Bands That Were Once Huge and Are Now Kind of Forgotten (w/Martin Popoff)

[@satchboogy8168]

Billy Squier is another forgotten name. He was huge back in the early 80s and bands like Def Leppard opened for him.

[@nickbovi]

Saw Def Leppard open for Billy Squier.

[@iancouch9688]

Ratt was opening for him around the time out of the cellar came out..ratt became more popular on that tour than Billy who was the headline act..great stuff

[@hmpz36911]

He's still a household name and radio staple.

[@sspbrazil]

First one I thought about, surprised they didn’t mention him.

[@sspbrazil]

@@hmpz36911 where, the distant past? Lol

[@Joorum]

Triumph is the very first band that came to my mind. In the the early '80s they played arenas and were on the bill at the '83 US Festival. Now you don't hear any of their songs on classic rock radio, at least where I live. Seems only metalheads and those who grew up in the '70s and '80s are even aware of them.

[@Bigchet1223]

Always a distant second to Rush. But a very good band in their own right.

[@dexterriley]

@@Bigchet1223 never 2nd to Rush. To totally different bands. Plus chicks were always at Triumph shows.

[@meloralovesdarkness2495]

TRIUMPH, since I was a kid! Very Underrated, especially Rik Emmett, the guitarist! AND No, they were Not the "OTHER" RUSH! They Were TRIUMPH! The "OTHER" Canadian Trio! Every album was a Gem, except the last studio album, which lacked Rik Emmett.. But they gave it their best shot, which killed them ultimatly! I do miss them.. I never understood why they never were a staple or why they really called it quits.. Rik I know did not loke the commercial direction that they were going! From the "Sport of Kings" album, they were made to record a video "Js

[@peterolbrisch8970]

Not to mention another Canadian band BTO.

[@mightyturkeyneck3498]

Here in Toronto, a handful of Triumph numbers is still in rotation on the classic rock station Q107., the suckiest radio station in the History of Suckdom!

[@inmyhouse11]

Im glad that the Funhouse is still kept as a weekly show. The topics and conversations with Martin and Pete is highly entertaining

[@DadE.O.Records]

Three Dog Night might have been a "covers" band, but nobody had heard those songwriters before at that time. They gave Elton John, Randy Newman, Hoyt Axton, Laura Nyro, John Hiatt, Paul Williams & many others their first exposure to the masses. Hugely influential in that regards. Definitely belong in the HoF

[@treff9226]

Perfectly said! They had excellent taste in songwriters and Three Dog Night was a masterclass in singing - three amazing vocalists with brilliant three part harmonies and their long time band had serious chops! Great post! Take care.

[@thomasbeck2934]

So true. Excellent observation!

[@larrysmith5249]

You are so right about TDN. Good call and observation.

[@jerrywoods4066]

Definitely

[@MartyMurray]

They were a great live band also. I saw them way back. They can still sell out fairly good-sized shows, even though Chuck Negron isn't in the band and one of the other original singers, Corey Wells, is now passed on. And yes, the quality of the songs they recorded was always top notch.

[@mikem.7921]

April wine was a great rock band in the 80s and had some huge hits

[@soylentgreendip]

Being a Canadian.... April Wine had a dozen or more big hits in Canada. They are basically legends. Great live. How many bands had three guitarists. Most Americans missed the boat on Wine.

[@BarnabyWild13]

Just between you me, I like to rock.

[@xxcelr8rs]

"Roller" great song.

[@jelkel25]

April Wine were mentioned in the Rush episodes of the Trailer Park Boys, Ricky was trying to get Alex Lifeson to play April Wine songs.

[@xxcelr8rs]

@@jelkel25 Now THAT is funny!

[@Drumdude74]

Cool topic as usual boys, there are a few options for sure, I have a short list I guess. 1. Quiet Riot Metal Health ( '83 ) - 6x Platinum, U.S., 3x Platinum, Canada Condition Critical ( '84 ) - Platinum, U.S., Platinum, Canada Quiet Riot III ( '86 ) - Gold, U.S. None of their albums since '86 have charted and of course the lineup changes after QRIII, I love Paul Shortino's voice but they never had any success after the third album and kind of disappeared. That first album was the first metal album to go number 1. Love'em or hate'em, they co-owned the airwaves for a couple of years. 2. Twisted Sister You Can't Kill Rock N Roll ( '83 ) - Gold, U.S. Stay Hungry ( '84 ) - 3x Platinum, U.S., 5x Platinum, Canada Come Out and Play ( '85 ) - U.S., Gold. Nothing after that charted and they broke up not long after those albums were released. They were huge at one time but the younger generation don't really know who they are anymore ( for the most part ) they don't really get the airplay in Canada anymore like they used too, unless you have satellite radio. 3. Men At Work Men At Work ( '81 ): 6x Platinum, U.S. - 5x Platinum, Canada - Diamond, Worldwide. Cargo ( '83 ): 3x Platinum, U.S. - 3x Platinum, Canada Two Hearts ( '85 ) : Peaked at number 16 in Austrailia ( their home country ) and number 50 in, U.S They broke up after that but they were pretty huge for a couple of years, between 15-20 million records sold with those first two records alone. They had some great tunes, quirky band but I like quirky sometimes.

[@guadalahonky4002]

Quiet Riot opened for the Scorpions and were forced on me twice in 1983. Twisted Sister opened for Iron Maiden on the Piece of Mind tour in 1984 and they were forced upon me as well. I say forced because noone I knew or spoke to wanted to see those bands, even at the time.

[@MorryB]

Some of QR's hits remain a popular staple at sports arenas. Top bad they signed such a shitty deal with Pasha records.

[@kimberlywalker3970]

I remember all of these bands too. You must either be a baby boomer or a gen-xer?!

[@guadalahonky4002]

@@kimberlywalker3970 Born in 1965. Went to go see the Afghan Whigs recently, their albums 'Gentlemen' and 'Black Love' are the best things on the Sub-Pop label to me. Got to shake hands with the band and get my vinyl autographed. The 1990s was a time of fascinating sub genres: like the shoegazer and dream pop movements in Britain. I am like the alt Pete Pardo, who loves UFO, the Replacements and Radiohead.

[@espojespo5]

Excellent choices.

[@alessandroneri8929]

Wow! Another amazing, I repeat, amazing show by these duo. Thank you guys for só much Fun. Long live SOT and THe Poppoff legacy.

[@IvanLendl87]

Hootie & The Blowfish and Creed are the epitome of this topic. Both those bands absolutely ruled the charts fora couple of years a piece. Nowadays, no one I know claims to listen to them.

[@Vortigan07]

Hootie never really broke over in The UK. Whenever I've mentioned them over the years the almost invariable response has been "Who are they"? I might never have stumbled across them either bur my brother used to record a late night radio show that was all about airing bands were from outside the mainstream and he would then pass the tape onto me. That's where I first heard "Let Her Cry" back in '95 and then found "Cracked Rearview" in the bargain bin of a supermarket!

[@johnpace5774]

Thanks guys! I think this could/should be a series. So many great bands to talk about/reminisce over/feel nostalgic about. I’m a massive Uriah Heep fan and they are definitely (sadly) largely forgotten, massive in the early 70s. Mick Box is still touring with the band - the only ‘classic’ line up member still with us, and putting out some fine albums.

[@jazzpunk]

Heep were one of my '70s Hard Rock bands. After Thain? Never went back.

[@simonbarsinister8854]

I love Uriah Heep as well. I'm too young to remember them a huge, however.

[@oliviertruchon5648]

They should be on that list.

[@drmidnight680-kz2le]

​@@simonbarsinister8854they were huge behind Len Zefflin, Deep Purple, Gran Funk. They sold 2 records that were popular but didn't after that. Easy Living is a huge, classic single They had management problems too, not well promoted

[@simonbarsinister8854]

@@drmidnight680-kz2le Kinda like UFO's issues. No help from record label.

[@rpmfla]

Tales of Mystery and Imagination is a masterpiece! Taking Edgar Alan Poe stories and putting them to varied, creative pieces of music really worked for me.

[@arichison]

Definitely the album that got me into Alan Parsons Project. I have never left.

[@swather777]

My very first concert was Three Dog Night in January 1970. I was celebrating my 16th birthday. I bought tickets for myself and two of my friends. They played Wichita, KS. Great memories!

[@garyjoyce2160]

To me a group with a ton of hits. Definitely 👍 a fan of 3 dog 🐕 👍💯

[@jeffreyflint6286]

Right on man!

[@larrygodfrey859]

My girlfriend and I saw them in Dallas when I was 15. A group behind us were smoking the evil weed and had a bottle of wine. I wanted to move thinking they would get crazy.

[@garyjoyce2160]

@@larrygodfrey859 - and that cigarette your smoking , bout scared me half to death,open up the window sucker,let me catch my breath. Lol

[@larrysmith5249]

So many great TDN. Had several of their albums back in the 70s and a greatest hits on cd. Kind of want to rebuy some of those albums. There were some great deep cuts to go along with the hits.

