Musicians that should have been superstars

[begin_within]

List the people involved with music who should have become famous. Singers, composers, arrangers, producers, instrumentalists... anyone who is/was good enough, or produced a body of work that is good enough that they should have become stars and their names should be household words now... but for whatever reason, they never reached the "big time" or "hit the jackpot." People who should be legendary in the field of music, but didn't.

[MiddleFingerMom]

1. Rickie Lee Jones, Leon Redbone, Waddy Wachtel and, MOST of all...

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...Clare Torry (vocalist on Dark Side of the Moon's "The Great Gig in the Sky").
.
.
.

[begin_within]

3. Well, I know who all of them are, but you're right.

I would also add Leon Russell to that list.

[wtmusic]

23. Wow.

Those Clare Torry improvs ruin that song for me. I don't hear an ounce of soul.

[Tom_Foolery]

62. Leon Redbone is in concert in my town this Saturday!

[Ahpook]

2. First person to come in mind

Terry Reid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3P0evTYcZ4

Fairly sure Page was considering him for Led Zeppelin, but obviously went with Plant:)

Not saying he could replace Plant, Zeppelin would not be anywhere close to what we know and love. But this guy has a wonderful voice and plays a nice guitar. Could have been a cool mix for Page? :)

[LynneSin]

11. Actually Reid rejected the offer and suggested Page check out Plant

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Reid

Yardbirds guitarist Jimmy Page became interested in Reid's work, and when The Yardbirds disbanded, Page wanted Reid to fill the vocalist spot for his proposed new group, the New Yardbirds, which was to become Led Zeppelin. Reid had already committed to go on the road with Cream (as an opening act on the 1968 US Tour). So he suggested to Page that he consider a young Birmingham based singer, Robert Plant, instead, having previously seen Plant's Band of Joy as a support act at one of his concerts. Reid later was offered a position as a member of Deep Purple when they decided to replace singer Rod Evans; Ian Gillan was given the position instead.

[Tikki]

19. +1

Tikki

[bluesbassman]

4. Danny Gatton

Amazing guitar player.

"Sleepwalk"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyjtW-rvWoQ

[driver8]

33. +1000!!

What an amazing talent...one of the greatest guitar players, ever!!

[Blue-Jay]

66. I was gonna say Danny Gatton.

He was brilliant.

[bif]

82. He died way too young

What a shame.

[pscot]

5. Phoebe Snow

[Ken Burch]

69. In Phoebe's case, the problem was a personal tragedy:

Her daughter was born(just as her career was taking off in the mid '70s) with massive birth defects(including severe brain damage)and Phoebe felt she had no alternative but to leave the music business to take care of her(the daughter died a few years ago).

I always thought Phoebe did the definitive version of "San Francisco Bay Blues", btw.

[KT2000]

6. Laura Nyro

there is still time for John Butler Trio.

[begin_within]

12. However she did have several hits by proxy...

"Blowing Away", "Wedding Bell Blues", "Stoned Soul Picnic", "Sweet Blindness", "And When I Die," "Eli's Coming" and "Stoney End." My favorite of those is "Stoned Soul Picnic." I bet a lot of people recognize her songs though they couldn't name her.

[KT2000]

37. True! n/t

[rurallib]

29. ! just discovered her about a year ago

I was amazed. However did she slip through?

[KT2000]

38. Really -

hope you have been able to listen to New York Tendaberry straight through.

[rurallib]

41. what is New York Tendaberry?

[KT2000]

43. Her best album

IMHO - raw lysrics, actually poetry and some really good piano work. If you locate her on youtube, there should be one for the title song- New York Tendaberry - and it will give you an idea of the album. New York vignettes on the rougher side of things.

[rurallib]

51. Thanks - will look it up.

[wishlist]

60. I still have all of her records!

[guitar man]

7. That's easy

ME!!

If I was famous I wouldn't be up this early on a Monday morning heading out into frigid temps to go to work :(

[old mark]

8. Me, too! ...nt

[LibDemAlways]

68. self-delete

[siligut]

9. Steve Marriott, the strength in his voice is amazing

Small Faces, Itchycoo Park: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJzcF0v1eOE&feature=related

Try to sing the refrain with the power that he gives it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Marriott

Stephen Peter Marriott (30 January 1947 - 20 April 1991), popularly known as Steve Marriott, was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist and musician. He is best remembered for his powerful singing voice which belied his small stature, and for his aggressive guitar playing in the rock groups the Small Faces (1965–1969) and Humble Pie (1969–1975 and 1980–1981).

