty is due for release later this year.

Naz say in a statement: “Born in Edinburgh and raised near Dunfermline, 41-year-old Linton has been singing and performing professionally for as long as he can remember.

“After extensive auditions, the band was knocked out by Linton’s voice, presence and style. And he’s a thoroughly good guy! His enthusiasm and energy has been a shot in the arm for the band – a real boost after the sense of loss and sadness at the sudden retirement of our dear friend and brother Dan.”

McCafferty has given his blessing to Osborne’s appointment, with the singers sharing an interest in Little Richard and early-era rock’n'roll.

Naz have begun rehearsals for their first shows with their latest lineup, featuring sole remaining original member Pete Agnew on bass, his son Lee on drums and guitarist Jimmy Murrison.

 

[LG]

Nazareth without McCafferty is not the same, they should have retired Nazareth and tour with a different name. It's one thing to lose the drummer/bassist/guitarist but the lead singer will always be the most difficult to replace especially someone as distinct as McCafferty. He's one of those vocalists you can identify within a couple seconds of any song.

 

[Magic]

I agree with LG, that a lead singer is always difficult to replace. A band always loses its "heart" when the leader is gone.


Although, it is good news that the band is still continuing....with McCafferty's blessing.

 

[Sharp Dressed Man]

Nazareth without McCafferty is not the same, they should have retired Nazareth and tour with a different name. It's one thing to lose the drummer/bassist/guitarist but the lead singer will always be the most difficult to replace especially someone as distinct as McCafferty. He's one of those vocalists you can identify within a couple seconds of any song.

Agree 100%. Some bands do OK with changing singers, but this is a case where they should have just called it a day.

 

[Magic]

Agree 100%. Some bands do OK with changing singers, but this is a case where they should have just called it a day.

I disagree. Nazareth will never be the same, sure, but the other band members still have a right to earn a living. Nazareth will never be like they were in their prime. Therefore, there is nothing wrong with them continuing to tour and keeping the music alive.
JM2CW

 

[Sharp Dressed Man]

Magic, I respect your opinion, but I think they could retire today and not have to worry about money for the rest of their lives! Aside from the financial apect, I can understand their wish to continue touring and presenting their music live, but they could have done so under another name.

 

[LG]

^^That's my take as well, I have nothing against a remaining founding member touring with a band playing their songs, but call it Naz II or something. Make sure people that do buy tickets know that McCafferty is not in the line-up, the hard core fans will know but some might see the name and buy tickets expecting to hear Dan sing their signature songs.

One replacement singer than came to mind instantly, was Brian Johnson...but I think he's busy with his own little R&R band.

 

[That 70s Guy]

I looked for footage of the new singer on youtube,couldn't find any.

 

[Magic]

Magic, I respect your opinion, but I think they could retire today and not have to worry about money for the rest of their lives! Aside from the financial apect, I can understand their wish to continue touring and presenting their music live, but they could have done so under another name.

Nazareth II would be fine. Retiring a band name is totally different than retiring a band. I still think if they want to rock on.....they should

 

[TheSound]

I hope this guy has some sort of super-human turbo-charged vocal chords, because Dan McCafferty was a prince amongst rock n roll vocalists. Replacing the frontman I agree is a tough one, but I certainly don't see why Naz should pack up at all, not for a minute, plenty of other bands have survived and prospered very nicely with replacements for the original vocalist, and people at the time said it will never work, but it did (Genesis, Floyd, Sabbath, Deep Purple, AC/DC, Van Halen, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Alice in Chains, Styx, and they're just the ones I can think of, there's certain to be numerous others)...so why should Naz turn out any different? So I say good on them for carrying on, all that matters is that they keep their traditional fan base happy, a band like Naz are too old and too far gone to start trying to win over new fans, and I'm sure that 99.9% of Nazareth fans would prefer them to carry on if they can rather than retire, unless it's a disaster, and nobody will know that until they give it a try. But Dan M was some singer, those early albums like Razzamanaz and Loud and Proud his vocals could peel the wallpaper off the walls if you cranked it up high enough!