And then there was one. With the recent departure of drummer Rocky Gray and guitarist John LeCompt, Amy Lee is now the only member of Evanescence left who has been in the band since the release of its smash 2003 breakout album, Fallen.
LeCompt was either fired by the band or decided to move on — depending which account you believe — while Gray left of his own accord recently, making them the latest members of the group to fall by the wayside. Original guitarist/ co-founder Ben Moody left in 2003, and bassist William Boyd quit last June after three years in the band.
Though the group’s management could not be reached for comment at press time, promising an official statement later in the day on Monday (May 7), Lee posted an undated explanation of the latest lineup changes on the band’s official Web site. In the posting, Lee wrote, “Evanescence is alive and well. John and Rocky were in Evanescence for four years and we shared some great times together playing live, but they were ready to move on and so we have parted ways. Evanescence is something I have loved and nurtured since I was 14, and I will continue to protect and fight for it as I always have.”
Lee said she and guitarist Terry Balsamo — who replaced Moody in 2003 (see “Evanescence Name New Guitarist”) — and bassist Tim McCord — the former Revolution Smile guitarist who replaced Boyd last summer — are “very excited to play live with some amazing new musicians and we will rock harder than ever.”
Lee did not say who would replace the pair, but promised that no dates on the group’s current tour will be canceled. The band is scheduled to play the Rock on the Range hard rock festival in Columbus, Ohio, on May 19 and co-headline the Family Values tour this summer.
LeCompt’s version of the split was not quite as cheerful as Lee’s. According to a post on his MySpace blog, LeCompt said he was informed Friday afternoon that he was being fired from the group during a cell phone call with Lee. “This call wasn’t from a friend who appreciated me but from an enemy who was prepared to hurt me and my family. Without any warning or negotiations for my future, I was fired for no good reason,” he wrote on his site. “We have not always seen eye to eye on everything, but who does? Our common goal was always the same: To make Evanescence the best rock band it could ever be. I have always given blood, sweat and tears to make that happen but apparently that is not enough. I have now become just another of the people fallen by the wayside on the revolving door of her life.”
In his own MySpace blog post from Sunday, Gray said he was not able to speak about the split, due to an alleged gag ordered imposed by Evanescence’s management. “Amy Lee’s management e-mailed me last night to tell me that, in their view, the contract I signed to record, perform and tour with the group says that I’m not allowed to have any free speech in regard to Evanescence,” Gray wrote.
“The way they spin it, I’m not even allowed to say I quit the group, I guess. But the news is out there, so, there ya go. I need to have a lawyer read over all that mess to tell me what, when and how I can tell you all — the REAL FANS — what really went down, if I ever can, haha.”
Gray said he is preparing to reunite with his old Living Sacrifice band mate Lance Garvin in the group Soul Embraced, with an album due soon. He said he will also continue to play in the group Machina with LeCompt.
May 8th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
Well that’s better than yesterday! You know i’m glad John and Rocky are gone…….both didn’t even write any songs on the open door except All that i’m living for–and john didn’t even write it for Evanescence! Their heads were too much stuck in that weird band Machina.The first time i heard about them doing sideprojects i said oh shit those bastards are going to leave the only chance of a life time-Evanescence-!! Ass-tards!
May 9th, 2007 at 9:31 am
Now the dust is setteling thoose who aren’t starting to realize that this is for the best are idiots! Go to evthreads or evanescencewebsite.com and read David Hodged post he puts some light on to the whole thing. I myself am sticking with Amy. I started feeling betrayed when I heard about the side bands too and everytime I saw John in a Machina t-shirt it pissed me the fuck off. Good ridience mother fuckers! Amy will keep bringing us the music we love because they had nothing to do with it they just played the music she wrote with the exeptions of a whooping three songs off of both albums. Love ya Amy and congratulations on the marriage hopefully it lasts forever!
May 11th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
OMG! this is the biggest surprise ever! and sad too. rocky and john were amzing. i heard that john was fired, and then rocky quit. amy, this is one of the biggest mistakes you have ever made. those two rocked!
May 11th, 2007 at 8:17 pm
wait a minute! i just read the other posts, and am also pissed off! how could they be in 2 bands @ 1ce. never mind what i said about amy, ‘cuz now it seems like the best idea ever!
May 13th, 2007 at 5:26 am
Hy amy…I dont know if firing John N’ Rocky was the best decisions, Hope U have the Solution. N dont make ur Fans disappoint, hope u can still bring us Greats songz. Am ur Biggest Fans. Tx. Gbu Amy, Keep Rockin’ n CoNgrats 4 the Wedding, It will last 4EveR…..
