The Reincarnation of Bowie, Freddie Mercury and Jim Morrison: A Visual Tour of L.A.'s Most Convincing Tribute Bands

LA WeeklyMusic

Credit: Ryan OrangeCredit: Ryan OrangeCredit: Ryan OrangeCredit: Ryan OrangeJulian Shah-Tayler is "David Bowie" from The Band That Fell to Earth.; Credit: Ryan OrangeCredit: Ryan OrangeJulian Shah-Tayler is "David Bowie" from The Band That Fell to Earth.; Credit: Ryan OrangeCredit: Ryan OrangeJulian Shah-Tayler is "David Bowie" from The Band That Fell to Earth.; Credit: Ryan OrangeCredit: Ryan OrangeGregory Finsley is the Freddie Mercury of Queen Nation.; Credit: Ryan OrangeCredit: Ryan OrangeGregory Finsley is the Freddie Mercury of Queen Nation.; Credit: Ryan OrangeCredit: Ryan OrangeGregory Finsley is the Freddie Mercury of Queen Nation.; Credit: Ryan OrangeCredit: Ryan OrangeJose Maldonado is "Morrissey" in Moz/Smiths tribute band The Sweet & Tender Hooligans.; Credit: Ryan OrangeCredit: Ryan OrangeJose Maldonado is "Morrissey" in Moz/Smiths tribute band The Sweet & Tender Hooligans.; Credit: Ryan OrangeCredit: Ryan OrangeJose Maldonado is "Morrissey" in Moz/Smiths tribute band The Sweet & Tender Hooligans.; Credit: Ryan OrangeCredit: Ryan OrangeFleetwood Mac tribute band Rumors features Jesika Miller as "Stevie Nicks."; Credit: Ryan OrangeCredit: Ryan OrangeFleetwood Mac tribute band Rumors features Jesika Miller as "Stevie Nicks."; Credit: Ryan OrangeCredit: Ryan OrangeFleetwood Mac tribute band Rumors features Jesika Miller as "Stevie Nicks."; Credit: Ryan OrangeCredit: Ryan OrangeThat's not Bono and The Edge — that's Joseph Hier and Stevie Adams of Hollywood U2.; Credit: Ryan OrangeCredit: Ryan OrangeThat's not Bono and The Edge — that's Joseph Hier and Stevie Adams of Hollywood U2.; Credit: Ryan OrangeCredit: Ryan OrangeThat's not The Edge and Bono — that's Stevie Adams and Joseph Hier of Hollywood U2.; Credit: Ryan OrangeCredit: Ryan OrangeJim Morrison doppelgänger Dave Brock fronts the Doors tribute Wild Child.; Credit: Courtesy Wild ChildCredit: Ryan OrangeTribute bands such as Led Zepagain are carefully constructed and choreographed replicas of the bands they emulate.; Credit: Diane LynnCredit: Ryan OrangeLed Zepagain lead singer Swan Montgomery does a perfect imitation of Robert Plant.; Credit: rmsmedia.caCredit: Ryan OrangeLed Zepagain; Credit: Diane LynnCredit: Ryan OrangeCredit: Ryan OrangeCredit: Ryan OrangeCredit: Ryan OrangeCredit: Ryan Orange

Once dismissed as a novelty, tribute bands now are an integral part of the concert industry — especially here in Los Angeles, where, thanks to an overabundance of skilled musicians in search of paying gigs, there are now hundreds of tributes plying their trade. The Facebook group So-Cal Tribute Band Scene has more than 3,100 members, who post dozens of shows each week for bands with names such as Queen Nation, the Black Sabbastards, Hollywood U2 and the Red Not Chili Peppers. Read music editor Andy Hermann's cover story, “Inside the Insanely Competitive World of L.A. Tribute Bands.”

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.