I've been trying to think about this topic since it's been mentioned alot lately how U2 remains relevant and few bands are still around of their stature.
U2's 1st album came out in 1980.
3 years later, they got bigger (with their 3rd album).
4 years after that, they exploded with their 5th album (Joshua Tree). That makes it took 7 years since their 1st album was released for them to become superstars.
Now, what band or artist since then has even HAD the chance to put out 5 albums before becoming huge? Since the early 90's, if your 1st 2 albums don't hit it big, you're dropped from your label.
I'm trying to think of REM, who also came out in 1980, right? really, they didn't become a household name until 1991, although they were known before that.
Now, Bruce Springsteen's 1st album came out in what, 1973? He became an icon in 1984, at least 10 years after his 1st album, and is still releasing what people would call "relevant" music (2002's The Rising).
Today, who is huge? Coldplay? Their 1st album was a hit, and their 2nd made them huge.
Bands that are popular now like The Strokes, The White Stripes, etc. have all become big on their 1st albums, but will they continue or be old news in 2 years?
The only observation I make is it seems older bands were given a chance even if they were not an overnight success, whereas that's not the case today.
Any thoughts?
U2's 1st album came out in 1980.
3 years later, they got bigger (with their 3rd album).
4 years after that, they exploded with their 5th album (Joshua Tree). That makes it took 7 years since their 1st album was released for them to become superstars.
Now, what band or artist since then has even HAD the chance to put out 5 albums before becoming huge? Since the early 90's, if your 1st 2 albums don't hit it big, you're dropped from your label.
I'm trying to think of REM, who also came out in 1980, right? really, they didn't become a household name until 1991, although they were known before that.
Now, Bruce Springsteen's 1st album came out in what, 1973? He became an icon in 1984, at least 10 years after his 1st album, and is still releasing what people would call "relevant" music (2002's The Rising).
Today, who is huge? Coldplay? Their 1st album was a hit, and their 2nd made them huge.
Bands that are popular now like The Strokes, The White Stripes, etc. have all become big on their 1st albums, but will they continue or be old news in 2 years?
The only observation I make is it seems older bands were given a chance even if they were not an overnight success, whereas that's not the case today.
Any thoughts?