Looking at some old videos on the Googled Chrome U-Tubes recently. Have been getting into some classic Doobie Brothers tunes and just about anytime I hear some of their old stuff, I just shake my head at how either:
A. They allowed Michael McDonald to destroy an incredible band, or;
2. They decided to "sell out" solely in the interest of $$$.
Probably one in the same. But it got me to thinking, has there ever been a band that did that big of a 180 and changed their style so drastically? They went from a fusion of guitar driven straight rock, southern rock, country...hell, I don't know how to describe it...to flat out top 40, synthesizer pop music. Have no idea of the numbers but I imagine they made more money off their first "pop" album than all the others combined. But the bottom line is that there was absolutely zero resemblance to the original sound. Like an entirely different band.
But enough about the Doobies. Just the best example I can think of. Who are some bands that you loved early on but later, wondered what the hell they were thinking? What was that original album (or 2) that you thought, "Hells to the yes" but the band seemed to change for the worse from that point on?
It could be a change for the better. IMO, one man changed music history by being called on to produce an album for a couple of bands. AC/DC's early stuff was raw, scratchy, sometimes tough to listen to. Don't get me wrong. It was original and had a great following. But bringing in Mutt Lange to produce Highway To Hell was what put this band on the road to mega-stardom. I picked that album up and went nuts. (Had em' back then) Night and day difference. Fuller, cleaner, bass driven rock. One of the great rock albums IMO.
Ever listen to the first Def Leppard effort? Check out their original stuff then listen to how Lange transformed that band. Made them into one of the hottest acts of the 80's and 90's.
Who changed for the better/worse? Why in your opinion?
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