[@brettengland192]

The Alan Parsons Project is not forgotten for me. I listen to that band all the time. "Ammonia Avenue" is a masterpiece. I listen to it weekly. I agree that not touring until the mid-90s didn't help with their popularity.

[@mikef2813]

I love Alan Parsons. They have that greatest hits with tons of songs on it. I can listen to it anytime and see why they mattered.

[@SpaceCattttt]

Yeah! I certainly remember them, too. So many great deep cuts on their albums. "Don't Hold Back". "You're Gonna Get Your Fingers Burned". "You Don't Believe". Great stuff!

[@countzero1136]

I remember buying I, Robot when it first came out and it blew me away, and after that I started going deeper into the catalogue. Also, the opening of I. Robot seems to have heavily influenced "Tales Of The Future" by Vangelis, from the Bladerunner soundtrack - there are some strong parallels there.

[@jml-rj5re]

Fantastic group and project.

[@jml-rj5re]

Primetime is epic for a pop/rock genre song.

[@justinmathewson3692]

Blue Oyster Cult definitely belongs on this list. From 76 to 82, they were HUGE !

[@alaskatoburningmen4549]

Definitely, forgot about them myself in this context. "Don't Fear The Reaper" was up there with "Stairway To Heaven" in it's day!

[@J.S.3259]

They are too odd and eccentric to have retained massive popularity, but they have a very sizable following still

[@justinmathewson3692]

@@J.S.3259 They are also a high minded rock band. They were called "The Thinking Man's Heavy Metal Band." However, they aren't actually heavy metal. They are hard psychedelic rock.

[@marctowersap8018]

totally agree! were big with Don't Fear the Reaper, then another minor hit with Burnin' for You (that whole Fire of Unknown Origin was freaking amazing), but that's about it. Some might remember godzilla (was that ever used in those godzilla remakes?). They were huge, I first saw them headlining at McNichols arena in denver which seated over 15000, but now, play much smaller venues and opening for bigger classic rock acts.

[@alaskatoburningmen4549]

@@justinmathewson3692 "Hard psychedelic rock", that's a fitting description of their music.

[@dennisloveland498]

Black Oak Arkansas is one of the bands that was huge in the 70s but are pretty much forgotten today. James "Jim Dandy" Mangrum was reportedly a big influence on David Lee Roth.

[@originalrocksongs-timremington]

Thanks for this discussion - very interesting and fun to remember these groups! Emerson, Lake and Palmer were huge for awhile and now mostly forgotten. Brain Salad Surgery was a very popular album. A couple of more bands that come to my mind are Bloodrock and Savoy Brown; though I don't know if they would have been considered hugely popular.

[@bobscott7440]

Brain Salad Surgery is, in my opinion, a classic. Tocatta, Karn Evil 9, Still You Turn Me On.

[@tonyhonour665]

Forgotten by who?

[@tonyhonour665]

They can’t tour or make more music anymore as two of them have been dead for some time.

[@michaeleaster1815]

35:03 The Alan Parsons Project is probably forgotten but you guys missed sports stadiums: "Sirius" (the prelude, of sorts, to "Eye in the Sky") was the theme for the Chicago Bulls and is still used in various venues today. People may not know the band but they would know that instrumental very well.

[@henrikkarlsson1088]

Still thinkin "Jordan" everytime i hear that 😂

[@damiankarras]

Supertramp Crime of the Century was the very first Diamond certified album in Canada, one of two Diamond albums in Canada, Breakfast in America being the other. They were so huge in Canada in the 70s and early 80s that some people actually thought they were a Canadian band, for years we all thought that. Canada Was by far the biggest per capita market. I mean Crime of the Century sold over a million copies in Canada and only 500,000 in the u.s. and Canada is 1/10 the population. Massive album, even long before Breakfast in America was huge everywhere.

[@gregloader7836]

totally agree with you-they played two sold out shows April 8and 9, 1977 at The Winnipeg Arena which was huge for them at that time!

[@chaddubois8164]

Grew up in Canada hearing all those Supertramp songs on the radio all the time. Great band.

[@maddysmith8846]

Crime is their “classic” as it conceptually completely hangs together and one of the all time great concept albums and record covers. I also love EITQM. Breakfast is super strong and one of the cleverest album covers. I also played 1980’s Paris loads when it came out. The singles from Breakfast and Dreamer from Crime still get a fair hearing on classic radio in UK. I strongly disagree with Pete that the are “whimsical”, not sure where that is coming from. Clever, yes, sound like no-one else, yes, prog and pop, yes. What’s whimsical about tracks like School, Bloody Well Right, Hide in Your Shell all the way through to Crime of the Century.? Nothing whimsical about A Soapbox Opera or Two of Us, title track EITQM, Babaji, Fool’s Overture and many more. Child of Vision is one of the best songs they ever wrote, feels intense, meaningful without being able to put your finger on it, right up to that fade out you never want to end. It’s the spiritual Sister of Crime of the Century. Unfortunately, I never saw them live - did any of you? Illuminae’s 2021 prog album Dark Horizons, features John Helliwell on Sign of Infinty, his sax is instantly recognisable. Wiki say Supertramp sold 60 million units by 2007, which is pretty impressive by most standards. Huge at time of Breakfast and early 80’s but I don’t think they are forgotten by people who were listening to music in 70’s early 80’s and certainly not by prog fans. It has always been a shame that the classic line-up were unable to record again.

[@DonMacGillivray]

Agree they were huge here in Canada but never met a soul who thought they were Canadian....

[@rjillidge3]

I would say another band that was huge for a time and then you don't hear too much about is Collective Soul. One of the bigger rock acts of the mid 90s and now don't hear too much from them.

[@MorryB]

They had some good songs, but seemed to lose much of their edge when guitarist Ross Childress left the band in the early 2000s.

[@CaseAgainstFaith1]

I’m happy you included Supertramp. I was thinking of them the entire episode but wasn’t sure if you would pick them. I still love Supertramp. My second major concert was Supertramp Breakfast in America tour, and my first date with my high school girlfriend. My first major concert was Styx Piece of Eight tour.

[@mikef2813]

Yes! I loved the Supertramp Breakfast in America tour. Crisis What Crisis, Even in the Quietest Moments…great albums.

[@bobscott7440]

I got into Supertramp before Breakfast in America. I really liked Crime of the Century, and also Crisis? What Crisis?

[@bloppysloppy2283]

The Knack were a band who were huge for a few months. In the second half of 1979 "My Sharona" and other songs were all over the radio. Their debut sold 8 MILLION. Then there was a major backlash and their rush released follow up only went gold. One of the quickest rises and falls of any artist ever that I remember.

[@maxthepupp]

Bloppy: that solo in My Sharona still shreds tho..!🤘😎🤘

[@weirdlysawbones8547]

Agree totally with that solo.

[@herrdwabash]

I am a big fan of Asia's "XXX" album from 2012. For me, their best album since their debut. 'Bury Me in Willow' is such a moving song.

[@fastcakes]

Great show as usual, I really feel Supertramp are still well liked by many, even though it's been ages since they did anything worthwhile, their best songs are timeless.

[@Brendanmthekid]

yeah rogers son WOULD say that 😀

[@soylentgreendip]

After Roger Hodgson left following Breakfast they lost alot. Cannonball was a good followup but that's it.

[@alaskatoburningmen4549]

Oh sure, timeless! Play "Logical Song" today and even kids will take notice.There is such an originality and timeless sweet melody there.

[@mikef2813]

I agree big time.

[@bobscott7440]

When Breakfast in America was released, you started hearing their earlier material on the radio. Like Dreamer, Bloody Well Right, It's Raining Again.

[@ps5392]

38 Special kinda fall into this for me too. Between 1980 and 1991 these guys had twenty one Top 50 hits in the US. They were damn big in their day. They still tour but I doubt many people recall them.

[@LarryFleetwood8675]

And they were also a very American band, so many US rock bands never charted outside the States. Everything was a lot more rooted in culture and tradition back then everywhere, compared to now.

[@dexterriley]

They are a jukebox band. Like eddie money. Soooo many catchy singles but hardly ever tour.

[@tonyhonour665]

I love them. They filled a Southern Rock hole on the back of the tragic Skynyrd plane crash but I’m not so sure about the change to mainstream rock in the 80’s.

[@realmusiklover]

What's cool is that those who care the most will dig deepest and find these great artists. They'll never be completely lost.

[@kgrant67]

Gotta raise them kids right too. I have 5 kids under 30 and they all love a lot of this stuff. Couldn't help to because I would blare it on the stereo their entire upbringing and the music is too good to ignore! Thinking of Supertramp Crime of the Century in particular

[@realmusiklover]

Just how it should be, Kyle. Crime of the Century is a stone cold classic album.

[@jeffreyflint6286]

Right on man! Ever heard of the godz?

[@realmusiklover]

I hadn't Jeffrey but checked them out. Great stuff.

[@chuckleezodiac24]

it's great that lots of teenagers are familiar with classic rock from playing Guitar Hero games and hearing movie & video game soundtracks.

