The band index - logo

Discover Every Band, Feel Every Beat

Live

Upvote Your Favorite Band Today!

Be the first one to vote Live!

What's your take on Live's sound? Share your thoughts! 🤘

Members

Current

Name
Begin
Occupation

Ed Kowalczyk

2016

Guitar

Lead vocals

History

Name
Begin
End
Occupation

Adam Kowalczyk

1999
2009

Guitar

Chad Gracey

1990
2009

Drums (drum set)

Chad Gracey

2012
2022

Drums (drum set)

Chad Taylor

1990
2009

Background vocals

Guitar

Chad Taylor

2012
2022

Background vocals

Guitar

Chris Shinn

2012
2016

Guitar

Lead vocals

Ed Kowalczyk

1990
2009

Lead vocals

Guitar

Patrick Dahlheimer

1990
2009

Electric bass guitar

Patrick Dahlheimer

2012
2022

Electric bass guitar

Story of Live

Live: A Rock Band Story

Live, often stylized as LĪVE, LĪAVE, or +LĪAVE+, is an American rock band hailing from York, Pennsylvania. Formed in 1984 by Ed Kowalczyk (lead vocals, guitars), Patrick Dahlheimer (bass), Chad Gracey (drums), and Chad Taylor (guitars), Live rose to prominence with their energetic live performances and anthemic rock sound.

The band gained initial recognition with their single "Operation Spirit (The Tyranny of Tradition)," which received heavy rotation on MTV. Their second album, Mental Jewelry (1991), garnered modest success, but it was their third album, Throwing Copper (1994), that catapulted them to stardom. Selling over eight million copies in the U.S. alone, Throwing Copper produced a string of hits including "Lightning Crashes," which reigned supreme on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart for an impressive ten consecutive weeks. Their success propelled them to sell over twenty million albums worldwide.

Throughout their career, Live expanded their sound by incorporating additional musicians, including Kowalczyk's brother Adam, British keyboardist Michael "Railo" Railton, rhythm guitarist Christopher Thorn of Blind Melon, and guitarist Zak Loy of Alpha Rev.

In 2009, Kowalczyk left the band, leaving a void filled by singer Chris Shinn. Their subsequent album, The Turn (2014), reflected this new era for the band. However, Kowalczyk returned to Live in 2016, marking a return to their original sound and leading to the release of the EP Local 717 in 2018.

The band's trajectory took another turn in 2022 when Kowalczyk assumed majority control of Live and subsequently fired Taylor. Reports from Rolling Stone indicated that Gracey and Dahlheimer were also let go, leaving Kowalczyk as the sole remaining original member.

Live's legacy is one of high-energy rock anthems, resonating with fans for decades. Their history, though filled with changes and shifts in lineup, remains a testament to the enduring power of their music.

Learn more about Live

Bands you may like

Follow us on
Contact Usprivacy policy
©2024
The Band Index
- ALL RIGHTS RESERVED