One-hit wonders often try their hand at scoring a second hit, only to be left (unfortunately) disappointed. The music industry isn’t an easy thing to take on, after all. However, a few big one-hit wonders through the years virtually vanished without a trace after their one big claim to fame. Let’s look at a few examples, and what actually happened to them!
1. The Buggles
If you were around during MTV’s heyday, you probably know “Video Killed The Radio Star” by heart. It was the song first used to launch MTV back in 1981. However, this 1979 synth-pop hit by The Buggles was their only Top 10 hit, and their only US Hot 100 charting hit as well. Less than a year after the music video for “Video Killed The Radio Star”, The Buggles seemingly vanished. So, what happened?
In 1982, The Buggles kicked off what would be their last performance on a Dutch television program. After their second album failed to gain commercial success, Trevor Horn decided to focus on producing over pop stardom. However, he and Geoff Downes have occasionally performed reunion shows under The Buggles name.
2. Zager And Evans
Zager And Evans made it big in the late 1960s for their no. 1 charting hit, “In The Year 2525”. The psych-pop and folk-rock duo could have easily continued on the course toward fame, but they broke up just a couple of years later in 1971.
The duo struggled to maintain commercial success following their chart-topping single, which led to their breakup. Today, Denny Zager works as a custom guitar maker in Nebraska, and Rick Evans sadly passed away in 2018.
3. Richie Valens
You might remember Richie Valens by his 1958 adaptation of the Mexican folk song, “La Bamba”. Valens had a few hits across two US charts and in Australia, but “La Bamba” (originally released as the B-side to “Donna” was his only Top 20 hit. There was definitely going to be more… but sadly, tragedy struck in 1959.
Months after “La Bamba” was released, 17-year-old Valens was killed in a plane crash, along with famed musicians Buddy Holly, J.P. Richardson, and the pilot, Roger Peterson. Even today, the tragedy is referred to as “The Day Music Died” and inspired the 1971 Don McLean song, “American Pie”.
4. Bobby Fuller
You might know Bobby Fuller from his band, The Bobby Fuller Four. The group famously covered The Crickets’ “I Fought The Law” in 1964. He’s an unfortunate entry on our list of one-hit wonders who virtually vanished, considering how tragic his story is.
Fuller was found dead just months after “I Fought The Law” became a Top 10 hit. His body was discovered in a car parked outside of his apartment. A Los Angeles medical examiner determined that the cause of death was difficult to determine, and both “accident” and “suicide” were marked on his report with question marks. To this day, nobody knows what really happened to the young musician. Some have theorized that Charles Manson was involved, while others believe Fuller was connected to the mafia.
Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns
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