You're smoking something, What is it? Options

[Pokey]

C'mon, the singer/songwriter is usually the most valuable player.

Anyone who writes songs knows that writing incredible lyrics and the principal melodies are a real gift, and the main proponent of a band. Sure CCP have a tremendous gift, and they are in-disposable. But even with all 4 of them being irreplaceable in the 90's, Ed still did more than 25% by being the songwriter, and tailoring his incredibly unique image and stage presence that was identifiable worldwide. All eyes were on him and he delivered. Maybe CCP could have been more than 25% each, and the band would probably still have been great, but they just didn't have the chance. They all had a good thing going. Now it seems they are 25% each, and it should be interesting.

Ed probably did do more than 25% realistically. But whatever he did, 25, 40, 50 or 60 the combination worked. He was still writing with them that is undeniable. Later he wrote without them and it seems he wrote close to 100% and we can hear the results in how different it sounds. On SFBM and TC I'm sure Ed wrote more than the rest. On TC however the others still wrote, had input, gave advice etc. hell even CT said Jim Wirt wrote most of his guitar parts for SFBM. So I'll give you Ed probably had more than a 25% input originally but the writing process totally changed.

[OutToDry]

So who is to say that with another talented singer and song writer they won't capture amazing stuff? I guarantee you we would not be having this conversation if they were not calling this band Live. If this was something else like TGF you'd all be hanging with baited breath to see what they come up with. Yes they created magic with Ed on the first 4 albums, I think they creates magic with Kevin too. So maybe they will do it again with Chris. Acting as if they can't tie their own shoe laces without Ed is such a spit in the face. Disgusting.
Everyone is so caught up on the name, cherish the past but move on. This is an entirely different beast now.

People have said that without Ed there is no Live, but they would fully support CCP starting another new band. Just think of this like that new band then. This is all caused over sentimentality. You don't want the legacy of Live touched. At very first I felt the same, live were only those 4 guys. Then I thought "hang on, Live ran themselves into the ground for 3 albums, this is a chance to reinvent".
To me Live's legacy and credibility is already shot to pieces by the crap they made late in their careers. So this is a fresh start and a rebirth. If you can't wrap your head around it happening without Ed then that is YOUR problem. It's happening, quit bitching cos you're not gonna change anything and move on if you're so sure you'll hate it before you've heard it.

Ask yourself, would you support CCP starting another TGF like project with a singer? If the answer is yes then you obviously think they could be successful in making good music with them, want to be open and give it a chance, so why do you think that's so impossible if the new group is called Live? Photoshop the name out to be whatever you want it to be. If you have a problem with them playing Live songs then you better have a problem with Ed playing them too. But maybe like Nick you can't see past a voice.
If you answered No to supporting CCP on another TGF like adventure then there is no helping you, you're purely not a fan of theirs.

WOOT!!!

[themaestro]

This discussion is really stupid. So Ed was the most recognizable person in Live. If I grant him anything it was that he was a great front man for the band. Make no mistake, he drew a lot of inspiration and direction from the other 3. He would never have written in the style he did and we most likely would never have heard of him without the influence of the other 3. All this arguing about how much he contributed is pointless. They all contributed in their own way and in the end it was equally split when things were working. Just because someone may not write as much of the music or lyrics does not mean they were not contributing to the lyrics or music in some way.

[Arizona_Skies]

Make no mistake, he drew a lot of inspiration and direction from the other 3. He would never have written in the style he did and we most likely would never have heard of him without the influence of the other 3.

Do you know Eddie K? How the fuck do you know he drew a lot of inspiration from the others? How do you know what his songwriting process is? Unless you know him personally, then, to quote the Dude, "That's just like your opinion, man."

This is the problem with this board: since we only get the occasional thought from CT (and none from Ed), everyone fills in the blanks.

[Wambangalang]

you dont really want ed fronting live do you? He's just not interesting anymore. i dont have any grudge against the guy like some people here; frankly i dont give half a fuck about privileged rich people docking each others paychecks while banging their supermodel wives. I just want the music to be interesting if im gonna invest my time and the little money i have in it. if ed's gonna pump out shit like You are not alone and charge me $30 for it, move the fuck along. and if Live 2.0 try and bamboozle me with half assed tripe i'll let them know. punks

[Bremang]

Do you know Eddie K? How the fuck do you know he drew a lot of inspiration from the others? How do you know what his songwriting process is? Unless you know him personally, then, to quote the Dude, "That's just like your opinion, man."

This is the problem with this board: since we only get the occasional thought from CT (and none from Ed), everyone fills in the blanks.

Well, Ed has tried to say in his Answer that he basically wrote everything, which seems like bs. But he also mentioned once that he wrote like 8 songs on TC, which seemed a little more believable.

