What band/artist was the biggest sellout?

[TMC]

What band/artist most changed their style in pursuit of the almighty dollar?

[Vahan]

I'd say M.C. Hammer, but not for the reasons most people would think (the commercials, the cartoon, etc.), but because he tried to go the Gangster route.

[opus]

There was a rock band named Exile that had a late' 70s hit with a song called Kiss You All Over. Finding limited success after that, in the '80s they shifted to a country band , and landed some more songs on the country charts.

[IllinoisTVFan]

I hate to say this because they are one of my favorite bands but Duran Duran. They started out as a goth punk type band (they sounded a lot like Joy Division) but then moved more into pop and teen idol status, though at the time (the 80's)they still kept their punk roots. Then in the 90's really put out a great album (The Wedding Album)that was a hit on the alternative charts. However, to get more R&B and hip hop fans they decided to work with Timbaland and Justin Timberlake. After that they put out a fantastic album that goes back to their alternative moves and their latest album once again is trying to reach hip hop/R&B fans. Honestly I don't get this because they were never a R&B or hip hop band and never appealed to those fans. Instead they are alienating a lot of their long time fans.

[JO Sweet Heart]

Originally Posted by opus

There was a rock band named Exile that had a late' 70s hit with a song called Kiss You All Over. Finding limited success after that, in the '80s they shifted to a country band , and landed some more songs on the country charts.

The question is how long would they have lasted if they had stayed where they were?

God bless you and them always!!!

Holly

P.S. This is my most favorite song from them.

[Zoneboy]

Exile actually formed in 1963 (as The Exiles) and had little chart success until "Kiss You All Over" which was #1 for 3 weeks. Their follow up single ("You Thrill Me") peaked at #40. Lead singer Jimmy Stokely was ousted from the band a year later and with his health declining passed away in 1985 at age 41. I don't know if Exile's switch to country was because of money or maybe they just wanted to try something new. Regardless though, it was a smart move on their part as they racked up 10 #1 country hits between 1983 - 1987.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiss_You_All_Over

[70s show watcher]

i am a big fan but i have to say the doobie brothers they started out with a style that was sillmilar to the greatful dead and later became more well known as a soft rock/pop band

[Zoneboy]

Originally Posted by 70s show watcher

i am a big fan but i have to say the doobie brothers they started out with a style that was sillmilar to the greatful dead and later became more well known as a soft rock/pop band

You can thank Michael McDonald for that, I was a fan until he took over the lead vocals from Tom Johnston.

[Vahan]

Originally Posted by JO Sweet Heart

The question is how long would they have lasted if they had stayed where they were?

I think Country & Western Music is dull and overrated beyond belief. No offense.

[Zoneboy]

Originally Posted by Vahan

I think Country & Western Music is dull and overrated beyond belief. No offense.

You're really behind the times, it hasn't been called country & western music in years.

[Bonniegirl]

I love that song "Kiss you all over" by Exile! It's a beautiful song!

[Zoneboy]

Just because an artist/band changes their musical direction it doesn't always mean it was for more money.

The Oak Ridge Boys were gospel from the 1940's until 1977 when the lineup at the time decided to switch to country/pop. My guess is that they made more money but that may or may not have been a factor in their choice.

[IllinoisTVFan]

I used to work in country radio and people would be surprised how many formerly rock artists switched to country. Some had success (Exile, Darius Rucker from Hootie and the Blowfish, etc)while others not as much or lasting success. The reason is because country artists generally have a longer career. Also, much of what is country today is really rock with twang. Then of course you also have the country artists who wanted mainstream pop success as well so are now considered both country and pop.

[IllinoisTVFan]

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

Just because an artist/band changes their musical direction it doesn't always mean it was for more money.

The Oak Ridge Boys were gospel from the 1940's until 1977 when the lineup at the time decided to switch to country/pop. My guess is that they made more money but that may or may not have been a factor in their choice.

I suspect they did it because they did it when it was common. If you look at the pop charts around this time you'll see country acts like Dolly Parton, Alabama, Oak Ridge Boys and Kenny Rogers (who of course started as a psychedelic act). Then there were the basically one hit wonder songs like Somebody's Knocking that were country and pop. This was a big trend until the mid 80s and New Wave (and many would call these acts sellouts as New Wave was a mainstream form of punk). Then this trend would start again in the mid 90's and I don't think ever stopped.

[1960'sTVfan]

Originally Posted by IllinoisTVFan

much of what is country today is really rock with twang.

You are correct about that. I dislike what passes for country music today, it's rocked up garbage with a twang. I prefer the old school country music, the type of stuff you'd see and hear on Hee Haw with Roy Clark and Buck Owens. Now THAT is real country music.