10 Unlucky Musicians Who Narrowly Missed Out On Making It Big

Before becoming a household name in the 1980s, Marillion were a struggling band in Aylesbury looking for a break. Formed in 1978, their original drummer long before all the of the glitz and glamour of their late '80s success was founder member Mick Pointer.

Pointer was with Marillion right from their inception in 1978, up until signing to EMI and the release of their first album, 1983's Script For A Jester's Tear. The album was moderately successful, but following the tour to support the album, lead singer Fish was unhappy with the group's rhythm section.

Citing Pointer's lack of musical development and awful timing, Fish along with the rest of Marillion dismissed founding member Mick Pointer.

Just two years on from Pointer's dismissal and following a successful second album, 1984's Fugazi, the neo-proggessive innovators would release their biggest album, 1985's Misplaced Childhood. The album would be certified platinum within five months of release, and be Marillion's only number one album.

The album transformed the Aylesbury quintet from a theatre act to a group capable of selling out stadiums, with their largest ever gig supporting Queen in front of 150,000 people taking place in 1986. Mick Pointer was sadly left in the dust only to return to fitting kitchens, his job prior to being in the band.