[Pokey]

Do you know Eddie K? How the fuck do you know he drew a lot of inspiration from the others? How do you know what his songwriting process is? Unless you know him personally, then, to quote the Dude, "That's just like your opinion, man."

This is the problem with this board: since we only get the occasional thought from CT (and none from Ed), everyone fills in the blanks.

It works both ways though, we have some little twerp running around telling us that it's fact that Kevin thinks of TGF like a nothing side project and all sorts of stuff he just decides is fact. Difference is that Ed says nothing so it leaves it open to interpretation, that's always going to happen. People can only comment on what they got to work with.

Wam I think you're spot on here. What's happening is happening, I wish people would stop acting like babies and just accept it. Listen to the music that makes you happy and don't listen to what you don't like. It's unlikely, but if I don't like what new Live have to offer ill probably just say so and be done with it. I don't understand the mentality of hanging onto something you've decided you want no part of.

[Bremang]

Ed probably did do more than 25% realistically. But whatever he did, 25, 40, 50 or 60 the combination worked. He was still writing with them that is undeniable. Later he wrote without them and it seems he wrote close to 100% and we can hear the results in how different it sounds. On SFBM and TC I'm sure Ed wrote more than the rest. On TC however the others still wrote, had input, gave advice etc. hell even CT said Jim Wirt wrote most of his guitar parts for SFBM. So I'll give you Ed probably had more than a 25% input originally but the writing process totally changed.

True, but.....most people here try to say is that excluding CCP was the greatest reason the music went bad. But I think it is one of those chicken and the egg situations. I don't know if Ed became worn out first, or if he shut the band out first, and what the relationship is there. I strongly believe that Ed's vocal chords were damaged by 1999, and he tried to compensate by making songs that required less vocal strength. Meanwhile the changing industry, changing fan base, and changing beliefs made it reasonable for him to make these songs that don't rock, and move away from early Live.

This post has been edited by Bremang: Jan 18 2012, 3:04 am

[zmanpga]

C'mon, the singer/songwriter is usually the most valuable player.

Anyone who writes songs knows that writing incredible lyrics and the principal melodies are a real gift, and the main proponent of a band. Sure CCP have a tremendous gift, and they are in-disposable. But even with all 4 of them being irreplaceable in the 90's, Ed still did more than 25% by being the songwriter, and tailoring his incredibly unique image and stage presence that was identifiable worldwide. All eyes were on him and he delivered. Maybe CCP could have been more than 25% each, and the band would probably still have been great, but they just didn't have the chance. They all had a good thing going. Now it seems they are 25% each, and it should be interesting.

not saying this about ED at all, but alot of lead singers have big egos and think their more special sometimes, I know, Im a lead singer

[Live4Life]

OMG For the love of FUCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK

[FishOutaWater]

I know I must be excited about this. I had a dream last night that I had an exclusive opportunity to sit in on a rehearsal with the new singer. The band with the singer was around the corner of the room so I still couldn't see who it was. I was getting teased by long instrumentals and then rocking songs with great vocals. I was recording it for you all on my iPhone. Is that nuts?!?! I am having dreams like that about this stuff!

[themaestro]

Do you know Eddie K?

Yes

[themaestro]

This is the problem with this board: since we only get the occasional thought from CT (and none from Ed), everyone fills in the blanks.

It's more like connecting the dots. There's a picture there that some just can't seem to acknowledge.

[themaestro]

One need not know EK on such a personal level to understand the effect of changing relationships on the band and their lives personally. These four kids went on a journey of discovery, enlightenment and personal and professional growth together as a brotherhood in the band Live. This was the impetus for their music. One person in that brotherhood started making decisions for himself and stopped accepting influence from others in the band. It is no coincidence that the band and the music changed dramatically when it became more about that person than the band. Some brush it off as just growing apart. Fine. But people can grow apart and still maintain respect for others and treat them with dignity. EK did not. Maybe it's more about the way he went about things that rubs people the wrong way. To put EK on this pedestal because of his contributions to Live is really ignoring the fact that many other people supported him and put him in that position. Then he turned his back on them.

[FishOutaWater]

One need not know EK on such a personal level to understand the effect of changing relationships on the band and their lives personally. These four kids went on a journey of discovery, enlightenment and personal and professional growth together as a brotherhood in the band Live. This was the impetus for their music. One person in that brotherhood started making decisions for himself and stopped accepting influence from others in the band. It is no coincidence that the band and the music changed dramatically when it became more about that person than the band. Some brush it off as just growing apart. Fine. But people can grow apart and still maintain respect for others and treat them with dignity. EK did not. Maybe it's more about the way he went about things that rubs people the wrong way. To put EK on this pedestal because of his contributions to Live is really ignoring the fact that many other people supported him and put him in that position. Then he turned his back on them.

Wow. That was really well stated.