The Ultimate Superfans: Tribute Bands That Really Rock

They're called phonies, posers, and knock-offs. But the hard-working fans in tribute bands deserve a little respect. Maybe after reading these tales of "fake" rockers who really rock, you just might change your tune.

Dude Looks Like a Lady

Just like a "real" band, a tribute act has to stand out from the crowd by offering the audience something unexpected. One popular novelty is a band made up of members of the opposite gender. For example, AC/DShe is an all-female version of AC/DC. Other hit all-female acts include, The Romonas (The Ramones), The Iron Maidens (Iron Maiden), and West End Girls (Pet Shop Boys). For some, the gender-bending twist allows the audience to overlook the band's lack of musical skill. But for others, they have nothing to hide.

Since forming in 2004, Lez Zeppelin, an all-female tribute to Led Zeppelin, has become one of the most respected tribute acts playing today.

They've played all over America and Europe to standing room only crowds, and to thousands of fans at outdoor festivals like Bonnaroo. They've been featured on MTV, VH1, CNN, and even graced the cover of SPIN. Pop culture philosopher Chuck Klosterman has said their "replication of these songs is 80 percent flawless and 99 percent awesome." He goes on to say they might be the most powerful all-female band in rock history. To further solidify their reputation as the real deal, the ladies released a self-titled debut album in 2007 under the guidance of Eddie Kramer, a legendary producer who has made albums with Jimi Hendrix, KISS, and five records with the real Led Zeppelin. Not bad for a knock-off band. Here they are in action:

Little People, Big Performers

If you watched Super Bowl XLIV this year, you probably remember rockers KISS playing alongside smaller versions of themselves in a Dr Pepper commercial. That little person band was Mini KISS, a groundbreaking act that's been around a lot longer than most people think.

But like any great band, Mini KISS has had their personality struggles within the group. When the original drummer, Tim Loomis, was fired from the act, he started his own KISS tribute band in 2006, Tiny KISS. Of course this angered Fatale, who claimed Loomis stole his idea and the two groups have been embroiled in a feud ever since. Now, fours years later, Tiny KISS plays a regular gig as part of Beacher's Madhouse at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, one of the most popular shows in Las Vegas.

With both bands enjoying plenty of success, it appears the world is big enough for two little KISS bands. And there's still room for other little people groups, such as singer Terra Jole, who performs as both Mini Britney Spears and Mini Lady Gaga, The Black-Eyed Pee Wees, and the Little Legends show, which was a huge hit on the Vegas Strip a few years ago.

Keepin' It Real

For some, being in a tribute band is little more than a good gig until something better comes along. But for others, it becomes a way of life. And for a very select few, a tribute band can lead to the best gig of all - fame and fortune. Either way, the experience can forever change the lives of those who truly love the music they play.

When lead singer Rob Halford left the pioneering heavy metal band Judas Priest in 1991, fans were devastated. Looking to pay homage to his favorite group, Tim Owens helped form a Priest tribute act, British Steel, a few years later. The band played with moderate success, but not enough for Owens to quit his day job as an office supply salesman. Then, in 1996, word came that the remaining members of Priest were looking to get back into the studio, so their search for a new lead singer began. A couple of fans sent them a grainy videotape of British Steel performing in a local bar and, the next thing you know, Tim Owens had become "Ripper Owens," lead singer of Judas Priest. Over the next few years he recorded four albums with his new bandmates, but then Halford returned in 2003, and Owens moved on. If this all sounds familiar, then perhaps you saw the 2001 film Rock Star with Mark Wahlberg, which is loosely based on Rippers' story.

While Ripper Owens' situation might be unusual, it's not entirely unique. For example, Tommy Thayer replaced original "Spaceman" Ace Frehley of KISS in 2002 when Frehley decided to leave the group. Before that, Thayer had played the part of Frehley in a KISS cover band called, Cold Gin. Benoit David was the lead singer of a Yes tribute band when Jon Anderson, lead singer of the real Yes, fell ill. After the group saw footage of David performing, they asked him to come on tour until Anderson could return. As Anderson's health has continued to decline, Yes has made David a permanent part of the band. They'll soon be recording their first album together.

Fight for Your Right to Party

Unfortunately, not all artists believe that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. In April 2009, Bon Jovi's lawyers sent a letter to the all-female members of Blonde Jovi, demanding they change their name to avoid confusion with the real band. Rather than fight the power, the ladies changed their name to Blonde Jersey. However, the name change killed their momentum in the club scene and they disbanded shortly after.

Thankfully, Beatallica, a band who plays Beatles tunes in the style of heavy metal legends Metallica, had an unexpected guardian angel when Sony Records, the copyright owners of much of the Beatles' catalog, came a-knocking. Lars Ulrich, drummer for Napster-suing Metallica, came to the aid of the tribute band, even asking his band's lawyers to help mediate an agreement. Beatallica was allowed to stay intact and Sony lightened up once Ulrich convinced them that the small-time group was using the songs as parody, so fair use laws applied. Have a listen:

There are at least 40 known bands who pay tribute to ABBA, but if Universal Records had their way, that number wouldn't be so high. In June 2010, Universal threatened legal action against 15 tribute bands for sticking too closely to their Swedish roots. Groups like Abba Mania, AbbaDabbaDoo, and Abba Queens will have to change their name or close up shop to avoid confusion with the original pop act.

If it's not the original group suing a tribute act, it's a tribute act suing another tribute act. Just last week, Beatles tribute band The Fab Four sued Beatles tribute band The Fab 4 in federal court, claiming the numbered group was trying to leech off the reputation of the Four's 14-year career. The suit claims that ticket buyers could be confused, thinking they're buying tickets to The Fab Four, when in fact they're buying tickets to The Fab 4. You know, on second thought, this is getting a little confusing...
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If you were to start a tribute band, what group would be your inspiration? Ever been to a really great tribute show? Tell us all about it in the comments below.