Why did Ryan Vikedal leave the band Nickelback?

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You may have a love-hate relationship with Nickelback, finding yourself both irritated by them yet caught up in their tunes during karaoke sessions. They hold an unusual position in pop culture, yet they remain a familiar name today. In the 2000s, they were undeniably the most successful rock band and one of Canada’s biggest musical acts of all time. Ryan Vikedal was there through it all, but he is no longer with us now.

In Nickelback’s history, it was Daniel Adler who took over the drumming position after Brandon Kroeger and Mitch Guindon. Interestingly, he was the one who remained with the band the longest. From 1998 to 2005, which marked their most successful commercial period, Daniel played with the band. However, his tenure came to an end when he was dismissed by Chad Kroeger (singer), Ryan Peake (guitarist) and Mike Kroeger (bassist). He was subsequently replaced by Daniel Adair, who had previously played with 3 Doors Down.

Ryan Vikedal was fired in 2005

After Nickelback didn’t explain why Vikedal was let go, a lawsuit by lead singer Chad Kroeger provided more details. The lawsuit stated that Kroeger wanted Vikedal to stop receiving royalties for playing Nickelback songs in public. He claimed he was the only one responsible for creating the songs, meaning Vikedal should return any royalties earned from live performances.

Although no exact figures have been made known, it’s generally believed that a disagreement was the cause of their separation. Later on, Mike Kroeger shared his thoughts on Vikedal’s dismissal with Grammy.com, expressing sadness at the drummer’s departure. He likened the situation to firing a family member, stating, “It was extremely difficult. It feels like you’re letting go of a family member.” However, he emphasized that it was a business decision, and the choice wasn’t based on personal feelings.

Essentially, Kroeger stated, “It seemed clear that the situation wasn’t working, so we decided to take action before it collapsed completely.” He further explained, “We sensed that trouble was brewing, and if we continued to ignore the signs and pretend everything was alright, something would likely go wrong sooner rather than later.

Vikedal made up with the band in 2023

During Vikedal’s time with the band, things turned quite emotional near the end, leaving a lasting tension in the ensuing years. In the 2023 documentary film Hate to Love, Ryan Peake shared that he paid a visit to Vikedal and, as rumors suggest, they managed to reconcile.

Regardless of the jokes often made about Nickelback, even with their accomplishments, if they were to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, it would be essential to include Viedal, who is their drummer on their most renowned and successful tracks.

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2025-03-26 22:00