When a band splits there is usually little impact, a couple of magazines print 2 lines and that is about it. But when a band member dies then the publicity machine goes into overdrive, with endless pages and even entire issues of magaines being devoted to the band and member in question.
A prime example is of Iron Monkey. An overrated band who recieved almost no meantion when they split - despite an amusing letter informing the world of the split - when the lead singer died there was a hysteriacal reaction. Magazines which had never even considered meantioning the band in any way were suddenly claiming to have loved them all along. This months Rock Sound has deemed the post-death cashin live album to be the album of the month. Then try to sum it up by claiming that "There is only one Monkey. This album needs no mark out of ten. You need to own this. It's your only option." I am one of few people who had heard of Iron Monkey before they split, let alone before Johnney died, and I still think they suck.
Sony and Roadrunner both benefited by the extra publicity after Layne Stanley's death. Roadrunner got free publicity for Jerry Cantrell's new album, the first one had made little impact while the second one made quasi-serious money, a fact not reflected by his subsequent tour dates. Sony simply used the outpouring of grief - both real and fake - to ensure extra sales of the reissued albums.
It is broadly agreeded that Nirvana as a commodity benifited hugely form Kurt's death. He made the band a martyr and brand label for every mildly disenfranchised youth. Courtney certainly benefited, the reissues, the 'discovery' of the 'rare' song and subsequent best of album. Nirvana must have made more money after their demise than they could have ever have dreamed.
It is twistedly amusing to hear Pennywise publically morn their dead former member. To hear the people who abandoned someone, cut him off from the one thing that kept him alive, then having practically held the gun to his stomach make money out of his death! The Manic Street Preachers' denial of Richie's death is positively sweet (although dumb) compared to many others in similar situations. Equally 28 Days and Feeder do not appear to have cashed in on the deaths of members as much as some other bands, but it is interesting to note that Rachel Stamp seemed more upset at the passing of their former drummer than the remaining members of Feeder did.
Drowning Pool will inevitably sell far more copies of the forthcoming DVD than they would have otherwise done. The collaberation tribute album with Rob Zombie will no doubt be financhially lucrative. Many of the bands who appeared on the Snot tribute album were no doubt moved by some genuine emotion, I just happen to think that this emotion was the joy at extra sales of their back catalogues inevitably brought on by their appearance on the tribute album.
Following Joe Strummer's recent demise there will almost inevitably be a tribute album, no doubt similar to the forthcoming Ramone's tribute and more than likely involving Rob Zombie in some capacity. Perhaps Rob Zombie is trying to rejuvinate his career by killing off fellow rockstars then being involved in the inevitable tribute album?
