With so many new genres, movements, and megastars that exploded in the 1970s, it’s not exactly surprising that a few pop stars fell through the cracks. The following pop stars from the 70s had their moment of fame before they virtually disappeared from the music industry. Let’s find out what happened to them.
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1. Rupert Holmes
Rupert Holmes became a household name in 1979 following the success of his hit single “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)”. However, he had been active in the music industry since the late 1960s. An accomplished musician as well as a dramatist, Holmes was set to become a megastar after “Escape” hit no. 1 on the Hot 100 chart.
However, his subsequent singles started to chart lower and lower by 1981. Holmes went on to focus on his television and stage career, as well as his career as a novelist. His last book, Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide To Homicide, was released in 2023 and made the New York Times Best Seller list.
2. Gilbert O’Sullivan
Gilbert O’Sullivan was one of those pop stars from the 70s that disappeared after proving he wasn’t just a one-hit wonder. “Alone Again (Naturally)” was a big hit in the early 1970s, while follow-up singles “Get Down” and “Clair” also did quite well.
Sadly, O’Sullivan had a lot to deal with in terms of legal issues with his label. Those issues affected his career, and all the traction he had built up was lost. Fortunately, he still has a pretty dedicated following today.
3. Andy Gibb
You might remember Andy Gibb as the baby Gibb brother of The Bee Gees. Naturally, his solo career was also very successful. He was quite a charming guy, and his late 1970s hits “I Just Want To Be Your Everything” and “Shadow Dancing” did well on the charts.
Sadly, not all was well for Gibb. He struggled with drug abuse and more or less tanked his own career. By the 1980s, he fell from the charts and failed to launch a successful comeback. Gibb tragically passed away in 1988.
4. Lobo
Remember Lobo? A standout entry on our list of pop stars from the 70s who disappeared, Lobo was a pretty successful pop and soft rock artist for a minute. “Me And You And A Dog Named Boo” was his biggest song. He was best known for his smooth voice and chill style that vibed well with the folk-leaning pop sound of the early 1970s.
So, what happened to him? Rather than fight for a comeback, Lobo decided to step away from the spotlight. He continued to make music for some time but didn’t really market himself or do interviews. Luckily, he has a pretty big cult following in Asia now.
Photo by Watal Asanuma/Shinko Music/Getty Images
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