. . . AND WHAT ABOUT?

What about pop’s other big sellers who didn’t receive enough support to make the Top 20? Some random endorsements and attacks:

Alabama: “Country music is going to get big again and this is a group that, for all its country sales, has yet to tap the pop audience. They should be in great shape.” . . . “If country is going to get big again, it won’t be because of these guys. They’re too ordinary.”

Cars: “These guys seem to have been around a lot longer than they have, which is a bad sign.”

Chicago: “They have a sound that works. They’ve got the yuppies locked up.”

Culture Club: “Be serious.” . . . “It’s over for the group, but Boy George will eventually bounce back with some new project.”

Neil Diamond: “Why bother to even discuss him at this point?” . . . “Not what he used to be?”

Hall & Oates: “They’re like the Reggie Jackson of pop to me. They are past their peak, but will hold on for a couple more years.” . . . “How can you argue against their string of hits?”

Billy Idol: “Too much image. Not enough substance.”

Kenny Rogers: “He ought to concentrate on movies.” . . . “He could always bounce back with some hits, but he’s been around a long time.”

Cyndi Lauper: “Her cartoon image has got the best of her.” . . . “People are confused about her personality. She comes across as too erratic and that bothers people.” . . . “She’ll be fine as long as she continues to make good records. People talk too much about things like backlash and overexposure and novelty. The main reason records sell or they don’t is how the record sounds.”

Paul McCartney: “He hasn’t made even a fair record in years.”

John Cougar Mellencamp: “To me, he is the real Boss. He embodies a lot of the same working-class images of Springsteen, but I feel he sings better than Bruce, writes better songs than Bruce and, most importantly, he dances better than Bruce.” . . . “It’s the same here as with Bryan Adams for me, I just don’t see him continuing to grow. There’s too much of a formula in what he does.”

Willie Nelson: “Aside from the great voice, Willie has likability. You feel like you’ve known him forever and hope he never goes away. People will keep buying his records.”

Rick James: “It’s over for him as a big seller.” . . . “Still one of the strongest producers around. Look what he did with Eddie Murphy.”

Rolling Stones: “You’re better off staying with someone who is hungry for success. The only reason you’d want them now is for prestige, and I wonder if they really even mean that much anymore.”

Diana Ross: “I don’t think she has any real sense of herself as a record maker. It’s going to be real hit and miss for her.”

Sade: “Very interesting, original performer.”

Simple Minds: “If (Bryan) Adams can make it as a junior Springsteen, maybe they’ll make it as a junior U2.”

Barbra Streisand: “Pass. I wouldn’t want to build a roster around her. I’d rather put my energy and money on an act that is 100% into music and into contemporary ideas.” . . . “She’s the superstar of superstars. She can do anything she wants and still sell records. When she makes another great movie, the album will be a monster.”

Tina Turner: “I think she’ll be in trouble once the comeback aura has worn off.” . . . “She taught us a lesson--never say never in this business.”

Luther Vandross: “Great singer, writer and producer. I think he has the ability to be a Lionel Richie figure.”

Van Halen: “If Eddie (Van Halen) emerges as the star of this new band, they’ll do great. If Sammy (Hagar) becomes the centerpiece, they’re finished.”