Their careers were just right

Until the end, this was Tiger too. And the Williams sisters.

 

REM. They were once just about the biggest act in the world. String of great albums over two decades, very eclectic catalog. Retired before they started becoming tired and repetitive. They don't seem like the type of act who cashes in down the line on some kind of reunion tour.

 

Johnny Carson did his thing better than anyone, and when it was over he perfected the art of eagerly fading away.

 

Cam Newton

 

The whole dynamic of the music industry has changed. You can't really generate money off back catalog sales any more.

In the 70s-80s-90s, old rockers in their 50s-60s continuing to tour was sort of sad and pathetic. Now it's simply a way of life. Plus technology has improved so that it's easier to reproduce the music decently.

My guess is eventually R.E.M. will regroup on some basis. Not as an everyday touring band or putting out albums every year, no. But in some kind of performing format.

 

from most accounts I've read, he was a miserable prick off the stage, which is probably why he was married four times. so definitely a good "working" career, but at what price?

 

Yeah, it's tough at the top. Beats being Mickey Rooney, though.

 

Regarding Bill Murray, "funny" isn't always what I find watchable about him. "Funny" can be a very restricting label in some ways, and it can be pliable, as well. I do think he's funny, but that's a spectrum of many colors with many shades. And what he has — and does — that isn't "funny," I usually enjoy on a number of levels.

 

Darryl Strawberry. Remember him as a kid on the SI cover, which was unheard-of for a high schooler. Turned out to have a pretty good career, if not a HOF one.

 

I think of him as the opposite of this category.

 

"Their careers were just right...except for the drugs, drinking and domestic violence."

 

The Williams sisters far exceeded expectations for me, if only because I didn't know anything about them other than the SI article about them skipping junior circuit and playing in South Central with their dad. Their run has been amazing IMHO.