The article looks at well-known musicians whose reputations as all-time greats belie how modest, mixed or short-lived their actual chart success and public recognition were during their careers. It argues that legacy is often built retrospectively, with time and shifting musical tastes cementing artists as legends decades after they struggled commercially or were overlooked at their peak.

Examples include Bruce Springsteen, who despite selling out huge venues has never had a UK number one single, unlike novelty acts such as Mr Blobby and Crazy Frog. Dolly Parton, who died shortly before publication, reportedly had only one solo song reach the UK top 40 despite her enduring cultural status. Jimi Hendrix's fame rests on a public career of roughly four years before his death, while The Velvet Underground are also cited, noted for their now-ubiquitous record collections despite limited commercial success at the time.