[@roberthardin2133]

for consideration: Dr. Hook - top 10 hits for 8 years, songwriting help from the popular poet, Shel Silverstein, legendary for car crash drunken live shows, practically unknown now. Saga - I remember the radio hits from the early 1980s, but now they seem to be remembered as an obscure Canadian prog band. The Fixx - mid-1980s hit machine that nowadays has faded into 'does anyone remember...?' status. Social Distortion - a band that managed to rise to the top twice, once as a SoCal hardcore band, and once as a rockabilly/country/punk crossover, peaked in the 1990s, hardly mentioned now.

[@jazzpunk]

The Fixx is one of my favourite '80s bands...they recently released a new album with the core 5 guys (the 4 originals with Dan K on bass).

[@MrSmitht04]

My favorite show. Great episode again guys. Just don’t forget the weather next time lol love hearing about it from here in ga. Thanks for the great episode

[@brianseneca3546]

Martin my wife bought me your Queen complete album review for Christmas. Excited to dig into it. Its the first by you that I own! Looking forward to getting more

[@kgrant67]

That galloping guitar that comes in after the "let's go" was one of the first times I remember being totally slain by guitar tone. I remember going to a music store and seeing a glossy black les paul and imagine wailing that riff on it. I just went back and looked at the video and he's not play a les paul lol

[@guylanglois1802]

I love his riot book swords and tequila

[@simonbarsinister8854]

My wife bought me his UFO book this Christmas; I'm excited to get into it as well. Finishing up another book still, however.

[@skybluemarshall]

I've found that Supertramp is an easy sell to new and younger audiences. The high pitched vocals, the beautiful melodies, the focus on piano, keys and sax, the emotional depth of the lyrics and their overall catchy-ness and quirky-ness is irresistible. They definitely get more "Who is this?" responses than the Jam Band appeal of Frampton. Supertramp covered a lot of ground, ranging from Prog Rock to Pop to a certain "genre sais quoi" blend of styles. Yes, I just now coined a new term for this comment 😄 But, if we contrast Supertramp's unique, popular and commercially viable sound with someone like Frampton, it becomes more clear why many newer listeners might find Supertramp more interesting. Frampton's personal experience, oriented lyrics and his Jazz/Blues/Rock influenced guitar style fit in perfectly with the popular live Jam Band styles of mid-70s Rock. He caught lightning in a bottle, and his Comes Alive album was the stuff of legends. Young girls loved his looks and his music's intimate peek into the daily experience and the love life of a Rock star. Guys loved his impressive jamming and guitar skills. But, his big mainstream appeal only lasted for a few years. Supertramp had a wider appeal than Frampton's Jam Band appeal, which was carried by a small handful of big mainstream hits. Supertramp sustained their mainstream success and relevance from 1974 through the mid-80s which wasn't easy to do. Frampton, like many other 70s Rock bands, became a great live nostalgia act, who struggled to chart records in the following decade.

[@robertwatt4248]

Yeah, can't really agree with Supertramp. They still get a lot of airplay in the UK, Roger Hodgson still plays big venues when he bothers to tour. If they where to reform and release an album and tour it they would be playing arenas and the album would no doubt sell very very well globally.

[@skybluemarshall]

@Terrence's Classic Rock Corner Podcast You are strengthening my point. I chose to focus on their album success, but the point remains the same. Supertramp was very successful for over 10 years, because their music is more accessible and timeless than the majority of Frampton's stuff. But, in Frampton's defense, he nearly died in a car accident in 1978 which affected the trajectory of his career. I think that we tend to focus too much on the successful bands like the Rolling Stones who managed to chart albums in 6 consecutive decades. We say, what happened to these other artists who disappeared after 5 to 10 years of successful? That's the wrong question. We should be asking how do bands like The Stones do it? They are the freaks of nature. Not the standard. It's typical for hit bands and artists to remain very successful for only about 10 years max. Hit bands disappearing from the charts and become lesser known touring artists after 10 years is the rule for great success, not the exception.

[@pablocruise9514]

Frampton got oversold. He was on TV and in that horrible Sgt Peppers movie. The followup album had a horrible cover and the title song was sugary sweet. He really blew it. The live album was great.

[@skybluemarshall]

@@pablocruise9514 He was definitely a victim of overexposure. Hey, these would be some good topics for Sea of Tranquility: Worst album covers of all time and artists with the worst album covers for an entire career. I think that Frampton would probably make my career list, because so many of his album covers are either pretty lame or totally forgettable. There are a few that are just very average "No big deal", Rock album covers and no single Frampton album screams out, "Worst ever! However, the majority are pretty bad when you look at his entire catalog. He might not be high on the Career Bad Album Covers List, but he deserves at least an honorable mention for only having a range that goes from, "Well, it's not terrible" to "Whoa! That's bad!"

[@wolf1977]

@@skybluemarshall I can't get that hung up on the covers, my main focus is on the actual music. Covers are (or at least were) fun to look at especially the full size vinyl covers. I have maybe 8-10 different books about album covers including one that specifically dals with 'the worst album covers ever' & I can tell you that none of Frampton's are in the running for 'worst', or worst covers over an entire career. There are some HIDEOUS covers from the 60's by folk/faith/gospel bands, check out Brainstorm's Smile A While cover (good album though), The Handsome Beasts, Kevin Rowland, Johnny Guitar Watson, a bunch of 'Blaxploitation'-based covers by various artists...The list is almost endless, makes any Frampton cover look like Hipgnosis by comparison

[@danjohnson4082]

Hair metal bands like RATT and Quiet Riot were big arena headliners and media darlings in the 80s. Now they've been stuck in clubs, bars and state fairs for decades.

[@oumgia5643]

I never hear of Quiet Riot, but Ratt plays on bar radios, and Ratt doesn't seem to carry such an absurd idea as Riot became.

[@trickyric67]

Quiet riot was a cover band and their singer is dead. Ratt was in the spotlight for about 5 min.. I would say Men at work was much bigger for a brief moment..

[@jimmyagates]

@@trickyric67 I'm not sure a 6 year run could be described as 5 minutes....

[@trickyric67]

@@jimmyagates In that annals of music history Ratt had 2 really successful album both making it to #7 in 1984 and 85. they never had a to 10 song on the charts either... so yeah, a short run

[@trickyric67]

@@jimmyagates Quiet riot was a cover band. they had 1 song that was an original hit. also had a 2 year run 1983 and 84. While metal health was a #1 album.. it was based on a Slade song.. so yeah, in the view of the music industry they had a tiny run.. band that are remembered in history are not known for a cover song.. and last decades not 5 or 6 years of notoriety off 1 or 2 albums.

[@malco49]

not sure steve miller is forgotten as much as he just blended into the woodwork. he pulled off one of the greatest tricks in rock and roll , he was hugely popular but unrecognizable. he could be standing next you in line at the market and you would have no idea who it was.

[@wolf1977]

He was never flashy & I've read somewhat self-concious about his weight/appearance, so that probably contributed to keeping his image out of the limelight somewhat in that he didn't seek out the photographers like many rock stars do

[@gregbowden1552]

Steve Miller brought a bicycle on tour and would ride around the parking lot with everybody tailgating before his show, very few people even gave him a second look.

[@bobscott7440]

A lot of great songs. Abra Cadabra, The Joker. And a bunch of others.

[@johnmartyn9018]

Even as a child Steve Miller was recognized as a young budding guitar talent by Les Paul, if I’m not mistaken

[@richardmay8153]

The death of Top 40 AM radio is a major factor in many of the band's discussed, especially Three Dog Night. The oldie rock stations used to keep the Top 40 hits alive. But the oldie stations have updated to the FM seventies and eighties hits today. So there is now nowhere in America to hear Status Quo's first, and only American, hit "Pictures of Matchstick Men."

[@johndentry9622]

Great show guys. I'd love to see a show of bands who were huge in America but didn't sell a dime in the UK (and vice versa).

[@morebeer7673]

Huge in UK but not in the US - Suede. in 92 they were voted best new band by NME and became HUGE in the UK. For their debut album US tour, the Cranberries actually opened for them. When the 2nd album, Dog Man Star, was released they booked an American tour and cancelled most of it after only a handful of dates. I had Tix to see them in Houston and was crushed when they cancelled. Band continued to release fantastic albums, but never came back to US shores and is virtually unknown here.

[@jamesdean9183]

The Swingin’ Medallions were one of the biggest party bands of the 1960s, and even outsold the Beatles and Rolling Stones with their hit “Double Shot Of My Baby’s Love.” The legendary James Brown convinced the Smash record label to sign the band, and Bruce Springsteen himself cited the Swingin’ Medallions as an influence and invited them onstage to perform with him in 2009. They also served as the entertainment for Frank Sinatra’s daughter’s birthday party. They still perform to this day, despite not really being recognized outside of the American southeast

[@bloppysloppy2283]

Funny you mention the Swingin' Medallions. I was rockin' out to "Double Shot" on The Retro Attic internet station yesterday. That's the only song I know by them. That Farfisa riff is infectious.

[@jamesdean9183]

@@bloppysloppy2283 Glad you like them!! They are from my hometown of Greenwood South Carolina so I’ve met a few of the members personally and they are some really awesome dudes! The “Double Shot” album cover photo was taken at a church just five minutes from my house so me and my family have recreated that photo a few times :)

[@5noo5]

Watched your video, closed youtube, open up facebook and the first thing i see is the cover of “Frampton comes alive” and a text that says this album turns 47. Big brother is watching. Noce one bruva!

