"Joanne" by Waltham

Taking their name from their home base in Massachusetts, Waltham is a hard rock band with pop flair that released two albums in the first decade of the new millennium that surprisingly failed to catch on. 

"Joanne" is a sample to highlight their style and comes from their 2005 self-titled record. The band has released a handful of new songs more recently, but the long-awaited third album has yet to materialize.

"Analog Man" by Joe Walsh

Like many of the other Eagles, Joe Walsh has had a successful solo career. This noted guitarist, songwriter, and singer was a member of The James Gang and his own band (Barnstorm) prior to his long term position in The Eagles, which began in 1975.

Walsh's first chart appearance as a solo artist goes all the way back to 1973 when "Rocky Mountain Way" reached #23. He scored his biggest hit, "Life's Been Good," which reached #12, in 1978. Another notable Top 20 entry is his contribution to the Urban Cowboy soundtrack: "All Night Long," which peaked at #19 in 1980.

Walsh's chart career ended when "Space Age Whiz Kids" stalled at #52 in 1983, although his 1991 tune, "Ordinary Average Guy," received a lot of airplay and remains a fan favorite.

After a long hiatus, Walsh released an album a new songs in 2012 entitled, "Analog Man." Walsh proves he hasn't lost his touch for clever songwriting and self-effacing humor.

"How Good It Can Get" by The Wallflowers

Late in 1969, Bob Dylan and his first wife, Sara, had a child they named Jakob. By 1989, Jakob set out to follow in his old man's tracks to start a career in music with his band, The Wallflowers.

While their debut self-titled album didn't produce a hit single, the band soared to fame with their 1996 sophomore set, "Bringing Down The Horse." Thanks to a little help from Adam Duritz of the Counting Crows, who recently enjoyed superstar success, the album's first single "6th Avenue Heartbreak" gave the band their first chart hit, landing at #33. The follow-up single, "One Headlight" shot to #2 for five weeks, won a Grammy, and made the band a household name.

The Wallflowers would enjoy a couple more Top 40s hits, but failed to maintain their success in the new millennium. It's unclear why. Jakob Dylan's raspy vocals and thoughtful lyrics seem perfect for rock radio. Not even the brilliant "How Good It Can Get" from their 2002 album, "Red Letter Days," was able to renew enough interest at the radio stations that used to adore them.

Jakob Dylan has also released a couple of folkier solo albums, and The Wallflowers have not released anything new since 2012.

"Right On Brothers And Sisters" by Jr Walker & The All Stars

His name was Autry DeWalt-Mixom, but this saxophonist, vocalist, and songwriter from Arkansas was known to the world as Jr. Walker. He shot to fame with his classic hit "Shotgun," which reached #4 in 1965 and earned both Grammy and R&R Hall of Fame awards.

He and his "All Stars" would rack up a few other minor hits, including "(I'm A) Road Runner" (#20), "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" (#18), and "Come See About Me" (#24), before lunging back into the Top 10 with "What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)" (#4) in 1969.

Walker's final chart appearance was in 1972 when "Walk In The Night" reached #46, unless you count his sax contribution on Foreigner's 1981 hit, "Urgent." Walker died of cancer in 1995 at the age of 64.

"Right On Brothers And Sisters" is one of Jr Walker's more laid back offerings, but this groovy song and its message always needs to be heard. It comes from his 1971 LP, "Rainbow Funk."

"Summer Of 89" by Butch Walker

Butch Walker got his start playing lead guitar for a glam band called SouthGang before forming his own alternative rock outfit (and one of the most underrated bands of the 90s), The Marvelous 3. After their demise, he struck out on a prolific solo career as a singer, songwriter, and producer.

