# Singers Wrongly Predicted To Become Huge Stars? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 1, 2014, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-wrongly-predicted-to-become-huge-stars/694539 "2014-08-01T00:34:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2015, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-wrongly-predicted-to-become-huge-stars/694539/81 "2015-02-11T21:56:28Z")
> [@Nema98](#): > > Speaking of Joe Jackson, I wanted to ask since I was not around, but was he ever predicted to become a huge star? No, he was always a niche guy. I always equated him with Elvis Costello. Very talented and immensely popular, but only to a narrow niche of the market, and nowhere near the the group who makes artists huge. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_s\_Son](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19adc/32.png) [@Jim\_s\_Son](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_s_Son)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2015, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-wrongly-predicted-to-become-huge-stars/694539/82 "2015-02-12T12:09:30Z")
> [@Nema98](#): > > Speaking of Joe Jackson, I wanted to ask since I was not around, but was he ever predicted to become a huge star? His big mistake was after MTV made him a star with the “Stepping Out” video, he refused to make videos. He was also changing styles with each album. I remember rock critic Dave Marsh being interviewed around 1984. When asked for predictions of Next Big Thing, he hesitated but mentioned liking Jason and the Sorchers. Their “Fervor” ep did well in the Village Voice critics poll but the two full length albums didn’t sell. I saw them open for Stevie Ray Vaughn at Hofstra and right from the beginning the audience reaction was loud boos and raised middle fingers. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2015, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-wrongly-predicted-to-become-huge-stars/694539/83 "2015-02-12T12:38:29Z")
> [@bump](#): > > Yeah, I did a double-take when I saw that comment about “testosterone” and Counting Crows. > > Back in the mid-90s when they were at the height of their popularity, most testosterone laden music fans were probably listening to grunge, rap or death metal. I always crush a beer can on my forehead when I hear[this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1D5PtyrewSs). ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2015, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-wrongly-predicted-to-become-huge-stars/694539/84 "2015-02-12T13:46:30Z")
People got pretty excited about Susan Boyle’s first performance. Then she released a CD and, not so much excitement… ---
**Author:** ![bufftabby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/77aa72/32.png) [@bufftabby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bufftabby)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2015, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-wrongly-predicted-to-become-huge-stars/694539/85 "2015-02-12T14:50:29Z")
> [@Jim\_s\_Son](#): > > I remember rock critic Dave Marsh being interviewed around 1984. When asked for predictions of Next Big Thing, he hesitated but mentioned liking Jason and the Sorchers. Their “Fervor” ep did well in the Village Voice critics poll but the two full length albums didn’t sell. I saw them open for Stevie Ray Vaughn at Hofstra and right from the beginning the audience reaction was loud boos and raised middle fingers. Jason (Ringenberg) now enjoys some Nashville-area regional success as children’s entertainer Farmer Jason. Jason and the Scorchers still tours the UK from time to time, with Farmer Jason dates interspersed. I may or may not be a weirdo adult who attends Farmer Jason shows without any children in tow… ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2015, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-wrongly-predicted-to-become-huge-stars/694539/86 "2015-02-12T15:31:00Z")
There were several from St. Louis who came close, but for whatever reason didn’t quite hit the top. [Nick Nixon](http://www.savingcountrymusic.com/country-songwriter-and-performer-nick-nixon-passes-away) was a country songwriter and singer. Back in the 70’s he wrote a #1 country song. As a singer, his voice was described as “cross between Charlie Pride, David Wills, and a little Moe Bandy on the side.” He paid his dues and was a regular draw on tours, but never hit it big. Eventually he cut back on touring and opened a club in St. Louis. [Fontella Bass](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fontella_Bass) got her start singing gospel music in church. She was signed by Chess Records and had a million-selling hit with the song [Rescue Me](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9mp3s2gpy8). She got into a fight over song credits and royalties, split with the label and largely got out of the business. [Gayle McCormick](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gayle_McCormick) had a big voice and a lot of sex appeal. She went to L.A. and sang with the group Smith. They had a[big hit](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6atUODsWGs) and she was signed to a solo contract. Her solo career failed to take off, and after a couple of unsuccessful albums, she also left the business. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2015, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-wrongly-predicted-to-become-huge-stars/694539/87 "2015-02-12T17:08:56Z")
> [@Dale\_Sams](#): > > I certainly wouldn’t have predicted that the era of Modest Mouse/Scissor Sisters/Pink/The Darkness/Ben Folds Five/The Flaming Lips would implode into a now 13 year long desert of crappy autotuned sound-alike shit not seen since the 50’s. > > And yes that’s an immense generalization on my part. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again - there is possibly more good music available now than there has ever been before in the history of music. The thing is, you have to go looking for it - you won’t hear any of it on the radio. ---
