100 Artists who just "walked away"

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.. you know, they just sorta 'resigned'.

As opposed to 'got dropped'.

(I was going to add 'or couldn't handle it mentally' but that could mean everyone on some small level)

... So:

100. Syd Barrett
99. Lewis Taylor
98. The Sundays

Mark G, Friday, 18 December 2009 08:39 (fifteen years ago)

97. Bill Withers

Euler, Friday, 18 December 2009 08:39 (fifteen years ago)

96. Mark Hollis

like having an eternal kazoo in your underwear (acoleuthic), Friday, 18 December 2009 08:40 (fifteen years ago)

97, really?

Mark G, Friday, 18 December 2009 08:41 (fifteen years ago)

96 was one hell of a long fade-out.

Mark G, Friday, 18 December 2009 08:41 (fifteen years ago)

re 97 yes, just look up "Bill Withers retired" e.g. for details.

Euler, Friday, 18 December 2009 08:42 (fifteen years ago)

95. The Left Banke
94. The Four Tops
93. Billy Bragg

We Built This City on a Small Industrial Slum in Los Angeles (Noodle Vague), Friday, 18 December 2009 08:44 (fifteen years ago)

92. Pete Quaife
91. Thelonious Monk

MumblestheRevelator, Friday, 18 December 2009 08:52 (fifteen years ago)

90. Captain Beefheart

Josefa, Friday, 18 December 2009 08:55 (fifteen years ago)

89. http://relevantsound.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/article-1042504-023be8170000044d-47_468x3291.jpg

We Built This City on a Small Industrial Slum in Los Angeles (Noodle Vague), Friday, 18 December 2009 08:56 (fifteen years ago)

88. http://991.com/newgallery/Cast-Walkaway---Clear-62616.jpg

Jamie_ATP, Friday, 18 December 2009 09:07 (fifteen years ago)

NOT FAST ENOUGH

We Built This City on a Small Industrial Slum in Los Angeles (Noodle Vague), Friday, 18 December 2009 09:15 (fifteen years ago)

95. The Left Banke
94. The Four Tops
93. Billy Bragg

I admit it took a moment, but I got it.

Mark G, Friday, 18 December 2009 09:22 (fifteen years ago)

87. jarobi

"can´t you be just normal?? be normal just once!" (a hoy hoy), Friday, 18 December 2009 09:27 (fifteen years ago)

95. The Left Banke
94. The Four Tops
93. Billy Bragg

I admit it took a moment, but I got it.

They were dropped. It was Renée who walked.

ithappens, Friday, 18 December 2009 09:29 (fifteen years ago)

They "walked away" in the stretched sense of doing the song.

We Built This City on a Small Industrial Slum in Los Angeles (Noodle Vague), Friday, 18 December 2009 09:33 (fifteen years ago)

86. rick astley

blarinet (electricsound), Friday, 18 December 2009 09:34 (fifteen years ago)

85. Pete La Roca

Ward Fowler, Friday, 18 December 2009 09:44 (fifteen years ago)

There's not that many of these, I don't think, but here's definitely one:

84. Fred Neil

Sonny Uplands (Tom D.), Friday, 18 December 2009 10:21 (fifteen years ago)

83. Kendra Smith

Karen Tregaskin, Friday, 18 December 2009 10:23 (fifteen years ago)

:(

i sure hope david roback isn't following suit

blarinet (electricsound), Friday, 18 December 2009 10:31 (fifteen years ago)

82. Bill Berry

poster x (ledge), Friday, 18 December 2009 11:01 (fifteen years ago)

Ugh at that Cast sleeve. I can't believe you camped out to get no.00007.

81. Kate Bush

Ismael Klata, Friday, 18 December 2009 11:12 (fifteen years ago)

Has she retired?

Which one's George Clinton? (Tom D.), Friday, 18 December 2009 11:14 (fifteen years ago)

not officially I don't think, but we're four years into a gap-following-a-twelve-year-gap now

Ismael Klata, Friday, 18 December 2009 11:20 (fifteen years ago)

I'd surprised if she didn't record again though

Which one's George Clinton? (Tom D.), Friday, 18 December 2009 11:21 (fifteen years ago)

89 is [nabisco] [.] or just someone who resembles him?

gynecologic pop (The Reverend), Friday, 18 December 2009 11:22 (fifteen years ago)

hahaha awesome

He is a bloke called Howard who used to manage a bank then started singing in the bank's annoying TV adverts and now given the state of the financial sector he's probably on the dole

We Built This City on a Small Industrial Slum in Los Angeles (Noodle Vague), Friday, 18 December 2009 11:26 (fifteen years ago)

he also guest-starred on The Office, I believe

Ismael Klata, Friday, 18 December 2009 11:40 (fifteen years ago)

Yes he did, but I don't think he sang.