Despite churning out tons of hit songs for a wide variety of other artists, Walker has yet to break onto the charts and remains an unsung hero in the music biz. His albums are as diverse as the acts he works with, but each one is a cohesive effort. If you're in the mood for arena rock, check out 2002's "Left Of Self-Centered." If you're in the mood for T. Rex-inspired 70s rock, check out 2006's "The Rise And Fall Of...Butch Walker And The Let's-Go-Out-Tonights." If it's a rainy Sunday and you need some acoustic tunes, check out 2015's "Afraid Of Ghosts." You get the idea.

"Summer Of 89" is Walker doing what he does best - combining punk lyrics with a bold, bombastic chorus that begs you to sing along. The track comes from his excellent 2011 album, "The Spade."

"Hard Times" by Wendy Waldman

Through the 70s, Wendy Waldman alternated between folk, pop, and soft rock to release a number of albums that didn't get much attention. Even an endorsement from Rolling Stone in 1973, which named her record the singer/songwriter debut of the year, failed to help. Her lone Top 100 appearance arrived in 1978 when "Long Hot Summer Nights" peaked at #76.

"Hard Times" comes from her 1978 LP, "Strange Company," on of her most consistent and radio-friendly efforts. Since then, Waldman largely focused on writing songs for a wide variety of other artists. 

"Change" by John Waite

English singer and songwriter John Waite has seen the upper echelons of the Top 100 in three different capacities: as a member of The Babys in the late 70s and early 80s, as a solo artist in the 80s, and as a member of the supergroup Bad English as the 80s turned into the 90s. Waite returned to making solo records, but his final chart appearance was back in 1995 when "How Did I Get By Without You?" stalled at #89.

Waite's biggest hit as a solo artist is the 80s classic, "Missing You," which spent one week at #1 in 1984. Strangely, Waite never saw the Top 10 again as a solo artist and in fact only breached the Top 40 twice more: "Tears" went to #37 in 1984 and "Every Step Of The Way" went to #25 in 1985.

"Change" is one of several tunes Waite performed that graced movie soundtracks. This great song only reached #54 in 1985, thanks to being featured in the movie Vision Quest. The song, penned by Holly Knight, originally appeared on his debut solo record, 1982's "Ignition."

"Easy Way Out" by Jack Wagner

On the acting side, Jack Wagner is best known for his stints on several soap operas in the 80s, and the prime time soap opera Melrose Place in the 90s. On the music side, he is largely considered a one-hit wonder thanks to "All I Need," which went to #2 in 1985.

Wagner achieved a handful of other Top 100 entries, including "Lady Of My Heart" (#76), "Too Young" (#52), and "Weatherman Says" (#67). All told, he's released six albums to date.

"Easy Way Out" is from his 1987 effort, "Don't Give Up Your Day Job," which turned out to be good self-advice for this actor. Although, with cuts like "Easy Way Out," Wagner might have been able to reinvent himself as a rocker instead of a crooner.

"It's My Life" by The Wackers

The Wackers were a quirky garage rock and pop band from Canada that managed to score a single chart entry in the US when "Day And Night" peaked at #65 in 1972.

The band was probably a bit too unusual for American radio in the early 70s, but "It's My Life" is great and worth a spin. Hard to imagine a song like this not doing better in the US.

"Just What It Takes" by Roger Voudouris

Roger Voudouris was a singer and songwriter from California who made a brief chart appearance in 1979 when "Get Used To It" reached #21. Surprisingly, he was not able to leverage this minor hit into a sustainable chart career to make himself a hard-to-pronounce household name.

The single came from his sophomore record, "Radio Dreams," which also contains one of his more upbeat rockers, "Just What It Takes." He followed this LP with 1981's "On The Heels Of Love," a record full of ballads in the style of Christopher Cross or Michael McDonald but without the memorable hooks. Strangely, he won over bigger audiences in Japan. 

Voudouris passed away in 2003 from liver disease at the age of 48.

"Hanging On" by The Volcanoes

The Volcanoes are an indie pop punk band that released their self-titled album in 2016. It didn't set the world on fire, but "Hanging On" is a great rocker worth checking out if you're a fan of the genre.

