Commentary

Gary Glitter has announced that he wants to return to singing upon his release from prison in August. It only took a moment after reading the bizarre announcement for me to decide, no he’s not. Not that it’s up to me exactly, but sometimes you can just see a big red stamp on certain artists’ foreheads when they announce a comeback that says, DENIED. It’s just not going to happen. So this got me thinking, what does make a good comeback? Here are few tips I’ve observed that can help make a bad ass comeback.

Stay current: Just because you were one of the top selling artists in the sixties doesn’t guarantee you record sales today. Johnny Cash proved this when he released American IV: The Man Comes Around back in 2002. The album included covers of Depeche Mode’s “Personal Jesus,” U2’s “One” and the amazing cover of Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt.” This of course led to numerous Grammy, CMA and MTV video award victories that year. That was the most success Cash had seen since the late sixties. Loretta Lynn used a similar tactic when she joined forces with the very popular Jack White on her 2004 album, Van Lear Rose. Jack produced, arranged, and even sang on the album. This not only opened the door to a new legion of fans for Loretta, who may have never even heard of the country crooner, but it also won a much deserved Grammy.

Fake It: In some cases an artist has become such a parody of himself, or fallen into such deep obscurity, the mere idea of a comeback has us running for the hills. Take Donny Osmond, for example. In 1988 Osmond released a self-titled album that fell flat. After seeing it was going nowhere, Donny got some help from DJ’s all over the country. His single, “Soldier of Love” began getting airplay on stations across the country. The catch? The DJ’s knew better and kept the identity of the singer secret. It wasn’t until the single was topping the charts that Donny finally came out and his identity was revealed to a shocked music-listening public. Donny was able to ride the wave of that comeback for over a year.

Bite The Bullet & Make It Funny: Hell Freezes Over is the perfect example of a band whose personal differences made it seem a comeback would never happen. The Eagles FINALLY decided it was time to bite the bullet and put aside their differences and get back to making music. The subsequent album and tour both called Hell Freezes Over - a funny poke at a quote Don Henley had made years before when asked when the Eagles would be getting back together (Other examples, Van Halen & the recent NKOTB comebacks).

Fight For It: Tina Turner was truly left with nothing after her divorce from husband and band leader Ike Turner. No money, no royalties, and no career, nothing. Nothing but her name and a drive to make it on her own. After losing everything to Ike, Tina fought her way from playing disco revues in hotels to becoming one of the top selling female artists of all time and one who continues to sell out arenas and stadiums today. Probably one of the best comebacks ever.

Have a Presidential Decree: It’s no secret that the 1997 Fleetwood Mac reunion might never have happened (see tip #3) if it weren’t for President Clinton asking them to play at his 1993 presidential inauguration. The song “Don’t Stop” was his campaign song and they were inclined to say yes. This inevitably leading to a reunion tour. Unfortunately the band couldn’t get past the past, and the comeback didn’t last.

Go Country: Bon Jovi decided if they were going to keep going strong and get more fans they were going to have go country. Really, their 2007 album Lost Highway, didn’t sound all that different than the sound we’re used to hearing from Bon Jovi. Just the fact they decided to call it country was enough for it to top the charts and bring in a legion of new fans. How this comeback translates into the long term success remains to be seen, but as of today they’re still selling out concerts everywhere.

Do What You Do Best: Sometimes drugs, changing tastes of youth, and other outside factors can force an otherwise incredible artist out of the spotlight, leaving them unable to even find a recording contract. Then, they find one, and it sells…a lot. Frank Sinatra is the comeback king because he was able to dig himself out of a rut. Every time it was said his career was over, he would come back kicking and winning the Grammy and Oscar awards to prove it (Page & Plant, The Police, etc all also go here).

Anyone else got tips for the next artist whose plotting there next trip into the musical spotlight?