We Built This City on a Small Industrial Slum in Los Angeles (Noodle Vague), Friday, 18 December 2009 11:43 (fifteen years ago)

In 2005, Brown released a cover of the Barry White song You're the First, the Last, My Everything as a charity single. It peaked at number 13 in the UK singles chart.

In April 2008 it was announced that Brown would not be starring in any more Halifax adverts, with him instead taking a role in its public relations department.

We Built This City on a Small Industrial Slum in Los Angeles (Noodle Vague), Friday, 18 December 2009 11:45 (fifteen years ago)

88. Lauryn Hill

Tracer Hand, Friday, 18 December 2009 11:53 (fifteen years ago)

80. Jeremy Spencer

Which one's George Clinton? (Tom D.), Friday, 18 December 2009 11:55 (fifteen years ago)

79. Deanna Durbin

mu-mu (Pashmina), Friday, 18 December 2009 13:40 (fifteen years ago)

78. Artie Shaw

Which one's George Clinton? (Tom D.), Friday, 18 December 2009 13:44 (fifteen years ago)

77. Robert Wyatt

(sorry)

Race Against Rockism (Myonga Vön Bontee), Friday, 18 December 2009 13:44 (fifteen years ago)

77. Cat Stevens

Which one's George Clinton? (Tom D.), Friday, 18 December 2009 13:45 (fifteen years ago)

http://www.virginmedia.com/images/ridgeley-431.jpg

scott seward, Friday, 18 December 2009 13:51 (fifteen years ago)

76. Lee Mavers

Jazzbo, Friday, 18 December 2009 13:53 (fifteen years ago)

75. Noddy Holder

Which one's George Clinton? (Tom D.), Friday, 18 December 2009 13:57 (fifteen years ago)

74. Kevin Shields

The Enigma of Doogie Howser (Daruton), Friday, 18 December 2009 13:59 (fifteen years ago)

Sterling Morrison

(surprised we got this far without him...)

then I got napster and the world became a more interesting place. (Display Name), Friday, 18 December 2009 14:18 (fifteen years ago)

What about Lou going off to work in his Dad's accountancy firm?

Which one's George Clinton? (Tom D.), Friday, 18 December 2009 14:19 (fifteen years ago)

72. Jeff Mangum

kornrulez6969, Friday, 18 December 2009 14:46 (fifteen years ago)

71 roy montgomery

andrew m., Friday, 18 December 2009 15:00 (fifteen years ago)

70 shuggie otis

ice cr?m, Friday, 18 December 2009 15:03 (fifteen years ago)

69. Art Ledger

We Built This City on a Small Industrial Slum in Los Angeles (Noodle Vague), Friday, 18 December 2009 15:36 (fifteen years ago)

68. David Ackles

Which one's George Clinton? (Tom D.), Friday, 18 December 2009 15:37 (fifteen years ago)

So what's the deal with Gillian Welch? Is it writer's block?

bendy, Friday, 18 December 2009 15:40 (fifteen years ago)

67. Bill Wyman

Ismael Klata, Friday, 18 December 2009 15:42 (fifteen years ago)

Lots and lots of techno DJs/producers from the late 80's/ear;y 90s

Mr. Snrub, Thursday, 8 April 2010 01:03 (fifteen years ago)

early. Though the 90s were eary too.

Mr. Snrub, Thursday, 8 April 2010 01:04 (fifteen years ago)

two months pass...

What to make of Matt Johnson? For all of Wikipedia's alleged activity, the guy's pretty much off the grid, isn't he?

Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 22 June 2010 11:38 (fifteen years ago)

David Bowie

PaulTMA, Tuesday, 22 June 2010 11:42 (fifteen years ago)

Matt Johnson
Matt Johnson signed a solo contract with Jive Records Matt left the label after being unhappy with the music direction. Most recently, Matt has been working with record producer Jay Reynolds and is set to release a single in 2010 with record label Tristar Records. He has an official website and is also a wedding singer.

