The Tale of Long Road to Stardom: From Struggles to Success

The road to stardom is often lined with challenges and setbacks. Many talented and unique bands and artists have struggled for years before achieving mainstream success. This article explores several examples, highlighting the perseverance and eventual triumphs of bands and artists who faced significant hurdles on their journey to fame.

Bands That Took the Long Road

Kansas and Journey

Certain bands had to endure several years of hardship before establishing themselves. Kansas and Journey both found that their first and second albums did not resonate with the public until they refined their sound. Similarly, Queen’s earliest efforts were not commercially successful. Their first two albums barely charted, and even their third, Sheer Heart Attack, did not significantly impact the sales charts. It was not until they released more commercially successful albums that they began to achieve the stardom they sought.

The Spinners

A standout example is The Spinners, a Motown soul RB vocal group formed in 1954. Despite their talent, they struggled for years under a label that lacked promotional prowess. Their first few attempts at success did not yield the desired results. Finally, a breakthrough came in 1972 when they were signed to Atlantic Records with the recommendation of Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and Dionne Warwick. They released their third “debut” album simply titled “The Spinners,” which marked the beginning of their popularity through the 1970s and early 1980s.

Earth, Wind, Fire (EWF)

Beach Boys

Fleetwood Mac

Other bands that faced significant challenges include EWF, the Beach Boys, and Fleetwood Mac. These artists have histories marked by early stumbles and long periods of waiting for recognition. EWF's journey to stardom has been well-documented, with their iconic album Frame of Reference in the early 1970s. The Beach Boys, Fleetwood Mac, and many other bands have weathered numerous setbacks but ultimately achieved fame.

Reaching for Stardom: Bonnie Raitt

Not all success stories involve bands; sometimes, individual artists face equivalent challenges. For instance, Bonnie Raitt started playing professionally in 1969 at the age of 20. It took her 20 years and nine low-selling albums before she achieved major success with her 1989 album Nick of Time. Throughout this period, she faced both personal and professional difficulties.

Conclusion

Many talented artists and bands have had to navigate long and challenging paths to become stars. From The Spinners and Kansas to Bonnie Raitt and Fleetwood Mac, these stories remind us of the importance of perseverance and hard work in the music industry. Success often comes to those who are willing to push through the most challenging times, with the eventual reward being recognition and fame.