Tesla bassist Brian Wheat recently chatted with Thomas S. Orwat, Jr. during an appearance on Rock Interview Series, discussing whether longtime bandmate Troy Luccketta would officially depart the band.
Luccketta, who had been with Tesla for years, had announced almost two years ago that he was leaving touring to spend more time with family and friends. Upon hearing the drummer’s statement, the act filled his place by recruiting Steve Brown and carrying on with their scheduled shows.
So, when the host asked about the possibility of Troy’s return, Brian noted how Tesla would issue an official statement about the drummer’s current stance with the band, hinting at a possible departure. Wheat then pointed out how, although he and his bandmates loved and held Luccketta dear, it seemed they couldn’t work together anymore.
However, the underlying reasons for this departure didn’t originate from personal feuds or fights with Troy, as they had no bad blood. The bassist then firmly stated that the creative differences led to this breakup, and everyone seemed to be content with what they were doing now, mentioning how Luccketta didn’t retire and was currently taking the stage with The Guess Who.
Brian on whether Luccketta will reunite with Tesla:
“He’s not touring [with us]. There’ll be an official statement soon — very soon. But no. He’s kind of doing his own thing, and we’re kind of doing our own thing. And we’re working out all that stuff.
Listen, I love Troy Luccketta; he’s my brother. We all love Troy. It just came to a point where we just weren’t on the same page anymore as to what we wanted to do. It’s not like we had this big massive fight or anything. It’s just you start out like this [holds two fingers close together], and then sometimes you go like this [holds two fingers wide apart]. And that gap just got too wide.
[And] he said, ‘Look, maybe it’s better if I don’t do this.’ And we said, ‘Okay. Maybe it is.’ He’s out, I think, playing with The Guess Who or something… So he’s out playing. So it’s not like he retired. He’s not playing in Tesla. And who knows? Maybe one day there’ll be some reunion tour — [when we do] the last final lap… But that’s not now. And who knows? Things always could change, and whatever.”
So, although the bassist noted that things could change with time, he didn’t hesitate to disclose that he and his bandmates were getting ready to issue a public statement about Troy’s future with the band, possibly announcing his departure.