[@garyjoyce2160]

For the record, Martin said. What the experts would say. In my personal opinion, MARTIN and PETE are experts. 👍💯

[@robertklimczak2207]

I think most bands out there would give their left nut to have the long career that Steve Miller had, whether you're remembered today or not. Great show once again.

[@michaeleaster1815]

In Atlantic Canada, the following bands are commonly played on mainstream rock radio: Loverboy, Supertramp, Peter Frampton, and Steve Miller Band. They may not pass the "50 people in the street" test but I suspect a lot of people would recognize some songs.

[@powrnap]

John Mellencamp - consider he had 15 albums that went gold & platinum, and 48 songs (!!) that were top forty sales or radio hits, he is largely forgotten.

[@wolf1977]

Not sure if he's forgotten but his 2017 Sad Clowns & Hillbillies wasn't bad, and the following year's Other People's Stuff has a few good tracks. He also put out Strictly a One-Eyed Jack this year which hit #30 on the US Billboard charts but I wasn't crazy about that one

[@capt.animosiac5093]

Strictly a One-Eyed Jack no offense was laughable especially that single where Springsteen helps him out. 😖

[@wolf1977]

@@capt.animosiac5093 Yeah I didn't like it much either

[@simplechronology2605]

@@wolf1977 These days, you only have to sell about 100 units to make #30 on Billboard.

[@AngryCalvin]

@ MagicCarpetRideShareProject Yeah his music has been overplayed for decades until this day where I live.

[@johnmichaelwilliams6694]

Popoff and Pardo are at it again with a fascinating talk about bands that were in the big-time once but now are in the shadows of history, if remembered at all. Many of their choices came to mind when the divulged the title - particularly Martin's choice of Three Dog Night - a band which I saw in concert two or three times (great live shows and vocal performances), and Pete's choice of Supertramp - a band for which I share his fondness but many don't seem to know who they are. Without giving it a lot of deep thought, will show my age by digging back into the 60's and mentiong a British invasion group called The Dave Clark 5, or DC4. A band which had 14 UK Top 40 singles t0 1967 and 17 US Top 40 singles. Catchy songs and some good stuff in its time but shadowed by the lads of Liverpool and other acts of the time. And depending on criteria, Vanilla Fudge had a couple of big radio hits for awhile during thier first incarnation in the late 60s and were popular in concert for their long songs [see Break Song on the album Near The Beginning] and covers of other songs [You Keep Me Hanging On originally made popular by The Supremes from Motown]/ Fascinating show, gents. Particularly the bit at the end when you take up the issue Led Zeppelin of what bands will actually be remembered as time marches on. Everything changes. Thanks again, gents. There ya go!

[@jimmycampbell78]

I hope Led Zeppelin are forgotten so they can go back to being a band that ‘belong’ to me again rather than ‘the’ quintessential classic rock band 🤣 the reason being, when you’re a fan of a band I can’t tell you how irritating it is when people call them overrated or metalheads say they are ‘too bluesy’. Well no sh!t guys, they were formed out of the British 60s blues rock scene and they were slightly pre-Sabbath and pre-Judas Priest. Then the clowns who look into them for 5 minutes say “did you know, they plagiarised blues and folk artists, they are not that great actually”, p!ss off yes I did know that, I followed them for over 30 years now and learned lots about them, they are one of my favourite bands and nothing you could say to me on that topic could change my opinion about liking the music. I am not interested in your halfwit 5 minute retrospective opinion. So yes I would not mind Zeppelin being forgotten and the hangers on, bandwagon jumpers and casual critics p!ssing off. That would be great. Apologies for my impromptu rant at imaginary LZ critics on your thread 🤣

[@treff9226]

Oh yeah, you simply hit the target with this post! If you can't, or won't, get over your red ass jealousy of the mighty ZEP, with ridiculous plagarism rants, and Page being constantly sloppy on stage and Plants trouser snake dwarfing yours, and too much wankery going on - songs are too long....blah blah blah! For those who aren't big fans, music is subjective, we are all different music listeners, obviously, but when I see or hear people throwing shade on Zeps musicianship, creativity, chemistry .....fuckin' ludicrous and any value your opinion might have had is now gone! There are bands I don't care for, don't do it for me, but I can still recognize their playing ability and appreciate the level of imagination and creativity! So the next time I read some chuckle head's juvenile attempt to rebel against the overwhelming popularity and appreciation for Led Zep I'm gonna unleash the beast. P.S. Jimmy Page IS music🎸🎸🎸!

[@chuckleezodiac24]

@@jimmycampbell78 led zepelin are overrated ripoffs who did steal songs from blues artists without giving them credit. Wolfmother and Greta Van Fleet are better.

[@michaeleaster1815]

1:06:50 It is hard to predict revivals but they can be big and lasting. Bach's reputation declined until 80 years after his death, when Mendelssohn championed his music. The rag-time tune "The Entertainer" exploded back into mainstream when used in the film "The Sting" in the 1970s. It is entirely plausible that Led Zep has a resurgence 100 years from now, with people wondering what a concert must have been like, the same way we wonder what it was like to hear Bach at the organ. Great discussion!

[@Rocker1983]

Steve Miller Band still gets a lot of airplay on classic rock radio here in Wisconsin. The fact that he was from West Allis probably has something to do with it. The first time a saw them I was 19 or 20. It was an outdoors show at Alpine Valley. The played for almost 4 hours. The first half was all the greatest hits stuff. Then they did an hour and a half of psychedelic blues. Fantastic show! Made me a fan for life.

[@jgsrhythm100]

He gets a lot of Airplay on Classic Rock Station Nationwide. Same deal here in Boston

[@jazzpunk]

WOW! Love Three Dog Night...still!!! "Out On The Country"...love it! Impressed with Martin's collection of TDN LPs. Well done!

[@matttman425]

I was a 3rd grader when Loverboy hit in America. They were played frequently on the radio at that time and “Working for the Weekend” became a classic rock staple. What’s weird is that the singles chart doesn’t reflect their popularity for some reason. “Working for the Weekend” only got to #29. As for the others, “Turn Me Loose” only got to #35, “The Kid is Hot Tonite” only got to #55, “When It’s Over” only got to #26. They did get a couple top 10 hits a few years later, but those first songs seem like they should have been a lot bigger in the U.S.

[@jacquelinec.6785]

Loverboy continues to Tour in 2023 ▪️ They are a Great Live Band❗Yes! Huge Songs ☑️

[@floatingincornishskies]

i live in the UK and was into music big time in the 70's and 80's but ive never heard of Loveboy, did i miss anything ?

[@morebeer7673]

@@jacquelinec.6785 My band opened for Loverboy in 97. Their management were dicks and wouldn't even let us set up on the stage. Had to play off to the side,

[@thekivster]

It’s sad that Supertramp is here because they’re so good. I think most Classic Rock fans still like the hits like Give A Little Bit and they have a pretty decent monthly listeners amount on Spotify.

[@realmusiklover]

I think Supertramp are best when you listen to the albums through, rather than hearing the occasional song on radio. Crime, Crisis and Quietest Moments are exceptional.

[@kgrant67]

I have turned Supertramp on to at least a dozen folks under 30.

[@thekivster]

@@miketheyunggod2534 I’m agreeing with him

[@supertrooper6879]

Strange. I keep hearing Supertramp on the generalistic commercial radios all the time around Europe. People may not know their name, but recognize all the big hits.

[@alaskatoburningmen4549]

@@supertrooper6879 Absolutely, timeless, enduring songs, whenever played, people will take notice.

[@petebrown3715]

As usual Martin and Pete another outstanding episode. I had older brothers who turned me on to Frampton, Steve Miller etc. I remember the triple bill in the early 80's was 38 special, Lover Boy and Night Ranger. The other triple bill would be Lover Boy, 38 Special and Billy Squirer.

[@Rabant777]

Just got back from a friend's house and her 18 year old son brought out some of his recent acquisitions. His mum and dad were teenagers in the 90s, yet the son is buying: Van Morrison; Hall & Oates; Dire Straits and Led Zeppelin ..... so many routes to discover music.

[@sspbrazil]

The La’s come to mind, one brilliant album and then done, John Power left to form Cast which was quite successful, but Lee Mavers never got over the fact he could not deal with being happy with the outcome of the La’s album, stating he wishes it would have been finished. Lol. Now he just lives off the royalties of “There She Goes” and has performed occasionally over the years. The Stone Roses was another band, brilliant first album that influenced tons of bands and artists, an uneven second album and then done. I was lucky to see them perform at MSG on their reunion tour back about 5 years ago, great show.

