a playlist of virtual pop stars

A playlist of virtual pop stars (click here for full list)

Drawn from one of the historical sections of my research, here’s a hopscotch through six decades of virtual pop stars (non-corporeal, mediatized characters presented as a singular musical performer, whether an individual or group) you may or may not have encountered:

1. Alvin & the Chipmunks, commercial (1960)
2. The Impossibles, cartoon bump (1966)
3. The Archies, “Sugar, Sugar” (1969)
4. The Beagles, “Foreign Legion Flops” (1969)
5. The Banana Splits, theme song (1969)
6. Josie & the Pussycats, theme song (1970)
7. Silicon Teens, “Memphis, Tennessee” (1979)
8. Max Headroom, on “Late Night With David Letterman” (1986)
9. California Raisins, commercial (1986)
10. Jem & the Holograms, “Real Me” (1987)
11. Prozzäk, “Sucks to Be You” (1998)
12. Gorillaz, “Clint Eastwood” (2001)
13. One-T, “The Magic Key” (2003)
14. Vbirds, “Virtuality” (2003)
15. Crazy Frog, “Axel F” (2005)
16. Pikku Orava, “Maalaispoika oon” (2006)
17. Mistula, “Baptized” (2008)
18. Dethklok, “Go Forth and Die” (2008)
19. Hatsune Miku, “World Is Mine” (2008)
20. Studio Killers, “Eros and Apollo” (2012)
21. ODB hologram @ Rock the Bells (2013)