Making it big in music - or not

With so much to listen to suddenly - new Bryan Ferry, CTI 4-disc retrospective, Trey Gunn compilation, Nu Shooz Orchestra, Marcus Miller in Monte Carlo, John McLaughlin, and more - I, of course, have gone back to listening to other music. Part of that is assignments from the Muskegon Chronicle or Grand Traverse Insider (Janis Ian and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra/Mannheim Steamroller, respectively). Part of it is also due to new acquisitions of old music (The Best of Ultravox, as one example).

Which got me to thinking about artists that never made it as big as they should have. No, I don't expect Soft Machine Legacy to become Boys II Men or bemoan the fact the Atlanta Rhythm Section never became bigger than Lynrd Skynrd. But there were any number of groups or artists that should have become bigger than they were, but never got the support, or saw their label fold, or found the mainstream turning the other direction from their music. So in the spirit of sharing, here are a few suggestions. Give me yours.

WAX - The duo of Andrew Gold and ex-10cc member Graham Gouldman recorded the utterly brilliant single "Right Between the Eyes" and even got some MTV play from the video. But the rest of the album was only so-so, and subsequent releases failed to gel.

THE GOOD RATS - This Long Island band actually recorded several albums in the 70s, the best of which was From Rats to Riches, featuring "Takin' it to Detroit." Their hard-rocking sound, well-written songs and hearty yet clear vocals should have made them a recognized name if not stars. Alas, not even a second generation version managed the trick, though they still perform in the NYC area.

NICK HEYWARD - The onetime leader of new wave popsters Haircut 100 produced several brilliant blue-eyed soul albums in the 80s and 90s. But he never made it any bigger stateside than did his onetime band, which he abandoned during the recording of its second album.

THE TUBES - Anyone who ever saw the band live knows their albums never lived up to their funny, hedonistic, outrageous, provocative, amazing live shows. The arch satirists were so far ahead of their time. And musically they outstripped nearly all their contemporaries. Yes, I know "She's a Beauty" was a hit, but these guys should have been HUGE.

MICHAEL URBANIAK/URSZULA DUDZIAK - The onetime husband and wife team left Poland for the U.S. but got lost in the fusion shuffle of the 70s. Urbaniak was an excellent tenor saxophonist who all but abandoned it for lyricon and violin. Dudziak had an amazing voice, which she accessorized with electronics to create mosquitoes, white noise, or sing an engaging "Bluesette."

So there's your start. Plenty more from me to come.