West Michigan readers of Local Spins unleashed a dizzying array of names — from Greta Van Fleet to Led Zeppelin — when asked about the most overrated acts ever. Read their responses here.
Cheap Magic Show? KISS was a reader favorite — when it comes to being overrated. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
If anything proves the old adage that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, just ask folks their opinion about the most overrated artist or band of all time.
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Local Spins did just that recently with its Question of the Week and West Michigan music fans responded in droves – and with a diverse, often surprising roster of acts covering multiple decades and genres.
On the not-so-surprising front? The goofy, glammy, shock-rock band KISS was cited most often by Local Spins readers, described as an overrated “cheap magic show” which capitalized on the success of acts such as Alice Cooper.
As one reader put it: “KISS, hands down. No question. I’ll see anything and everything live, and usually do, but never again KISS.”
Love ’em or Diss ’em: Michigan’s Greta Van Fleet was one of the bands on the overrated list. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
Personally, I’m not interested in seeing KISS again either (if they ever mount another “farewell” tour) just to protect what hearing I have left. The band’s over-the-top volume level ranks second only to AC/DC as the loudest arena concert I’ve ever experienced.
But among the expected overrated acts on the readers’ list – Nickelback, Imagine Dragons and even Michigan’s Greta Van Fleet – there were real head-scratchers that took me aback, proving that musical appeal falls into that “to each his or her own” category.
The Beatles? Madonna? U2? The Grateful Dead? Radiohead? The Rolling Stones? Led Zeppelin? Bruce Springsteen? Bob Seger? (But no ABBA?)
All of these legendary, highly celebrated artists were cited more than once, so maybe, just maybe, “overrated” is the operative word here, not “worst.”
For instance, I regard Lou Reed as one of the most important, treasured artists of the rock ‘n’ roll era and I fondly recall his Grand Rapids concert at Fountain Street Church which I attended with then-Grand Rapids Press music critic Mark Newman. But at least two readers weren’t keen to “Walk on the Wild Side” with Lou or appreciate his critic’s darling status.
And the fact that not everyone worships at the much-revered feet of The Beatles or Led Zeppelin had some readers stymied. Ok. Me, too.
Beloved and Not-So-Beloved: The Eagles (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
As Grand Haven’s Elle Lively Pellegrom put it: “I’m heartily agreeing with half of these suggestions but completely wounded by the other half.”
Check out some of the readers responses below.
And remember that those readers signed up for Local Spins email updates who respond to our question of the week will have their names placed in a drawing for Local Spins merchandise. Sign up here, it’s easy: https://localspins.com/subscribe-local-spins-mailing-list/
Email subscribers also get first crack at our Question of the Week. For a more positive spin compared to last week’s question, try this one on for size.
Who is the most underrated artist or band of all time?
Sign up for those updates, then email your response to john@localspins.com.
Local Spins’ Question of the Week (Sept. 17): Who is the most overrated artist or band in history?
THE READER RESPONSES:
Michael Terpstra – Imagine Dragons, or some old punk band like Weezer or Green Day
Elle Lively – Greta Van Fleet
Isaac Powrie – Billy Joel
Mike Dodge – Toss up: U2, Springsteen, or REM.
Nate Cohn – Greta Van Fleet
Thomas Leonard Saxe – Steve Miller Band or Boston.
Brandon Blank – I can’t answer that…
Jillian Mccormack – I don’t know. I usually think about what I like more often. Tom Petty, I guess.
Anna Kohls – I could think of many, but Ed Sheeran comes to mind—I’m not a fan of lovey-dovey-ballads.
Sean Miller Music – Imagine Dragons
Jason Billin – Prince and Bowie
Jeff Larsen – The Doors.
Brandon’s Page – Foreigner
C.E. Sikkenga – QUEEN
Mike Gilbert – Led Zeppelin
Troy Simmer – Nate Cohn, you beat me to it. Was also going to say Greta Van Fleet.
Benjamin Stephenson – Iron Butterfly
Rob Robinson – The Beatles
Richard Rowland – The Rolling Stones
Beth Friar – KISS. Hands down. No question. I’ll see anything and everything live, and usually do, but never again KISS.
Don Clapham – Bon Jovi. Other than a couple of catchy tunes, I’ve never understood their commercial success and popularity.
Robert Kozak – Throbbing Gristle
Kyle Rasche – U2
Christian J. VanAntwerpen – KISS, hands down
Greg Baxter – Red Hot Chili Peppers. How about another song that mentions California 23 times Anthony??? Ugh.
Mike Ensing – Enrico Caruso. Who plays him anymore?
Carl Schumacher – Kid Rock
Andrew Ogrodzinski – I don’t like these types of polls. Art being objective to opinion and taste. I’d say DJs and modern electronic industrial programmed stuff is overrated. They don’t even use musicians. To my ears it’s every range of bottom end decorated in random sound effects and noises.
Chuck Carter – Bruce Springsteen
James Gerard Collins – Def Leppard. My vote.
Buck McDougall – Motley Crue.
Carl Schumacher – Vanilla Ice
Drew Phillippy – For me, it’s The Rolling Stones.
