J. Geils band?

Lots of 90s alternative rock that got huge, bands who sold millions and millions of records, multiple videos on MTV all the time, then by the end of the 90s or early 00s, just nothing. The new state fair circuit of bands. Bush and Live are the first two that come to mind. Not really alt-rock but Hootie and the Blowfish also come to mind.

enframed wrote: Mon Aug 12, 2024 9:05 am

Gramsci wrote: Mon Aug 12, 2024 1:39 am I’m not sure if it’s just me on this one but Beck.

Massive for a very brief time in the 90s but I really can’t think of anything lasting about his music. Huge briefly then zero shadow.

Yeah, dude, best example yet. Wow. Scientology did not deliver for him.

So much so he quit

A_Man_Who_Tries wrote: Mon Aug 12, 2024 9:20 am Maybe Kiss? Undeniably huge, but no real footprint left is there?

Kiss was way too big and is still a big deal as history. I don't even like Kiss and I probably know fifteen Kiss songs.

Slade, I don't think so--I think one massive song (albeit biggest version being a cover by a band that probably DOES qualify) plus a big Xmas song plus a few minor UK hits that endure...that's enough to cement your legacy.

J Geils, yes. Gloria Estefan, Paula Abdul, yes. Debbie Gibson. Tiffany.

You can make a case for (against?) REO Speedwagon--absolutely massive for a time. No lingering hits to speak of.

Air Supply.

Beck is a good one.

Anne Murray is a really good one.

The pre-Dylan folk acts were also huge, but I wouldn’t count them (or all of them) yet. If you’re familiar enough for a Christopher Guest parody to make sense, then I suppose you’ve still left a legacy. Still, the thrift store bins are full of New Christy Minstrels records.

Englebert Humperdink.

Or however it’s spelled.

eephus wrote: Mon Aug 12, 2024 11:33 am

A_Man_Who_Tries wrote: Mon Aug 12, 2024 9:20 am Maybe Kiss? Undeniably huge, but no real footprint left is there?

Kiss was way too big and is still a big deal as history.

Kind of an offshoot topic but '70s rockers who also had some big '80s hits: Kiss, Alice Cooper, Heart, "The Flame" by Cheap Trick.. no one goes near their '80s shit anymore.

I’m on the fence re: REO Speedwagon. They were hugely popular, and their period of fame lasted pretty long by pop music standards. Yet no bands emulated their sound, and you virtually never hear them.

But I also wonder whether they’re still vibrating, just under the surface, just waiting for the next Sox World Series/HBO series finale to bring them back into the zeitgeist.

Wood Goblin wrote: Mon Aug 12, 2024 1:51 pm But I also wonder whether they’re still vibrating, just under the surface, just waiting for the next Sox World Series/HBO series finale to bring them back into the zeitgeist.

They're touring with Train (blech) this summer.

There are still lots of AOR stations out there, and they still go heavy on Speedwagon, Night Ranger, etc.

Doesn't that stuff factor heavily into Marvel movies?