The music industry is insanely competitive, diverse and complicated. It’s hard to keep up with all the new artists and songs these days, but from the perspective of the artists themselves, it’s incredibly difficult to even get noticed. Delivering something unique or popular requires effort, skill and a lot of perseverance.

There have been some amazing bands and musicians that have produced some astounding music over the last century, many of which have slipped under the radar. They might not have been noticed because they were “ahead of their time” or perhaps it was because they were simply outshone by similar bands with similar sounds. Whatever the reason might have been, here are several musical groups that are consistently forgotten by fans and probably don’t get the chillout radio play they deserve.

The Mamas and The Papas

Formed as a folk-rock vocal group in the 1960s, The Mamas and The Papas only performed for a few years between 1965 and 1968. They briefly reunited and performed in 1971 but that was it in terms of their history as a group. They released 17 singles, of which 6 went on to become the top 10 hits in the United States. They are widely viewed as a defining force of music counterculture during the 1960s yet are often forgotten in contemporary discussions.

Supertramp

Known as Daddy in the late 1960s, Supertramp was initially categorized as a progressive rock band. Over time, however, they integrated more traditional rock elements into their songs. The band’s most famous songs include “Breakfast in America”, “Take the Long Way Home” and “The Logical Song.” While they were hugely successfully commercially (selling over 60 million albums), they are often lost in the mass of famous rock bands from that period, including The Eagles and The Rolling Stones.

Goo Goo Dolls

Formed in 1986, the Goo Goo Dolls have sold over 12 million albums worldwide. They are most renowned for their global hit “Iris”, which put the band well and truly on the map. Released in 1998, “Iris” has become the Goo Goo Dolls’ signature song and received several nominations at the 41st Grammy Awards. The song was voted #1 on Billboard’s “Top 100 Pop Songs” between 1992 and 2012.

The Knack

Regarded as one of the greatest “one-hit wonders”, The Knack was a seriously underrated band that was simply unable to capitalize on the success of their first single, “My Sharona.” Released as part of their debut album, “Get the Knack”, the lead single reached #1 on the Billboard 100 Charts, where it stayed for 6 weeks. While the song is rarely forgotten, the band responsible often is, cementing The Knack as one of the all-time great forgotten bands.

The Kooks

Probably one of the best unknown bands of the 2000s, The Kooks have had some commercial success during their history. Formed in Brighton in 2004, this indie gem has been influenced greatly by the British Invasion movement of the 1960s. Their biggest hit so far, “Naïve”, has been featured in a variety of films, including “17 Again”, starring Zac Efron and an episode of One Tree Hill.

Band of Susans

Band of Susans was formed in New York in 1986, originating from the noise rock scene. Due to their highly complex, layered guitar sound and their refusal to conform to rock clichés, the band struggled immensely to find success and fame. They also went through many different line-ups, with many members leaving the band and re-joining throughout the band’s history. Robert Poss, Susan Stenger, and Ron Spitzer were the band’s only consistent core members throughout the band’s 10-year history. They officially disbanded in 1996.