We’ve all seen those annoying “Before They Were Famous” bits on tv and in print. Well, here at the Pure Pop Blog we’re not above indulging in cliches. The truth is a lot of you have probably seen this stuff before. However, those that haven’t need to. We must never forget that these beloved artists are fallible.

Phil Collins – Flaming Youth

Claim to Fame - Phil Collins is currently shorthand for soulless mainstream garbage but he used to be pretty cool. He’s a first rate drummer who’s elevated many classic albums with his contributions and he revolutionized the way we feel about things coming in the air at night. His first high-profile gig was drumming for Genesis, a band he would go on to lead into the upper stratosphere of musical success.

Before All That - Collins was the drummer for Flaming Youth, a pastoral rock quartet who to be fair weren’t all that bad. They never really went anywhere, prompting the young and eager musician to pursue other projects. How much does this video remind you of Spinal Tap playing “Gimme Some Money?”

Tori Amos – Y Kant Tori Read

Claim to Fame - While she might not sell the most albums, Tori Amos has one of the most intense fan-bases in music. Multiply a Juggalo by a Bieber-Head and you’re getting there.

Since the 1990′s Tori Amos has been worshiped like a goddess. What about her resonates so strongly with people? I can’t really say, but Little Earthquakes is an awesome album, and despite what the pictured-above tattoo and soon-to-follow video indicate, she’s pretty foxy.

Before All That - Odds are, if you know Tori Amos, you’re familiar with Y Kant Tori Read. YKTR was Tori’s band in the 1980′s. If you’re not familiar with them, their style was generic, shitty synth pop. Please note, Tori has redeemed herself a thousand times over for Y Kant Tori Read. That said, check out this hilariously awful video. What porno movie script did they steal that intro from?

Billy Joel – Atilla

Claim to Fame - Being Billy Joel. Much like the previously mentioned Phil Collins, Billy Joel is a towering icon of popular music who is both celebrated and reviled for his ability to write to the masses. Love him or hate him, the man can churn out pop hooks with an uncanny ease.

Before All That - In the late ’60s, when dinosaurs roamed the earth and people still listened to cd’s, Billy Joel was in a pseudo prog/heavy metal band called Atilla. (Get it? As in the Hun!) Atilla have a reputation for being terrible, but I have to say I just find them a little indulgent. It is nonetheless ridiculous enough to be featured on this list.

Ricky Gervais – Seona Dancing

Claim to Fame - The only non-musician on this list, Ricky Gervais’s first success was managing popular brit-pop band Suede early in their career. A few years later he would produce one of the most successful television programs of all-time, The Office. Ever hear of it, or perhaps one of it’s five remakes? Here’s a clip from the Chilean version:

Before All That – In the 80′s, when a lot of these career false starts seem to take place, Gervais was in a synth-pop band called Seona Dancing. Whereas Y Kant Tori Read was sort of Madonna meets Kate Bush synth pop, Seona Dancing is more Depeche Mode meets David Bowie synth pop. It’s really not that bad, it’s just terribly funny in context. If you haven’t seen it, you are welcome:

Bjork – Bjork Gudmunsdottir

Claim to Fame - Bjork is one of Rock’s most beloved eccentrics. Always a few steps ahead of her fans, she’s as known (and adored) for her music as her unexpected and bizarre acts, like when she wore a swan dress to the 2001 Academy Awards.

She’s also an actress, a patron of the arts, and the world’s most famous Icelander with the possible exception of Ragnar Bragason. (Just kidding. Sorry Ragnar.)

Before All That - Bjork’s talent emerged at an early age. When the poor thing was eight-ish, she recorded an album of mostly covers sung in her native tongue. This album is of absolutely no interest to anyone. Do not seek it out. There is no pleasure to be derived from listening to it. Here is its version of “Fool on the Hill,” in case you don’t believe me: