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TOPIC: Under achievers
#22815
Under achievers 17 Years, 9 Months ago  
Great talents that never quite became as big as they should have?

I give you three to start off with; Elvis Costello (a terrific under rated writer); Bryan Ferry (as a singer/performer) and my own protegee Peter Gabriel.

Any other suggestions?
 
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#22831
dixie

Re:Under achievers 17 Years, 9 Months ago  
Kevin Ayers - After he left Soft Machine, he made some fantasic albums, but I don't think he liked the corporate thing, so instead of meeting and greeting the idustry people, always buggered off to France.

Ian Hunter - Left Mott the Hoople just as they were breaking in America, and has released some great albums. A great songwriter and performer.

Sonia Christina - Lead singler with Curved Air, and once married to Stuart Copeland (of Police fame!). Again a fantastic live band ahead of their time.

Tony Joe White - Ended up being a songwriter, probably most famous for writing Steamy Windows that Tina Turner covered, but he nearly had a hit with Groupie Girl in the early 1970s
 
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#22834
Re:Under achievers 17 Years, 9 Months ago  
Kid Creole, a brilliant songwriter, song stylist and performer. Did well, but not long enough IMHO.

CB Milton, one of the truly great soul/pop voices and performers. Did well in Europe (only scratched the top 30 in the UK) and then left for India.

Pendulum. Should be massive. But playing largely instrumental DnB is not the best path to mainstream success, alas.


M
 
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#22837
Big End (Publius Endus Maximus)

Re:Under achievers 17 Years, 9 Months ago  
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Lowell George, Humble Pie, Level 42 and Kid Creole. All amazing acts live and on disc.

Yes, I'm back! Very busy preparing next release. No hit on the first one. Having the time of my life despite very hard work putting everything together.

Full report soon, however, anyone making music for the money is going to be disappointed at the moment. Talk about tough out there...phew! Physical is dead, long live ipod etc.
 
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#22838
In The Know

Re:Under achievers 17 Years, 9 Months ago  
I'm the biggest under-achiever that I know !

But then again, I should have gone into politics.

Re - all of the above - they all achieved a fair degree of success.
 
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#22842
Carl

Re:Under achievers 17 Years, 9 Months ago  
Rick Astley, I always thought he had a fantastic voice.
Not everyones cup of tea but I certainly felt he would have been around alot longer than he was.
 
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#22843
Re:Under achievers 17 Years, 9 Months ago  
Too many to list but I want to put in a special word for the one and only PJ Proby.

I saw him last week in Birkenhead and it was a truly extraordinary performance. He is singing and performing just as well as he did in 1964 which is no mean feat when one bears in mind the self abuse he endured in the 70s and 80s. An amazing presence, I felt and knew I was in the presence of a living legend. He should had been colossal and playing huge venues but sadly, Proby is his own worst enemy sabotaging various ventures that could had put him in a much bigger position so he only really has himself to blame for not being as huge as he should be. A real shame because his talent has not dimmed at all.

His performance of "Maria" was just one of those extraordinary moments of my life - truly amazing. So, yes, PJ Proby should and deserved to be much bigger than he is but... there you go.

I agree with Dixie about Kevin Ayers - another great talent but again, like Proby, his own worst enemy because everytime he came out with a great single and album he would vanish to France, Ibiza or Majorca not wanting to play the pop star game. I saw him in The Cavern in 2003 and that was the exact opposite of the Proby gig - he gave a performance that is best described as half hearted - most disappointing, but he has a great legacy.
 
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#22844
Re:Under achievers 17 Years, 9 Months ago  
two that come to mind immediately for me
are the late Jimmy Campbell (Kirkbys, 23rd Turnoff,
Rockin' Horse and three amazing solo lp's).
Check out the fan website at Myspace for him:
profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction...p;friendid=105220499
includes some wonderful tracks and tributes.

the other is the late Duncan Browne who I found one
of the most amazing songwriters/guitarists ever.
Never quite figured out why Nick Drake was worshipped and Duncan was overlooked.
 
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#22845
Re:Under achievers 17 Years, 9 Months ago  
Love the PJ Proby thought Elliott - I have huge respect and memories of him - hopefully you went backstage and passed him my fond regards!

If you've not heard it, one of the great records of all time (never even a sniff of a hit) was Proby's I Can't Make It Alone, produced and written in 1966 by Jack Nitzsche who did all the Righteous Brothers arrangements for Spector.

One of my all time top ten faves.

www.spectropop.com/JackNitzsche/
 
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#22863
Re:Under achievers 17 Years, 9 Months ago  
JK2006 wrote:

If you've not heard it, one of the great records of all time (never even a sniff of a hit) was Proby's I Can't Make It Alone, produced and written in 1966 by Jack Nitzsche who did all the Righteous Brothers arrangements for Spector.


That is a magnificent record and production indeed! Great song and should be in everybody's collection.

Though he was in alcoholic oblivion in the mid 80's and has since disowned the records, his renditions from that time of Bowie's "Heroes" and Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Part" are amazing. One of the greats and a fascinating character.

Am hoping to see him again very soon and this time get to meet him and I will most certainly pass on your regards JK.
 
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#22864
Re:Under achievers 17 Years, 9 Months ago  
Francis Dunnery,(UK hit with It Bites) great talent allways overlooked.
JellyFish , the band, how are they only a cult? They are still superb.

I`m quite unaware of PJ Proby`s work, I shall check it out.

(Hey Big End!lol! How can you put a band whose keyboard player toured with me for two years on the list! ermmm:pinch: )
 
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