ZZ Top has had the same 3 guys.

Except for the first album that had a different drummer, Rush has had the same members.

The Four Tops had the same members until Lawrence Payton died in the late 1990s. Later Levi Stubbs got sick and had to stop performing.

Gladys Knight & The Pips originally had 3 female members and 2 guys, but they've had the same 4 members from the early 1960s until they broke up around 1990.

Oak Ridge Boys has pretty much the same members since 1974, although the group has existed since the late 1950s. There was a period in the 1980s when William Lee Golden was replaced, but he rejoined later and has been with them to this day. William is also the first to join of the most known lineup and has been in the group since the early 1960s.

The Staple Singers only had one change when Yvonne replaced Pervis. The rest of the group was the same.

Backstreet Boys

Same members since being formed in 1993. Kevin Richardson left for a while in 2006, but made his return in 2012.

EmmaMcG said:

Bon Jovi, though they're Sambora-less now.

Bon Jovi also had Alec Such.

Simple Minds

U2

The Who

Def Leppard

Aerosmith ?

[Edited 6/10/17 15:39pm]

The Rolling Stones

Aerosmith

U2

Depeche Mode

The Backstreet Boys

AC/DC

Rush

Queen:

Can't speak for too many bands, but being partial to Queen (from the early 1970's until Freddie's death in 1991). The pre-Queen band Smile does not count since despite the majority of the members being the same, Deacon was not part of the group yet. And definitely will not count the post 1991 incarnations with the numerous guest vocalists.

The four tops

If we're using RHCP as a basis for only slight changes (which is fair), then here are some. And some of these bands are temporary early members that left after a few months, or the first year. The main act we know is what I, and most fans, consider the real band as a starting point.

Van Halen has changed a lot, but they were the base three for the longest. Once Michael left, Wolfgang came in as did Roth again. But as a four piece, at least half the band has always been there, if not 3/4.

Metallica has only had one really big change when Jason left, Robert came in.

Def Leppard had two different guitarists after Steve died. All the rest have stayed on from the beginning.

Bon Jovi & Aerosmith are the same, as far as I remember.

E-Street is a good one, too. They lost Clarence, and added his wife, but it's the same otherwise.

Twisted Sister has been the same, until 2015, when they changed drummers.

Duran Duran has is sorta in the game. They were a trio for a hot second, but eventually got back together, then Andy left again. It's a toss up with them.

Depeche Mode has been a strong trio, but one guy left after a year, and another left in the 90s. They're basically just a trio now, with touring members.

NorthC said:

I was also thinking about The Temptations, but I saw them in 1997, and it was just Dennis Edwards with four other singers, so that doesn't count.

There have been around 4 or 5 different Temptations groups at one time with former members. The official group is supposed to be the one with Otis Williams in it. Their most known later day song is Stay from the late 1990s

And Motley Crue. Went through a lead singer once, and a diff drummer once, but they always came hurling back toward each other.

COMPUTERBLUE1984 said:

Queen:

Can't speak for too many bands, but being partial to Queen (from the early 1970's until Freddie's death in 1991). The pre-Queen band Smile does not count since despite the majority of the members being the same, Deacon was not part of the group yet. And definitely will not count the post 1991 incarnations with the numerous guest vocalists.

I think the best answers are U2 and The Four Tops.

U2 has actually had the same line-up since 1976, when drummer Larry was only 14. In fact, they've had the same line-up since about three weeks into their existence, when Edge's older brother (also a guitarist) was sort-of pushed out by the 4 younger guys. What's most unbelievable about their staying together is that they've never had a serious personnel issue, never broken up or taken a hiatus -- and have been near the top of the world's charts since the early/mid-80s. That's just impossible. So, now, it's over 40 years from their inception -- not a single change, no time-off, no break-ups.

If Wiki is correct, The Four Tops had the same line-up from 1953 to 1997. I believe that's also from their origin in '53. Incredible, even if their didn't really rule the charts after the early-70s.

