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The title sums it up. Are there any examples of someone not surviving the transition of radio to television or movies? Surely there was someone with an amazing voice and a face that would stop a clock.

One example comes to mind. For years the character Matt Dillon was portrayed on radio by William Conrad. When Gunsmoke moved to television there was no way audiences were going to buy the marshal being a big hefty dude, and the rugged looking James Arness ended up being cast in the role instead.

A lot of people blame the advent of MTV for the derailment of the career of singer, Christopher Cross.

A lot of people blame the advent of MTV for the derailment of the career of singer, Christopher Cross.
I always would here that when it came to music, you didn't have to be attractive to be successful and that musicians and rock stars always had beautiful groupies.

How else can one explain homely guys like Mick Jagger, Phil Collins, Billy Joel, Rick Okasek, Biz Markie.

A lot of people blame the advent of MTV for the derailment of the career of singer, Christopher Cross.

Also Billy Squier. I read he was very popular until his video for "Rock Me Tonite" came out. If you've never seen that video - go to YouTube now. :lol:

Also Billy Squier. I read he was very popular until his video for "Rock Me Tonite" came out. If you've never seen that video - go to YouTube now. :lol:

That was pretty bad, even for the 80's. :eek:

I've always heard on radio until now.

That was pretty bad, even for the 80's. :eek:

I love the flailing hands.


It's interesting who gets on TV or becomes popular. Not everyone who gets on TV is attractive so I think personality, connections and luck play a part.

Half the bands from the 70s especially the disco ducks couldn't adapt to the changing landscape of the time they were either regulated to the club circuit or simply faded away very few survived the 80s

I always would here that when it came to music, you didn't have to be attractive to be successful and that musicians and rock stars always had beautiful groupies.

How else can one explain homely guys like Mick Jagger, Phil Collins, Billy Joel, Rick Okasek, Biz Markie.

I think part of Christopher Cross' problem is that he wasn't very charismatic when you get right down to it to make up for his photogenic limitations. Also, Cross unlike say Phil Collins (e.g. big drums and a more heavy guitar-based sound), arguably didn't bring more to the table beyond his soft rock (or "yacht rock") stylings.

Also, what was popular switched from soft rock to what we'd now call alternative (or back then New Wave, and Punk). Christopher Cross' sound became unpopular. I saw a Behind the Music on VH1 discussing how music changed after MTV and how bands that weren't played on radio became huge.

Speaking of "Video Killed the Radio Star", Todd in the Shadows' One Hit Wonderland takes a look at the song and band, the Buggles, who launched MTV:
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