Learn English – Had it not been vs If it were not for

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I've just seen the following sentence on a band's biography:

Had it not been for a studio theft, the band might never have made that song.

Then I was wondering if I can change this sentence to:

If it were not for a studio theft, the band might never have made that song.

Is the second sentence correct? Are they interchangeable?

Thanks in advance.

Best Answer

It is correct, however, "If it hadn't been for a studio theft, the band might never have made that song." would be a better choice for, say, exam purposes. If it had not been = Had it not been (this is called inversion) If it were not for = Were it not for Search conditionals for more information.

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