Old Rockers and Tribute Bands

More musical musings: how many original members does a band need to still be considered the original band?

There are an awful lot of acts from the 60s and 70s that are still recording and touring, despite the fact that only two or three members of their most successful lineups remain. I've heard some people describe the current lineup of Uriah Heep (with only guitarist Mick Box and drummer Lee Kerslake from their 70s peak lineup) as 'a tribute band with a couple of original members', which I consider a little unfair, although the current lineup does lack the original frontman (the late David Byron) and the original main songwriter (Ken Hensley). However, the current lineup has now been together for more than sixteen years, half their thirty-two year existance!

Similarly, Blue Öyster Cult were known as "Two Oyster Cult" when reduced to just Eric Bloom and Don "Buck Dharma" Roeser plus three new guys, although Allen Lanier has since rejoined.

How much does it really matter? When you go so see Uriah Heep, Blue Öyster Cult or Deep Purple, what are you going for? Is it to see a particular bunch of guys perform, or is it to hear their music performed? I say this because I've seen all three bands perform in the past couple of years, and have enjoyed all three. However, one of the best shows I've seen all year has been by The Musical Box, a Canadian tribute band reproducing Genesis' 1973 tour!