It’s always a bummer when a really solid musician finds success before promptly disappearing, especially in the country music world. The following country stars made it big in the 1980s (and some in the 1970s as well) before they disappeared from mainstream popularity. Let’s take a look at what they’ve been up to!
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1. Charly McClain
Remember Charly McClain? This huge country star had quite a stellar career in the late 1970s and 1980s, notably after the release of her Top 10 hit “That’s What You Do To Me” in 1978. From there, she scored a no. 1 hit with her 1981 single “Who’s Cheatin’ Who”. She was set to be a megastar of the decade, and she had a ton of other hits in the 1980s as well, such as “Sleeping With The Radio On”.
After a stint as an actress, McClain’s popularity began to taper off in the late 1980s. Her last album was released in 1989, and she decided to retire from music and acting shortly after to focus on her family.
2. Shelly West
Plenty of country stars through the years disappeared after a few great hits, but it really seemed like Shelly West would have a longer career than she did. One of the OG nepo babies (she’s the daughter of singer Dottie West), West proved she was more than a famous daughter with her no. 1 hit “You’re The Reason God Made Oklahoma” with David Frizzell in 1981. She also had a no. 1 hit with “Jose Cuervo”. Sadly, after the death of West’s mother in 1991, she retired from music.
3. LaCosta Tucker
LaCosta Tucker rose to fame in the 1970s and 1980s. The sister of singer Tanya Tucker, LaCosta got her start performing with her sister as a child in The Country Westerners. She released quite a few hit songs through the years, and the last high-charting single she put out was “Love Take It Easy On Me” in 1982.
Tucker toured with her sister for a time before more or less stepping away from the limelight to focus on raising her children and work as a gourmet candy maker.
4. Ricky Van Shelton
One of the most recognizable country stars who disappeared on this list, Ricky Van Shelton kicked off his career with the debut record Wild-Eyed Dream in 1986. He enjoyed a ton of no. 1 hits through the 1980s, including “Somebody Lied” and “Don’t We All Have The Right”.
Shelton’s career produced nine whole albums, and many of them became platinum certified. His last release was in 2000, and Shelton announced his retirement in 2006.
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