Can You Be a Rock Star Playing Covers? Success Stories and Strategies
The question of whether one can truly be considered a rock star by mainly performing cover songs has been debated for decades. However, the success stories of many artists and bands demonstrate that it is entirely feasible to achieve stardom by concentrating on covers.
Audience Appeal and Commercial Success
Cover songs often resonate with audiences due to their familiarity. Many successful musicians and bands have built substantial fan bases and found financial success through primarily performing cover music. For example, tribute bands often tour extensively and enjoy loyal fan bases, achieving commercial success through their renditions of well-known songs. Examples like the Rolling Stones and Linda Ronstadt showcase how cover artists can transition into superstardom while continuing to captivate audiences with their performances.
Developing Musicianship and Originality
Playing covers not only attracts larger crowds but also allows musicians to hone their skills by learning from established artists. This can significantly enhance their technical abilities and understanding of music. Many cover artists infuse their unique style into these songs, making each performance distinct and memorable. Joan Jett, for instance, built her solo career on covering hits while still managing to compose her own music. This duality helped her stand out and maintain her status as a rock star.
Transition to Original Music
One of the significant advantages of playing covers is the opportunity to transition into creating original music. Exposure from performing a wide range of songs can provide a solid foundation for artists to develop their own unique sound. This transition is often facilitated by the exposure gained from popularizing cover songs. For example, the Rolling Stones initially made a name for themselves by covering songs, and later evolved into internationally renowned artists with their own original music.
To a lesser extent, Joan Jett began her career by covering hit songs, but she also composed her own music, blending the two skillfully to maintain her stardom.
Conclusion
In conclusion, being a rock star by primarily playing cover songs is entirely feasible. Success in this realm is contingent upon connecting with the audience, bringing authenticity and flair to performances, and gradually evolving into an original artist. Whether you see playing covers as a stepping stone or a lifelong career, there are countless examples of artists who have achieved stardom through this approach.
Examples
The Rolling Stones: Before Mick Jagger and Keith Richards became known for their original music, the band started their career by covering songs, leading to their eventual success.
Linda Ronstadt: Virtually all of her hits were influenced by other artists' work but she was undoubtedly a rock star herself, renowned for her transformative interpretations of classic songs.
Joan Jett: Her solo career was largely built on covers, but she also wrote her own music with plenty of originality, proving that you can be a star with or without writing everything from scratch.
These examples highlight the diverse paths to rock stardom through cover songs, offering inspiration and insights for musicians who may be considering a similar route.