List of artists who left right before their bands became famous
Alphabetic list

Artist
Band the artist left
Role
Year the artist left
Year of band's commercial breakthrough
Notes
Ref
Pete Best
The Beatles
Drummer
1962
1963
Fired and replaced by Ringo Starr
-
Elbridge Bryant
The Temptations
Vocalist
1963
1964
Fired and replaced by David Ruffin
-
Chad Channing
Nirvana
Drummer
1990
1991
Replaced by Dave Grohl
-
Tony Chapman
The Rolling Stones
Drummer
1962
1963
Quit and replaced by Charlie Watts
-
Jason Cropper
Weezer
Guitarist
1993
1994
Fired and replaced by Brian Bell
-
Stephen Duffy
Duran Duran
Vocalist/bassist/ drummer
1979
1981
Quit and replaced by Andy Wickett
-
Jason Everman
Nirvana
Guitarist
1989
1991
Fired
-
Jason Everman
Soundgarden
Bassist
1990
1992
Fired and replaced by Ben Shepherd
-
Pete Garner
The Stone Roses
Bassist
1987
1989
Quit and replaced by Mani
-
Terry Glaze
Pantera
Vocalist
1986
1990
Quit and replaced by Phil Anselmo
-
Tracii Guns
Guns N' Roses
Guitarist
1985
1987
Quit and replaced by Slash
-
Doug Hopkins
Gin Blossoms
Guitarist
1992
1993
Fired and replaced by Scott Johnson
-
Crystal Jones
TLC
Vocalist
1991
1992
Fired and replaced by Rozonda Thomas
-
John Kiffmeyer
Green Day
Drummer
1990
1994
Replaced while at college by Tré Cool
-
Bob Klose
Pink Floyd
Guitarist
1965
1967
Quit
-
Barbara Martin
The Supremes
Vocalist
1962
1964
Quit
-
Dave Mustaine
Metallica
Guitarist
1983
1986
Fired and replaced by Kirk Hammett
-
Marc Nelson
Boyz II Men
Vocalist
1989
1991
Quit
-
Henry Padovani
The Police
Guitarist
1977
1979
Fired and replaced by Andy Summers
-
Anthony Phillips
Genesis
Guitarist
1970
1972
Quit and replaced by Steve Hackett
-
Niall Quinn
The Cranberries
Vocalist
1990
1993
Quit and replaced by Dolores O'Riordan
-
Heidi Range
Atomic Kitten
Vocalist
1999
1999
Quit and replaced by Natasha Hamilton
-
Doug Sandom
The Who
Drummer
1964
1965
Fired and replaced by Keith Moon
-
Kate Schellenbach
Beastie Boys
Drummer
1984
1986
-
-
Eric Stefani
No Doubt
Keyboardist
1994
1995
Quit
-
Michelle Stephenson
Spice Girls
Vocalist
1994
1996
Fired and replaced by Emma Bunton
-
Ian Stewart
The Rolling Stones
Keyboardist
1963
1963
Fired
-
Stuart Sutcliffe
The Beatles
Bassist, vocalist
1961
1963
Quit to pursue a career as a painter
-
Bob Welch
Fleetwood Mac
Guitarist
1974
1975
Quit and replaced by Lindsey Buckingham
-
Andy Wickett
Duran Duran
Vocalist
1980
1981
Quit and replaced by Simon Le Bon
-
DeWayne McKnight
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Guitarist
1988
1989
Fired and replaced by John Frusciante
-
D. H. Peligro
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Drummer
1988
1989
Fired and replaced by Chad Smith
-
Frank Farrell
Supertramp
Bassist
1970
1972
Left and replaced by Dougie Thompson
-

Question: What band did Jason Everman left and for what reason?
Answer: Jason Everman was fired from Nirvana in 1989 and Soundgarden in 1990.