3 Nearly-Perfect Debut Albums by Classic Rock Bands That Failed To Launch (But Started the Careers of Famous Musicians)

Classic rock bands come and go, and few remain as enduring hitmakers for years after their start. For some now-famous musicians, however, they got their start in bands that never really went anywhere. And after the inevitable breakup of those bands, former members went on to achieve international fame in either new bands or as solo artists. Let’s look at a few underrated classic rock bands that kicked off the careers of a few greats, shall we?

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Mudcrutch

Everybody knows about Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, but what about classic rock bands like Mudcrutch? This Southern rock outfit formed in 1970 with the likes of Tom Petty, Tom Leadon, Mike Campbell, Charlie Souza, Benmont Tench, and a number of other musicians making up its lineup. The group released just two singles in the 70s that failed to chart, leading to their ultimate breakup. However, Petty, Campbell, and Tench went on to form The Heartbreakers and eventually found international fame.

Mudcrutch eventually reunited in the 2000s and delivered their debut self-titled album in 2008, and it’s a fine piece of work. The band would eventually come to a close with the passing of Petty in 2017.

The Housemartins

If you grew up in England in the 1980s, there’s a good chance you heard indie rock outfit The Housemartins in passing. Honestly, this entry on our list of classic rock bands didn’t do half-bad while they were together. They delivered three Top 10 records and six Top 20 singles in the UK. Formed in 1983, The Housemartins featured the talents of Paul Heaton, Stan Cullimore, Dave Hemingway, Norman Cook, Ted Key, and Hugh Whitaker.

All things considered, this band certainly did not fail to “launch” per se. However, they never really achieved international fame, outside of the global 1986 hit “Caravan Of Love”. After a farewell album, the band called it quits in 1988. Heaton and Hemingway would go on to form The Beautiful South. And Cook, the band’s bassist, would later enter the EDM world under the name Fatboy Slim. The Housemartins’ debut album from 1986, London 0 Hull 4, is essential listening.

Green River

In the mid-1980s, the grunge band Green River formed in Seattle. This outfit is considered one of the very first grunge bands to ever exist, though they did have some heavy metal and punk rock elements. This entry on our list of classic rock bands that failed to thrive released only one album, the 1984 venture Rehab Doll. This Sub Pop release is quite impressive, but it wasn’t enough to keep the band afloat. They would later break up in 1988 and reunite a couple of times.

A few grunge greats were born from Green River. Jeff Ament would go on to form Pearl Jam with Stone Gossard. Mark Arm would become the vocalist of Mudhoney, of which Green River member Steve Turner would also join. Bruce Fairweather would later join Mother Love Bone, among other grunge groups like Love Battery. Alex Vincent, likewise, would join Ex’s With Benefits.

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