In later life Marriott became disillusioned with the music industry and turned his back on the big record companies, remaining in relative obscurity. He returned to his music roots playing the pubs and clubs around London and Essex.<2>

Marriott died on 20 April 1991 when a fire, thought to have been caused by a cigarette, swept through his 16th-century home in Arkesden, Essex.<3> He posthumously received an Ivor Novello Award in 1996 for his Outstanding Contribution to British Music,<4> and was listed in Mojo as one of the top 100 greatest singers of all time.<5>

Black Sabbath frontman, Ozzy Osbourne, named Marriott the fourth greatest singer<6> and Clem Burke of Blondie named him the sixteenth greatest singer and wrote under his name, "greatest rock singe."<7> Paul Stanley of Kiss has said, "He had a great voice" and went on to say, "Steve Marriott was unbelievable". Keith Richards listed Marriott as one of his five favorite artists of all time. Steve Perry, of Journey fame, has claimed that, "One of my favourite vocalists was Steve Marriott."<8>

[Amerigo Vespucci]

14. The "Marriott Moment"...

...the "Humble Pie Performance: Rockin' The Fillmore" Album...



...and Dr. John's "I Walk On Gilded Splinters."

At one point in the song, coming out of an instrumental interlude, they toss in the chorus of "Leavin' Trunk" (made famous by Tak Mahal, not sure of who wrote it):

I went upstairs to pack my leavin' trunk
I ain't see no blues whiskey made me sloppy drunk
I ain't never seen no whiskey the blues made me sloppy drunk
I'm going back to Memphis babe where I'll have much better luck

Each member of the band takes a line, with Marriott last, and it is this mighty, precise bellow that starts at the soles of his shoes and rips his way up through his body and...

...well, I call it the "Marriott Moment."

In later years he blew out his voice via performance and self-medication, but on the aborted sessions for the Humble Pie reunion album with Frampton, shortly before his death, two tracks emerged, both on a Frampton anthology, and the rocker of the two "The Bigger They Come," was also in the REALLY BAD Mickey Rourke / Don Johnson movie "Harley Davidson & The Marlboro Man"..."The Bigger They Come." It was as good as anything Frampton or Marriott had done in the glory days of Humble Pie, and if they'd been able to stick with it, all signs point to what would have been a remarkable reunion album. But Marriott wasn't pleased with the progress, flew home, and died shortly after that.

[siligut]

34. I searched for the "Marriott Moment" video/audio online, no luck

Buy since I remain logged into Amazon, voilà, there is the CD right on my front page.

From one of the reviews: "When a 17 year old boy listens to this recording (I'm being autobiographical here folks), he just doesn't have a real appreciation for what a consumate entertainer Steve Marriott really was. What a shame he's gone. I'm listening to this with a more mature set of ears tonight and it really is superb. Marriott and the audience are having a heck of a great time together. He's like a guitar-totin' blues-powered Evangelist calling the audience out to convert! They're all out there singing "I'm a Rollin' Stone" along with Marriott. Now I can see why Mick Jagger said "absolutely no Marriott!" to Keith Richards when Marriott auditioned to take Mick Taylor's place in the Rolling Stones. This CD really makes me wish I could go back in a time machine and witness this performance because a CD or an LP or a cassette tape really can't capture this kind of excitement and energy. I believe Frampton should push A&M to remaster this classic and release an anniversary edition sometime soon. Until then, we'll just have to make do with this AAD remaster. It's ok sound-wise and don't let the short track list fool you, there is almost a 73 minute helping of pure Pie goodness here. What are you waiting for? Click your cart button already!"

I may order it, despite Amazon and their tracking. I am going to check itunes now. Thanks.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

40. It's on YouTube (audio only) but in three parts due to its length (24 minutes)...

...but at least you can hear it before you buy it. The "Leavin' Trunk" segment is in part 2 and begins around 9 minute mark and continues into part 3. Greg Ridley sings first, then Frampton, then Marriott, and unfortunately the YouTube poster cut Marriott off right in the middle:

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fu3aeuGTpqI

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPjJzdNvA_Y

Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ewf8Ezwe9RM

The whole "Performance" album is high quality, start to finish...one of the best live rock albums EVER.

