Rock bands/artists who went pop

Dan Hartman? I was shocked when I learned it was him singing "Free Ride"

 

Ambrosia. From prog to Lite-FM

 

Or Scott Walker.

 

Because people expect millionaire heavy metal bands to always wear black leather and shop at Hot Topic.

 

Paradise Lost, who went from metal to synthpop. And back again.

 

David Sylvian could qualify.

 

Depeche Mode may qualify too. They started off as a bouncy synthpop band and developed into a darker-hued synth rock band, complete with real guitar flourishes.

 

Juanes was a serious metalhead with his band Ekhymosis before selling his soul out to the Grammys.

 

I think you'll find many who'll tell you that Simple Minds did, I'd agree. I didn't live their early years so the change wasn't as dramatic for me. I discovered them right at the time they were touring New Gold Dream after I had heard some tracks off Sons and Fascination. Sparkle in the Rain came out not long after and when I saw them in 84 they appeared more like a college rock band that was about to break over so when it did, I wasn't all that phased by the turn to "that song" and the following top 10 album. Not many bands have the career trajectory that they did, I maintain they were going to break over regardless of whether they did the song or not. They were immersed in American radio, had a hard hitting drummer and wanted that Jimmy Iovine sound all over the songs Bruce, MellenCougar and the Pretenders had. I think the suspicion arises out of their fanatical resistance to making NGD2 which caused them to go with Steve Lillywhite who really had them ditch some very interesting demos in favor of a larger piano, guitar sound as opposed to the electro awesomeness on the demos.

Anywho, they did go mainstream but I think it was more a case of wanting that sound as opposed to "selling out", they were good enough to grow their audience without an "out of nowhere #1 single" but to many it looked like they went for the $. Opinions may vary.

 

Queen didn't turn into a pop band. They always kept being a rock band that also played more catchy pop/rock stuff. There is pop on the third album and the second, and the fourth.
I should point out that there is nothing wrong with pop music either, i love it. I've alway gotten the impression that a lot of people seem to look down on pop music, don't know why, is it coz it's 'popular?'

 

Moody Blues & Chicago

 

Rush in the 80s

Most of then indie acts like Coldplay, The Killers, etc

 

R.E.M.

Pop Song ‘89(transcends pop really)
Stand
Shiny Happy People
Everybody Hurts
At My Most Beautiful
She just wants to be
Leaving New York
Make it all ok


Love the crap out of them no matter!

 

Not judging on Japan's work - I don't really put Brilliant Trees in the pop section - it's definitely an art rock record.

 

No he went Dad rock. Pipe and slippers.

 

I wonder if he ever played there or went on holiday.

 

I'll admit that I've not heard much from Maroon 5. Were they more of a rock band when they started out?

 

I remember reading on an interview that they felt ripped off by Joy Division/New Order, in particular the way Peter Hook played bass. In retrospect, "Ahead" is better than anything New Order put out during the '80's IMHO. I'm not putting New Order down, I just think "Ahead" is freaking brilliant.

 

QOTSA

 

Paul Weller broke up The Jam to start The Style Council

Styx was Prog then Prog Pop Rock then just Pop

Aerosmith was a hard rock and went pop rock mtv band

 

Goatwhore is pretty much the only band that has not gone pop (yet)​

 

The Nihilist Spasm Band haven't.

 

Foreigner?

 

They stopped playing Rod around the disc era on rock radio as I recall.