**Author:** ![BurnMeUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@BurnMeUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BurnMeUp)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2015, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-wrongly-predicted-to-become-huge-stars/694539/88 "2015-02-12T17:44:05Z")
> [@Wile\_E](#): > > I have to wonder if this is what happens to some of these fizzled stars. Maybe some find they don’t like the attention or suffer some sort of anxiety/stage fright. In addition maybe some find they don’t like the business and prefer to just go back to small venues. Maybe some just don’t want to deal with the pressure or work of fulfilling people’s expectations. Not everyone wants to be a huge star. They were never megastars but this is what happened with XTC - Andy Partridge has pretty bad stage fright and hated performing live so they just stopped doing it. They would put out an album and that would be it. Then went on a long hiatus before releasing more albums. They still put out some solid material but the lack of live performances and public appearances impacts their popularity. ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2015, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-wrongly-predicted-to-become-huge-stars/694539/89 "2015-02-12T17:49:30Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again - there is possibly more good music available now than there has ever been before in the history of music. The thing is, you have to go looking for it - you won’t hear any of it on the radio. And every time I ask “So direct me to the new Who. Cars. Peter Gabriel. Kate Bush.” All I ever see are links to tepid shadows. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2015, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-wrongly-predicted-to-become-huge-stars/694539/90 "2015-02-12T18:03:03Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > There were several from St. Louis who came close, but for whatever reason didn’t quite hit the top. She probably didn’t come all that close to the big time, but I really liked “The People You Know” by Robynn Ragland. For a year in St. Louis it was hard to avoid that song, but I was still always happy when it came on the radio. “We all moved away but those days wrote a book in my life.” Good stuff. I think she still performs locally sometimes, but she makes her living as a lawyer now. > **[Robynn Ragland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robynn_Ragland)** > > Robynn Ragland is a singer and songwriter, based primarily in the American Midwest. Her work has appeared on soundtracks for television shows such as Dawson's Creek, MTV's The Real World, Wonderfalls, Wolf Lake, and many others. > Robynn was born in Joliet, Illinois. > She attended college at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California. While there she was the lead singer for the band Rhythm Akimbo and recorded the album Temple Beth Skyturn in 1991. > She is best known fo... ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2015, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-wrongly-predicted-to-become-huge-stars/694539/91 "2015-02-13T03:16:50Z")
> [@Dale\_Sams](#): > > And every time I ask “So direct me to the new Who. Cars. Peter Gabriel. Kate Bush.” > > All I ever see are links to tepid shadows. This is logically equivalent to me asking who the OutKast of 1983 was. There wasn’t one. Today’s great new music isn’t Kate Bush, just as she was not the Beach Boys of her time. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2015, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-wrongly-predicted-to-become-huge-stars/694539/92 "2015-02-13T07:02:44Z")
> [@Dale\_Sams](#): > > And every time I ask “So direct me to the new Who. Cars. Peter Gabriel. Kate Bush.” > > All I ever see are links to tepid shadows. If you’ve made up your mind that there hasn’t been any good music made since 1989, there’s not much I can tell you. I’m having a ball listening to all the excellent music that the kids are putting out these days. 🙂 [The Sheepdogs - Feeling Good.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSMN1ugJAos) [The Strokes - Juicebox.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoltwBHXCx8&index=14&list=PLDB39F686339DC827) [The Ting Tings - Great DJ.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FH6wpO66J4k) [Vampire Weekend - Horchata.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9nisu0F8pY) [Of Monsters and Men - King and Lionheart.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A76a_LNIYwE) [Florence and the Machine - Shake It Out.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbN0nX61rIs) ---
**Author:** ![Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dread_pirate_jimbo/32/3897_2.png) [@Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dread_Pirate_Jimbo)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2015, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-wrongly-predicted-to-become-huge-stars/694539/93 "2015-02-13T07:15:07Z")
> [@Death\_of\_Rats](#): > > How does Sheena Easton count as not making it? > > I could use such lack of success. 🙂 Sheena’s biggest album was, in fact, her sixth, which was her only record to go platinum in the United States. She continued to produce hits into the early 90s and was one of the biggest-selling female artists of the 80s. Hell, she had a minor but very important role on Miami Vice! Overall, I’d say she was pretty huge. One I would have predicted was going to be a massive success was [Remy Shand](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fS2EL3zBpIU). His first album went platinum in his native Canada and earned him a Juno award for Best R&B/Soul Recording. South of the border his sales were a little more modest but he was nominated for four Grammys and seemed like a guy who would dominate blue-eyed soul for the next decade. I’ve heard he wound up battling depression and that took him out of the spotlight. In the last couple years he has started recording again and putting out the occasional single online. And he follows me on Twitter, which is sweet. I’d love to see him put out another album though, 'cuz he still has the talent. ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2015, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-wrongly-predicted-to-become-huge-stars/694539/94 "2015-02-13T07:57:37Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > This is logically equivalent to me asking who the OutKast of 1983 was. There wasn’t one. Today’s great new music isn’t Kate Bush, just as she was not the Beach Boys of her time. Sure there was an OutKast of 1983. It was probably Madness, maybe The Specials. Almost certainly British I grant you. But there was an OutKast. OutKast had an eclectic sound that isn’t afraid to get political or push the boundries of what is considered safe to say about relationships. There were plenty of bands like that. Granted there were probably no bands AS eclectic as OutKast. Mayyyyyyybe Fishbone. Oingo Boingo had vastly different kinds of songs but at the end of the day they were California punk…with horns. And it’s funny you chose Kate Bush and the Beach Boys. Both are considered by many to be the greatest representation, musically, of their respective countries. > [@](#): > > If you’ve made up your mind that there hasn’t been any good music made since 1989, there’s not much I can tell you. I’m having a ball listening to all the excellent music that the kids are putting out these days. > > The Sheepdogs - Feeling Good. > The Strokes - Juicebox. > The Ting Tings - Great DJ. > Vampire Weekend - Horchata. > Of Monsters and Men - King and Lionheart. > Florence and the Machine - Shake It Out. The Ting Tings? I love The Ting Tings. And they can’t hold a candle to any artist I mentioned above. If there is more great music today than at any other point in history…then the greatest should be able to produce mind-blowing, thoughtful work, and while I like what was posted above…IMHO it’s not Earth-shattering like _The Final Cut_ _Hunky Dory_ _The Dreaming_ _Peter Gabriel III_ If there’s more great music available now than at any point in history…who is the 2015 version of Keith Moon? Or Pete Townshend? We’re not even talking about musical style now, we’re talking about talent crossed with an insatiable desire to fuck some shit up. I would compare the Tings Tings at best to the B-52s. Whom I like a lot. But they’re no Cars. I did like The Sheepdogs though. And I like Die Antwood (though they weren’t listed) And please don’t flame me guys. I GET what you’re saying. And agree to an extent. I just don’t see new music that’s…serious is the word I’m looking for I guess. A level of seriousness in the music by people who don’t take themselves too seriously. If that makes any sense. The Eurythmics made very serious music, but I never thought they considered themselves the pinnacle of art. But thank you for the links. I liked them a lot, and sorry if I’ve offended anyone. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2015, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-wrongly-predicted-to-become-huge-stars/694539/95 "2015-02-13T08:33:25Z")
> [@Dale\_Sams](#): > > And every time I ask “So direct me to the new […] Kate Bush.” Are you familiar with Imogen Heap? ---
**Author:** ![spifflog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@spifflog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spifflog)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2015, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-wrongly-predicted-to-become-huge-stars/694539/96 "2015-02-13T13:23:24Z")
I don’t know where this fits, but it seems like the “music industry” ™ is trying hard to push Lana Del Rey, and I have no idea why. I’m hoping she’s on this list sooner rather than later. ---
**Author:** ![Dave\_Hartwick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@Dave\_Hartwick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dave_Hartwick)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2015, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-wrongly-predicted-to-become-huge-stars/694539/97 "2015-02-13T14:41:09Z")
Liz Phair (already mentioned) has a career and all, it’s just not the career I wanted her to have. I was (am) a fan of _Exile in Guyville_. I stopped following her years ago, though. I thought the Toadies were going places. I thought L7 was too. I’m not a good picker of popular favorites. ---
**Author:** ![Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/les_espaces_du_sommeil/32/308_2.png) [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Les_Espaces_Du_Sommeil)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2015, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-wrongly-predicted-to-become-huge-stars/694539/98 "2015-02-13T14:44:48Z")
[QUOTE=spifflog] I don’t know where this fits, but it seems like the “music industry” ™ is trying hard to push Lana Del Rey, and I have no idea why. I’m hoping she’s on this list sooner rather than later. [/QUOTE] Oh yes! I’m too cynical to care when it comes to pop music, especially new acts that get overhyped but she almost makes me angry. Why is she still around? No voice, no character, snooze-inducing songs. She’s not even that good-looking which is often the only excuse new pop star have (boys or girls for that matter). Seriously, WTF 😕 ? ---
**Author:** ![Subterraneanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Subterraneanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Subterraneanus)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2015, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-wrongly-predicted-to-become-huge-stars/694539/99 "2015-02-13T15:13:12Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > I remember people saying Marshall Crenshaw was supposed to be the next thing. Maybe that was just my neck of the woods. Maybe he’ll still make it big—some day, some way. ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2015, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-wrongly-predicted-to-become-huge-stars/694539/100 "2015-02-13T15:55:19Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Are you familiar with Imogen Heap? I had only heard the name but checked her out this morning. YEAH BABY. _That’s_ what I’m talking about! A talented genius with a great voice just doing her own thing. I don’t find her relatable in the way Kate’s story songs are on Kate’s first 4 or 5 albums but there’s definitely a ‘genius soundscape thing’ going on that Kate does these days. Imogen is awesome. Thanks for the suggestion. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-wrongly-predicted-to-become-huge-stars/694539.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-wrongly-predicted-to-become-huge-stars/694539.md?page=6)