:toast:

[siligut]

45. Thank you

The more I look into it, read what people have to say and now hear it, the more I think I want to buy it. I very much appreciate the links. :toast:

[JenniferJuniper]

53. I seriously love me some Small Faces

It's downright tragic that they never made it to the states. (and we can thank Sharon Osbourne's father for refusing to relinquish control of them to American promoters). Itchycoo Park aside, most people know nothing of their music, and even that has faded from most oldies stations.

And Itchycoo Park wasn't even representative of their musical style. They did it all from power pop to psychedelia to proto-metal (Tin Soldier!) to folk rock to cockney vaudeville, but I especially love their early R&B days.

I suspect little Bobby Plant was taking notes when Small Steve Marriott belted this one out in 1966:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpnF62TNYoM

[Mendocino]

55. I'm partial to "The Universal"

A hippy trippy namedropper came to my door
I just bumped into Mick
He says you know where to score
Oh, not me friend
I mind my own and my own minds me



Rest in Peace Steve and Ronnie

[JenniferJuniper]

57. I'm fond of that one too.

In fact, there is very little Small Faces material I don't like. They even made a dippy song like Sha La La La Lee sound cool.

Whenever things aren't going too well in my life, I find myself listening to a lot of Small Faces. It helps me get myself together, and then its all happy days toytown newspaper smiles. Not a drop of saccharine in those boys, but their music was always happy, positive and upbeat. And cool. Very cool. In fact, my teenage daughter wants a pair of lime green desert boots just like Ronnie's....

[Manifestor_of_Light]

75. Wasn't that Rod Stewart and the Who drummer?

Weren't they in the Small Faces? And the guy who went on tour with The Who right after Moon died in 79?

Now they use Zak Starkey, Ringo's kid, who Moon taught to play on a Pictures of Lily drum kit (naked ladies on it).

[melman]

84. No and yes

Kenny Jones was in the Small Faces but Rod Stewart wasn't. They did play together in the Faces, which had three guys from the Small Faces but was a very different group.

[JenniferJuniper]

54. dup

[av8rdave]

10. Johnnie Bassett, Deborah Coleman

Two wonderful blues artists from two different generations.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

13. Richard Thompson...legendary among fans, still "who's that" to the general public.

I remember Rolling Stone's review of his back catalog (up to "Hand Of Kindness" when all of those albums were re-released on Hannibal Records a few years ago. It was something like "Imagine you woke up one morning and had never heard of Jimi Hendrix, then you discovered him."

If Thompson did nothing other than play guitar, he'd still be a superstar. Add major talent as a songwriter and you have "living legend."

John Mellencamp was once interviewed around the time of a Thompson tribute album and said that he'd never write a song half as good as any that Thompson had written.

:toast:

[begin_within]

15. What's odd for me is that I've known about him for many years,

I've read his name many times, but have never listened to his music. My roommate had the Richard and Linda Thompson album "I Wanna See the Bright Lights Tonight" but I never played it. I guess I have some catching up to do!

[Amerigo Vespucci]

17. "Shoot Out The Lights" is the one to start with

It's considered the best of the Richard & Linda albums...and the last...what followed was Richard's "Hand of Kindness," a pretty bitter rebound from his divorce from Linda.

He has a way with guitar that's similar to Stevie Ray Vaughan, Hendrix, Van Halen...not in style, but in the fact that his playing is so effortless and adventurous, and the guitar becomes more like an appendage of his own body than an external "instrument."

And, as I said, the songs are just so damned GOOD. I'd say they were "Bob Dylan good."

:toast:

[CBGLuthier]

20. Yes, I am embarrassed how hideously late I discovered his work

The film In the Edges, the documentary about the scoring of The Grizzly Man movie by Herzog. Fascinating display of skill and taste.

[abq e streeter]

28. Another vote for R.T. --- Saw him for the 1st time last year....INCREDIBLE guitar player

I've seen some great ones over the years, but he's right up there among the very best.

[stuntcat]

31. yah

like him too

[Ken Burch]

71. And, while we're talking about Richard Thompson, there was also Sandy Denny

She died far too young(at age 29)but was THE definitive British folk-rock vocalist of the 1970's.

here's some of HER work:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oBMDcLf6WA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9haVapOCplc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORscJBvFRdM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD3F93v1Tdc

[HughBeaumont]

16. Husker Du and Helmet.

How many thousands of modern bands owe their sound to those two groups?

