Gradually, then suddenly

Steven Tyler was 17 years old when he wrote Dream On. The first hit from Aerosmith’s 1973 debut album. He’s been a rock star his entire adult life.

That’s not how it usually works.

Most successful recording artists and songwriters work for years before having any commercial success.

They record and write. And collaborate. And play small shows at bars and listening rooms. Maybe they get a contract with a record label. And maybe they record an album. And the label helps pay for a small tour. The album might sell a few copies… but not enough for the label to pay for another.

Back to the drawing board.

But some artists stick with it. And some eventually record a hit.

Success comes gradually. And then suddenly.

Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, and Bruce Springsteen played and recorded music for a decade before recording a top 10 song.

It took Public Enemy 25 years before recording a top 10 song, Harder Than You Think.

It took AC/DC 40 years before recording a top 10 song, Highway to Hell.

For new fans, it can feel like the artist came out of nowhere. An overnight success. But that’s almost never true.

For most people who are lucky enough to achieve commercial success, success comes gradually.

Then suddenly.