Musicians – especially those in the rock and jazz spheres – aren’t particularly known for their long lifespans. Accidents, drugs, violence, suicide, and disease have claimed far too many young talents, many of them before their 30th birthday. (In a grim coincidence, Kurt Cobain, Jill Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, and Amy Winehouse all died at 27.)
Then there are the one-hit wonders, who shoot up the charts and enjoy momentary celebrity – and then recede to the borders of the music world or give up recording altogether. (How many do you remember of these biggest one-hit wonders of all time?)
On the other hand, some solo artists and bands turn out to have amazing longevity. A surprising number of performers born 50 or 60 years ago or more – baby boomers – who may have had their first hits when they were in their 20s, still turn out music that resonates with audiences of all ages. (Here are some examples of classic songs that have returned to the Billboard Hot 100.)
To determine the artists from the baby boom generation who still make hit albums, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on recent and historical chart performance on the Billboard 200. the publication’s weekly roster of best-selling albums and EPs. Artists who originally debuted on the Billboard 200 between 1967 and 1985 and who have reappeared on the charts with a new studio album released in 2020 or later were ranked based on the performance of their most recent album. Ranks were computed based on an inverse scoring system wherein a week at No. 1 is worth 200 points, a week at No. 2 is worth 199 points, and so on, up to a week at No. 200 worth one point. Compilation albums and releases of formerly recorded live music from the vault were not considered.
Click here for more about artists from the baby boom generation who still make hit albums
One thing this list demonstrates is that no one period or genre has a monopoly on vibrant revival. Here you’ll find representatives of country (Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson), heavy metal (Ozzy Osbourne, Iron Maiden), new wave/synth pop (Tears for Fears, Depeche Mode), singer-songwriter folk-rock (Van Morrison, Neil Young [who appears twice]), easy listening (Barry Manilow), blues-rock (Bonnie Raitt), jazz (Pat Metheny), and more.
What do all these musicians have in common? The ability to adapt and grow – and to last.
30. Neil Young With Crazy Horse
> Latest Billboard 200 appearance: Toast (2022)
> Peak position on the Billboard 200: No. 198 (for 1 week)
> First Billboard 200 appearance: Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere (1969)
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29. Blue Öyster Cult
> Latest Billboard 200 appearance: The Symbol Remains (2020)
> Peak position on the Billboard 200: No. 192 (for 1 week)
> First Billboard 200 appearance: Agents of Fortune (1976)
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28. Van Morrison
> Latest Billboard 200 appearance: Latest Record Project, Volume 1 (2021)
> Peak position on the Billboard 200: No. 182 (for 1 week)
> First Billboard 200 appearance: Blowin’ Your Mind! (1967)
27. Ringo Starr
> Latest Billboard 200 appearance: Zoom In (EP) (2021)
> Peak position on the Billboard 200: No. 179 (for 1 week)
> First Billboard 200 appearance: Sentimental Journey (1970)
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26. Billy Idol
> Latest Billboard 200 appearance: The Roadside (EP) (2021)
> Peak position on the Billboard 200: No. 176 (for 1 week)
> First Billboard 200 appearance: Don’t Stop (1981)
25. Deep Purple
> Latest Billboard 200 appearance: Whoosh! (2020)
> Peak position on the Billboard 200: No. 161 (for 1 week)
> First Billboard 200 appearance: Shades of Deep Purple (1968)
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24. Paul Simon
> Latest Billboard 200 appearance: Seven Psalms (2023)
> Peak position on the Billboard 200: No. 153 (for 1 week)
> First Billboard 200 appearance: Paul Simon (1972)
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23. Cheap Trick
> Latest Billboard 200 appearance: In Another World (2021)
> Peak position on the Billboard 200: No. 142 (for 1 week)
> First Billboard 200 appearance: In Color (1977)
22. Styx
> Latest Billboard 200 appearance: Crash of the Crown (2021)
> Peak position on the Billboard 200: No. 114 (for 1 week)
> First Billboard 200 appearance: The Serpent Is Rising (1974)
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21. Sting
> Latest Billboard 200 appearance: The Bridge (2021)