[@jlcougilljr]

great show Pete & Martin! it's a totally valid question regarding The Beatles and Led Zep and God forbid that time would forget them, or Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen and less we forget the King Of Rock N" Roll ELVIS, since Elvis really has left the building, but the King's estate along with Jimi's make more revenue since their passing than when they were actually alive and tens of thousands STILL make the pilgrimage to Graceland every single year. thank God that there is and hopefully will always be that super hardcore segment of fans that will continue to pass it down to their children and so on and so on. i beleive and it has always seemed to me that it all goes in cycles every 20 years or so, what was once hip is not so and visa versa, BUT, with the advances in technolgy over the decades i have a little comfort in knowing the true greats will always be noticed and held in reverence-i hope.. i think long after we are gone there will always be someone that will see and love the true greats along and with musicians themselves will always pass down all of the original rightous riffs and songs! but also, with great shows like this -it also educates and keeps alive all of the truly GREAT artists and bands that have blessed our musical worlds,so we always have that as well for keeping the faith and the spirit alive and ksicking that proverbial ass!

[@wolf1977]

I no longer listen to FM radio (for music) but I have a hard time believing that actual 'classic rock' stations are not still playing Zep/Hendrix/VH/The Beatles on a regular basis. If not them (and others like them) then what else would they play? To cut out bands like that from their play rotation would to me invalidate their 'classic rock' moniker & make them into something different. I guess every new generation could relabel/redefine what 'classic rock' means to them but I don't think I've ever heard a teenager or twenty-something refer to those bands as anything other than classic rock

[@johnkatsoudas4767]

Pat Benatar was extremely huge from the late 70's to 1988. Other than her recently getting inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame, she has not been popular for over three decades. She is still a phenomenal singer. Some other bands that were huge or more well known at one time are R.E.M, Krokus, Van Halen ( Sammy Hagar era), Europe, Loverboy, Billy Squier, Collective Soul, and Matchbox 20.

[@nsgobbi]

Man I must have listened to “Fire and Ice” a billion times and I still like it 😂.

[@christopherdavies3079]

If R.E.M reformed they could sellout a tour

[@supertrooper6879]

REM are still big in Europe. If they reformed, they would sell out stadiums.

[@bryankafka2952]

How great would that be. They just did a 40 year anniversary of Chronic Town, but no Michael Stipe.

[@christopherdavies3079]

@@bryankafka2952 Michael Stipe is releasing a solo album this year

[@frankperry1111]

Went to a 3 Dog Night Concert in Mobile Alabama in 1971 with a group of Air Force buddies from Keesler AFB in Biloxi, Mississippi. Great concert. I do several cover songs from their greatest hits lineup at open mics. Not forgotten with me.

[@armbreaker]

The nineties might have been a crazy time, but compared to now it was an awesome time. I'll take the nineties styles over the 80's any day.

[@canesvenatici4259]

It must have felt like a more hopeful time in the West of the 1990s, compared to what you'd just went through in the 80s, with Thatcher, Reagan and all. Not to mention the end of the Cold War!

[@supertrooper6879]

My 2 cents. Music in the 80s was about having fun since we lived in shitty times. The 90s were much better and there was hope but music was depressing (Nirvana, anyone?)

[@armbreaker]

@@supertrooper6879 Just my opinion, but for the most part the music in the 80's completely lost the rough edge sound of the 70's, I mean the guitar tone alone was way to polishied as in hair bands, then the drums lost their sound as in ZZ Top for example. I think the 90's were a nice comeback to a more pure hard edge sound such as Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, and yes even Nirvana, in their early days the Smashing Pumpkins were pretty heavy also. As far as the downer sound yes it was popular then and yes I liked it, but their were also bands like Three Days Grace that still had that sound but for the most part tried to give courage to not give up on life in their lyrics. I think the Grunge sound was basically the heaviness of the 70's with a 90's touch.

[@luciusblackwood2640]

I watched that Woodstock 99 documentary that just came out and at one point Creed brought out Robby Krieger to jam on a Doors song and the crowd had no idea who he was or who the Doors were and could have cared less. And that was 1999!

[@morebeer7673]

My band opened for Robby in 2001 in a small club in north Houston. Good crowd for a tiny place. Robby's band was great!

[@noheamike5036]

Supertramp was a top 5 all time concert for me. Amazing live.

[@andrewbell2712]

Wow. That band, with two keyboard players, wrote songs as good as the Beatles best songs. "Take the Long Way Home," "The Logical Song," and "Breakfast in America," are all sublime. No guitarists in the band though. Just Rick Davies on vocals and pianer, and Rodger Hodgson on vocals and pianer. Technically, Hodgson plays guitar. But, wow. Too many pianoes spoil the soup. But could those guys write, pound the keys, and sing. Great album cover too, on Breakfast in America.

[@randyharbaugh7819]

@@andrewbell2712 One of their most popular songs is driven by Rodger's 12 string, Give a Little Bit, Sister Moonshine is 12 string oriented as well, he plays strong electric leads on Bloody Well Right and Goodbye Stranger and this is just their most popular tracks that the average person is familiar with.

[@mikef2813]

Yes. Agreed.

[@jerrywoods4066]

@@andrewbell2712 as the Beatles? No way .

[@jerrywoods4066]

@@randyharbaugh7819 never like their music but did love bloody right.

[@chrisdietz1110]

So many great memories. Other forgotten bands the Byrds(original lineup), the Animals, Berlin, the Pretenders, Foghat, the Guess Who, Peter Green's original Fleetwood Mac, Triumph, Toto, Huey Lewis and the News, Greg Kihn Band, Kansas, BTO, The Blues Bros., Paul Revere and the Raiders, Poco, REO Speedwagon, Styx, Traffic. So many more.

[@Bigchet1223]

Actually I'm a bigger fan of the byrds later stuff. Everyone knows mr.tambourine man, turn turn turn and 8 miles high. I like the Clarence white era. Kind of a country rock sound. Of course they did that album with Graham parsons. People need to explore their catalog more. Chestnut mare, Jesus is just alright, drug store truck driving man etc. Good stuff.

[@chrisdietz1110]

@@Bigchet1223 pity Clarence White passed so young. They were interesting in the later years to me, but the early years blew me away. Did you hear the new Tom Petty live set (4 cd version), which featured Roger doing some Byrds tunes with Petty, it was pretty cool.

[@cheezhead6007]

Alan Parsons is still giganticly huge internationally. You just only here three or four songs on AOR classic rock. I was lucky to have met him twice. Sobeit. His goal( and Eric Woolfsons equally) for the Alan Parsons Project was the and make interesting music( the birth of the concept album) he didn't give a s*** about being on the radio to begin with. He disagreed with who was chosen to sing on the hit songs. It was all about the search for audio perfection... and that's what he hit ever since Darkside and his continued

[@jamessnow4871]

Alan Parsons Project was not the birth of the concept album.

[@davidrehm9681]

Haven't got thru the whole episode yet but The Edgar Winter Group is one. Had several big hits and was huge for a few years. My first concert as a kid was Edgar Winter on the Shock Treatment tour, in Philadelphia at the great Spectrum...I think I was 7. My mom and uncle took me. Rick Derringer even did songs from All American Boy.

[@wtglb]

Saw Edgar open for Alice Cooper/Deep Purple (there’s a band for this list) several years ago, he was fantastic!!

[@haferstenproductions3515]

Hootie and the Blowfish is the perfect example of this phenomenon

[@trickyric67]

didn't they break up? or at least go on extended hiatus? They had 1 huge album. I don't think the bands mentioned in this video were forgotten.. I think they had limited time in the spot light.. Bands like Van Halen, The Who or AC/DC had 20 years of huge albums.

[@treff9226]

Right, these bands were good, not necessarily great or influential, Loverboy, Soul Asylum, good musicians but not groundbreaking.

[@garygennaro6029]

Darrius Rucker went Country. He's great.

[@trickyric67]

@@garygennaro6029 agreed

[@kimberlywalker3970]

I was in grad school at the time they were huge. My roommate was a huge fan. Me, not so much.

[@brianseneca3546]

Frampton was a casualty of Sgt Pepper curse. Aerosmith, Peter, Alice Cooper and the Bee Gees all tanked for a period of time after that movie. I remember seeing it in the theaters and even as I kid with the exception of the Future Villian Band I was like WTF!?

[@wolf1977]

I saw it in theaters & I liked it. It was cool to see some of those rock stars in different settings. I also have the soundtrack - yes the Steve Martin & George Burns Beatles 'covers' are pretty bad but I love Earth Wind & Fire, Aerosmith, Frampton, Billy Preston...Came out the same year as The Wiz, talk about a stinker! I still can't watch that one...

[@brianseneca3546]

@@wolf1977 I had the soundtrack too. My band still does the Aerosmith version of Cometogether. And Earth Wind and Fire were awesome. It was just a weird movie

[@abdulbasheer2207]

Also I think Martin is right in that Peter's music is very generic with no genre to attach to. After the live album, his music got found out but yes, Sgt Pepper really didnt help.

[@Bigchet1223]

Surprised nobody mentioned this.

[@Bigchet1223]

Still like Frampton comes alive. Great album. But I think his studio releases just lacked something.

[@robertmac9057]

A really interesting discussion. Gillan are another band who seem to have been forgotten by history. They didn't crack the US but were really big in the UK and some of Europe in the late seventies/early eighties with hit singles, top ten albums and a very popular live band. Planet Rock radio in the UK is always playing Purple/Rainbow/Whitesnake, but you hardly ever hear Gillan.

