So I'm watching Weakest Link on the BBC channel, one of the questions prompted me to ponder:

Has there ever been a U.S. band/singer that was not very well known in the U.S. but reached great popular success in the U.K. -- or vice versa?

It happens all the time, I'd say. There are a lot of artists with big hit careers in other nations that have never been able to duplicate their success in the USA.

I assumed as much, but am unable to name one. Any good examples?

I think it happens in the reverse quite a bit.

For example, Robbie Williams is HUGE everywhere but the USA. Personally, I love him.

Also, Will Young is huge in the U.K. and can't do a thing here.

A lot of producers send artists to the UK/Europe to get big and more seasoned before returning to the states- Backstreet Boys and NSync to name a couple.

Hehehe- sorry about the double post.

[ March 13, 2005, 10:45 AM: Message edited by: kick ]

Kick, you are so right about Robbie Williams. I discovered him about 5 years ago while spending time in Germany. He is HUGELY popular there, my German friends about fell over when I mentioned I did not know who he was. He's now one of my all-time faves and can listen to Ego Has Landed a million times straight.

David Hasselhoff LOL supposedly huge in Germany and Japan.

Also another big Robbie Williams fan. I think the song is called "Feel" that is one of all time favorites...

There are tons of huge British acts who are nearly unheard of here in the U.S. -- currently The Streets, M.I.A., Dizzee Rascal, as well as Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue and all their "Pop Idol" kids, the Spice Girls gone solo and the S Club 7 refugees. Thank God, we finally seem to have caught on to Damien Rice. And hopefully, America will catch on to Kaiser Chiefs.

It happens the other way too. NYC's Scissor Sisters had the No. 1 album in England last year and are still relatively unknown in the States. Same goes for Anastacia who is huge in England and Europe, but not here.