Music artists that 'Jumped the Shark'

[TMC]

This could be an interesting thread. By jumping the shark in this thread, of course I'm talking about when we look back on an artist's glory days. It's all subjective, but for argument's sake, I'd say someone like John Mellencamp, career wise and popularity wise jumped the shark in the early '90s. Maybe Wild Night in 1994 was his last relevant song (and a cover song at that). If MTV was around today they wouldn't play him, and I'm sure he's happy and doesn't care because he's doing his music, but let's face it, who wouldn't like a hit song and to be as popular as they were at their peak?

Maybe they don't want to be chased around like they were then and have their privacy, but it seems after a point, the times have passed them by, or they ran of of ideas.

I'm not talking about artists that get critical acclaim now,that doesn't mean anything in this case. I'm speaking of artists that could once fill arenas and now barely fill a club. That's jumping the shark in this case. They aren't the same anymore.

Often times it's when they go through a change in life. Starting a family, getting married, losing someone. Taking a long break.

[ABlairican Pie]

Metallica jumped the shark in the mid-90's. Many fans thought they sold out with the so-called
'Black Album', by being less thrashy and more commercial (with a ballad, even), but they even got less heavy on 'Load' from 1996--when they cut their hair and got piercings. That was a definite sellout era.

'Re-Load' from 1998 was even worse.

[UMFaninMD]

Christina Aguleira---she went from a generic pop singer with more vocal talent on her first album, then got more raunchy and personal with Stripped, then went retro with the next album. Her "comeback" album, Bionic, bombed and she got accused of being a Lady Gaga wannabe. But to her defense, she took time off to get married and have a baby and pop music changed during that time, so I can't blame her for trying to be relevant when she made her new album. But she used Autotune on some of the songs, and she's one that doesn't need it.

[Vahan]

The Beatles--When Yoko Ono began interfering with the band, that was the final nail in the coffin.

[Steve M.]

David Bowie, when he let us down by releasing the ironically titled Never Let Me Down album.

[Steve M.]

I'm not talking about artists that get critical acclaim now,that doesn't mean anything in this case. I'm speaking of artists that could once fill arenas and now barely fill a club. That's jumping the shark in this case. They aren't the same anymore.

That's not fair. Artists who used to fill arenas and now play clubs could be putting out their best work ever today, but the problem would be that but nobody cares owing to changing tastes and changing demographics. How can aging guitar rockers compete with hip-hoppers? They can't. They don't.

[TheCars1986]

Originally Posted by Steve M.

That's not fair. Artists who used to fill arenas and now play clubs could be putting out their best work ever today, but the problem would be that but nobody cares owing to changing tastes and changing demographics. How can aging guitar rockers compete with hip-hoppers? They can't. They don't.

Great point. I don't think Mellencamp ever "jumped the shark", he's put out some of his best music in this decade, IMO.

The most obvious one to me would be Billy Squier when he made that weird "Rock Me Tonite" video (parading around in a pink shirt) his career was pretty much over at that point.

[Steve M.]

Originally Posted by TheCars1986

The most obvious one to me would be Billy Squier when he made that weird "Rock Me Tonite" video (parading around in a pink shirt) his career was pretty much over at that point.

I heard that this is the worst promotional video for a single ever. As I recall, in 1984 Bon Jovi was opening for Billy Squirer, and in 1987 Bily Squier was opening for Bon Jovi!

[Zoneboy]

Originally Posted by Steve M.

I heard that this is the worst promotional video for a single ever.

Don't know if it's the worst ever but it would easily make my top 10. The song is fine and it was his biggest hit but that video didn't help matters any.

[AKA]

Originally Posted by ABlairican Pie

Metallica jumped the shark in the mid-90's. Many fans thought they sold out with the so-called
'Black Album', by being less thrashy and more commercial (with a ballad, even), but they even got less heavy on 'Load' from 1996--when they cut their hair and got piercings. That was a definite sellout era.

'Re-Load' from 1998 was even worse.

Load and ReLoad are my favorite Metallica albums. They're what got me into the band in the first place. For my tastes, Metallica doesn't get any better than the period from ...And Justice for All through the "I Disappear" single (coincidentally, the Jason Newsted era).

[phoebe7165]

Originally Posted by Brad

Load and ReLoad are my favorite Metallica albums. They're what got me into the band in the first place. For my tastes, Metallica doesn't get any better than the period from ...And Justice for All through the "I Disappear" single (coincidentally, the Jason Newsted era).

Brad, you obviously haven't listened to Master of Puppets!!

[ABlairican Pie]

Originally Posted by phoebe7165

Brad, you obviously haven't listened to Master of Puppets!!

Exactly, and also Ride The Lightning was classic!!! Those two albums were the greatest. Master has so much hellacious attitude!!! I get wound up just thinking about Master Of Puppets!!!

[MickeyMac]

I have to side with the others here about Metallica. Their 90's stuff just didnt do it for me. I did like their last one. Sounds like they were trying to get back on track.

[AKA]

Originally Posted by phoebe7165

Brad, you obviously haven't listened to Master of Puppets!!

I've heard all of their albums, with the exception of the two most recent ones. I'm just not a big metalhead.

[Steve M.]

Adele may have jumped the shark by promising a third album by the end of 2014 and repeatedly postponing it! Now she's saying maybe (Maybe?) early 2016.