JUSTIN SARGENT On Becoming SKID ROW’s New Singer: It’s ‘Surreal’ And ‘A Dream Come True’
Broadway veteran Justin Sargent has been announced as Skid Row’s new singer, more than two and a half years after Erik Grönwall left the band. Sargent described the appointment as surreal and a dream come true, and said the group took time to make sure they had a good rapport before making it official.
Sargent said the opportunity followed his performance at the annual Rockers on Broadway charity event in New York, where Skid Row’s manager saw him and invited him to meet the band. He recorded some classic songs with guitarist Dave “Snake” Sabo and bassist Rachel Bolan, then joined other shortlisted singers for a full-band audition. He had known for a couple of months that he had been selected.
In short
- Justin Sargent is Skid Row’s new singer.
- The band approached him after a charity performance.
- They spent months checking the fit before announcing him.
Explained simply
Skid Row are an American hard-rock band formed in New Jersey in the 1980s. Their best-known early songs include “18 and Life” and “I Remember You”, and the group has continued performing through changes in its line-up.
The singer leads the vocals, but Skid Row’s music and identity are shared across the band. Finding a singer who works well with the other musicians matters because the role involves performing familiar songs as well as making new music together.
Justin Sargent comes from musical theatre, including Broadway, rather than being known chiefly as a rock singer. His route into the band began with a charity performance in New York, which brought him to the attention of Skid Row’s management.
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