OT - Why some bands make it, and others don't

[S2M]

I've been a huge melodic rock fan for over 25 years...that being said, just like I'm a fan of deep tracks...I'm also a fan of 'lesser' known bands.....i.e. Hurricane, Babylon A.D., Harem Scarem, Emerald Rain, Fair Warning, Von Groove...etc.

My question is why do groups like Motley Crue, Poison, Def leppard, Bon Jovi and their ilk become famous, but these bands I've listed didn't?

I would put up Hurricane, and Harem Scarem against ANY of these other 'popular' bands in a second. Kelly Hansen SMOKES Joe Elliott. And the guitarist from Emerald Rain could mop the floor with Phil Collen, Sambora, C.C., and Marrs put together.....

Is it timing? Marketing? Favortism(industry)? Payola? What?

[StoneCold]

Has a lot to do if they have that one "Killer Album" that really puts them on the map.

For Journey it was the double whammy of Escape and Frontiers back to back. Without those they wouldn't be as visible and Perry wouldn't be remembered as he is.

U2 had The Joshua Tree. Until then they were just part of the new wave crowd. With that one album they left Big Country, The Alarm, The Fixx and Icehouse behind. The other bands were good but never had that ONE big album.

All the artists you mentioned as successful had some album release with some major hits. Bon Jovi "Livin' On A Prayer" and DL had "Photograph".

The other bands may have good music but most couldn't name a song from them.

[S2M]

Has a lot to do if they have that one "Killer Album" that really puts them on the map.

For Journey it was the double whammy of Escape and Frontiers back to back. Without those they wouldn't be as visible and Perry wouldn't be remembered as he is.

U2 had The Joshua Tree. Until then they were just part of the new wave crowd. With that one album they left Big Country, The Alarm, The Fixx and Icehouse behind. The other bands were good but never had that ONE big album.

All the artists you mentioned as successful had some album release with some major hits. Bon Jovi "Livin' On A Prayer" and DL had "Photograph".

The other bands may have had good music but most couldn't name a song from them.

Thanks for your response.....The difference IS: Hits are secondary to EXPOSURE. And THAT'S why you can't name a song from them. Personally, Harem Scarem puts Poison, Crue, and Ratt to shame...Honestly. Their first TWO CDs are just as good as Pyromania, or Slippery When Wet....

And U2 is just a college band. Always has been.

I would urge you to pick up Harem Scarem self-titled, and Mood Swings....then tell me why they never got a shot.

[Angiekay]

Marketing and promotion are huge, I think. Yes, they may have had the talent to begin with but who is going to hear you if you don't have someone that is willing to pull out the stops to get you on the radio or get you the exposure of opening for a headlining act. It's really no different then an actor or actress. Look at some of the washed up celebrities coming out of the woodwork the last couple of years. Change agents, ride that nostalgia tide of days gone by.

[S2M]

And BTW, name an Iron Maiden 'hit'.....and yet they made it.

I guess you can thank Derek Riggs for that.....

[UncleKG]

I would argue some of it comes down to having "the total package" as well.

Of the bands you mentioned, every one, Crue, Poison, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi ALL had their own "personality" and "look."

The Crue had their Shout at the Devil outfits, the pentagram on the drum kit, Mick Mars looking like some kind of Saturday matinee monster, etc.

Poison had the very glammy, "guy who look like chicks" look

Bon Jovi had the hair and the looks (Jon and Richie, at least)

Def Leppard happened to be around at the dawn of MTV and were photogenic guys, so they were arguably one of the first bands launched by videos.

Hurricane (by the way, I can name "I'm on to you"), to me, was always the band that had the guys from QUiet Riots' brothers in it. I saw them open for Stryper (shhhh, don't tell anyone), and thought they were great. Also, I don't think they were on a "major" major label, so they didn't have the marketing push that a Polygram or an Elektra had.

[ebake02]

I think some of it might have to do with how many asses you're willing to kiss too.

[Don]

A lot of bands that made it big are L.A. bands. There was a time when every club in Los Angeles had a scout or agent in it every night. If you were able to book a gig in L.A., you improved your odds of catching a break via MTV or the media by 100%.

[ProgRocker53]

Very good points made by all...

although personally, how "big" or "successful" a band is, doesn't necessarily make me want to listen to them more.