This is one of those subjects I have always found deeply fascinating. I like the way you resist framing the choice as one being necessarily right and another necessarily wrong. Instead, it becomes about each band making their decision, and one that seems right for them at the time.
One band I have often wondered about in this context is Hot Chocolate. Their journey from “Emma,” a genuinely dark and unsettling, later covered so powerfully by The Sisters of Mercy, to the bright commercial optimism of “You Sexy Thing.” I suspect that shift was at least partly shaped by executive or boardroom decisions rather than purely by the band itself. But either way, it does suggest that some kind of sacrifice was made along the way.
This is one of those subjects I have always found deeply fascinating. I like the way you resist framing the choice as one being necessarily right and another necessarily wrong. Instead, it becomes about each band making their decision, and one that seems right for them at the time.
One band I have often wondered about in this context is Hot Chocolate. Their journey from “Emma,” a genuinely dark and unsettling, later covered so powerfully by The Sisters of Mercy, to the bright commercial optimism of “You Sexy Thing.” I suspect that shift was at least partly shaped by executive or boardroom decisions rather than purely by the band itself. But either way, it does suggest that some kind of sacrifice was made along the way.
@Howard Salmon that was my intention.
I’m not judging bands. Just trying to show a different perspective.
Hot Chocolate is an awesome band, that fits in this essays spirit.
Cheers
Very happy to see Y&T on this list. Another underrated band with that bluesy hard rock feel, even with the glam production.
Dave Meniketti, great guitarist. Earthshaker, Black Tiger and Mean Streak is a sweet three album run.
Spot on! @Carl Schell!