"Cape Of Our Hero" by Volbeat

Volbeat is an interesting band that fuses metal, hard rock, pop, and rockabilly. Huge in their native Denmark, the band has accumulated a loyal following in the US but they've yet to break the Top 100. Formed in 2001, they've released 7 albums to date and keep getting better. I'm surprised they haven't broken through to the mainstream in the US yet.

It was not easy selecting just one song to highlight from their bounty of terrific tunes. "Cape Of Our Hero" comes from Volbeat's amazing 2013 record, "Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies."

"I Walk The Earth" by Voice of the Beehive

Voice of the Beehive was an underrated pop rock group led by the Belland sisters, daughters of Bruce Belland (The Four Preps). The sisters, Melissa and Tracey, sound wonderful together and gave their songs a harmonious edge that should have translated into more success on the charts. 

The group's drummer, Dan Woodgate, came from a successful 80s band called Madness, best known for the hit "Our House," which reached #7 in 1983.

Voice of the Beehive scored only two minor hits in the 90s. "Monsters And Angels" reached #74 in 1991 and "Scary Kisses" reached #77 in 1996.

"I Walk The Earth" is from their 1988 debut album, "Let It Bee," which contains another signature song that did not chart: "Don't Call Me Baby."

"That's The Tune" by The Vogues

The Vogues were a popular vocal group from Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania that racked up a hot streak of hits in the second half of the 60s, including four Top Ten classics: "You're The One" (#4), "Five O'Clock World" (#4), "Turn Around, Look At Me" (#7), and "My Special Angel" (#7). 

A few excellent singles got buried in their sudden burst of hits, including "That's The Tune," which only reached #99 in 1966.

The Vogues soldiered on through the decade as musical styles changed, achieving their final chart appearance in 1969 when "Green Fields" stalled at #92. Lead singer Bill Burkette passed away in 2018 at the age of 75.

"Nightmares" by Violent Femmes

Led by Gordon Gano, Milwaukee's Violent Femmes made one of the most popular albums of the 80s yet never scored a chart hit. Their self-titled 1983 debut of largely acoustic punk rock was a huge underground hit, spawning classics like "Blister In The Sun," "Add It Up," and "Gone Daddy Gone."

The Femmes have released plenty more records since then, but haven't quite matched the success of the debut record. In 1989, following a brief break-up, it was believed that "3" might put them back on top. Led by "Nightmares," there were high hopes this album would be a breakthrough for the band, but that was just a dream.

"The Strawberry Blonde" by Mike Viola

You probably haven't heard of Mike Viola but odds are you've heard his work at some point. Viola got his start in the mid-90s with his band, Candy Butchers, writing and performing delectable power pop. His songwriting and producing talents have since been embraced by a multitude of artists ranging from Mandy Moore to Fall Out Boy to Matt Nathanson.

In addition to his work with Candy Butchers, Viola has released numerous solo records. "The Strawberry Blonde" is one of many highlights in his catalogue, and it can be found on his 2007 album, "Lurch."

"Pushin' U Away" by Vinyl Candy

Vinyl Candy is a throwback to 70s bubble gum pop, whose sunny songs and breezy harmonies are guaranteed to put more bounce in your step. This indie band released their debut record, "Pacific Ocean Park" in 2004 and have since followed it up with two more records.

"Pushin' U Away" is a highlight from their debut.

"Wake Me Up (When The World's Worth Waking Up For)" by Kyle Vincent

Kyle Vincent is a singer and songwriter from California who is strongly influenced by the bubblegum power pop of the 70s. He's never hit the charts since he started releasing solo records in 1994 (his debut album was called "Trust"). Prior to his solo career, he was in the band Candy, which released the album "Whatever Happened To Fun..." in 1985.

"Wake Me Up (When The World's Worth Waking Up For)" nearly cracked the Top 100, bubbling under in 1997. It comes from his sophomore LP, which was a self-titled effort. It's a terrific song, but perhaps not for the 90s.