> Peak position on the Billboard 200: No. 101 (for 1 week)
> First Billboard 200 appearance: The Dream of the Blue Turtles (1985)
20. Willie Nelson
> Latest Billboard 200 appearance: A Beautiful Time (2022)
> Peak position on the Billboard 200: No. 100 (for 1 week)
> First Billboard 200 appearance: Red Headed Stranger (1975)
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19. Stryper
> Latest Billboard 200 appearance: Even The Devil Believes (2020)
> Peak position on the Billboard 200: No. 92 (for 1 week)
> First Billboard 200 appearance: Soldiers Under Command (1985)
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18. Pat Metheny
> Latest Billboard 200 appearance: From This Place (2020)
> Peak position on the Billboard 200: No. 92 (for 1 week)
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 80/81 (1980)
17. Jackson Browne
> Latest Billboard 200 appearance: Downhill from Everywhere (2021)
> Peak position on the Billboard 200: No. 86 (for 1 week)
> First Billboard 200 appearance: Jackson Browne (1972)
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16. Ace Frehley
> Latest Billboard 200 appearance: Origins, Vol.2 (2020)
> Peak position on the Billboard 200: No. 81 (for 1 week)
> First Billboard 200 appearance: Ace Frehley (1978)
15. Steve Perry
> Latest Billboard 200 appearance: The Season (2021)
> Peak position on the Billboard 200: No. 80 (for 1 week)
> First Billboard 200 appearance: Street Talk (1984)
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14. Scorpions
> Latest Billboard 200 appearance: Rock Believer (2022)
> Peak position on the Billboard 200: No. 59 (for 1 week)
> First Billboard 200 appearance: Love Drive (1979)
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13. Alice Cooper
> Latest Billboard 200 appearance: Detroit Stories (2021)
> Peak position on the Billboard 200: No. 47 (for 1 week)
> First Billboard 200 appearance: Pretties for You (1969)
12. Bonnie Raitt
> Latest Billboard 200 appearance: Just Like That… (2022)
> Peak position on the Billboard 200: No. 44 (for 1 week)
> First Billboard 200 appearance: Give It Up (1972)
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11. Duran Duran
> Latest Billboard 200 appearance: Future Past (2021)
> Peak position on the Billboard 200: No. 28 (for 1 week)
> First Billboard 200 appearance: Rio (1982)
10. Barry Manilow
> Latest Billboard 200 appearance: Night Songs II (2020)
> Peak position on the Billboard 200: No. 32 (for 1 week)
> First Billboard 200 appearance: Barry Manilow II (1974)
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9. Neil Young
> Latest Billboard 200 appearance: Homegrown (2020)
> Peak position on the Billboard 200: No. 17 (for 1 week)
> First Billboard 200 appearance: After the Gold Rush (1970)
8. Depeche Mode
> Latest Billboard 200 appearance: Memento Mori (2023)
> Peak position on the Billboard 200: No. 14 (for 1 week)
> First Billboard 200 appearance: Speak & Spell (1981)
7. U2
> Latest Billboard 200 appearance: Songs of Surrender (2023)
> Peak position on the Billboard 200: No. 5 (for 1 week)
> First Billboard 200 appearance: Boy (1981)
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6. Dolly Parton
> Latest Billboard 200 appearance: Run, Rose, Run (2022)
> Peak position on the Billboard 200: No. 34 (for 1 week)
> First Billboard 200 appearance: My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy (1969)
5. Jimmy Buffett
> Latest Billboard 200 appearance: Life on the Flip Side (2020)
> Peak position on the Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 1 week)
> First Billboard 200 appearance: Living and Dying in 3/4 Time (1974)
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4. Tears For Fears
> Latest Billboard 200 appearance: The Tipping Point (2022)
> Peak position on the Billboard 200: No. 8 (for 1 week)
> First Billboard 200 appearance: The Hurting (1983)
3. Def Leppard
> Latest Billboard 200 appearance: Diamond Star Halos (2022)
> Peak position on the Billboard 200: No. 10 (for 1 week)
> First Billboard 200 appearance: On Through the Night (1980)
2. Ozzy Osbourne
> Latest Billboard 200 appearance: Patient Number 9 (2022)
> Peak position on the Billboard 200: No. 3 (for 1 week)
> First Billboard 200 appearance: Blizzard of Ozz (1981)
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1. Iron Maiden
> Latest Billboard 200 appearance: Senjutsu (2021)
> Peak position on the Billboard 200: No. 3 (for 1 week)
> First Billboard 200 appearance: Killers (1981)
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