4 rock bands who should be ashamed of what they became

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As a lifelong music enthusiast who has spent countless hours spinning vinyl and streaming digital tunes, I can’t help but feel a sense of disillusionment when looking back at some of the bands that were once rock titans but have since fallen from grace. These are not just stories of bands getting older, but tales of artistic decline, commercial exploitation, and the pursuit of quick cash over creative integrity.

Among the three bands mentioned, only REO Speedwagon hasn’t yet been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It’s puzzling because they seem like a natural fit for the Hall, but interestingly, they haven’t appeared on any ballots so far.

The problem with the Hall and the bands that follow is that it works a bit like the Pro Football Hall of Fame. One has a few good years and…boom! They are in. Are they truly worthy? Maybe not.

While each band below boasted catchy songs, their eventual fates tell a different tale. Creating a few outstanding albums may seem achievable, but maintaining greatness over time proves to be a challenge for these musical acts.

Four rock bands that got worse as they got older

Fleetwood Mac

Fans aware that Fleetwood Mac hails from England might recall their initial formation as a blues-rock band. Despite their decent talent, they weren’t raking in the money. After various member switches within the band, Mick Fleetwood ventured to Los Angeles, where he encountered a folk-rock duo named Buckingham Nicks. This pair included Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks.

Fleetwood Mac, upon the arrival of Nicks and Buckingham, abandoned their blues and folk roots, opting instead for a more polished, self-indulgent sound. This new style garnered significant airplay, leading many to believe that their songs about intricate band relationships were of high quality. However, in reality, this music was overly produced and lacked the authenticity and soul that had once defined them.

Chicago

Chicago shares a similarity with Fleetwood Mac to some extent: while they didn’t play the blues, they did experiment with progressive rock and jazz-rock. They made an effort to explore new styles beyond the more melancholic music that would become their trademark in the 1980s. And let’s not forget that “25 or 6 to 4” is actually a pretty good tune.

1982 marked a significant shift for the Chicago band, steering them towards a more saccharine and less artistically sound direction. This change was evident in their output like “Hard to Say I’m Sorry” and later “You’re the Inspiration,” which some would argue negatively impacted music culture. Despite this, they managed to generate substantial income from these questionable hits.

REO Speedwagon

Back in the late ’70s and early ’80s, I found myself grooving to some tunes by REO Speedwagon – tracks like “Time for Me to Fly” and “Take It on the Run.” They weren’t exactly Led Zeppelin, but they were decent rock songs that had a certain charm. I guess the band felt they needed something more, because after 1980, their music started taking a different route.

By 1984, REO was producing hits such as “Can’t Fight This Feeling.” If a musical artist’s goal is to produce songs for school dances, it might be time for the band to reconsider their career. Sadly, the profits from their sugary pop tunes came at a cost, and now they are constantly bickering, leading them to decide to halt all live performances because they can no longer work together amicably.

Foreigner

It seems that Lou Gramm and his bandmates, like many groups on this list, have experienced multiple lineup shifts. Despite these changes, they produced some great tunes up until their “Foreigner 4” album. However, after releasing “Agent Provocateur,” they seemed to stray from the essence of creating authentic rock music.

In the initial phase of their career, every “Hot Blooded” tune emerged, while later on, they produced an “I Want to Know What Love Is.” It’s a bit melancholic, truly. Money is valuable, but it’s more satisfying when earned through music that resonates with fans, rather than chasing popularity that follows the music.

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2024-10-03 13:00