Flashes in the pan by year, 1984-2009

XP - I guess then The Wonder Stuff and PWEI too?

I wouldn't count PWEI or the Wonderstuff. They were just popular bands who were of their time. They had pretty big followings and released multiple albums and singles over a few years.

It's definitely about that thing where an act is all over the place, all over TV, talked about in ecstatic and revered tones, a huge amount of marketing and possibly a big hit single or album, but forgotten about within months with hardly a glimmer of a comeback.

in the US how about Hootie & The Blowfish?

Their flash sustained itself for four years at least, perhaps longer depending on who you ask.

Would the KLF had been mentioned already were it not for their late 80s years of relative obscurity? That would rule out several other 90s acts itt tho. Also I guess people tend to think of acts that had some sort of brief mainstream acclaim without being ILM-friendly.

didn't dwindle away so much as forcibly remove themselves from the picture

KLF don't count as their legacy never really went away

I don't think these one-three hit wonders really hit the bill. Was EMF really promoted as a "career" band, or taken seriously by critics? Some of these are puzzling, like Corinne Bailey Rae, who made great follow up records but was kind of forgotten by the industry, if not by all critics.

Lisa Stansfield?

I was thinking her, maybe, but her songs still get played all the time on commercial radio where I'm from.
Tracy Chapman? Sinead O'Connor?

I guess this thread throws into question exactly how long the popularity of an act should last. Some acts are just so right for their time and place that they naturally enjoy a short shelf life. Most continue to release a few more albums but they never sell as well as their debut and they never get the press they had at the start

Darius Rucker has a big career in country
I bet most of these "flashes in the pan" can still draw theater crowds that would be the envy of whatever indie rock bands are Pitchfork darlings these days

1984 - Thompson Twins

Their hit-making run started in 1983 in the UK and continued through 1985. They were still big enough in '85 to perform on the US Live Aid stage.

Some of these are puzzling, like Corinne Bailey Rae, who made great follow up records

Her husband died a while after the release of her debut, and her career seemed to lose all its momentum while she took time out.

I had no idea. Definitely strike her from the list.