This is according toWikipedia.

Tuomas, Tuesday, 22 June 2010 11:42 (fifteen years ago)

^^him or the The The guy?

willem, Tuesday, 22 June 2010 12:07 (fifteen years ago)

David Bowie

Dude made albums for 30-something years!

ilxor has truly been got at and become an ILXor (ilxor), Tuesday, 22 June 2010 12:09 (fifteen years ago)

And then he just walked awy

PaulTMA, Tuesday, 22 June 2010 12:22 (fifteen years ago)

awy awy awy

awy

awy

PaulTMA, Tuesday, 22 June 2010 12:22 (fifteen years ago)

The The guy. Dunno who that Jive turkey is.

Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 22 June 2010 12:23 (fifteen years ago)

Recently, the The The guy made a soundtrack to his brother's movie. (haven't heard it myself)

willem, Tuesday, 22 June 2010 12:50 (fifteen years ago)

The The The guy has just put out a new instrumental soundtrack album, I revived this thread to talk about it but as usual with my posts nobody was paying attention.

xp

anagram, Tuesday, 22 June 2010 12:50 (fifteen years ago)

The The The Johnson walked away from major-label involvement and running a "band", yeah. Seems to have been (ended up being) something of a cover for pootling about and doing stuff he was interested in, but he definitely said "ah fuck this" in the middle of a concerted reissue and promo campaign, due to Sony cockery.

dyaon't (sic), Tuesday, 22 June 2010 12:53 (fifteen years ago)

Dunno who that Jive turkey is.

appropos of nothing, but i hope that phrase comes back into style.

Daniel, Esq., Tuesday, 22 June 2010 12:53 (fifteen years ago)

MC 900 Ft. Jesus

Arghn, Tuesday, 22 June 2010 13:19 (fifteen years ago)

Can't believe I'm the first to mention Elizabeth Fraser.

anagram, Tuesday, 22 June 2010 13:23 (fifteen years ago)

Still dabbles, but yeah.

dyaon't (sic), Tuesday, 22 June 2010 13:29 (fifteen years ago)

98. The Sundays

I heard somewhere once that the last show The Sundays ever played consisted of all four members walking out onstage without any instruments, but instead with big garbage bins full of spray paint cans that they passed out to those in the audience with the instructions they should express themselves all over the walls of the auditorium. This sounds a little aggro based on what I know of The Sundays' personal demeanors, but I really want to believe that it's true.

I know it's only been 13 years since the last album, but it seems twice that long easily. :(

Johnny Fever, Tuesday, 22 June 2010 13:32 (fifteen years ago)

Can't believe I'm the first to mention Elizabeth Fraser.

We're all in denial.

Hideous Lump, Wednesday, 23 June 2010 03:13 (fifteen years ago)

Bill Carter of the Screaming Blue Messiahs

earlnash, Wednesday, 23 June 2010 03:40 (fifteen years ago)

three months pass...

5. Anne Bredon

4. Tom Lehrer

Lee626, Wednesday, 29 September 2010 18:45 (fourteen years ago)

3. chuckii booker

definatelypoopsmcgee (chrisv2010), Wednesday, 29 September 2010 18:48 (fourteen years ago)

2. Danielle Dax

Fruitless and Pansy Free (Dr. Joseph A. Ofalt), Wednesday, 29 September 2010 20:26 (fourteen years ago)

#1. Mase

http://www.hiphopstarship.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/mase-grin.jpg

Fruitless and Pansy Free (Dr. Joseph A. Ofalt), Wednesday, 29 September 2010 21:55 (fourteen years ago)

#1. Mas$e

del griffith, Wednesday, 29 September 2010 22:30 (fourteen years ago)

<3 #1

mod future admin gang ban them all (The Reverend), Wednesday, 29 September 2010 22:34 (fourteen years ago)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAJV6Zvqvy4

Tied Up In Geir (Geir Hongro), Wednesday, 29 September 2010 23:11 (fourteen years ago)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN4b1jUN5lc

Fruitless and Pansy Free (Dr. Joseph A. Ofalt), Thursday, 30 September 2010 02:54 (fourteen years ago)

fourteen years pass...

