Inspiring Stories of The Best Bands Formed in College

College is a unique period of life during which not only do you accumulate new knowledge, sharpen your skills, and build your academic career, but also put your professional and creative potential to the test. College students are rightly considered the most progressive, influential, and productive community capable of changing the habitual state of things, introducing something meaningful, fresh, and hitherto unknown to the world. No wonder, so many celebrated bands formed exactly in colleges. If you cannot imagine your life without music, if you’re dreaming about expressing yourself through your tracks, beats, or songs, but still unsure as to whether it’s possible to combine your studies and creative self-realization, go on reading today’s article. Familiarize yourself with the inspiring stories of the word-renowned bands that trace their roots to the college years and go ahead with your artistic endeavors.

Talking Heads

Rhode Island School of Design is the alma mater of David Byrne, Chris Frantz, and Tina Weymouth, the young talented students whose new wave music shook the world. Back in 1973, nobody expected that a handful of ambitious students would move to New York, master the new musical instruments in no time, and pioneer the new genre by straddling punk, funk, art rock, and avant-garde music. But they made it.

The name the three chose for their band was highly philosophical and also ambitious. The young people wanted to be famed for their music, which they called “content,” rather than “action.”So, they called themselves ‘Talking Heads.’

In 1977, Talking Heads released their eponymous debut album named ‘Talking Heads: 77’, which earned them critical acclaim. But the band hit their commercial peak five years later upon having released their legendary ‘Burning Down the House’ single. The ‘Little Creatures,’ ‘True Stories,’ ‘Naked,’ and ‘No Talking, Just Heads’ cemented the band’s success and etched their name into the history of world punk rock music.

Talking Heads received multiple accolades for their valuable contribution to rock music and now enjoy the reputation of the most celebrated bands that helped define the new wave genre in the US in the 70s and 80s.

The Strokes

The Strokes is another example of how college can bring together young, ambitious, and extremely talented guys whose minds were teeming with fresh ideas.

While attending New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, two roomies, Julian Casablancas and Albert Hammond, Jr., decided to start a rock band. Later on, they added Nick Valensi, Nikolai Fraiture, and Fabrizio Moretti. On having released their debut EP named ‘The Modern Age,’ several major record labels vied to sign the promising band. The Strokes eventually decided to sign to RCA Records, the record company that helped the band reach international commercial success and critical acclaim. Such albums as ‘Room on Fire’ and ‘First Impressions of Earth’ reinforced the band’s success but obviously sapped the band members of their creative energy, which resulted in their decision to take time out from hectic routine for several years.

Notwithstanding the problems many rock bands face over their lifespan, such as drugs, financial disagreements, artistic crises, and others, the Strokes continue working and releasing new songs today. Their album ‘The New Abnormal’ (2020) that followed their commercially worst-performing predecessor ‘Comedown Machine’ was warmly met by critics and deemed ‘a return to form.’

Truth be told, the wild popularity prevented the band members from finishing the college, but they don’t seem to be regretting having put their degrees on the Muses’ altar.

The Commodores

In the 70s, Motown Records, which is now part of the Universal Music Group, was famed for its ability to spot talents and produce hits in the blink of an eye. What more, Motown was the first African-American-owned record company that shattered racial prejudice by garnering nationwide acclaim and becoming one of the most profitable businesses in America. It comes as no surprise that the Commodores gained tremendous popularity upon having signed with Motown.

In 1968, six Tuskegee Institute students who were deeply fond of jazz and R&B, as well as soul and funk, formed a band in the late 60s and caught the public eye right away. The band featured William King, Andre Callahan, Thomas McClary, Michael Gilbert, Milan Williams, and Lionel Richie, who was destined to become the most successful balladeer of all time. At the dawn of their music career, the boys, who by the way won the institute’s talent contest, played at parties and nightclubs. But the Commodores’ career reached its peak in the late 70s, when they signed with Motown and released such chart-topping hits as ‘Easy,’ ‘Brick House,’ ‘Too Hot ta Trot,’ ‘Three Times a Lady,’ and ‘Nightshift.’

Takeaway

The stories of the hugely popular bands prove that college is not a hindrance to progressing in your music career (though it may give you a hard time occasionally.) So, don’t be afraid to stake out your artistic territory, experiment with genres, make it big in the music industry if you’re really into it.

Isabelle Foster is a professional journalist, essayist, and freelance writer. She works as a private tutor and educational consultant. Concurrently, she serves as an academic writer at PapersOwl, an online writing service. But teaching and writing are not the only Isabelle’s passions. She cannot live a day without reading and music. Isabelle masterfully plays the piano and violin and composes her own music when inspiration strikes.