Nick Fontano – Drew Phillippy: Dude, I felt that way for a long time until my friend asked me to teach him ‘Satisfaction.’ The melody sounds like a basic minor scale, but the bass harmonizes with the a mixolydian riff and it’s much more complex than memory serves. Keith is a master of making complex ideas sound elementary and that’s his magic.
Teresa Marie – Journey. I just don’t get it.
Mike Skory – As difficult and draining as this business is, I don’t like to disparage any successful musicians but if forced: Iggy Pop/Stooges.
Nate Cohn – Greta Van Fleet…
Mike Filkins – KISS
Mark Vandenberge – The 5th Dimension. They were clearly so fourth dimension, maybe even just 3rd.
Jon Miner – KC and the Sunshine Band
Rex Larsen – So many head-scratching choices posted here I almost don’t want to participate. But off the top of my head, Bachman Turner Overdrive comes to mind.
Christopher John Tague – Bob Dylan. Great writer, but voice …
Paul Magnan – New Kids on the Block
Mary Ellen Murphy – I’d have to say Rush. Just never got it.
Daniel Parsons – AC/DC
Daniel P Hudelson – Crosby Stills & Nash. Liked ’em all better in their previous bands.
James Paauwe – Madonna
Kevin Murphy – Grateful Dead
Goldie Stilson – It’s very obviously the Beatles who are literally not good, but loved by everyone.
Kristine Carpenter – America
Jonathan Beaver – AC/DC
Rex Slingerland – George Thorogood
Mark DeWitt – Maroon 5. I almost vomited when I heard Memories.
Devin Dely – Mark DeWitt; Their first album is solid though
Jeff Broddle – The Ramones. The T-shirts are pretty cool, but when they came out with their third single I couldn’t tell the difference between that and their first two songs and I lost interest.
Mike Skory – Jeff Broddle: I get what you’re saying but I’d still put them above Iggy.
Chad Michael Wedeven – David Bowie. He was great, of course, but Tin Machine? Never Let Me Down? The Laugjing Gnome? Infallible he was not.
Jim Weiler – Hands down, Sonic Youth
Elle Lively – I’m heartily agreeing with half of these suggestions but completely wounded by the other half.
Timmy Linscott – Beatles
Joel J. Toppen – Led Zeppelin
Jay Jylkka – Nirvana
Greg Baxter – Jay Jylkka: I disagree. They single handedly saved us from another copy cat, talentless, coked up, hairspray band.
Ned Rouse – Jimi Hendrix
Jennifer WolfSchwallie – Eric Clapton
Nic Stubbs – The Stooges
Ralston Bowles – The Archies
Julie Bernat Swanson – Grateful Dead.
RH Bear Berends – KISS or Alice Cooper
Rex Larsen – I will always defend Cooper. Great writing, great production, endless hooks, impressive live shows. In a different league than KISS.
Matthew Farage – Rex Larsen: KISS copied him..I never thought Alice was overrated at all. He’s one of the best. Simmons and his friends in the marketing business made KISS what they are today.
Honest John Kowalko – If they are famous enough that you’ve heard their music and took the time to listen they must have something going for them. Plus, If you do a random poll and ask about a particular band or artist the most common response will be: They’re okay, I guess, a couple good songs here and there,
James S. Gemmell – Cher.
Denny Gramza – The Village People and Milli Vanilli
Jeff Frazier – The Bee Gees
David Winick – Madonna
Dan Feister – U2… (Still not over when they felt everyone in the world NEEDED their album automatically downloaded)
Quinn Baldry – Nickelback
Joel Schultze – Radiohead. Hands down.
James R. Murphy Jr. – The Doors are easily the most overrated band.
Matt Kuczynski – James R. Murphy Jr.: I’m with you, aside from Ray Manzarek’s key work.
Kim Kibby – Gaga
Scott Stefanski – The Dead.
Bill Seppla – Fat Amy
Mark Svekric – The Willeys narrowly lost to Fat Amy at Aris’s Battle of the Bands so I agree.
Rick Wilson – KISS! A cheap magic show
Kevin John – Metallica
G. Kendall Kiel – Todd Rundgren. OK, it’s really his devoted fans who bother me. Plus, just because you can play every instrument doesn’t mean you should.
Matthew Borr – Smashing Pumpkins
CT Revere – Bob Seger. (I offer from a distance)
Evan D. Rossio – Dave Matthews Band
Terry R Altman – AC/DC
Steve Damstra – Lou Reed
Jeff Yonker – Red Hot Chili Peppers
Scott Steiner – Eagles
Greg Orr – J.S. Bach. Don’t get me wrong — no disrespect. But he has quasi-religious status. (Academics, conservatory-trained musicians, and baroque experts may now commence with the righteously indignant essays.)
Bobby Berg – Chunks of Funks
Jon Koeze – KISS
Mike Thinnes – Led Zeppelin. More specifically, Jimmy Page in my opinion. Hendrix was way more unique and talented.
Mike Metchikoff – Lauryn Hill. No doubt about it!
Bradley Raffenaud – Eagles
Rob Robinson – The Beatles
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