BuckNekkid
Tele-Holic
On this forum and others, I rarely read posts mentioning these artists (and others, but this is the opening salvo). I got curious as to why? All the bands/musicians listed in the subject lines were monstrously popular in their day, selling tons of records and appearing a festivals and concerts. But now they've fallen almost into obscurity? Why?
Canned Heat, in various incarnations (only Adolfo "Fito" de la Parra, the drummer, is an original member) had a talented lineup, wrote a number of original songs, and was considered one of the most genuine blues bands of their time.
Who doesn't know the name John Mayall? The British-born bluesman has not only stayed active for decades (he released his latest album in 2022 - at 88 years of age!), but like contemporary Frank Zappa, was the discoverer of many talented musicians who went on to great fame (Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor, Peter Green and most of the original Fleetwood Mac members, Jack Bruce, and a seemingly endless list). Often regarded as the King of (British) Blues, and awarded an OBE in 2005, perhaps the Brits have a higher regard for him than do others.
The Doobie Brothers were another mega-hit machine. At one time, the airways were filled with their clean, creative and churning guitars and vocals. I think nearly everyone here can name at least one Doobie hit song ("Listen to the Music," "Long Train Running," "China Grove," to name just three). Where are they now? Like Mayall, the Doobies released an album in 2021. Forty years after their first. Yawn.
Maybe you can think of others. But I'm curious as to why some groups have "staying power" even after they've disbanded, died or simply retired, while others who were kings of the mountain once are now all but forgotten? I have albums by all the ones listed (and more, but I won't go on now).
I'm delighted there's good music. And even one-off (e.g., Blind Faith) can be a treasure. So why are some hit-makers of the past no longer mentioned?
Canned Heat, in various incarnations (only Adolfo "Fito" de la Parra, the drummer, is an original member) had a talented lineup, wrote a number of original songs, and was considered one of the most genuine blues bands of their time.
Who doesn't know the name John Mayall? The British-born bluesman has not only stayed active for decades (he released his latest album in 2022 - at 88 years of age!), but like contemporary Frank Zappa, was the discoverer of many talented musicians who went on to great fame (Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor, Peter Green and most of the original Fleetwood Mac members, Jack Bruce, and a seemingly endless list). Often regarded as the King of (British) Blues, and awarded an OBE in 2005, perhaps the Brits have a higher regard for him than do others.
The Doobie Brothers were another mega-hit machine. At one time, the airways were filled with their clean, creative and churning guitars and vocals. I think nearly everyone here can name at least one Doobie hit song ("Listen to the Music," "Long Train Running," "China Grove," to name just three). Where are they now? Like Mayall, the Doobies released an album in 2021. Forty years after their first. Yawn.
Maybe you can think of others. But I'm curious as to why some groups have "staying power" even after they've disbanded, died or simply retired, while others who were kings of the mountain once are now all but forgotten? I have albums by all the ones listed (and more, but I won't go on now).
I'm delighted there's good music. And even one-off (e.g., Blind Faith) can be a treasure. So why are some hit-makers of the past no longer mentioned?