[@63mckenzie]

I saw Gillan many times. Fantastic band. Colin Towns now does a lot of film and TV music.

[@robertmac9057]

@@63mckenzie Yes I was a huge fan at the time and have all their albums. Colin Towns has forged a really good composing career, including doing the Doc Martin music.

[@delorangeade]

I think that Gillan might be a difficult band to pigeonhole, or programme for radio, because they didn't really sound or look like anyone else. They were very much an anomaly, albeit a band I liked a lot. And Ian Gillan hasn't shown much interest in keeping the legacy of the band alive, the other members of the band didn't achieve lasting prominence in rock and roll, whereas elements of Whitesnake and Rainbow have kept on going over the years.

[@63mckenzie]

@@robertmac9057 Not many rock concerts have the keyboard player doing Gershwin's Rhapsody In Blue during his solo piece!

[@angelomicciche3044]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh come on everybody take a trip with me🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@dtltmtgt]

Three Dog Night was one of my first bands. I was probably around 5 or 6 years old. I listened to my Dad's copy of "It Ain't Easy" a ton. I still like "Woman" and "Eli's Coming".

[@markc5771]

A ton of great material: Never Been To Spain, Sure As I'm Sitting Here, The Show Must Go On, Shambala, Black and White... the list is endless

[@Rockerlady]

It is scary how '90s bands are considered "classic rock" now! A local LA radio station that used to play "oldies" by groups like The Beatles and The Four Tops now plays No Doubt, Green Day, Bon Jovi, etc. Oldies?? Damn

[@wolf1977]

@@Rockerlady I think there are a few FM stations in my area (CT) that are like that but I don't think they refer to themselves as 'classic rock', or at least they qualify their format as "playing the hits of the 70's 80's & 90's...". So at least you know what you're getting and 'actual' classic rock is still in the mix too. I don't listen to them though...

[@jerrywoods4066]

Yeah when I was a little kid some of the first 45s I bought were three dog night and Tommy James and the shondells

[@drmidnight680-kz2le]

​@@markc5771"Liar" was great

[@aleccopile]

Richard Marx is one of those artists who people like to call a "has been". In my opinion he is underrated as a singer and as a songwriter. I saw him live in concert a few months ago and he still sounds damn good 👍. He can write in many styles from pop, rock, hard rock, country and rnb. While he was big as an artist in the 80s, but commercial success waned in the mid-90s, he continued to have number one hits as a songwriter for years.

[@derekwilliams1660]

Richard Marx wrote "Edge Of A Broken Heart" by Vixen,good song!

[@johnkatsoudas4767]

I saw him ten years ago and it was one of the best shows I have ever been to. It was just him with an acoustic guitar and piano. He had a Christmas song that came out ten years ago or so called Christmas Spirit. If that song came out in the 80'd or early 90's, it would have been an extremely huge hit.

[@stephenbrown4211]

I saw him live supporting Stevie Nicks. Man can he rock

[@davej.meister5421]

Richard's first smash pop hit Don't Mean Nothing (a mid-tempo rocker featuring Joe Walsh on lead and slide guitar) was a #1 Album Rock hit. Most classic rock stations have kind of erased that statistic, by refusing to play it. His 1989 #1 pop smash hit Satisfied peaked at #5 on the Album Rock chart. No airplay at all on classic rock radio. The poor guy has become invisible to most classic rock radio station program directors.

[@bobfrapples1208]

@@johnkatsoudas4767 Interesting considering that he is viciously anti-Christian.

[@kimberlywalker3970]

Happy New Year Martin and Pete. I'll go out on a limb and say this is honestly one of the best shows you guys have ever put together. The funny thing is most of you have taken my picks, but I have a few left. I was in college during the 90s and I remember all these bands you and the commenters have mentioned, Spin Doctors, Hootie and the Blowfish, Creed, Dave Matthews, Soul Asylum and Blues Traveler, etc. Who you didn't mention however is even more telling, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Soundgarden and AIC. You guys love to hate grunge, but people thirty years later still know who Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Nirvana and AIC are. The 80s are interesting though. A lot of acts that were huge that aren't huge anymore like Huey Lewis and the News, Loverboy, Culture Club, Mr. Mister, Survivor, Night Ranger, The Outfield, Fine Young Cannibals, The English Beat, Simple Minds, Men at Work, The Little River Band I could go on. Recently, I've discovered the brilliance of Billy Squier and T-Rex. Don't Say No and Electric Warrior are wonderful albums BTW. The only names I can think of who aren't on anyone's list are ELO, The Eurythmics, Samantha Fox, Terrence Trent D'arby and Air Supply. I would've also included Roxy Music, but Martin beat me to it.😉

[@davej.meister5421]

I just listened to the song Home And Dry by the late Gerry Rafferty. He has 5 Top 40 hits, but all you ever hear on the radio anymore is Baker Street. At one point in time Gerry was all over the radio. Some even mistook his songs for Barry Manilow's. I was one. And nowadays even Barry all is but somewhat forgotten. Anyone ever hear him on the radio today?

[@56SteveJones2009]

Great topic! Thanks guys:)

[@stevenleblanc9628]

I learnt some things. “Puff, the magic dragon” was an important song for Martin. I think “Puff” is the song that changed my life. I was around 6 when it was a hit on the radio. A powerful, powerful song for a kid around the mid 60s. Other thing is 3 Dog Night were early favourites of Martin. 3DN are the band that brought me into the world of LPs. I heard 3DN because they had hit after hit on the radio, but I really got into them when a friend played me Golden Bisquits and Captured At the Forum. I had seen records before, but that was the first time I realized the Rock I heard on radio came off vinyl. 3DN opened a whole new world for me and they have always been one of my most loved bands. In the past few years I’ve managed to get most of their essential albums on CD with the original (mini) covers, except for one that eludes me, Harmony. I’m glad Martin brought them up with this show's subject because they are a perfect fit. For years I’ve been amazed over how could such a big band in their day be all but forgotten. Why the group is forgotten today, I think, is largely due to drug abuse. They fell apart due to drugs, and then the continued drug addition of one of the main guys caused power struggles in the band that hurt them at a time they could have rebuilt and been successful on AOR radio. People today would know them better even if they didn’t write their own songs, had they been putting out hits in the 80s. No reason why they couldn't have done that, had they gotten their sh*t together.

[@MartinPopoff]

Some rock star I interview cited that exact same song - I think w'ere onto something.

[@davidwatson3344]

Great show and interesting topic. The first music act that comes to mind for me is Billy Idol. He was huge in the early, mid eighties. His "Rebel Yell" album was on the charts for well over a year, had multiple radio hits, and should be regarded as one of the great classic rock albums but nobody talks about "Rebel Yell". He did a few albums after, that were not nearly as successful and we pretty much haven't much about him for some time.

[@wolf1977]

His 2022 EP The Cage (with Steve Stevens) is good & follows 2021's The Roadside EP (not as good). I liked all 4 tracks. I believe he's currently on a European tour. I know he played some shows in the US late last year

[@davidwatson3344]

@@wolf1977 Thanks for the info. I'll give those EP's a listen.

[@Intermentor]

Was on a hardrock/metal pub today and they played Gorky Park (Russian hardrock band). They had songs like Moscow Calling and Bang. They was quite huge here in Europe between 1989 - 1992. And nobody talked about them anymore. I was 15 in 89. A friend of mine that also was on the pub never heard about them, and she is 6 years younger than me.

[@Rockerlady]

I remember it was big news when they came out, a band from Russia. Similar with Loudness from Japan. .

[@kevinturchin]

My brother had their CD. If I remember right there was some sort of Bon Jovi connection.

[@MorryB]

@@Rockerlady There was a Russian 'Autograph' band too. Don't recall any songs from them, but being from behind the Iron curtain was a novelty in those days. Looking back, Japan had a huge music scene of Rock, Punk and Metal in the 80s but Loudness were the main focus for some reason. Maybe because they were the most commercial sounding or had the right image.

[@Intermentor]

@@MorryB Love Loudness. Thunder in the east, Lightning Strikes and Hurricane Eyes are albums I often return to

[@DJDOGG31]

Lover Boy staple music when I was in high school. Pete nailed the perception of people from that era. I do remember the guitar player was really good live. “Everybody’s workin for the weekend” was a Friday song and still is IMO. LOL

[@bengthertzman9918]

Thank you for a very interesting episode and discussion! I think there are different reasons why people forget a band/artist. The main reason is probably that the time goes by and most people only listen to "pop" music or music that is popular during a certain time during their life, often when they are young. Then they do other things. Most of us that follow this excellent chanel or some similar are really interested in music and often follow our favourite bands during many years and also curious enough to find new music but we are in a minority! And then I think it comes to the songs and also like you said the personalitys. A good song seldom dies and I think there will be classical guitarists playing Beatles songs long after we are gone. There are many other bands/singers I think will live on through their music and new people finding them, Black Sabbath, Queen, Eagles, Kinks, Who, Steely Dan, Pink Floyd, Rolling Stones, Steve Wonder, Beach Boys, Heart, Carole King, Aretha Franklin, Emmylou Harris, etc. As you said many of the female singer/songwiters are sadly forgotten very soon while others are played over and over again. Some of the most underrated and forgotten are Laura Nyro, Janis Ian, Carly Simon and maybe even Joni Mitchell. Then there is one more factor, media. I don´t know how it is in the US but in Sweden and the radio chanels that still exist many of the producers totally lacks fantasy, the same artists are played over and over again and often the same songs also. In the newspapers almost nobody writes about music anymore and it is the same on the television, almost no conserts or music documentarys at all. So most people not have a chance to find new (or old!) interesting music So keep on Pete, Martin and all your musical friends! You are needed!

