Why do record companies try to make things (boy bands, teen pop singers, etc.) work when they don't work?

Think about it for a moment. So many of them have worked for extremely short periods of time. David Cassidy, Donny Osmond, Tony Delfranco, Bobby Sherman, Frankie Avalon, Fabian, Bobby Vee, Shaun Cassidy, Leif Garrett, Aaron Carter, Hillary Duff, New Kids on the Block, Backstreet Boys, N'Sync, LFO, 98 Degrees, and the list goes on and on. Sure you might know what some of them are doing now (Leif Garrett is on "World's Dumbest..."), and some of them have had a breakout star (N'Sync had Justin Timberlake, but does anyone care about what the others are doing these days?). But these are nothing more than just fads. Fads that will come and go. Kesha's music won't be remembered twenty years from now. Neither will Justin Bieber's, T-Pain's, Lil Wayne's, Rihanna's, Katy Perry's, Miley Cyrus's, Selena Gomez's, Demi Levato's, Big Time Rush's, and (again) the list goes on and on.





If you want an even more recent example, then let me remind you of The Jonas Brothers. For a few years, they had some hit singles, then they're singles charted lower and lower. The last three singles they would put out wouldn't even chart. A Ska Punk band named Reel Big Fish released an album the same year and it actually did better than Jonas Brothers. It doesn't say a whole lot for your band when a band barely anyone cares about anymore charts higher than yours.





Now, some might argue that they do work because they make money. But who cares about the money part of it? Think of bands that have been around for a while that still have a huge following today. That longevity is what makes a band work. AC/DC has been around since 1973, and they're most recent album debuted at #1. If the money aspect is really what we consider what "works," then that means those music producers, "talent" agents, and the like are no better than those Wall Street a$$holes who focus more on short term gain than long-term, stable profit.





And something else I'd like to mention. I appreciate quality pop music (even if it seems that there is much quantity of it lately). Adam Lambert, Adele, Lady GaGa, P!nk, Christian Aguilera, etc. But these shameless attempts at making safe, commercially-friendly, assembly-line music products I cannot appreciate and will refuse to support them.|||Because all there in it for is the money. They do not give to craps about the quality of the music they just care about the consumer buying the products the singer has. It's sad how they can't even put a single thought into this pop crap. It's all about brainwashing the public with catchy lyrics and beats because it's all to get them hooked and buy, buy, buy!|||you already said it, it's because of money. its safer to invest in some mundane cookie cutter group that make little girls ginies tickle, than a group with real talent.|||True,true,but from all listed artists I only care for P!nk. She has been on scene for over a decade,she has got awesome songs,most of her singles achieved success,she writes her own song (and has written a hit song for Adam Lambert "Whataya want from me") and she can sing live,she connect with fans. Im here to spreas the P!nk culture. LOL no joking,here to agree and get my 2 points|||I totally agree with you








loads of bands and stuff that are old like Beatles and stuff they are legendary and someone like miley cyrus well what the hell has she done? just get in trouble so she can get more money thats what. Thats about it tho. But youre definitely right








btw I see Adele as soul or A jazzy type of stuff i adore her tho. and i think shes the best out of every supposedly pop person|||Sweetie, you answered your own question. Its the money and the hype.

I do take issue with some of your choices though in the 1st paragraph. For example, David Cassidy never wanted a singing career. Frankie Avalon and Fabian had quite long careers, especially when they moved into songwriting, producing and the film industry. Donny Osmond is very successful and extremely popular still. But he doesn't record much music anymore. His family is the most important thing in the world to him and you gotta respect that. And there are others that took control of their own careers and got rid of their "handlers". People move on to do other things with their lives. Not every artist wants to be an Elvis type phenomenon nor be told what to do and how to do it. I'd guess that most every one of these listed feels that they have had successful and gratifying careers, no matter their (perceived) popularity.

The music industry tends to burn people out, and not just the artists, lol. Constant pressure to perform successfully makes for a lot of mistakes. Thats about it, Austin. Thanks for asking for my opinion. Nice to see you.

Auntie Koo

Edit: It is not the fault of the artist that these things happen. They are often managed into a place that they do not want to be or should never have been. It takes time to determine this, and during that entire time, high performance standards and expectations are demanded. For example, the "boy bands" that you name. No one, including the public, has ever expected that talented artists like this would stay together forever. Indeed, the boy band is a stepping stone for all involved, including the record companies and artist management. If one or more singular talents eventually emerge from this situation, there is still plenty of money to be made by all concerned. Especially if the artists move on to other media, such as films or producing. (think Madonna, Todd Rundgren, among others)

A long question deserves a long answer, lol.

A.K.