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Worst Career Move?

Gene Clark, of the original Byrds lineup, left the band over his fear of flying when they were still a fairly commercially viable act; even though he continued to produce some amazing songs throughout the 70’s, little of it was heard by a large audience as he continually shot himself in the foot with his contrary nature, alcoholism, insecurity, and general missed opportunities. ‘Fear of Success’ can be a bitch.

Very true! "White Light" and "No Other" are fantastic albums but they have been relegated to the hipster cult bins at record stores. I guess it's another complicated story....
 
Speaking of Terry Reid, here is Alan White (later known for his playing with Yes) doing some serious prep work before he starts playing drums with Terry Reid at an ancient Glastonbury Festival circa 1971.


I first heard of Terry Reid via “The Devil’s Rejects”. Ever since I can’t get over how this guy isn’t doing better than he is. Seems like a totally humble dude though. I read an article about how he had some guitars at a pawn shop, received a phone message while a reporter or something was there, stating that he (the pawn owner) was going to have to sell his guitars if he didn’t pay off some of his loan. Supposedly, Reid just chuckled and went back to cooking.

Anyway, here’s another clip because the dudes awesome. My personal favorite, “To Be Treated Right”.
 
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I first heard of Terry Reid via “The Devil’s Rejects”. Ever since I can’t get over how this guy isn’t doing better than he is. Seems like a totally humble dude though. I read an article about how he had some guitars at a pawn shop, received a phone message while a reporter or something was there, stating that he (the pawn owner) was going to have to sell his guitars if he didn’t pay off some of his loan. Supposedly, Reid just chuckled and went back to cooking.

Anyway, here’s another clip because the dudes awesome. My personal favorite, “To Be Treated Right”.


...and it looks like he's still going strong albeit on a limited budget:

 
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Terry Reid story..
I’m a huge fan..his voice is amazing. Listening for a few decades.
Approximately 7-8 years back he booked a show at B.B. Kings in NYC.
I was very excited since I never saw him perform in person.
Showtime.. all star band..Chuck Rainey on Bass, Cornell Dupree on Guitar etc.. Terry Reid comes out on stage wasted and flips the audience..we’re sitting in amazement...horrible show..he was terrible.
Venue cleared out 50%. Very disappointing night.
Fast forward to Bass Day in NYC..I see Chuck Rainey and ask him about that night and he put his both hands over his face.. he told me he was so angry with Terry Reid for that performance..
In spite of that ..I hope Terry Reid is still performing and doing well.. He has an amazing voice and I listen to his music often.. Highway 61 is an amazing performance..how about that bass player..and that tone.
Fast forward.. I was working at Harry Fox Agency and Terry Reid came into our office..I had a nice chat with him.
 
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In 1974 I was invited to play with a high school friend from Sitka, Alaska who had moved to California. At that time I was playing in a local tavern band with a friend in Seattle. My high school buddy told me he was starting to make contacts down there and I remember him saying, "this thing I'm doing will open doors for you. You're a good bass player and this is the chance of a lifetime." I remember him stressing that-- chance of a lifetime...

Well, California sounded kind of big to me so I stayed in Seattle. Jack Lee went on to form "The Nerve" and had modest success in San Francisco. He moved his band to L.A. and performed his minor hit, "Hanging On The Telephone," which was picked up by Blondie and became a national hit. He also composed songs for Paul Young and Suzi Quatro. As promised, he and his bandmates went on to have successful careers in Southern California. I would have been the bass player in that band.

Was that a poor career choice on my part? I had friends who went to SoCal and died as young musicians. Drugs, alcohol, and hard living were the standard back then. When I was young I was reckless and it probably wouldn't have ended well for me. Do I regret it? Yes. But I still had a rich long career even without landing a record deal. I had the time of my life and traveled and played many venues. At this point in my life, I just celebrated my 30th wedding anniversary with my best friend--my wife Carey. My life with her is a far greater fulfillment and my greatest personal success story.

 
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Matt Smith leaving Poison right before they hit it big in Los Angeles.

Had he stayed he would be earning mailbox money and every so many years when Bret is gracious enough to let the guys get a piece of the action he would pocket nice paydays from playing large arenas.

He could not see into the future but had he only waited around 6 months he would have been on MTV with a hit record and starting to make the crazy kind of money which no longer is tossed around in the music industry.
 
Probably not the worst by any means, but personally DLR leaving Van Halen and then being replaced by Hagar was horribly wrong in my opinion. It was like a bar of gold tarnishing into a turd. It ruined VH for me, so their career moves were horrible.

^^^This^^^ DLR blew it when he went solo... "Just a gigolo", "California girls"... who can forget those ego-driven videos on MTV?