Artists who went mainstream but always kept their underground/counterculture cred.

Basically, who never felt like they'd "sold out" even when they became huge?
To me Bob Dylan is kind of the ultimate example of this (though I'm sure some would disagree). Who else?

 

Sonic youth

 

Pantera

 

Lou Reed

 

R.E.M.

 

David Bowie?

 

Depeche Mode to some extent.

 

The likes of Morrissey and Paul Weller.

 

Did Dylan ever go mainstream? I'm not sure he did.

Everyone in the western world knows who he is but you find an amazing level of ignorance about his music. In my experience, people know 'Blowin' In The Wind' but don't know that Dylan wrote it.

 

Grateful Dead.
Who are they and why do they keep following me?

 

Bowie.

Though some of that might have been lost in the 80s, I'm sure much of it was gained back in the 90s.

 

I'm thinking Hawkwind, to some extent. But I expect there'll be differing views.

 

Creedence Clearwater Revival.

Even now, they are likely to be found on both oldies radio and classic rock radio, almost always with the same songs.

 

Talk Talk in reverse

Midnight Oil

Nick Cave

 

He had an UK number one album in 2015. Unfortunately, it's an album full of Frank Sinatra tunes, so that's his underground/counterculture cred blown.

 

I was surprised to enjoy his recent run of cover albums: I listen to them a lot more than I listen to Tempest.

 

Yes, I noticed it had received critical acclaim. Normally, I'm not a fan of Frank Sinatra, but I'll give it a listen. Unfortunately, I think Bob Dylan underground/counterculture vibe went in the 80s, but has recovered somewhat. A bit like Neil Young really.

 

Radiohead.

 

Prince

 

Talk Talk is a weird one. Starts out as a synth pop band releasing singles such as "It's My Life", and ends up virtually inventing post rock.

 

Iron Maiden

The Doors

 

Valley Girl didn't tarnish Zappa's cred

 

Blue Öyster Cult

 

Some artists that had it for quite a while after they broke, but have kinda lost it along the way:

The Cure
Peter Gabriel
Funkadelic
Talking Heads

Bonus reverse artist: Scott Walker.

 

Beck