I agree with Howard. Robert Fripp is the keeper of the Crimson flame and he alone determines whether the band he is currently working with has embodied the spirit of Crimson, regardless of personnel. It's kind of a unique concept, but then, Robert Fripp is kind of a unique guy.
I'm not sure the same is true of bands like Tull. Ian Anderson is the guiding light, but really, once they made their initial change, they've stayed pretty constant as a band over the years. And Deep Purple, well, like most metal bands, they just don't seem to trouble themselves about personnel changes that much.
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