bands that have jumped the shark the worst

[blazer]

Well we all have argued about this before in numerous threads but let's get one thread going where we (Hopefully) all agree on Bands who jumped the shark the worst of all.

I'll start with with perhaps the best example of all.

Jefferson Airplane "White rabbit" at the Woodstock performance.

Jefferson Airplane used to be one of the premier psych-rock bands of the late sixties, their albums being loaded with dark, moody songs. And Grace Slick crowning herself as the unnoficial Queen of the Hippie movement.

But then the seventies arrived, the line up changed and so did the name, the Airplane went to greater heights and became Jefferson Starship in this incarnation the band went to have enormous succes. Jefferson Starship became a stadium act and their music AOR.

Jefferson Starship "Jane"

But the worst was still to come. In the eighties Jefferson Starship apparently kicked Jefferson out and went on as Starship and their old hippie audience probably was white in shock when their sound changed along with that name. Starship ebraced the old hippie nemesis; the corporate rock industry and none was it more evident on what apparently was their greatest hit which even featured dee-jay talk.

Starship "We built this city"

People talk about bands like Genesis and Kiss selling out but let's face it none of them sold out so hugely as Starship.

[wj350]

Chicago would be my pick....all the way through the 4-album live set, I thought they walked on water. Then they went into the "Saturday In The Park" era and went downhill in a hurry IMO.

I thought Led Zep entered a major suck zone after their 3rd album as well....

Bill

[tamborineman]

I would have to say The Rollong Stones. They have been on the down side since 'Goat's Head Soup' , what,1973 ?

[fatcat]

There was that magical August weekend where Jefferson Starship repaid any sellout of the past, at least in my mind they did.

[sloop_john_b]

Dylan jumped the shark after "Desire", but jumped back for "Oh Mercy". Wonder how many others have actually jumped back?

[jimk]

"Jumped the shark?" Where does that expression come from? I guess I've been hangin' out with the folkies waaaay too long.


JimK

[sloop_john_b]

"Jumped the shark?" Where does that expression come from? I guess I've been hangin' out with the folkies waaaay too long.

That "Happy Days" episode where Fonzie jumped over a shark on waterskis, or something.

[marc61]

From jumptheshark.com

Q. Did "jump the shark" originate from this web site, or did you create the site to capitalize on the phrase?
A. It all started here. The site went up December 24, 1997 and gave birth to the phrase "jump the shark." As the site continues to grow in popularity, the term has become more commonplace. The site is the chicken, the egg, and now a Catch-22. On June 20, 2006, Jump The Shark, Inc. was sold to Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc.
Q. What is jumping the shark?
A. It's a moment. A defining moment when you know that your favorite television program has reached its peak. That instant that you know from now on...it's all downhill. Some call it the climax. We call it "Jumping the Shark." From that moment on, the program will simply never be the same.

The term "jump the shark" was coined by site founder Jon Hein's college roommate of 4 years, Sean J. Connolly, in Ann Arbor, Michigan back in 1985. This web site, book, film, and all other material surrounding shark jumping, are hereby dedicated to "the Colonel."

The aforementioned expression refers to the telltale sign of the demise of Happy Days, our favorite example, when Fonzie actually "jumped the shark." The rest is history.

Jumping the shark applies not only to TV, but also music, film, even everyday life. "Did you see her boyfriend? She definitely jumped the shark." You get the idea.

We invite you to comment when any show jumped the shark

[beatlefreak]

The Doobie Brothers were another band which went downhill quickly after the first four albums.

[brianeharmonjr]

I thought Led Zep entered a major suck zone after their 3rd album as well....

I'd have to respectfully disagree here. Houses of the Holy, Physical Graffiti, and Presence are my 3 favorite Zep albums.

I'd say The Who after Keith died, but the new album was a bit of a rebound.

Also, U2 after Achtung Baby.

[fatcat]

The Doobie Brothers were another band which went downhill quickly after the first four albums.

They really should have been called the McDonald 5.

[nattiep]

Can't say KISS did it. They did it from the start. The whole point of it was to make money and get girls... and merchandise. It's all about the merch.

[jimk]

From jumptheshark.com

Q. Did "jump the shark" originate from this web site, or did you create the site to capitalize on the phrase?
A. It all started here. The site went up December 24, 1997 and gave birth to the phrase "jump the shark." As the site continues to grow in popularity, the term has become more commonplace. The site is the chicken, the egg, and now a Catch-22. On June 20, 2006, Jump The Shark, Inc. was sold to Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc.
Q. What is jumping the shark?
A. It's a moment. A defining moment when you know that your favorite television program has reached its peak. That instant that you know from now on...it's all downhill. Some call it the climax. We call it "Jumping the Shark." From that moment on, the program will simply never be the same.

The term "jump the shark" was coined by site founder Jon Hein's college roommate of 4 years, Sean J. Connolly, in Ann Arbor, Michigan back in 1985. This web site, book, film, and all other material surrounding shark jumping, are hereby dedicated to "the Colonel."

The aforementioned expression refers to the telltale sign of the demise of Happy Days, our favorite example, when Fonzie actually "jumped the shark." The rest is history.

Jumping the shark applies not only to TV, but also music, film, even everyday life. "Did you see her boyfriend? She definitely jumped the shark." You get the idea.

We invite you to comment when any show jumped the shark

OK, I get it. Happy Days was on during my TV Blackout Period. I didn't own one, didn't want to own one, and felt that I was missing out on little judging from the comments and commentary friends and co-workers made about various shows.

JimK

[lennon211]

I think that jumping the shark for a band is one of the easiest things to do. It often happens to bands that are either following a new musical trend. I think that the Jefferson Airplane/Starship situation is a good example of this. The Rolling Stones is perhaps one of the best examples of this as they struggle to find relevance in the modern era when they ceased being truly relevant musically over 30 years ago. There isn't much that the Rolling Stones do now that could be considered original and their efforts to reinvent themselves seem to make them even more out of touch. I think that they get my vote for the worst case of jumping the shark as they can't really find their way back to the blues or the roadhouse swagger that once defined them and they have lost much of the creativity that once drove the group to new territory.

[jimk]

Actually, now that I think about it, it ocurrs to me that "Jump the Shark" might be a good name for a band.

Ehh....(shrug)

JimK