Half of Legendary Rock Band Quits
There comes a time when a band has to either break up or retire. – Author Scarlett Hunter, Photo by Chris Bradshaw
There comes a time when a band has to either break up or retire, because no band can last forever. Well, they can if they’re a hologram or just have new members take the place of classic members every few decades, but either way, there comes a time when a band’s original lineup can’t be enact anymore.
Such is the case for one longstanding rock band. These guys have been around since the mid-1990s, so they’ve had a good run.
Two Band Members Retire
Godsmack recently kicked off a tour of Europe and the U.K., and they’re on the road without longtime member Shannon Larkin, who is the band’s drummer, and Tony Rombola, who is the band’s guitarist. Now, Larkin has spilled the beans that the two musicians actually quit the band in 2024.
On the road right now, vocalist Sully Erna and bassist Robbie Merrill are touring with drummer Will Hunt of Evanescence and bass player Sam Bam Koltun of a bevy of bands, including Faster Pussycat. While fans knew that Larkin and Rombola were sitting this one out, it’s a surprise to learn that they’ve actually retired from the band for good, not just from touring on this run.
In a post on Facebook, that’s since been delated, Larkin said that he and Rombola are no longer in the band.
“First of all, I just want to thank everyone for the outpouring of texts from all my family and friends,” the drummer said, as transcribed by Blabbermouth). “I’m okay, Tony’s okay. We did quit the band last year after lots of talking to Sully and Robbie, and they understood that we didn’t want to tour anymore. That’s the reason.”
He added, “We understood that they wanted to tour, and so we understood each other. And in the end Godsmack’s out there touring and we are out here happily living our lives.”
Age Became a Factor for Godsmack Members
He continued to elaborate on the guys who were hanging up their rock star hats, stating, “Tony’s turning 60. I’m turning 58. It’s not a physical thing. We just want to be home with everything that we love. 40 years I’ve been touring, 28 years for Rombola.”
He added, “We’re getting a little older, so we decided to quit. It wasn’t a bad thing. I will talk more about it in the future, but it’s all love. We’re brothers for life with Sully and Robbie, and we wish Will and Sam all the best. All the fans, keep going — they’re kicking ass.”
Rombola became a member of Godsmack in 1996, and Larkin joined the group in 2002. Larkin joined Godsmack after being a member of Amen, Candlebox and Ugly Kid Joe.
Godsmack are touring in support of what they state is their final album, the chart-topping “Lighting Up the Sky,” which was released in 2023. Even though the band won’t be releasing any new music, Erna has said the group will keep touring and playing their hits for audiences for years to come. But, it appears he’ll have to do that without these two longtime members.
HardDrive Radio says that an official statement from Godsmack is on the way.
- Half of Legendary Rock Band Quits - April 2, 2025
- Chart-Topping Rocker Arrested for Alleged Domestic Abuse: Report - March 16, 2025
- Metal Legends Part With Band Member After 25 Years - March 7, 2025
