Successful rock bands whose popularity proved short-lived

Originally steered by the Henman brothers, then multitalented guitarist-keyboardist-vocalist Myles Goodwin, Canada's April Wine earned its first true North American success with 1972's On Record, then in mainstream form with First Glance (1978), Harder ... Faster (1979), The Nature of the Beast (1981) and Power Play (1982). The group, which opened for the Rolling Stones at one point, is likely best known for the top-20 ballad "Just Between You and Me" — the first video by a Canadian artist to be played on MTV.

This is truly a case of "what could have been." Considered by some critics in the mid-1960s as "the next Beatles," these Welsh power-poppers were the first band signed by the Fab Four's Apple label in 1968. Though the group enjoyed worldwide success with hits "Come and Get It," "No Matter What" (1970), "Day After Day" (1971), and "Baby Blue" (1972), financial and legal issues consistently plagued the band following Apple's demise. Sadly, vocalist Pete Ham took his own life in 1975, as did guitarist/bassist Tom Evans in '83. Drummer Mike Gibbins died of a brain aneurysm in 2005. Guitarist Joey Molland as the only surviving member of the classic lineup, passed away in March 2025.

During the 1970s, Tennessee's Big Star delivered some solid power pop rock, but only had three albums during the decade to show for it. The four-piece, made up of Alex Chilton (vocals, guitar), Chris Bell (vocals, guitar), Jody Stephens (drums), and Andy Hummel (bass), never enjoyed true mainstream success, but rock critics have hailed its work from the '70s as some of the best rock of the time. The group influenced the likes of of R.E.M. and the Replacements. The latter of which enjoyed success with the single "Alex Chilton," in honor of the Big Star member.

A mix of Celtic punk rock with some pop tendencies, Black 47 was formed in New York in the late 1980s by guitarist-vocalist Larry Kirwan and former NYC policeman-turned-musician Chris Byrne. When former Dexys Midnight Runners co-founder Geoff Blythe joined, the group became a regular attraction on Manhattan's East Side. Then, with production help from The Cars' Ric Ocasek, the band's second studio release, Fire of Freedom (1993), led to some decent mainstream success, thanks to the tune "Funky Céilí." Unabashedly political and closely associated with Irish republicanism and left-wing politics, Black 47 released almost 20 albums in various formats through 2014, but all its notable success came during the '90s.

This Welsh power trio was part of the famed "new wave of British heavy metal." It put out seven studio albums from 1971-78. And while Budgie had its moments of notoriety during the 1970s, especially in Europe, it arguably drew its most attention during the '80s as a major influence on Metallica. The thrash legends covered 1973's "Breadfan" and "Crash Course in Brain Surgery" from 1974. The former is a longtime favorite during Metallica live shows. 

Amidst all the hair/glam metal bands of the 1980s, Cinderella was among the few who stood out for their musical abilities. Led by raspy-voiced frontman/guitarist Tom Keifer, Cinderella was heavily steeped in the blues, which showed most notably on the group's second and third releases, Long Cold Winter (1988) and Heartbreak Station (1990), respectively. Though MTV favorites and certainly up for teasing their hair, Cinderella just seemed more mature sounding than its contemporaries of the genre.

Fusing punk and rockabilly, The Cramps, out of New York City and CBGB scene, were early favorites on the area's punk-rock scene, that included contemporaries like the Ramones, Patti Smith, Television, Blondie, Talking Heads. However, the mainstream success of these acts overshadowed that of The Cramps. The originality of the group, fronted by the husband-wife duo of Lux Interior (Erick Purkhiser) and Poison Ivy (Kristy Wallace), made it a major influence on such notable artists like Faith No More and Jack White. 

The overall sound of this blues-tinged rock act has been influenced in a manner that suggests the Rolling Stones meets T-Rex, infused with some hair metal. The band, which included the classic lineup of Tyla, Jo 'Dog' Almeida, Steve James and Bam, got going in the early 1980s and put out music through the early 2010s. There was a certainly poetic, often trippy, vibe, to The Dogs' music, and it was important enough to influence the likes of Guns N' Roses, U2 and Pearl Jam predecessor Mother Love Bone.

The pride of the Chicago south suburb of Blue Island, these psychedelic glam rockers never earned the consistent mainstream success as others 1980s hair metal groups, but they certainly have some staying power, thanks to hits like "Fly High Michelle" and "New Thing." In fact, the band, led by hardworking guitarist/bassist Chip Z'Nuff, has released 18 studio albums — but the casual rock fan likely doesn't even know their name.