May 13th, 2007 at 5:27 am
Oh yah Btw, The open door Rockz!! Evanescence is A real Band. U Guyz Inspiring me….
May 13th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
I’m not quite sure how I feel about this though it’s quite sad that Amy is the only one left from the fallen relase. And I know no ones perfect, but what John and grey siad really made amy sound like a b*
but I hope not
But maybe they could get some more female musicians for the band Amy must be sick of always having to play with guys.
But I hope the band can continues to rock. It would just break my heart if the band ended.
So anyway congrats to Amy on the Marriage
all us fans want you to be happy
just not to happy that you can’t write good dark rock songs
(was that insensitive, if so sorry)
Anyway I love you Amy your great rolemodel for female rockers
May 16th, 2007 at 9:02 am
Amy..Keep Moving On….!!…
May 19th, 2007 at 8:08 am
I’m so pissed off too when I heard what John and Rocky said about Amy and she then sounds like a* but I know she did her best to solve this problem anyway luv ya Mrs.hearzle
May 23rd, 2007 at 3:29 pm
thats is one of the worst things iv’e heard. i have always loved evanescence and agreed with the “Dissmisal” of Ben, will leaveing saddened me, but this has gone to far Rocky and john were great. it sounds like amy has somethings so has to get stratened out. john didn’t deserve that, he will go on to be more sucsessful. rocky probly got crap from amy i think to much is going to her head. if you don’t agree with me i am open to your oppinions and will be unbias to what you say. if you would like to talk to me my email is afalloutpanic@yahoo.com
May 28th, 2007 at 7:17 am
gimekistiom senin yanına seni seviyorum
May 29th, 2007 at 6:59 am
AMY FIND US! amyhartzler@hotmail.com if you see this mail plsplsplsplspls FIND US!! we’re begging you! add us do sth! just find us!
August 2nd, 2007 at 9:51 am
I am on both sides,I just find it weird that One is Fired then the other Quits?? Okay, I am sure Rocky and John both tried working things out. Maybe it wasn’t Amy herself but her managment that caused the dilemma. John and Rocky had a band PRIOR, PRIOR to joining Evanescence. So what?? A lot of bands have stuff they are working on themselves. Especially, if John had been working on stuff loooong time before and opened for Metallica and on his own before hand why throw that away.. Remember, Amy was out of band members she heard John and Rocky play HELLO ?? Y WOULDN’T YOU WANT THEM.. JOHN IS VERY TALENTED AND HE DID WRITE A LOT OF STUFF THAT TO ME WAS GREAT. AMY VOICE JUST MADE IT MAGICAL THAT WHAT MAKES BANDS WHAT THEY ARE COLLABERATION HELLO??? It wasn’t AMY LEE AND THE BAND it was EVANESCENCE and I’m very DISAPPOINTED IT ENDED THE WAY IT DID. LIKE A FAMILY, THINGS HAPPEN BUT THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN WAYS OF WORKING THINGS OUT WHAT NEGOTIATION IS ALL ABOUT. I MEAN in a band you want TO Enjoy what your doing,writing,playing, and OF COURSE MAKE YOUR FANS HAPPY. John is a strong Christian I know and I understand he was mad and displayed how he felt and how Amy made him feel VERY STRONGLY… BUT, he is HUMAN,SHE IS HUMAN, AND WE KNOW HOW THINGS HAPPEN… And how we express our feelings especially if youR losing your job,feel like your treated unfairly, or you just don’t have control and feel there is no way of working things out. JOHN IS WORKING WITH MACHINA NOW, AND I TRULY WISH HIM THE BEST.. AMY ENJOY MARRIED LIFE AND BEST LUCK TO YOU AS WELL.. YOU KEEP IN MIND FRIEDSHIP,LOVE,FAITH,AND FAMILY ARE WHAT YOU TAKE WITH YOU, MONEY AND MATERIALS CAN BE GONE TOMORROW. I HOPE ALL IS FOR THE BEST.. JOHN IF YOU READ THIS I WILL BE GOIN TO SEE YOU AND JIMMY AT THE FOUNDRY IN JOPLIN MAYBE I WILL BRING MOM.. I HOPE THE BABY AND EVERYONE IS DOING WELL AND GOD BLESS…
ASHLEY
June 24th, 2009 at 4:25 am
Very well thought out and informative. I’m sure many others enjoy reading this too, but are just a little scared to post – anyway – thanks again!