10 Biggest 'Sellout' Albums In Rock

Aerosmith were swaggering rock royalty throughout the '70s. It was the classic set up: Steven Tyler was the snake hipped frontman, swanning around onstage; Joe Perry was the mysterious axe god, delivering killer riffs and wailing solos. As the decade drew to an end, however, the dynamic duo drifted apart with the years of debauchery taking their toll. The group were a spent force. Perry left in '79 and the rest limped on without him.

For the next few years the group released a string of moderately successful albums, including a greatest hits compilation - never a good sign for any act. Perry, eventually rejoined the band, and in 1987 they released Permanent Vacation. Among other fan favourites, it included Dude Looks Like A Lady and Rag Doll. It was undoubtedly a come back for the group but it all felt a little manufactured.

The group had a fresh new look. They leaned into the hair metal thing, adorned in leggings, bandanas and an an unholy amount of scarfs. But the group also brought in a number of ghostwriters. The authenticity was waining. Mainstream-savvy production techniques and a boy band style back up team, helped provide the material. If succumbing to ghostwriters isn't selling out what is?