Great responses. Lynyrd Skynyrd is another one I ponder. Don't know if they would have progressed or ended up washed up and playing county fairs, but a lot of drive and talent died in that plane crash.
Bands where U say
I've yet to see a thread like this so here goes: what bands come to mind where you think what might have been? Perhaps they disbanded too soon, or a member or members died, leaving unrealized potential. I often wonder what would have come of the pretenders had honeyman-scott and farndon not bought the farm. I could list others, but would rather hear from you.