Great bands should stay dead

It always bothers me when a band reunion is announced, because it is almost always for money. Yes, some people need that income again after a long dry spell, but the price of integrity is too steep. I understand some of these bands rekindle friendships and hug; but why in front of the limelight again? Have they grown up at all? Don't they have mansions where they can do this privately? They're like drug addicts falling into old patterns.

I wracked my brain to think of legendary groups that never took payola for a massive tour and a crummy comeback album. It is a dramatically short list, albeit incomplete. I also started making lists of big groups that were way better off (historically) by ending. Just some food for thought...

Groups that have remained broken up:

1. The Beatles
2. Nirvana
3. The Doors
4. Creedence Clearwater Revival
5. Soundgarden*

*As of Jan 1, 2010, Soundgarden is fricking reuniting!

Bands that promised they would never reunite, but did:

1. Led Zeppelin
2. The Who
3. The Grateful Dead
4. Van Halen (Roth)
   
5. Eagles
6. The Smashing Pumpkins

Other bands that should have stayed dead:

1. Blind Melon
2. Alice in Chains
3. Stone Temple Pilots
4. Queen
5. INXS
   
6. Any band like Styx, Foreigner or Journey

Now, to see if there is any correlation on length of time broken up with length of time reunited.