[@treff9226]

Joni Mitchell forgotten? I don't see that, she is treasured and beloved, and many, many musicians site her as possessing supernatural talent! I put her with Aretha as the single greatest female rock and roll artist of all time - supreme singer, writer, guitarist! Carly Simon still played often on radio and her undeniable voice and writing ability will keep her in the discussion when it comes to singer/songwriters. Cheers!

[@bengthertzman9918]

@@treff9226 Sorry, I was a little inexplicit. I meant that Joni and many more female singer/songwriters are almost not played in mainstream media anymore (in my home country Sweden). We are many that love her music and respect her. The same with Carly Simon and others.

[@treff9226]

@@bengthertzman9918 right on, brother! And thank you a thousand times for ALL THE AMAZING MUSIC COMING FROM SWEDEN!!! IT IS COMPLETELY MIND BLOWING HOW MANY INCREDIBLE MUSIC ARTISTS/BANDS YOU GUYS DELIVER TO THE WORLD!!! Sweden rocks🤘🎸🤘🎸🤘

[@georgierockwood2355]

when I was working in a record store in 1980 we had the Loverboy album in the New Wave section cause of their look on the 1st album & the 1st album did have a so called New Wave vibe to it & sum of the New Wave clubs in Fla were playing Turn Me Loose & The Kid Is Hot Tonite..

[@lemming9984]

The Rainmakers were a band that were on the cusp of being really big, then had a long break for family reasons. They made a four more albums (which were better than their earlier ones), which sadly didn't get much attention, and now they now just do a few gigs in their native Kansas.

[@tatedavis2016]

What a terrific band they are/were. They were always big in Norway.

[@lemming9984]

@@tatedavis2016 Yep, I saw that final gig in Norway on KZbin. I liked them from the first album, but never got to see them live.

[@DadE.O.Records]

Glad I'm not the only Rainmakers fan in the world. But sometimes it feels like it

[@LarryFleetwood8675]

Curiously enough, the band Kansas had a song called "Rainmaker".

[@kimberlywalker3970]

I grew up in Kansas City and remember that KY-102 was a big promoter of this band. I wondered what happened to them too?!

[@arichison]

Great channel, great information. You guys know your stuff! Thanks man, keep rockin.

[@locogermanico]

The Sweet - They where huge in the 70s. So many Number 1 Songs. You dont hear them often anymore.

[@rockinvida1960]

Mick Tucker - great fuckin’ drummer!

[@lemming9984]

They're all dead apart from Mick Tucker!!

[@angelomicciche3044]

Remembered for Glam but they also played heavy rock!

[@kenm.3512]

@@lemming9984 Andy Scott is the surviving member of Sweet. He's the guitar player. Sadly, Mick Tucker and Steve Priest passed away fairly recently. Brian Connoly was the first to pass. They had some really good songs. Several classics. Cheers.

[@kenm.3512]

@UCP6HFkPnKVCTlNhW5w2oaBQ Definitely. Dave was terrific. They deserved more than they got. Take heart, rock history is littered with talented people who were greater than most would know. Unfortunately. Cheers

[@carl-johanfougstedt199]

Great discussion as usual! This is an interesting topic. When Martin mentioned Soul Asylum, I started to think about Spin Doctors. These two bands were big at approximately the same time. Who knows Spin Doctors anymore? And who knows Crash Test Dummies? And what about Alannah Myles? The Alan Parsons Project is a fascinating case study because the music sort of lives on without people generally knowing that they are listening to The Alan Parsons Project. I refer to that entrance song ( intro of a song/instrumental? ) which was used by Chicago Bulls at least in the nineties. The documentary called The Last Dance hit big a few years ago and that same entrance song were used there too. In addition I´ve heard that same song ( or passage of a song ) in sport events even at the present time.

[@guessundheit6494]

The Spin Doctors were a derivative Steve Miller ripoff, very little original in their sound. "Sirius" is the APP instrumental you're thinking of, but "Lucifer" (from the album "Eve") is even better.

[@carl-johanfougstedt199]

@@guessundheit6494 Spin Doctors were big when I was young, so I have an emotional bond to Pocket Full Of Kryptonite. I haven´t listened to Steve Miller so I don´t know about that.

[@Bigchet1223]

I saw soul asylum at a free venue a few years ago on the 4th of july.

[@davidrowe1712]

Another great show. Always enjoyable and fun.

[@carloslopes4853]

This subjet is super interesting. I surprised myself being glad that Supertramp are forgotten. Always hated that band. But of course, it's a matter of personnal taste, and I know very well how big they used to be and of course they don't deserve to be forgotten at all, except by me ;-)... Otherwise, being in Europe, some things that were big in North America never were here and vice versa. Could be an interesting subject matter, like bands that made it big in Europe but not in the US, or the contrary. As usual, great show. I wish a great year to Pete and Martin, and everyone.

[@ericdinse5047]

Agree 👍

[@wolf1977]

Love Supertramp myself...Interesting comments on their lack of European popularity. I've read they had 32 million total album sales with 7 million in the US, so most of their sales was outside of America (some 78%). Their biggest hit was Breakfast In America with 19 million total sales (ironically 4 million in the US & 15 million total elsewhere). So combined all of their other albums only sold about 3 million total units here in US, while those others combined sold something like 10 million elsewhere

[@carloslopes4853]

@@wolf1977 It was a general comment. Supertramp were bigger in Europe than the Us, as you point out.

[@kgrant67]

If all I heard was the radio stuff, I'd probably agree. Never need to hear Breakfast in America or Bloody Well Right again.

[@nsgobbi]

Boston - cheesy band that blew up in the USA and ever ignored in Europe. Same for Foreigner and Styx.

[@woutwout8398]

Great show. The Babys were a pretty successful 70s band that had a few big hits but have been forgotten by the general public. Over here their records are in the second-hand cheap bins and only classic rock-aficionado remember them. Unjustly so cause they wrote so many great tunes. Some unfortunate honorable mentions by Martin and Pete. Sade still sells out stadiums, Suzanne Vega still does theaters and is still a big name in this neck of the woods (Western Europe). Then all of a sudden, Pete mentions Siouxsie and the "Banshee"(s) in relation to Lilith Fair, which they never played. Siouxsie and the Banshees have legendary status as one of the biggest and most ground-breaking post-punk, new wave bands on the planet, so no, they have not been forgotten at all.

[@christopherdavies3079]

I recommend. Peter Frampton’s last album “ Frampton forgets the words “ It’s got some great instrumental covers on it like “ Avalon “ by Roxy Music

[@pwcinla]

I did a quick Spotify search on these bands and it’s surprising how many monthly listens they’re still getting. Top of the list is Supertramp, followed by the Steve Miller Band, Creed and the Alan Parsons Project. They all get more plays than Yes, Devo, TheTraveling Wilburys, Jewel, Tori Amos, Dave Matthews Band, Phish and Pavement (to name a few whom you'd think would be more popular). So maybe they're not fading into obscurity just yet.

[@tillwesenberg1178]

The Sweet, T. Rex, Nazareth, The Pretty Things. Blue Öyster Cult. ELO. OMD. Barclay James Harvest. Saga. The Tubes. Alex Harvey Band.

[@thomasbruno4609]

How many albums did Aldo Nova sell? I remember him being hugely popular in the summer of 1982.

[@sspbrazil]

I still like quite a few of the “alternative” bands as I was in my teens and 20’s when all that stuff hit and post punk before that, Pixies are still making good albums, the first 4 Soul Aslyum albums are great, they’re still making albums too.

[@Chaz4543]

I was a teenager too when all that stuff was happening so it was all new and exciting to me. I will say a lot of those cds only had a few good songs each unfortunately which probably led to those acts not having longer careers in the mainstream.

[@bobowrathsovine.]

I remember the song "Games People Play" by Alan Parsons Project being on the radio when I was in kindergarten 1980-1981. Never knew who the song was by until 25 years later. I listened to a live Van Halen recording from1976 before they ever had a recording contract when they were just playing covers in LA night clubs. They actually played an Alan Parsons song "Don't Call Us We'll Call You" which solidified the non touring band's importance

[@alaskatoburningmen4549]

Ha, pretty unexpected!

[@bobowrathsovine.]

@@alaskatoburningmen4549 I got it wrong the song was by Sugarloaf.

[@alaskatoburningmen4549]

@@bobowrathsovine. Ah, ok!

