Hello everybody. This is also my first post, as I tend to stay well away from fan-sites. I'm of the generation where the word 'fanatic' holds negative connotations.
Having said that, I have been an admirer of Tangerine Dream's work since the mid-1970s - so I thought I would say hello and offer up my impressions on this subject for perusal, discussion, and disagreement!
Tangerine Dream without Edgar Froese is not Tangerine Dream: It really isn't. I know you've heard this before enough already, but that does not stop the statement being true.
Sure - the name could continue, but such an iteration could only ever be a footnote, a facsimile, or photocopy. To paraphrase Edgar's opinion on samples – it would be nothing but a 'two-dimensional
postcard from heaven - nothing to do with the real thing'.
Jerome Froese got it in one for me when he said the 'captain has left the ship'. Sure - there are plenty of people out there who could potentially take charge and steer it, but to what purpose and where to?
The Beatles, Pink Floyd, and Queen have been down this road – and all they have done is confuse their legacy and tarnish their reputation - of course they also sold lots of extra units - but that (hopefully) is another discussion.
In addition, whoever took on the Tangerine Dream mantle would have to tolerate the 'well, it's not the same without Edgar' comments forever. Such sentiments would be quite correct, unfortunately. So why would any musician want to shackle their own artistic journey in this way?
Sadly, it's time to say goodbye and let it go. The music and memories are there if you want to reminisce, and an awful lot of it will still take you to a place quite far away. Why not re-explore and find out what you missed the last time around? There are also enough projects from ex-members flying about to keep the most ardent TD admirer busy.
As for tributes – if any ex-TD musicians would like to do it, well and good – that would be very nice; It's also fine if they don't want to do it though - they are all artists in their own right.
Everything ends - that's the way it works around here. It just happens to be Tangerine Dream's turn. Don't get me wrong; this is a sad day.
These are my personal opinions only – not to be taken internally!
Greetings and Best wishes!