Hit singles don’t just happen, they have to be worked for. However, if you look at many of the one-hit wonders we’ve had over the years, it’s clear anything is possible. You would expect though, that really iconic artists, often legends of music, would have a few number ones on the Billboard Hot 100 to their name. Or at least one to their name to frame up and hang on a wall somewhere.
Shockingly there are quite a few of the very top artists where that just didn't happen. Now there can be some obvious reasons for this. Perhaps they are more of an album band and didn’t chase the singles market at all.
Or maybe their music didn’t lend itself to getting the levels of airtime and exposure needed to top the charts. Prog-rock could be difficult to get radio stations to play although there are always exceptions.
Six iconic acts without a Billboard 100 No. 1 single
With that in mind, it’s less of a shock to find that the likes of Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and AC/DC all missed out on Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles. These are all legendary bands; they all had many great songs, too. But seemingly they just didn't have that mass-market chart-friendly style that was needed to claim the top spot.
When it comes to the shock factor, these six acts below all have it in terms of a missing US number one single. There is no doubting tier status as top artists. Their songs weren’t an odd fit for the charts; musically they had very popular and accessible styles. And they weren't shy at releasing singles either.
Bruce Springsteen
Everyone knows at least one of Bruce’s songs. Probably more than that as he has so many great ones to choose from. He’s released over 70 of his songs as singles, but not one has made it to the top of the Billboard 100. Springsteen came close with “Dancing In the Dark” from 1984 which reached number two.
It was held back from the top by Duran Duran with “The Reflex” and Prince’s “When Doves Cry.” He does have another claim to a number one single as the writer of “Blinded By The Light” which Manfred Mann’s Earth Band took to the top in 1975.
Bob Dylan
Do they come any less iconic than Bob Dylan? Again he’s an artist with a long, long list of amazing songs. But also with that same gap in his CV for a number one single. Dylan, over time, became more of an album artist, but in his earlier period, he was quite prolific with releasing singles.
He had two releases which peaked at number two on the chart. "Like a Rolling Stone" from 1965 was his first near miss but it was kept back by another legendary artist. It was The Beatles with “Help” who blocked his way. He also came close the next year with "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35." This time, it was The Mamas & The Papas with “Monday, Monday,” which was ahead of Dylan.
Crosby Stills and Nash (and Young)
More icons and more misses at the top of the singles chart. Whether you look at just the original trio of Crosby, Stills and Nash or add in Neil Young for the later years doesn't matter in this respect. The best single in chart terms of either format of the group came in 1977. “Just Before I Go” peaked at number seven. The number one at the time was “Best Of My Love” by the Emotions. Individually, there have been some chart-topping singles so it's not all gloom, but as a group,. it's quite a gap.
Journey
Does Journey fit the label of an iconic band and legendary status? Well, their greatest hits album sold over 25 million copies and is a major contributor to their total album sales of over 100 million worldwide. That’s pretty hefty going and makes it more surprising that not one of those hits was top of the singles chart.
Of their 25 charting singles, I expected to see “Don’t Stop Believin’” to have made it to the top. But that only reached number nine in 1981. It was “Open Arms” the following year which achieved the band’s highest position on the Hot 100 at number two, just behind Olivia Newton-John with her blockbuster “Physical."
Kiss
Another question mark over the inclusion of KISS. I’d said earlier that the style of some bands may not have been wide enough for chart success. You could argue that as a case for KISS and their heavier sound. On the other hand, their stylish shows, glam rock appearance, and some great songs opened the singles door for them more so than many other rock bands. But still not sufficiently with their closest attempt being “Beth” in 1976. It was a number seven hit when The Bee Gees held down number one with “You Should Be Dancing."
R.E.M.
Last of these six bands comes Athens, Georgia band R.E.M. with their indie-style alternative rock tunes. Lots of great tunes come to mind, the band had over 60 singles to choose your favorite from. For many “Losing My Religion” will be a top choice. It was their highest charting single climbing slowly to number four in 1991. Paula Abdul with “Rush Rush” was at number one.