Do You Remember These Musical Artists?
What goes up must go down and that is usually true about fame and popularity. While all of these singers once ruled the charts and sold millions of tickets to their concerts, that fame and popularity has since come crashing down. At one time everyone knew their name and their music—while today, only hardcore fans probably remember them.
How many of these once popular singers are you still familiar with at all?
Norman Greenbaum
While most of the singers on the list weren't one-hit wonders, we decided to start it all off with one of the biggest one-hit wonders of all time.
Norman Greenbaum released his debut album, and its similarly-titled single, Spirit in the Sky in 1969 and it was a massive hit. So big that Billboard magazine ranked it as the number 22 song of 1970. A Rolling Stone reader's poll even called it one of the top 10 one-hit wonder songs of all time.
Needless to say, Greenbaum didn't do much of note after this—and most people these days, while they might recognize the song, probably couldn't even tell you who sings it.
Al Green
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame called Al Green "one of the most gifted purveyors of soul music". The man gave the world a string of soul hits in the 70s—including his signature song, 1972's "Let's Stay Together". For those who know the song but not who sang it...yup, that was Al Green.
nizzzat from Graton, CA, Wikimedia Commons
Dido
British singer/songwriter Dido saw her popularity rise quite quickly in the 2000s with the release of her first two albums and her collab with Eminem on his track "Stan" (which used a sample of the first verse from her hit single "Thank You").
While Dido has put out two albums since 2013, and both have cracked the top 45 on Billboard—her popularity isn't what it was for the first decade of the century. Be honest: did you know she put out an album in 2019?
STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN, Getty Images
Paul McCartney
Yes, of course we know that Paul McCartney isn't forgotten and is still one of the best known artists of all time. However, most people know him as a member of The Beatles and the face of the band Wings. What many forget is that he also had a pretty nice solo career in there as well.
From his debut solo album McCartney, released right around the time of The Beatles breaking up, to McCartney II and even McCartney III (released in 2024)—and more.
Dimitrios Kambouris, Getty Images
Terry Jacks
In 1974, Terry Jacks had a worldwide hit with his version of "Seasons in the Sun". It was originally intended for the Beach Boys—when they decided not to release it, Jacks took it on and became one of the big one-hit wonders of the 1970s (it sold 14 million copies around the world). How many out there still remember the song, let alone Jacks?
Bell Records, Wikimedia Commons
Daniel Bedingfield
New Zealand-born, Daniel Bedingfield had three UK number ones off of his 2002 debut album, "Gotta Get thru This, If You're Not the One" and "Never Gonna Leave Your Side". In 2004, he released his second album. It didn't do as well, but it did chart in the top 10 in the UK.
Bedingfield hasn't put out another album since.
Jackson Brown
Brown started off writing songs for other artists, but after seeing much success with that, he made the decision to write and record his own stuff—and what a great decision that was. He put out a bunch of good albums, but his peak was the brilliant 1977 album, Running on Empty.
Larry Miller, Wikimedia Commons
Annie Lennox
Annie Lennox has the dubious honor of having two highly popular runs in the music business and both have all but been forgotten by most people under a certain age. First, there was her time as the lead singer of The Eurythmics—and after the band broke up, she went on to a great solo career that included her debut album Diva, which went on to quadruple platinum status.
Library of Congress Life, Wikimedia Commons
Mandy Moore
Mandy Moore's transition into acting was so successful that while her popularity remains high—most people probably know her from TV and movies and might not even know that at one point it was her singing that elevated her stardom beyond her Nickelodeon fame.
Andrew H. Walker, Getty Images
Peter Frampton
In 1976, Peter Frampton's album Frampton Comes Alive! was a massive hit and elevated the singer to levels of popularity he probably never dreamed possible. But while multiple songs from that album are still staples on classic rock stations, there is a whole generation born after '76 that are unfamiliar with the man or the album.
Björk
Not only have many folks forgotten about this international star from Iceland, but there are those who don't even remember the swan dress. Are you one of them?
Raphael Pour-Hashemi, Wikimedia Commons
Mya
The late 90s and early aughts was when Mya was at the peak of her fame, with songs like "Case of the Ex", "My Love Is Like...Wo" and her collaboration with Christina Aguilera, Pink, and Lil' Kim for the cover of "Lady Marmalade" for the film Moulin Rouge.
Did you know that Mya put out a new album in 2018?
Mark Knopfler
While it's true that Knopfler saw most of his success leading the band Dire Straits, he did have a solo career that has seen nine albums released in the 2000s—including one in 2024. It is a shame more people don't remember the 27th greatest guitarist of all time (according to Rolling Stone magazine).