[@jeffreywebb7932]

My best friend swears Loverboy were the best live band he's ever seen.He said they sounded like the record.Great episode,guys👍

[@jefflofgren5304]

Loverboy is one of my all-time surprises at a live show. The year was around 96-97 so basically 10 years removed from their MTV heyday. They played the Franklin Park Fest in the Chicago suburbs and as I walked up I was told that a "Fest Ticket" cost 2 dollars. I was like 2 dollars??? For Loverboy? Ok no problem...out with the 2 bucks and now im ready to have a few beers and a bite to eat before checking out whatever musicians were still calling themselves Loverboy at that point. Lights go down under the canopy tent and ALL 5 original members walk out and SLAY IT!!! I was so blown away could not believe how good they were. Singer Mike Reno mentioned that their next song would be perfect for today's issues and they went into "Gangs In The Street" and rocked more than I was ever expecting from Loverboy. TWO FREAKING DOLLARS!!!!

[@treff9226]

Loverboy' s Get Lucky album is perfection! Very talented band and Mike Reno could really bring it -nice vocal range.....and he knew how to wear a headband! Ha!

[@LarryFleetwood8675]

Loverboy were quite big in Germany for a while, in '82 they appeared on the bill on the popular TV series RockPop in Concert. The other live acts were A Flock of Seagulls, Chicago, Gary Moore, REO Speedwagon, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

[@JosephFrancisBurton]

I never owned a Loverboy album, and they were kind of a joke with all us metal-heads back in the day, but I was blown away with how good they were when I saw them in ~1985. They reminded me a lot of Night Ranger (another big forgotten band)

[@treff9226]

@@JosephFrancisBurton nice comparison! Night Ranger had a slew of radio friendly ballads, but Brad could light up the joint with awesome leads and fiery riffs - like they were two bands! Loverboy' s only two essential albums are GET LUCKY (their masterpiece) and their debut, with Turn Me Loose and The Kid Is Hot Tonight. Some nice guitar work, keyboard touches and Mike Reno's melodic, likeable tenor vocals, dude could sing! After seeing Reno in their vids on MTV, and noticing his " I mean business" headband, I started sporting my own headband at school....and proceeded to get my ass kicked....I can only guess that fellow students were jealous of my incredible new headband....I miss my headband.....

[@jimhawkes]

Great discussion as always.

[@johnw706]

An interesting discussion . Thank you ! Other bands that , if they aren't there yet , may be headed that way ( unfortunately ) The Moody Blues Dire Straits 10CC Cream Procol Harum Traffic ELP Crosby , Stills & Nash Cat Stevens XTC Let's hope that they're not forgotten . Cheers !

[@alexandercaviedes2559]

Dire Straits are still highly revered in Europe, but other than Sultans of Swing, they seem to have faded in the US collective memory

[@johnw706]

@@alexandercaviedes2559 It's largely the same situation in Canada . You don't hear much about them anymore . Occasionally you will hear Sultans played .

[@alexandercaviedes2559]

@@johnw706 I actually grew up in Canada. My last day in Canada as a ten-year old we were in a Greyhound driving toward the US. I must have heard Sultans on the radio every couple of hours (I think the Police's Roxanne was on the heavy rotation that day, too).

[@guadalahonky4002]

Grand Funk Railroad. To go from following the Beatles by filling Shea Stadium, to their singles in the mid 70s, to Behind The Music. I would call that precipitous.

[@DBTdad]

Grand Funk was HUGE at one point

[@edlawn5481]

That was the first band that came to mind when I saw the title.

[@jerryattwooll4864]

One band that I thought of that were hugely successful early in their career but you don't hear mentioned much these days is Bad Company.

[@wolf1977]

Good band, lotsa hits & some great deep cuts too. I recall back in my teens in the 70's they were featured very prominently in the rock magazines right alongside Led Zep

[@alaskatoburningmen4549]

Great example.

[@eliotmccann2589]

I've noticed recently that Supertramp has started to become inexplicably popular among younger audiences now who are looking for melody. Which is refreshing and encouraging. Popoff is displaying old man prejudices.

[@johng.7560]

Most of these bands had a limited supply of good, original ideas. Once they used those ideas up, there is nowhere to go. Many are 3 chord wonders with no real band talent to prop them up. For me the bands that are timeless had real talent at many levels.

[@michaelbaucom4019]

Sadly, my 2nd favorite artist is largely forgotten: Supertramp( thanks Pete) I immediately thought of Billy Squier, and most of the hair metal bands of the late 1980s Triumph Dan Fogelberg

[@chaddubois8164]

I don't think Supertramp is forgotten. Maybe people don't know the name but they know the songs. Also, hundreds of millions of plays per song on Spotify. They'll never be forgotten in Canada, I can promise you that.

[@leandrograndi4733]

Supertramp have more listeners on spotify than Iron Maiden or Deep Purple! Amazing. For me they still very relevant.

[@wolf1977]

That would be a great thing (to me) - I don't use Spotify so I don't know first hand

[@mcdingus5081]

The only reason they have more listeners online is the fact that it's the only place to access their music. Most Iron Maiden/ Deep Purple fans are probably not using Spotify to listen to them. I'm pretty sure you're not gonna see Supertramp filling up stadiums like Iron Maiden can if they were to go on tour. Plus, let's not forget- if you not a more "current" act- there really aren't many people listening to your music on Spotify. There's probably like 20 acts that have 80% of that audience.

[@leandrograndi4733]

I didn’t say they are bigger than Maiden or Purple. Just saying if they have significant number of listeners on a platform like Spotify (comparable to those giant and loved bands) they are not so forgotten and irrelevant as they said they were on the show.

[@mauharley]

@@mcdingus5081 Couldn't disagree more with your take. I'm of the same vintage as Pete, and I mainly use Spotify to listen to bands that are no longer current. And I'm not sure why Iron Maiden / Deep Purple fans wouldn't listen to their stuff on Spotify.

[@mcdingus5081]

@@mauharley It's not something to disagree about- it's just fact. Look at the Spotify numbers. Just because YOU don't do it doesn't make it the norm. Your experience is anecdotal.

[@davidrogers3875]

When we lived in Ireland, I heard the phrase, “What have you done for me lately.” Is being “here today and gone tomorrow”, the natural order of things? There is sometimes a certain sadness about watching some of the nostalgia, legacy acts. Do we want to remember our heroes, as heroes?

[@catsofsherman1316]

I remember an episode of Beavis and Butt-Head when they are watching a Loverboy video. Butt-Head talks about when they saw them live at the state fair next to the hogs. He asks Beavis if he remembers the one with the big balls that hung way down. Beavis says, "yeah the bass player". Butt-Head says "no I meant the hog dumb ass".

[@tubetea]

I can't even think of a note Alan Parson's ever played that I didn't love! I bought anything they put out and they still have great music. I saw them open for Yes in Houston around 2005 or so and they blew Yes away.

[@wolftracks9010]

The Beatles will always be remembered for their music and songwriting.

[@manuelper]

The smash success and re-invigoration of The Beatles due to the Peter Jackson documentary proves that the Fabs will never go out of style and that's a great thing!

[@martingreen3177]

And all the continued hype they get

[@treff9226]

Which is well deserved! Genius level music and the main influence on rock bands everywhere! The progression from Beatles debut album to Revolver, Sgt. Peppers, and Abbey Road is simply staggering! John Lennon's voice alone.....magic!

[@CB-xr1eg]

@@martingreen3177 They're not hyped, there's no reason to hype them. They're just talked about for what they acheived and the influence they had on so many other groups, now and then.

[@chrisgross2043]

@@martingreen3177 and yet you can't help but talk about them 🙄

[@3bwana]

Frampton was an old school mate of Bowie’s and eventually reunited to play on the ‘Never Let Me Down’ Lp and the following ‘Glass Spider Tour’

[@edlawn5481]

What's sad is that most likely he would have reunited with Steve Marriott with Humble Pie, before Marriott left us.

[@kayfimt7769]

Also Foreigner. They were one of the biggest bands of the 80s, selling tens of millions of albums, and now they seem like a footnote if even that. They haven’t left a legacy.

[@martyndunn6337]

No original member left. Guitarist Mick pops up now and then for a show. Just a coverband these days.

[@wolf1977]

@@martyndunn6337 Would you call their need for original members URGENT?😎

[@martyndunn6337]

@@wolf1977 LOL 😂. Not any more.

[@alaskatoburningmen4549]

@@wolf1977 😆😆

[@killerdude35]

I CANNOT think of Loverboy without thinking of that classic SNL Chippendale skit with Patrick Swayze and Chris Farley lmao!!

[@daishi4531]

I've always wondered why the bands Europe & Asia never merged into the SUPER Super-group EurAsia....

[@maxslamer]

With Joey Wetton on lead vocals!

[@wolf1977]

...because I believe that the Book Of Revelation foretells that as a sign of the End Times! John knew what's up...Nostradamus too...

[@jaymonster125]

Eastasia has always been at war Oceana...😂

[@justinmathewson3692]

@@jaymonster125 War is Peace. Ignorance is Strength. Slavery is Freedom.