[vi5]

22. Helmet got fairly big....

Not huge, but that type of music was never going to be huge. I liked them a lot but they were too dissonant and not catchy enough to get huge beyond metal/hardcore circles in which they were already pretty popular. Their only catchy song (Unsung) was a pretty big MTV hit.

Also they owe their sound to a ton of other bands that came before. Big Black, Naked Raygun and a lot of those Chicago oriented Amphetamine Reptile bands.

But Husker Du.....agreed 100%.

[Tikki]

18. Billy Zoom.....

Tikki

[Mopar151]

32. I'll put an "X" on that! n/t

[vi5]

21. Husker Du

Should have had all the fame that went to Nirvana and Pearl Jam and their ilk.

[bif]

24. Rory Block

Great female blues singer and guitarist. I'll bet no one here has heard of her.

[peacefreak]

46. She IS so good.

Bonnie Bramlett also comes to mind.

[musette_sf]

58. Oh, I have,

and I even remember her dad's sandal shop in the Village.

[bif]

80. The first time I heard "Ain't I a Woman"

I sat in the car at the grocery store until I heard the announcer identified the singer and song!

[Arugula Latte]

25. Karl Wallinger --- my gawd, what a songwriter

[abq e streeter]

26. The Fugs--always been baffled that songs like Group Grope couldn't get on the radio in 1966

[Amerigo Vespucci]

42. "There's tattoos of griffin vultures from the valley of the kings up and down her spine...

...slowly throbbing, "eat me"...SHE IS AS HORNY AS A HEATHEN..."

Yeah, I could never figure out why they couldn't get on the airwaves either. "Slum Goddess" live at the Fillmore: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fu3aeuGTpqI

:rofl:

:toast:

[abq e streeter]

27. Terence Trent D'Arby--looked like he was right there for a brief moment but couldn't sustain it

[meegbear]

36. Part of it may have been his "I'm gonna be bigger than The Beatles" statement ...

after his first (and only) hit.

[lovemydog]

30. Nils Lofgren

Great guitarist, songwriter, keyboardist and vocalist. Had a group called Grin that put out excellent records (there's a compilation available that's worth hearing). Poor record labels. The song White Lies still sounds like a big hit. Did great solo work. Again, there's some excellent compilations. The songs Back It Up, Keith Don't Go, Cry Tough, I Came to Dance, Baltimore, Across the Tracks and many more are all classics that I still listen to. They still sound fresh.

He's had a satisfying career no doubt. Played piano on Neil Young's Tonight's the Night. Collaborated with Lou Reed on Lou's The Bells and Nils' No Mercy. Did more great work with Neil and Crazy Horse. Later joined Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. Continued doing solo records for small labels. And touring. But I've always felt the guy deserved to sell a lot more records. Hey, you can still listen to his fantastic music. And he's had a more successful career than many other talented musicians. So that's cool.

[meegbear]

35. XTC

[MilesColtrane]

39. David Sancious

Keyboard and guitar player and composer

He worked with Springsteen in the E Street Band for years.

Also played with Jon Anderson, Peter Gabriel, Eric Clapton, Sting, Jeff Beck, Living Color, Seal, Bryan Ferry, Natalie Merchent, etc...

His own music was right in the sweet spot between jazz fusion and soul back in the 70s.

Here he is ripping it up on guitar in a song dedicated to Jimi Hendrix. (The fireworks start at 2:30)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMRooagrjAI

Here's he is on keys with Alex Ligertwood on vocals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwMxDbFmVi0

[old mark]

44. Tuck and Patti. Tuck Andress may be one of the best guitarists around, and

Patti is unique. We saw them live almost 18 years ago, and they are still
touring. Here they are doing "Castles Made of Sand";

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M56QwDjE6PQ


Here is their site;

http://www.tuckandpatti.com/


mark

[Bennyboy]

47. CAROLYN WONDERLAND!

Got the voice, is good looking and plays the sht out of the guitar. Also the sweetest soul you ever wanted to meet.

[MrCoffee]

85. Fuck me gently, that is a complete blast from the past!

I remember Carolyn Wonderland and the Imperial Monkeys shows from when I was in high school in Houston. Haven't thought about them in years.