Alterna2 http://www.alterna2.com, Wikimedia Commons
Ricky Martin
Either "Livin' La Vida Loca" reminds you of Ricky Martin or you're trying to translate it into English with no clue it was the title of one of the biggest songs of the 90s.
Eva Rinaldi, Wikimedia Commons
Rick Springfield
While often thought of as a one-hit wonder, Rick Springfield saw a fair amount of success beyond "Jessie's Girl". He had two top 10 albums and four more top 10 songs: "I've Done Everything for You", "Don't Talk to Strangers", "Affair of the Heart", and "Love Somebody".
Justin Higuchi from Los Angeles, CA, USA, Wikimedia Commons
Michelle Branch
After signing a contract with Madonna's Maverick Records in 2001, Michelle Branch had five top 40 hits between 2001 and 2003. Since then, she's only had one song enter the top 100. How many of you remember Michelle Branch?
Justin Higuchi from Los Angeles, CA, USA, Wikimedia Commons
Jewel
Jewel has sold over 30 million records, been nominated for four Grammys, and had hits on the pop, country, and dance charts throughout her career. But these days, more people would probably mis-recognize her for Renée Zellweger than remember her impressive musical career.
Yahoo! Blog, Wikimedia Commons
Mick Jagger
Like Paul McCartney, everyone knows Mick Jagger's band—The Rolling Stones are arguably the second most popular band of all time (behind The Beatles). However, there are probably many that don't know he has taken breaks from the Stones to put out four solo albums—all of which cracked the top 50 on the Billboard 200 album charts (and two of them cracked the top 13).
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield was one of the most successful British female singers during the 1960s and had 10 top 10 hits in the UK and three in the US throughout the decade. Springfield saw a resurgence in popularity after her song "Son of a Preacher Man" was used by Quentin Tarantino in Pulp Fiction. However, even that was over 30 years ago.
Dezo Hoffman, Wikimedia Commons
Roy Orbison
Orbison passed away in 1988, but probably made a few new fans as part of the supergroup The Traveling Wilburys, and saw a huge resurgence in popularity when his song "Pretty Woman" was used in the 1990 hit film that made Julia Roberts a star. But these days, there are probably a bunch of folks who've never even seen that film—let alone know Roy Orbison is the man who sang the song.
Jack de Nijs for Anefo, Wikimedia Commons
Tony Orlando
With a career that has spanned seven decades, Tony Orlando has been popular for a long time to multiple generations of music fans. Until now, that is. There might be a few who know his 1973 hit, "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" (the top-selling song of the year)—but they are becoming fewer and farther between.
Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, Wikimedia Commons
Bobby Sherman
Bobby Sherman was a teen idol in the late 1960s and early 70s, but gave up the entertainment life to become a paramedic and a deputy sheriff.
Agency for the Performing Arts-APA (management), Wikimedia Commons
Don Johnson
Although the Miami Vice star was a big deal in the 80s, there are many that no doubt couldn't pick the man out of a lineup. But even more forgotten is the fact that Johnson released a self-titled album in 1986, and it even included a legit hit single: "Heartbeat".
Sarah McLachlan
"Fumbling Towards Ecstasy", "I Will Remember You", Lilith Fair...These things all mean a lot to 90s folk music audiences.
InSapphoWeTrust from Los Angeles, California, USA, Wikimedia Commons
Amy Grant
The "Queen of Christian Pop" crossed over into big time mainstream success and popularity with her 1991 secular debut, Heart in Motion (and its five top 20 hits). While she still has a following in the Christian pop world, general audiences haven't really thought about Grant in a couple decades.
Scott Catron from Sandy, Utah, USA, Wikimedia Commons
MC Hammer
It sounds crazy to say it, but there is a generation that hears "Hammer Time" and thinks you want them to build something. They also don't have the proper nostalgic appreciation for Aladdin pants that many of us still do.
Brian Solis, Wikimedia Commons
Glen Campbell
Glen Campbell passed away in 2017, but not before leaving behind a stunning country music career that spanned five decades and 64 albums, of which there included 12 gold albums, four platinum albums, and one double-platinum album.
Alan C. Teeple (ACT1 at en.wikipedia), Wikimedia Commons
Gloria Estefan
Gloria Estefan wasn't just a once popular singer—with over 100 million record sales worldwide, she is one of the best-selling female singers of all time. "Conga" and "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You" are tracks that will get older generations to flock to almost any dance floor—while younger folks look at each other wondering if anyone knows who is singing.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from Washington D.C, United States, Wikimedia Commons
Falco
We have three words for you: "Rock Me Amadeus".
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