(There has been some debate on the definition of a one-hit wonder. To read them, click here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_hit_wonder)
Like all entertainment industries, the music industries and music enthusiasts tend to focus on the "Big Names" for entertainment, inspiration, remembrance for historic milestones in music, to make money, or for any other means. Whether it's The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, or The Rolling Stones for rock; Michael Jackson or Madonna for pop; or Eminem, Ice Cube, or Snoop Dog for rap or hip hop, the big names have always been big influences on emerging musicians and big money makes for the music industry.
But one group of bands that are typically ignored by the public are the one-hit wonders. Bands that only had one hit single through their whole career. Sometimes it was because they broke up to quickly, other times it was because they just got lucky, or their management just sucked. One-hit wonders may only be known for one song, but many have been big influences on big bands and many one-hit wonder members have gone on to create very successful careers as solo artists or in other bands. I think it's safe to say that without one hit wonders, many big bands would not be around and music would not be as advanced and as popular as it is now. They deserve another 15 minutes of fame at least. So post your favorite one-hit wonders right here!
Free Country: United Kingdom
Years Active: 1968 - 1971, 1972 - 1973
Genres: Blues Rock and Hard Rock
Lineup: Paul Rodgers on vocals, Paul Kossoff on guitar, Andy Fraser on Bass, Simon Kirke on drums
Big Hit: All Right Now, 1970 -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR2V60yLIawChart positions: #2 in the UK, #4 in the US
All Right Now helped make their album "Fire and Water a big seller, landed them a spot in the Isle of Wight festival of 1970 and became a rock anthem of the 70s. They produced 2 other hits in their 72 - 73 time, but they only were hits in the UK and today, All Right Now is the one song many people know from them. Rodgers and Kirke went on to form the supergroup "Bad Company", Kossoff produced 1 solo album after, but died in 1975 from drug addiction at the age of 25. Fraser produced a few solo albums, but none became big sellers and ended up dropping from the music scene.
Buffalo SpringfieldCountry: America
Years active: 1966 - 1968, 2010 - 2012
Genres: Folk Rock and Roots Rock
Lineup: Mainly Richie Furay on guitar and vocals; Stephen Still on guitar, keyboards, and vocals; Neil Young on guitar, harmonica, piano, and vocals; Dewey Martin on drums and vocals; and Bruce Palmer on bass guitar.
Big Hit: For What It's Worth, 1967 -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZKB-ZQTkO8Chart positions: #7 in the US
For What It's Worth quickly became the protest anthem of the late 60s when youth in America were protesting against the government and the Vietnam War. After they broke up, Stephen Still and Neil Young went on to form the supergroup Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young and helped them become folk rock icons. In 1997, Buffalo Springfield was inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of fame and in 2010, 3 of the 5 classic members reunited for 2 more years of touring in the US. (Martin died in 2009 and Palmer died in 2004.) As of now, they are on indefinite hiatus.
Derek and the DominosCountry: United Kingdom
Years Active: 1970 - 1971
Genres: Blues Rock
Lineup: Eric Clapton on vocals and lead guitar; Duane Allman on slid guitar; Bobby Whitlock on piano, keyboards, rhythm guitar, and vocals; Jim Gordon on drums, percussion, and piano; and Carl Radle on bass guitar and percussion.
Big Hit: Layla, 1972 -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WUdlaLWSVMChart Positions: #51 in the US in 1971, #7 in the UK in 1972, #10 in the US in 1972, #4 in the UK in 1982
After the breakup of Cream, Eric Clapton played in a few groups with some success, which included Delaney and and Bonnie. After some of their members left, Clapton gathered them together and formed Derek and the Dominos. Layla was inspired by Clapton's love for George Harrison's wife, Pattie Boyd. Although the band only produced one album, Layla, as well as the album it came on (Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs) is still hailed as one of Clapton's greatest musical achievements and Clapton still continues to play the song live. It is also hailed as one of the greatest rock love songs ever.
RainbowCountry: United Kingdom
Years Active: 1975 - 1984, 1994 - 1997
Genres: Hard Rock and Heavy Metal
Lineup: Richie Blackmore on guitar. Also had Ronnie James Dio on vocals from 75 - 78. Too many others to count! XD
Big Hit: Stone Cold, 1982 -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPwy9ToKHpo Chart Poisitions: #40 in the US, #34 in the UK.
Formed by former Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, Rainbow went through many lineup changes throughout their entire career, with Blackmore being the only consistent member. No two of their albums have the same lineup. In their early years, they had the legendary heavy metal vocalist Ronnie Jame Dio as their singer. Stone Cold was the only song of theirs to reach the Top 40 in the US, but they had several songs prior that had charted pretty high on the UK albums chart. In fact, their most popular song is actually Since You Been Gone, which didn't reach the top 40 in the US, but reached #6 in the UK.
