10 Rock Music Bands Who Had Huge Potential (And Wasted It)

10. Big Star

Irony was clearly the order of the day when this band named itself, as they all had the chances to be big stars, but fate other ideas.

Formed in Memphis, Tennessee in 1971, Big Star were initially inspired by acts like The Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel, but would eventually find their own sound that was years ahead of its time. Retrospectives on the band claimed that they were forerunners of the alternative rock movement that would take over the mainstream in the 1990s.

Names from R.E.M's Peter Buck to KISS' Paul Stanley have cited them as an influence, which isn't bad going at all.

The group put out three albums in the 1970s, but were hampered by poor marketing from their label, Stax Records. A lack of commercial success led to tensions between the members, which resulted in the band splitting before the release of their third album.

A few months after it came out, original guitarist Chris Bell died in a car crash, ending any chances of a reunion.

Though they have found a place in history as a cult act, Big Star never shone as brightly as they could have.