(I personally wouldn't count groups like The Backstreet Boys -- if you consider that "music" -- or A-ha, because those kinds of groups had 'break-ups', or at least long hiatuses from each other.)

Oh, and The Rolling Stones should not count at all. They were only together about 6 years when they first fired a guitarist. Then, five years later, his replacement quit/was fired. Then, in the mid-80s, invisible keyboardist Ian Stewart died. Then, in the early-90s bassist Bill Wyman quit. (Also, around 1972, singer Mick Jagger died and was replaced by a tongue-in-cheek dork.)

ThePanther said:

I think the best answers are U2 and The Four Tops.

U2 has actually had the same line-up since 1976, when drummer Larry was only 14. In fact, they've had the same line-up since about three weeks into their existence, when Edge's older brother (also a guitarist) was sort-of pushed out by the 4 younger guys. What's most unbelievable about their staying together is that they've never had a serious personnel issue, never broken up or taken a hiatus -- and have been near the top of the world's charts since the early/mid-80s. That's just impossible. So, now, it's over 40 years from their inception -- not a single change, no time-off, no break-ups.

If Wiki is correct, The Four Tops had the same line-up from 1953 to 1997. I believe that's also from their origin in '53. Incredible, even if their didn't really rule the charts after the early-70s.

(I personally wouldn't count groups like The Backstreet Boys -- if you consider that "music" -- or A-ha, because those kinds of groups had 'break-ups', or at least long hiatuses from each other.)

Though a-ha is my favorite band i would agree because they had a split from 1993 - 1998 before reuniting and then from 2011- 2014 when they got back in the studio technically they still are on their own works but have agreed to never say it is a split but they have new music coming this year and next and a tour. But U2 I would agree mainly for the fact that there are no shitty solo albums and tours etc. I mean though Bono has turned up guesting on this and that, and so haver the others there are NO splinter groups, NO solo albums, NO Bono on tour so I would give them the prize mainly because of their level of success, the natural thing to do when you are that BIG is to leave and try your own thing, but they never have while everyone else has.

ThePanther said:

I think the best answers are U2 and The Four Tops.

U2 has actually had the same line-up since 1976, when drummer Larry was only 14. In fact, they've had the same line-up since about three weeks into their existence, when Edge's older brother (also a guitarist) was sort-of pushed out by the 4 younger guys. What's most unbelievable about their staying together is that they've never had a serious personnel issue, never broken up or taken a hiatus -- and have been near the top of the world's charts since the early/mid-80s. That's just impossible. So, now, it's over 40 years from their inception -- not a single change, no time-off, no break-ups.

If Wiki is correct, The Four Tops had the same line-up from 1953 to 1997. I believe that's also from their origin in '53. Incredible, even if their didn't really rule the charts after the early-70s.

(I personally wouldn't count groups like The Backstreet Boys -- if you consider that "music" -- or A-ha, because those kinds of groups had 'break-ups', or at least long hiatuses from each other.)

Oh lawd! We agreed on something
And nice information on U2 didn't know they was together that freakin' long. Somebody else said Queen too, I'm not going to lie I know them because of the Highlander TV show and my favorite song by them from the "A Kind Of Magic" album was "Who Wants to Live Forever", they played the shit out of that song on highlander.

Somebody on Highlander die: Who Wants to Live Forever song plays

When Highlander lost his virginity: Who Wants to be a Virgin Forever (Who Wants to Live Forever Remix) song play

When Highlander ate some bad Taco Bell and had gas: Who Wants to Live Forever song plays

I'm telling y'all they played the hell out of that song on that TV series.

Side Note: if I named the wrong album for the "Who Wants to Live Forever" please beat me up, but I really think that's the Queen album it is on.

First one that comes to mind:

RUSH 1968 - Now

They never substituted any members, in spite of a dark period in Neil Peart's life when his daughter was killed in a traffic accident and his wife died within months (he attributed it to grief) they've been a trio since forever

Contrary to the folks on here:

Queen: 1969(?) 71 (acquired John Deacon) - 1997/8 [John Deacon's last performance with the band was with Elton John at the Behjart performance included on the unneccessary Greatest Flix III)

Of course, Freddie perished in 1991

Strange thing though... following Freddie's death Roger and JOHN were planning to continue under the banner.... this strangely changed in later years, with JOHN leaving the fold as Brian returned.

