When is the last time...

[Mark]

Can anyone remember the last time a major label put out a new musical artist and promoted him/her more (or at least as much) for their musical talent, rather than their sex/shock appeal?

Hmmmm. John Mayer, maybe.

[TruthSeeker]

Norah Jones?

[Mark]

Originally posted by TruthSeeker
Norah Jones?

OK, I'm becoming encouraged.

[Phil]

Norah Jones immediately sprang to mind, but TruthSeeker already mentioned her.

I'm sure there are others, but I can't think of any off hand. I'll get back to you.

[VicDaring]

Alicia Keyes?

[Phil]

Originally posted by VicDaring
Alicia Keyes?
Good call. She's a double threat. Very talented, but also easy on the eyes.

[Phil]

In a different vein: White Stripes

Great hard rock sound for just two people.

[DrMatt]

Nina Kotova (also incidently very easy on the eyes ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) )

[Brian]

I'm not a huge fan or anything, but Dave Matthews Band seems quite talented, a bit off the mainstream and not much of an image at all.

[Evolver]

I haven't paid too much attention to the major labels since leaving the business 8 years ago, so the best I can recall would be:

Blues Traveller
Phish

Echolyn (Sony signed them in the early 90's, sent out some impressive promo stuff, then didn't back them when they toured. In fact when I went to see them with some friends, we and another small group were the only audience)

[Mark]

Originally posted by Evolver
I haven't paid too much attention to the major labels since leaving the business 8 years ago, so the best I can recall would be:

Blues Traveller
Phish

Echolyn (Sony signed them in the early 90's, sent out some impressive promo stuff, then didn't back them when they toured. In fact when I went to see them with some friends, we and another small group were the only audience)

Phish never received much in the way of promotion, did they?

[Evolver]

Originally posted by Mark


Phish never received much in the way of promotion, did they?

It was more of an after-the-fact thing. WB signed them, and I don't think they realized that they were turning into the new Grateful Dead. When the live double-CD came out, they were pushing them hard. Actually, I think the record company pressure had a lot to do with their hiatus.

[hgc]

Originally posted by Evolver


It was more of an after-the-fact thing. WB signed them, and I don't think they realized that they were turning into the new Grateful Dead. When the live double-CD came out, they were pushing them hard. Actually, I think the record company pressure had a lot to do with their hiatus. That sort of defines the process of how real musicians become popular (after the fact). They build a following on the credibility of their musical real entertainment value, in small clubs across the country. A select few eventually rise up to stardom, with or without promotion from the record company.

On the other hand, there's Milli Vanilli, and their karaoke contest ladder day followers (Clay Aiken).

How did Britney become Britney? Where's the leap from Mickey Mouse Club to teen star?

[Mr. Skinny]

Macy Gray springs to mind. Seems she was promoted more for her unusual voice and songwriting ability.

[Ove]

I must admit that being a musician myself i simply cannot respect anyone that has not gotten sucessfull "the hard way". Respect is something you've got to earn. All theese "invented stars" are simply too much. But it also turns out that the ones that last are the ones that can work. Practically the only star that came out of the boy-band-craze is Robbie Williams and he goes to show that if you really are talented you got to get out of the "guided cirkus".

The ones that you remember and that still carries on are the likes of Stones - Rod Stewart - Madonna - Aerosmith - .... and one thing they have in common is that they have worked their way to the top. The "invented star" is not a new thing though, it has allways existed. Think about "Tin Pan Alley", think about the invented rock stars in the early sixties ( to counter the black influence) then there was "The Monkees", and "The Partridge Family". In the 70's we had "Chinn/Chapman" and in the 80'S there was "Stock Aitken and Watermann". The only difference is that in seems to have escalated.

I hope that MP3 copying really takes off. Why? Because to me, a CD is a way to promote my band resulting in Jobs. Playing live is what music is about. All good musicians would rather play a live gig than anything else and if the MP3 copying can put an end to those "invented stars" that never performs live (thay can't probably) then fine by me.;)

[Evolver]

Originally posted by Ove
I must admit that being a musician myself i simply cannot respect anyone that has not gotten sucessfull "the hard way". Respect is something you've got to earn. All theese "invented stars" are simply too much. But it also turns out that the ones that last are the ones that can work. Practically the only star that came out of the boy-band-craze is Robbie Williams and he goes to show that if you really are talented you got to get out of the "guided cirkus".

The ones that you remember and that still carries on are the likes of Stones - Rod Stewart - Madonna - Aerosmith - .... and one thing they have in common is that they have worked their way to the top. The "invented star" is not a new thing though, it has allways existed. Think about "Tin Pan Alley", think about the invented rock stars in the early sixties ( to counter the black influence) then there was "The Monkees", and "The Partridge Family". In the 70's we had "Chinn/Chapman" and in the 80'S there was "Stock Aitken and Watermann". The only difference is that in seems to have escalated.

I hope that MP3 copying really takes off. Why? Because to me, a CD is a way to promote my band resulting in Jobs. Playing live is what music is about. All good musicians would rather play a live gig than anything else and if the MP3 copying can put an end to those "invented stars" that never performs live (thay can't probably) then fine by me.;)

I absolutely agree with every point here (except - did Madonna "work" her way to the top? :) )

I get disgusted with shows like "Making The Band" and "American Idol", and all those cookie cutter pop icons force fed to the kids these days.

[Ladyhawk]

Originally posted by Evolver


I absolutely agree with every point here (except - did Madonna "work" her way to the top? :) )

I get disgusted with shows like "Making The Band" and "American Idol", and all those cookie cutter pop icons force fed to the kids these days.

I agree also...and yes, Madonna did work her way to the top. In fact, she set out to be a dancer, not a singer. She was broke, living in NY and barely making it for sometime....

A few I'd like to add to lists submitted:
ColdPlay
Tori Amos
Bare Naked Ladies


(And, just for the sake of argument, a few bands I still miss:)
The Alarm
Psychedelic Furs
The Police
James

[Ladyhawk]

Originally posted by hgc

How did Britney become Britney? Where's the leap from Mickey Mouse Club to teen star?

Britney belongs dancing in a strip joint. Not with a record label.