10 highly successful musicians who experienced major failures

What is common between some of the most successful artists? It is an intense passion for their work, perhaps being victims of adverse circumstances — which work as great motivation boosters, sheer hard work and certain unique qualities, which make them different.

However, most of these celebrities also have had to go through struggle and rejection, before reaching the pinnacles of success.

Here is a list of some of the most famous musicians who had to overcome failure to reach the path of success.
 

The Beatles

In 1962 a little known band from England made a demo tape for Decca Records in hopes of being signed. The label’s senior A & R person said, “guitar groups are on their way out” and the band was rejected. This band was named The Beatles.

 

Monkees

In 1967, a young bandleader got booed off stage because the anxious crowd wanted to see the headliners. He was consequently dropped from the tour. His name was Jimi Hendrix and he was opening for the Monkees. Quite surprising, isn’t it?

 

Madonna

This woman was fired from Dunkin’ Donuts for squirting sauce at the customers. Their record label dropped her first band, “The Breakfast Club”. She picked herself up and then decided to go solo. Her name was Madonna, also called the ‘queen of pop’ now.

 

Elvis Presley

In 1954, a young singer was kicked out of the Grand Ole Opry. They told him to stick to his day job of driving trucks. He gathered courage and kept trying till he succeeded. He is the very famous Elvis Presley, also known as the king of rock and roll.

 

Ludwig van Beethoven

In the 1700s, a young aspiring musician was always busy composing music and was said to have played the violin very awkwardly. His teachers said that he would never succeed as a violinist or a composer and would not be able to manage, as he was also deaf. In spite of being left alone in such adverse circumstances, he grew to become the biggest figures in music in the classical era and his compositions have been used world over. His name was Ludwig van Beethoven.

 

Igor Stravinsky

In 1913, a 30-year-old composer premiered his new ballet. The piece was met with such a negative reaction that riots erupted in the auditorium during the concert. A notable critic of the day described the work as “a laborious and puerile barbarity.” The composer was Igor Stravinsky, the ballet was “The Rite of Spring” and both are now considered to be shining examples of 20th Century Music.

 

Colbie Caillat

This singer/songwriter auditioned unsuccessfully for “American Idol” twice and on her second try she even sang her original song, “Bubbly.” Her name was Colbie Caillat and “Bubbly” eventually become a huge international hit. Ironically, Idol contestants Casey James, Katie Stevens, Katelyn Epperly, and Anne Marie Boskovich all did renditions of Colbie’s hit in later seasons of the show!

 

 Hillary Scott 

This woman auditioned twice for the show ‘American Idol’ but she didn’t even make it past the preliminary rounds. This means that she never even got to sing for the judges. She only serenaded the production assistants and the interns. So, she decided to form the band “Lady Antebellum” which has garnered her five Grammys so far. Not bad! Her name is Hillary Scott from lady Antebellum.

 

Django Reinhardt

Here’s a story about a Belgian Romani jazz guitarist who suffered through discrimination and survived Nazi-occupied France. He also burned his hand so badly in a caravan fire that he lost several fingers. He had to reteach himself how to play the guitar and was forced to find his own voice and technique based on his physical limitations. He is still considered to be one of the best jazz guitarists that ever lived. His name is Django Reinhardt.

 

Amber Riley 

Here’s another singer who auditioned for American Idol at the age of 17 but didn’t even make it past the producers. Pretty brutal, right? Well, she is now a major star on the hit television show about music- “Glee”. Her name is Amber Riley (aka Mercedes Jones).

Hence, nobody should give up after experiencing failures; they are a path on the road to success. Aspiring musicians often encounter many slows in their careers. But don’t give up; you might have a Madonna or Beethoven hidden inside you!