The Who: (The Detours/The High Numbers) 1967 - 78 (classic period) 1979 - 82/4? (with Kenny Jones).... couple reunions until John Entwistles death in 02?

They have two original members, and Rabbit Bundrick from the 77- era

Depeche Mode: Began with Vince Clarke (as a really nearly gay sappy pop group) till he left to form ERASURE, and the golden era began. They picked up Alan Wilder (1982-1995) who has not returned [although he added an incredible amount of diversity to the sonic landscape of the group....probably the one responsible for heading toward the more rock oriented direction

but as a primary group, I suppose they count.

So Depeche MOde 1980- now

Frankie Beverly Featuring MAZE.... several have died. They've gone tthrough numerous changes including the departure of Robin Duhe (bass)

Others:

.... Black Sabbath doesn't count.

Judas Priest (KK Downing called it quits, Halford departed for a decade)

.....there's just no other bands that I can think of that have remained the same.

possibly PEARL JAM? (can anyone verify this?)

2045RadicalMattZ said:

First one that comes to mind:

RUSH 1968 - Now

They never substituted any members, in spite of a dark period in Neil Peart's life when his daughter was killed in a traffic accident and his wife died within months (he attributed it to grief) they've been a trio since forever

Contrary to the folks on here:

Queen: 1969(?) 71 (acquired John Deacon) - 1997/8 [John Deacon's last performance with the band was with Elton John at the Behjart performance included on the unneccessary Greatest Flix III)

Of course, Freddie perished in 1991

Strange thing though... following Freddie's death Roger and JOHN were planning to continue under the banner.... this strangely changed in later years, with JOHN leaving the fold as Brian returned.

The Who: (The Detours/The High Numbers) 1967 - 78 (classic period) 1979 - 82/4? (with Kenny Jones).... couple reunions until John Entwistles death in 02?

They have two original members, and Rabbit Bundrick from the 77- era

Depeche Mode: Began with Vince Clarke (as a really nearly gay sappy pop group) till he left to form ERASURE, and the golden era began. They picked up Alan Wilder (1982-1995) who has not returned [although he added an incredible amount of diversity to the sonic landscape of the group....probably the one responsible for heading toward the more rock oriented direction

but as a primary group, I suppose they count.

So Depeche MOde 1980- now

Frankie Beverly Featuring MAZE.... several have died. They've gone tthrough numerous changes including the departure of Robin Duhe (bass)

Others:

.... Black Sabbath doesn't count.

Judas Priest (KK Downing called it quits, Halford departed for a decade)

.....there's just no other bands that I can think of that have remained the same.

possibly PEARL JAM? (can anyone verify this?)

Gospel groups count? If so The clark sisters been together since kids. The Winans up until Ron Winans passed away.

Also I do know the nicholas bros started performing in 1925 with their first mega performance being at the Standard in 1926. I know they was still performing up to the mid 90's so Nicholas brothers group was from basically 1925-1995 or if you want to be picking 1926-1990. With their prime being from 1930 - 1960. I Think that's right,

2045RadicalMattZ said:

RUSH 1968 - Now

They never substituted any members, in spite of a dark period in Neil Peart's life when his daughter was killed in a traffic accident and his wife died within months (he attributed it to grief) they've been a trio since forever

The drummer on the first album is John Rutsey.

liljojo said:

If so The clark sisters been together since kids.

They were 5 members at first until Denise left sometime in the early 1980s

The Bee Gee's.

MickyDolenz said:

TrivialPursuit said:

Metallica has only had one really big change when Jason left, Robert came in.

Metallica had more changes: Ron McGovney (their first bass player) left then came the almighty Cliff Burton who sadly died and Jason Newsted took over and then later on Robert Trujillo took over. And of course Dave Mustaine.

JorisE73 said: