The Replacements were an American alternative rock band formed
in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1979. The band comprised guitarist and
vocalist Paul Westerberg, guitarist Bob Stinson, bassist Tommy
Stinson, and drummer Chris Mars for most of their career. The
Replacements began as a punk rock group, but began to incorporate
other subgenres of rock music and became instrumental in the
development of early alternative rock. Following the critically
acclaimed Let It Be (1984), the band signed to Sire Records,
becoming one of the first American underground rock bands to sign
to a major record label. After Bob Stinson was fired from the
Replacements in 1986, the band experienced several line-up changes;
Slim Dunlap joined as lead guitarist and Steve Foley replaced Chris
Mars in 1990. Towards the end of their career, Westerberg exerted
more control over the band's creative output, recruiting session
musicians for recording and writing all the original material. The
band disbanded in 1991, with the members soon pursuing various
projects. The Replacements never experienced wider commercial
success, but have influenced various alternative rock acts,
including Goo Goo Dolls, Green Day and Pavement.
