One-Hit Wonders: Where Are They Now?
February 27, 2014Did you ever wonder what some of your favorite one-hit artists are up to now? Find out where they are today and what happend to them after their one-hit wonders.
The '70s
Terry Jacks – "Seasons in the Sun" (1974)
After the song topped the charts, Terry Jacks left the world of music behind him to become an outspoken environmentalist.
Vicki Sue Robinson – "Turn the Beat Around" (1976)
This was a big hit back in 1976 that will stay around forever. Unfortunately, Robinson lost the battle to cancer in the year 2000 and died at the age of 45.
Starland Vocal Band – "Afternoon Delight" (1976)
Starland Vocal Band was comprised of husband and wife duo Bill Danoff and wife Taffy Nivert which split and and then divorced in 1981 after they were unable to replicate the success of this hit.
Wild Cherry – "Play That Funky Music" (1976)
Rob Parissi who was the singer of Wild Cherry went on to become a DJ in Wheeling, West Virginia after this massive hit. Think he's still playing this funky music?
Gary Numan – "Cars" (1979)
Currently working on a new album and recently appeared on the Nine Inch Nails tour.
Sugarhill Gang – "Rapper's Delight" (1979)
This was a #1 rap hit, but since then Sugarhill Gang have kept a low profile, returning only shortly to perform in 1999.
The '80s
Soft Cell – "Tainted Love" (1981)
Marc Almond of Soft Cell who had great success with "Tainted Love" never had a hit again in the States. Besides that he had a very successful music career with various great solo albums. In 2004 he was nearly killed in a motorcycle crash but recovered shortly after.
Musical Youth – "Pass the Dutchie" (1982)
Singer of "Pass the Dutchie" were slated for a reunion tour in 2001, but plans changed right after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Toni Basil – "Mickey" (1982)
In 1982, Toni Basil gained fame with this hit but she also appeared in films like "Five Easy Pieces" and "Easy Rider."
Dexys Midnight Runners – "Come On Eileen" (1982)
The song had great success and quickly became a hit, but their second album did not score well with critics. Kevin Rowland the lead singer left the band in 1988 in order to pursue a solo career, struggled with drug addiction and finally reunited with the band in 2003.
Spandau Ballet – "True" (1983)
After their hit the Kemp brothers decided to leave music behind and join acting. In 1990 they appeared in the gangster film "The Krays" and later on reunited and new album and another one in 2009.
Kajagoogoo – "Too Shy" (1983)
Singers of this hit broke up in 1986, but reunited in 2011 to release their first single as a five piece outfit since 1983, "Death Defying Headlines."
Twisted Sister – "We're Not Gonna Take It" (1984)
After the success of their hit, this glam band suffered a slow and lingering death.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood – "Relax" (1984)
Frankie Goes To Hollywood had some good songs after this massive hit, but nothing as big and they were unable to create another great hit because of bitter battles within the group. There was an attempt for a reunion in 2003 but that fell apart and was not successful.
Falco – "Rock Me Amadeus" (1985)
This superb hit made Falco a star overnight. Sadly the Austrian singer who was born Johann Holzel was killed in a car crash in 1998 at the age of 40.
Bobby McFerrin – "Don't Worry Be Happy" (1988)
This was the hit that made McFerrin famous back in 1988 and these days he spends most of his time conducting orchestras.
The '90s
Deee-Lite – "Groove Is In the Heart (1990)
After this successful hit, keyboardist Towa Tei left the band and the remaining band members pursued DJ careers separately.
Vanilla Ice – "Ice Ice Baby (1990)
Robert Matthew Van Winkle (Vanilla Ice) was unsuccessful reinventing himself after the "Ice Ice Baby" hit. Currently he hosts "The Vanilla Ice Project" on the DIY Network.
EMF – "Unbelievable" (1990)
The British band has broken up and reunited twice since they released their hit "Unbelievable." The good news is that the band members announced an upcoming reunion.
Right Said Fred – "I'm Too Sexy" (1991)
Best known for their hit "I'm Too Sexy", Right Said Fred are still making albums and in 2011, the British brothers released an album called "Stop The World."
Sir Mix-A-Lot – "Baby Got Back" (1992)
Sir Mix-A-Lot continues to make music, yet never regained the fame of "Baby Got Back."
Jamie Walters – "How Do You Talk To An Angel" (1992)
Appeared on the original "Beverly Hills, 90210" series for several episodes, Jamie left acting and music to become a certified paramedic for the Los Angeles Fire Department in 2004.
Los del Rio – "The Macarena" (1995)
Los del Rio continued to make music after their 1995 smash hit and in 2008 released "Quinceanera Macarena."
Meredith Brooks – "Bitch" (1997)
Meredith Brooks actually recorded a children's music album in 2008 called "If I Could Be…" and these days she's producing Sony Music Entertainment artist Becca which is a singer from Portland.
The 2000s
Eiffel 65 – "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" (2000)
Italian trio Eiffel 65 topped the charts with this hit and in 2003 the band released their last album. They split in 2006 but reunited in 2010 to record a new album.
Crazy Town – "Butterfly" (2001)
The song hit #1 in 15 different countries including in the United States. The group broke up in 2003 in order to pursue solo careers and Seth Binzer who was the front man of the band ended up battling substance abuse on VH1 reality shows "Celebrity Rehab" and "Sober House." The band has reunited and working on a new album.
Lumidee – "Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh) (2003)
This song was a major success for Lumidee but she failed to reproduce this success with a second hit and in 2009 she's released a mixtape. These days she makes appearances on other artists' songs.
Cassie – "Me & U" (2006)
Cassie is known more for her relationship with P Diddy than her music these days. Ever since this hit single, Cassie has tried to reproduce more hits but nothing took off and we're left with this one hit wonder.
Mims – "This Is Why I'm Hot" (2007)
This hit song took the country by storm in 2007 but ever since the rapper hasn't been heard from. Mims released another album in 2009 titled "Guilt" but it failed to achieve any success.
Carly Rae Jepsen – "Call Me Maybe" (2012)
Sure, it's only been 2 years since this song became a hit and exploded across the airwaves but it has all the ingredients to be a one-hit wonder. Carly Rae Jepsen failed to produce a second hit and these days she's working on her Broadway career where she'll play Cinderella in the Rodgers & Hammerstein's musical.
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