Collective Soul was an American rock band formed in Stockbridge, Georgia in 1992. The band consisted of lead vocalist Ed Roland, guitarists Dean Roland and Joel Kosche, bassist Will Turpin, and drummer Johnny Rabb. Collective Soul achieved mainstream success in the mid-1990s with their first three albums: Hints Allegations and Things Left Unsaid (1993), Collective Soul (1995) and Disciplined Breakdown (1997). These albums spawned multiple hit singles such as “Shine”, “December”, “The World I Know” and “Precious Declaration”.
The Early Years and Mainstream Success
Ed Roland was the creative force behind Collective Soul. He had been involved in several unsuccessful music projects before forming Collective Soul. In 1992, he recorded a demo solo album which attracted the attention of a small record label. The demo was released in 1993 under the name Hints Allegations and Things Left Unsaid and the band Collective Soul was formed around Roland. With Roland on lead vocals and guitar, his brother Dean on rhythm guitar, Ross Childress on lead guitar, Will Turpin on bass and Shane Evans on drums, Collective Soul achieved mainstream success and recognition with their debut album.
Their self-titled second album Collective Soul was released in 1995 and was a greater success than the first. It reached #22 on the Billboard 200 charts and was certified triple platinum in the United States. The album contained several hit singles such as “December”, “Where the River Flows”, “The World I Know” and most notably “Gel” and “Shine” which both reached #1 on the Mainstream Rock charts. “Shine” went on to become one of Collective Soul’s signature songs.
In 1997, Collective Soul released their third album Disciplined Breakdown which also achieved mainstream success and was certified platinum in the US. It reached the #16 spot on the Billboard 200 charts. The album spawned two major hits: “Precious Declaration” and “Listen”. Collective Soul were now established as a major commercial rock act in the 1990s alternative rock scene.
Tensions and Decline
Despite their initial mainstream success, tensions began mounting within Collective Soul leading to their decline and eventual breakup. There were several contributing factors:
Creative Control Issues
Ed Roland was the primary songwriter, producer, and creative leader of Collective Soul. He exerted a high degree of control over the band’s sound and direction. This created friction with the other members who wanted more creative input and control. Guitarist Ross Childress in particular was unhappy with his diminished role and lack of songwriting opportunities. He left the band after the Disciplined Breakdown tour.
Financial Disputes
There were reportedly disputes over royalties and payments within the band. Dean Roland and Will Turpin were unhappy with the financial arrangements which favored Ed Roland who was the principal songwriter. Turpin took a brief hiatus from the band in 1997 over financial issues. The lack of transparency and uneven distribution of earnings created distrust.
Shifting Music Scene
By the late 1990s, the alternative rock scene had changed. Grunge was fading and nu metal and teen pop were on the rise. Collective Soul’s mainstream radio-friendly rock sound was becoming outdated. This created pressure on the band to reinvent their sound which added to internal tensions.
Exhaustion
After three successful albums in rapid succession, the constant recording and touring had burnt out the band leaving no time for members to recharge. Roland described the pace as “quite insane”. Collective Soul began their 1998 tour despite being exhausted. The non-stop grind contributed greatly to inner tensions and dissatisfaction.
Ed Roland’s Health Issues
In 1998, Ed Roland suffered a debilitating hand injury that prevented him from playing guitar. He also reportedly experienced a nervous breakdown. His health issues led to canceled tour dates and added more strain within the band. Other members expressed frustration over the situation.
Breakup
By 1999, Collective Soul were fractured by internal tensions. Guitarist Childress had left in 1998. Bassist Turpin took another hiatus in 1999. The band managed to release their fourth album Dosage in 1999 but disbanded shortly after. The album’s lead single “Heavy” was Collective Soul’s last major hit reaching #1 on the Mainstream Rock chart.
In 2000, the Roland brothers resurrected Collective Soul with new musicians and began work on their fifth album. However, the new lineup failed to recapture the magic of the initial era. Their next three albums underperformed commercially and received mixed reviews as the band moved away from their original sound. Collective Soul continue to tour and record but have not regained their prior mainstream success.
Why did they break up?
In summary, these are the key factors that led to Collective Soul’s decline and breakup:
- Creative control disputes with Ed Roland
- Unequal financial arrangements creating distrust
- Shifting music scene leaving their sound outdated
- Burnout from constant recording and touring
- Ed Roland’s health issues halting momentum
The internal tensions stemming from these issues fractured the band. Original members gradually left or took hiatus. The Roland brothers attempted to continue Collective Soul with new members but the original magic was gone. While technically still active today, Collective Soul effectively broke up and was never the same after their initial lineup split up around 1999-2000.
