Just how long it took musicians to get their first real hit
Although musicians will often be described as an “overnight success”, the reality is that most spend many years working hard and going completely unnoticed by mainstream music lovers. Using Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Artists list, website GoCompare.com has put together a fascinating list of timelines charting when some of the most recognisable acts in the world formed and broke up, with indicators of their first Top 10 single. The timelines may surprise you. We’ve chosen some of our favourite artists to highlight below.
The Beach Boys
Year formed: 1961
The hit: “Surfin’ USA”
The year: 1963
Years: 2
The Beatles
Year formed: 1960
The hit: “Love Me Do”
The year: 1962
Years: 2
The Doors
Year formed: 1965
The hit: “Light My Fire”
The year: 1967
Years: 2
The Police
Year formed: 1977
The hit: “Cant’s Stand Losing You”
The year: 1979
Years: 2
Elvis Presley
Year career began: 1953
The hit: “Heartbreak Hotel”
The year: 1956
Years: 3
Eric Clapton
Year career began: 1962
The hit: “For Your Love”
The year: 1965
Years: 3
Jimi Hendrix
Year formed: 1963
The hit: “Hey Joe”
The year: 1966
Years: 3
Carlos Santana
Year career began: 1965
The hit: “Evil Ways”
The year: 1969
Years: 4
Marvin Gaye
Year career began: 1959
The hit: “Pride and Joy”
The year: 1963
Years: 4
Madonna
Year career began: 1979
The hit: “Holiday”
The year: 1983
Years: 4
David Bowie
Year career began: 1962
The hit: “The laughing Gnome”
The year: 1967
Years: 5
Bob Dylan
Year career began: 1959
The hit: “The Times They Are A-Changin’”
The year: 1965
Years: 6
Prince
Year formed: 1976
The hit: “1999”
The year: 1982
Years: 6
Roy Orbison
Year career began: 1953
The hit: “Only The Lonely”
The year: 1960
Years: 7
Tina Turner
Year career began: 1958
The hit: “River Deep – Mountain High”
The year: 1966
Years: 8
Elton John
Year career began: 1963
The hit: “Your Song”
The year: 1971
Years: 8
Simon and Garfunkel
Year formed: 1957
The hit: “The Sound of Silence”
The year: 1965
Years: 8
Janis Joplin
Year career began: 1962
The hit: “Me and Bobby McGee”
The year: 1971 (posthumous)
Years: 9
Joni Mitchell
Year career began: 1964
The hit: “Help Me”
The year: 1974
Years: 10
James Brown
Year career began: 1953
The hit: “Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag”
The year: 1965
Years: 12
Johnny Cash
Year career began: 1954
The hit: “A Boy Named Sue”
The year: 1969
Years: 15
Bruce Springsteen
Year career began: 1964
The hit: “Hungry Heart”
The year: 1980
Years: 16
AC/DC
Year formed: 1973
The hit: “Highway To Hell”
The year: 2013
Years: 40
Did you know that it took AC/DC 40 years to get their first Top 10 single? Keep that one up your sleeve for the next trivia night.