Breaking into rock music has never been easy. Countless enthusiasts think they have what it takes and spend years grinding in clubs, chasing record deals, or struggling through flop music that never finds an audience, hopeful that one day the spotlight will be theirs. Even for those lucky enough to break through, that spark can fade quickly.
Tastes change, people burn out and fans can go looking for something new. But rock history is full of artists who defied that cycle. Some endured years of new beginnings, near-breakups, or darkness before finally finding their voice. Others crashed at the top, only to claw their way back for a second wave of glory.
They remind us that reinvention is just as necessary as real talent. Looking back, these comebacks carry a special nostalgia, proving that even when the crowd moved on, true rockstars never stopped chasing their home; the stage.
1
KISS
Their first three albums sold poorly, and they were close to being dropped. Then their live album in 1975 broke them into stardom.
2
AC/DC
Their early Australian releases were dismissed internationally. It wasn’t until Highway To He*l that they achieved global recognition.
3
Iron Maiden
They reignited their career after Bruce Dickinson rejoined in 1999.
4
Pearl Jam
Struggled to gain traction after Mother Love Bone collapsed when singer Andrew Wood died. But when they reformed as Pearl Jam, they became one of the biggest bands of the 90s.
5
Fleetwood Mac
The band existed since the late 60s but wasn’t globally huge until Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham joined in 1975.
6
Aerosmith
They nearly collapse after lots of internal conflict and by the mid 80s they were completely dismissed. It wasn't until the late 80s they had one of rock's most iconic comebacks.
7
Santana
Even though he was a giant in the 60s/70s, his popularity waned in the next decades. His 1999 comeback made him a global star again.
8
David Bowie
Although noticed, he actually struggled for a decade, seen as novelty act until Ziggy Stardust changed everything for him.
9
Radiohead
Creep actually flopped in the UK and they were nearly dropped. Two years later, it became a global hit and launched their career.
10
Dave Grohl
Known only as Nirvana’s drummer at first. His own band Foo Fighters wasn’t taken seriously at the start but grew into one of the biggest rock bands of the 90s.
11
Cher
After decades as an actress and pop personality, she regained music dominance with Believe in 1998.
12
Tina Turnet
After her divorce from Ike in the 70s, she really struggled career-wise but she reinvented herself in 1984 with Private Dancer.
13
Guns 'n' Roses
Struggled to get signed, played tiny L.A. clubs for years. Their debut album initially sold slowly but exploded a year later, becoming one of the best-selling rock albums ever.
14
Meat Loaf
After having a mega-hit in the 70s, his career nose-dived in the 80s due to disputes. But he returned in 1993 with a song that would earn him a new wave of superstardom.