[flvegan]

48. Fat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr-LtQjMJuU

[Ahpook]

49. Nick Drake was something special

I noticed his songs being abused in commercials recently. Suppose that's the way it goes?

Anyway, we lost a great musician


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idcaRTg4-fM

[rbnyc]

50. Kristin Hersh (nt)

[dgauss]

52. Shannon Hoon from Blind Melon

Wonderful voice.

The band was good but I never thought it quite equaled Hoon's potential. He died young but if you listen to the albums Nico and Soup you can hear the talent and the soul. Sometimes it's only glimmers but I really wonder where his career might have gone.

Gone too early.

Here's a couple

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJ-yw3OzsLw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hs2v4-KNSvU&feature=more_related

Oh yeah, and these too, just for fun:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQUNigVcBB8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vFd_jfiVRY&feature=related

[Mendocino]

56. Randy California and Spirit

Mechanical World could be the best song that most people have never heard.

[JenniferJuniper]

59. I always thought Nick Lowe wrote great, often hilarious tunes

My kids, who otherwise have no interest in late '70s new wave, make me play Marie Provost for them in the car all the time.

"Even little doggies have got to eat."

Bouncy and gruesome, and all in one melodic package.

[Frank Cannon]

76. There were a lot of great Power Pop folks in the '70s who should have been big

Besides Nick Lowe, Big Star and Dwight Twilley also come to mind.

As a genre, Power Pop was sadly neglected. But there was a lot of other great music in the '70s, so I guess it's understandable.

[mvd]

61. In the U.S., Robyn

I like Katy Perry and Ke$ha, but Robyn puts out pop with more artistic merit and doesn't get the credit here.

A Fine Frenzy, one of my all time favorites, has a devoted following but isn't a superstar yet.

There are definitely more that should be big but aren't for some reason. If more diverse artists became stars, the radio would be less samey.

[bigwillq]

63. Robyn is amazing.

:thumbsup:

Her latest CD is very good. But I've always liked all her stuff.

[dembotoz]

86. was not planning to log in....but i gotta agree with Robyn

[RagAss]

64. Jeff Beck

[RagAss]

65. Roy Buchanan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOptDDU3rOo

[greendog]

67. Chris Youlden

He put out a couple of great solo albums after leaving Savoy Brown and then just sort of faded away.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LetUN7p6ca0&feature=related

[LibDemAlways]

70. Eva Cassidy. Amazing talent that went unnoticed until

after she died. Had she been "discovered" early on, she would have had a stellar career.

[travelingtypist]

72. Dream Theater

Everybody should know who these guys are. Sure, they're pros and they make their living playing their music, have a dedicated cult following, but still, they're just so damn good.

Also Jennifer Rush was huge in Europe, barely got a mention here. I love her stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBBxQ7kK5QM

[struggle4progress]

73. Polly Possum

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAtEgUB1O18&playnext=1&list=PL3D9B499CB29E3E44

;)

[struggle4progress]

74. Jaime Brockett

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XFYMjkFYPg

[cbdo2007]

77. Wow, upon reading this thread I've concluded that none of the people listed should have been superst

ars.

It's funny who people worship and think are incredible, yet really the person is just speaking to them and some others but there are definite reasons why many of these people didn't become legendary. Many have memorable songs or moments but they all seem to have a certain "niche" rather than a broad sound that is appealing to the masses.

[travelingtypist]

78. Well, talk about trying to stir the shit.

Too bad it's an EPIC fail.

http://itunes.apple.com/de/artist/jennifer-rush/id1183740

While virtually unknown in the U.S., pop singer Jennifer Rush achieved superstar status as an expatriate in Europe, selling millions of records and releasing a string of hit singles notable for their booming, dance-rock arrangements and Rush's powerful voice.

More at link.

[melman]

79. Steve Forbert

[NoGOPZone]

81. Thunder Thumbs Louie Johnson

Bassist with the Brothers Johnson, also a prolific studio musician. Along with the better known Larry Graham, one of the first to use the slap technique on electric bass. Carl Radle, who had a long association with Clapton, is another underrated bassist.

[bif]

83. Adrian Legg & John McLaughlin

Also come to mind.

[Skittles]

87. Jimmy McCulloch

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_McCulloch

[melman]

88. Yes!

Love him. Such a shame he died so young.