One of the more underrated alternative/power-pop rock bands of all time, Fountains of Wayne is best known for the 2003 hit "Stacy's Mom," the Grammy Award-nominated tune with a memorable music video starring Rachel Hunter. However, tracks like "Radiation Vibe" and "Little Red Light" are severely underappreciated. So, what about the name? It's an ode to a lawn ornament store from Wayne, N.J., near where co-founders Chris Collingwood and the late Adam Schlesinger were from. 

Formed in Helsinki, Finland in 1979, this glam-influenced outfit led by flamboyant frontman Michael Monroe and guitarist Andy McCoy was more successful in Europe and Japan than in the United States, but has often been cited as a serious influence on more popular American bands like Guns N' Roses and Poison. Hanoi Rocks achieved some modest U.S. success with its 1984 cover of the Creedence Clearwater Revival smash "Up Around the Bend" and the underrated original "Underwater World." Unfortunately, it's probably known most for drummer Nicholas "Razzle" Dingley's death in an automobile accident caused by Mötley Crüe lead singer Vince Neil in 1984. That essentially ended the band's potential rise.

The pride of East Central Illinois, Head East is one of those bands that make rock lovers go, "Wow, that's who sings that song?" In this case, it would be the 1975 classic rock favorite "Never Been Any Reason." Sure, it can be argued that Head East, which has endured countless lineup changes over the years, was a one-hit wonder. But, it's also released 10 studio albums from 1975-2023. The current version of the band is still touring today.

Fusing hard rock and progressive metal, King's X never sustained mainstream success like contemporaries from the 1980s, such as Rush and Queensryche. But, the classic lineup of vocalist/bassist Doug Pinnick, drummer Jerry Gaskill and guitarist Ty Tabor has been nothing but solid. So much so that rock critics continue to praise the band, which released its 14th studio album (Three Sides of One) in 2022. Pinnick, meanwhile, has long been considered one of the more underrated rock bassists of all time.

Hailing from Hagerstown, Maryland, Kix was making music and garnering a following in the early 1980s, but it was not until 1988 when its release Blow My Fuse generated some mainstream love thanks to MTV favorites "Cold Blood" and "Don't Close Your Eyes." Kix was not full-on big hair and lipstick; the band's influence seemed to draw more from early Aerosmith. It certainly deserved more attention than it ever received.

It took some time for the Australian alternative rockers to enjoy mainstream success, but they did eventually break through with 1987's Diesel and Dust. Littered with its unabashed support of left-wing causes, environment awareness, and support for Australia's Indigenous population ("Beds Are Burning"), the album propelled Midnight Oil into relevance on the international music scene. Though the band continued to make music throughout the 1990s and most recently released two records in 2020 and '22, it hasn't been nearly as popular in the U.S. as it remained at home down under.

During the 1990s, the market for pop-punk bands became so saturated that some of the better acts slipped through the mainstream cracks. The Mųffs, from Los Angeles, had a more raw punk vibe, but was lumped into the bubble-gum punk that rose to prominence as the '90s drudged on. The driving force of The Mųffs was vocalist/guitarist Kim Shattuck, who wrote notable tracks like "Big Mouth," "Lucky Guy," and "Funny Face." Sadly, Shattuck passed in 2019 due to complications from ALS.  

Formed in Cleveland at the beginning of the 1970s, and fronted by late crooner Eric Carmen, the Raspberries were a pop rock outfit that made the ladies swoon — albeit under the radar to most of the world. The band's biggest hits "Go All the Way" and "I Wanna Be with You", remain some brilliant pop rock. However, Carmen's bluesy vocals added plenty of credibility that should have allowed the group to earn more mainstream success. 

The exceptional talent of guitarist/vocalist Alvin Lee was the driving force behind these British blues rockers who earned significant success in the United Kingdom. But they also found an audience in the United States thanks to classic-rock radio staples "I'm Going Home" and "I'd Love to Change the World" during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Though Ten Years After never released a single with a title that rolls off the tongue, its collective excellence should not be forgotten.

England's Uriah Heep has been around for nearly 60 years, with veteran guitarist Mick Box riding the ship as the only original member. And, the band has featured some true rock heavyweights amid its roster over the years, such as John Wetton, Bob Daisley, Nigel Olsson, Lee Kerslake and Chris Slade. Though these hard/progressive rockers never had a true "hit," they've rode the success of tunes like "Look at Yourself", "July Morning" and "Come Away Melinda" to remain relevant in Europe. Yet, American success was never truly sustained. 

Paced by the twin guitar attack of Andy Powell and Ted Turner, England's Wishbone Ash had more influence on hard rock than most mainstream rock fans realize. Formed in 1969, various incarnations of the band have put out music into the 2020s. The intricacies of Powell and Turner's guitar work — steeped in blues, progressive and folk rock, and plenty of jazz — left a lasting impression on the likes of more well-known acts like Iron Maiden, Van Halen, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Thin Lizzy.