Shep Pettibone
Dave Edmunds

Josh in Chicago, Friday, 14 February 2025 03:10 (six months ago)

iirc 20+ years ago there was a (female) ilx poster everyone was actively terrified of, but whom i never actually saw post

her name will come to me eventually

mookieproof, Friday, 14 February 2025 03:48 (six months ago)

Steve Eliovson

Rodriguez

Hans Holbein (Chinchilla Volapük), Friday, 14 February 2025 08:29 (six months ago)

Naida Cole, classical pianist who recorded discs for Decca and Deutsche Grammophon then quit to become a medical doctor

Hans Holbein (Chinchilla Volapük), Friday, 14 February 2025 08:33 (six months ago)

Jean Sibelius

Hans Holbein (Chinchilla Volapük), Friday, 14 February 2025 08:50 (six months ago)

Bradford Cox

PaulTMA, Friday, 14 February 2025 10:00 (six months ago)

Su Tissue

henry s, Friday, 14 February 2025 12:38 (six months ago)

rihanna

gestures broadly at...everything (voodoo chili), Friday, 14 February 2025 12:51 (six months ago)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxucr5TSxDg

Slayer University (Boring, Maryland), Friday, 14 February 2025 16:25 (six months ago)

iirc 20+ years ago there was a (female) ilx poster everyone was actively terrified of, but whom i never actually saw post

her name will come to me eventually

― mookieproof, Thursday, February 13, 2025 10:48 PM

Marissa Marchant?

Hongro Hongro Hippies (Myonga Vön Bontee), Friday, 14 February 2025 16:45 (six months ago)

Can't be her, she did post here a whole bunch of times, including one time in which she posted about once every 15 minutes for several hours.

Christine Green Leafy Dragon Indigo, Friday, 14 February 2025 19:21 (six months ago)

Doing a search and reading the thread, sounds like she fits the bill. Though folks are more bemused than terrified. "I kick Norah Jone's ass and she just won several grammys. She can barely sing or play the piano. Either can any of the them compared to me. I now perform for only fifty thousand dollars, because we

Dan Worsley, Friday, 14 February 2025 19:40 (six months ago)

watching that Police video last night made me wonder how many bands at the tippy top height of their fame just...walked away. The Police were HUUUUUUUUge. (i know i know they did a one year reunion thing...kinda ruined the beauty of the thing. they just couldn't go the Minor Threat route. funny that Police and Minor Threat basically stopped around the same time.)

scott seward, Friday, 14 February 2025 21:40 (six months ago)

(and i'm not counting bands where someone died...)

scott seward, Friday, 14 February 2025 21:41 (six months ago)

either MM or Becky Lucas xps

sleeve, Friday, 14 February 2025 21:51 (six months ago)

xp Roxy Music? Barring eventual reunions, they pretty much hit their high point with the Avalon tour and then dissolved.

visiting, Friday, 14 February 2025 21:53 (six months ago)

The Jam, The Smiths, Japan, none of them as big as The Police of course

jazz divorcée (Matt #2), Friday, 14 February 2025 21:57 (six months ago)

jeez, yeah, the smiths. feel like they just would have kept getting bigger and bigger. the jam just turned into something else. something different. i loved the jam when i was a kid but i have no idea how much impact they made in the states. the buzzcocks too!

scott seward, Friday, 14 February 2025 23:16 (six months ago)

feel like the buzzcocks could have melded PS's synth-love with some pop punk and taken over the u.s. in the 80s. as much as i love his first two solo albums they didn't have that same power of prime buzzcocks. but few bands can match them at their best.

scott seward, Friday, 14 February 2025 23:18 (six months ago)

Rodriguez

his taking every international tour or live album or film soundtrack licensing offer he got between his second studio album and the documentary prob disqualifies him

not being booked for gigs in the US but taking everything you could get elsewhere is kinda the opposite of walking away, regardless of whether it was necessary to take other work in order to buy, eg., food

joey crack, aka kaiser saucer (sic), Saturday, 15 February 2025 05:30 (six months ago)

Becky Lucas! otm

mookieproof, Saturday, 15 February 2025 05:36 (six months ago)

Todd Terje

Evan, Saturday, 15 February 2025 06:06 (six months ago)


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