Key Members
Here are short biographies of the key members of Collective Soul during their breakout era:
Ed Roland
Ed Roland was the founder, frontman, principal songwriter, guitarist and vocalist of Collective Soul. He continues to lead incarnations of the band to this day. Roland wrote, produced and sang lead vocals on most of their hit songs. His creative direction and control were a source of conflict with other members.
Dean Roland
Dean Roland is Ed’s brother and the rhythm guitarist of Collective Soul from their formation. He clashed with Ed over financial issues and creative control. Dean continues to perform with Collective Soul alongside Ed after rejoining in 2000.
Ross Childress
Ross Childress was the original lead guitarist of Collective Soul from 1993 to 1998. He was known for guitar solos on many of their early hits. Childress left the band in 1998 due to creative differences and dissatisfaction over his diminished role.
Will Turpin
Will Turpin was the bassist for Collective Soul from 1993 to 2004. He left briefly in 1997 over financial disputes but later returned. Turpin provided backing vocals in addition to bass. He finally left the group in 2004 but maintains a cordial relationship with the Roland brothers.
Shane Evans
Shane Evans was the drummer for Collective Soul from 1993 to 1994 and again briefly in 1998. His drumming can be heard on their early albums. Evans left Collective Soul in 1994 to pursue other music projects. He briefly rejoined in 1998 but left after Ed Roland’s hand injury cancelled tour plans.
Attempted Comebacks
Collective Soul have attempted several comebacks since their initial breakup in 2000, with limited success:
2000 – 2001
The Roland brothers resurrected Collective Soul in 2000 with all new members aside from themselves. This lineup released Collective Soul’s fifth album Blender in 2000. It was a commercial disappointment, peaking at only #94 on the Billboard 200.
2004’s Youth
In 2004 Collective Soul released their sixth studio album Youth featuring another revised lineup. The album sold around 300,000 copies, far lower than their 90s albums. Singles like “Better Now” made little commercial impact.
2006’s Home
2006 saw the release of seventh Collective Soul album Home. Considered a return to their alternative rock roots, the album sold over 230,000 copies. Lead single “Home” reached #1 on the Billboard Adult Alternative Songs chart.
2009’s Self-Titled Album
Riding off some renewed momentum, Collective Soul (their eighth album) was released in 2009 and sold over 140,000 copies. It peaked at #24 on the Billboard 200, giving the band their highest charting album since 1999.
2015’s See What You Started By Continuing
Collective Soul’s ninth studio album See What You Started By Continuing arrived in 2015. It received positive reviews but sold under 40,000 copies. The band’s core sound and identity from the 90s now seemed truly lost.
While still capable of headline tours, Collective Soul have never regained the widespread multi-platinum success and popularity they enjoyed during their 90s heyday before their initial breakup.
Where Are They Now?
Here’s what the former members of Collective Soul are up to now:
- Ed Roland remains the frontman and leader of Collective Soul. He continues to record and tour with new incarnations of the band he founded.
- Dean Roland is still the rhythm guitarist for Collective Soul alongside his brother Ed.
- Ross Childress left music for a while after departing Collective Soul in 1998. He resurfaced around 2009 in bands like Magnets and Sparks. He also gives private guitar lessons.
- Will Turpin left Collective Soul in 2004 to spend more time with family. He appears occasionally as a guest performer. Turpin has expressed interest in reforming the mid-90s Collective Soul lineup but doubts a reunion will occur.
- Shane Evans left the music industry after his stints in Collective Soul during the 90s. He currently works in the construction industry. Evans has no plans of returning to professional music.
While fragmented, the former members of Collective Soul remain on good terms personally. Musically though, they’ve drifted apart and are mostly engaged in separate endeavors now.
Conclusion
In summary, Collective Soul were one of the biggest rock acts of the 1990s but internal tensions fractured the band by the end of the decade. Creative control disputes with frontman Ed Roland, financial transparency issues, burnout from touring, and the shifting musical landscape of the late 90s era ultimately led to their decline and 2000 breakup. Original members gradually left and the Roland brothers attempted some unsuccessful comeback albums with new lineups. While technically still together in some form, Collective Soul lost the distinct sound, identity and magic of their initial lineup. Their former members have now mostly moved on to other paths beyond the iconic band of the 1990s.