10 Failed Albums That Became Cult Classics
7. The Clash - The Clash
Hailed by some as one of the best punk groups of all time, The Clash were iconic figures in the genre for some years before slowly evolving into a more radio friendly, commercial rock style. The foundations for The Clash's career were laid in 1977 by their self-titled debut record. But, at the time of its release there was little evidence that The Clash had a bright future ahead of them.
The content of the record was considered far too controversial for airplay by most radio stations, meaning the band missed out on vital exposure. Songs such as 'Remote Control', 'I'm So Bored With the USA' and 'White Riot' struck nerves with some fans, but the album still managed good reviews from critics despite missing out on the top 10 in the UK albums chart.
'The Clash' didn't chart in the US until 1979 due to its delayed release date and even then it only peaked at #126 in the US Billboard chart. However, The Clash quickly gained a large following thanks to the records that followed such as 'Give 'Em Enough Rope' and 'London Calling', meaning their debut record soon started to gain traction among fans. 'The Clash' is now a certified gold record in both USA and Britain.