In the popular music business, artists often release an album/CD, and then go on tour to tout it and promote its sale. Some artists, Steely Dan being one well known example, don’t tour very much compared to other artists, such as Elton John, that seem to tour almost constantly.
So my question is… has there ever been a successful group or artist that has never toured or performed live? Not one that tours rarely, but one who NEVER tours. I can’t think of one, but there must be one or two out there.
Well, Jandek was 26 years and about 50 albums into his career before he ever performed live. Since then he’s performed a couple of dozen times, but he doesn’t tour. Oh, and just this year did he finally acknowledge his real identity.
How about the Alan Parsons Project?
[QUOTE=Wikipedia]
Except for one occasion, the Project never played live during its original incarnation. This was because Woolfson and Parsons saw themselves mainly in the roles of writing and production, and also because of the technical difficulties of reproducing on stage the complex instrumentation used in the studio. In the 1990s things changed with the technology of digital samplers. The one occasion where the band was introduced as “The Alan Parsons Project” in a live performance was at Night of the Proms 1990 (at the time of the group’s break-up), featuring all Project regulars except Woolfson who was present but behind the scenes, while Parsons stayed at the mixer except during the last song, where he played acoustic guitar.
Since 1993, a new version of the band has toured, with Parsons performing live acoustic guitar, keyboards and vocals, with various line-ups. This latest incarnation was called Alan Parsons, eventually renaming as the Alan Parsons Live Project, the name distinct from “The Alan Parsons Project”, due to founder Parsons’ break-up with Woolfson.
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The Beatles famously gave up touring, as did XTC, but in both cases this was after they had become established artists.
Nilsson is a good answer but the OP seems to be applying a strict “no exceptions” standard.
With that standard I think this is going to be a very short Thread (which is o.k.). Even the most agoraphobic artists usually can’t get out of performing at least a few promotional concerts- early in their career anyway.
Once you’ve made a name for yourself you can play the recluse, but when you’re starting out it’s “ya gotta do what ya gotta do”.
Just in case anyone doesn’t know: This would be extremely rare because, even today, touring is how bands make the vast majority of their money. Even established groups (except for megastars like The Beatles, Madonna etc.) only get a very small cut of album royalties. Often with ‘creative bookkeeping’ they get none! It all goes to the record company. The business model is (was?): The record sales promote the band while on tour, so its up to them to make as much as they can playing live while the album is still charting.
Enya has performed live on TV at least once that I know of, and may have done a handful of live performances for TV or tape, but I don’t believe that, as a single artist., she has ever toured or performed in concert.
The Archies suggestion reminded me of “The Chimpunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)” by Alvin & The Chipmunks - it was also a #1 hit single, and won 3 Grammy awards.
Okay, that’s the answer.