The tribute band phenomenon in nostalgic America exploded the demand for the cover band gigs in the early 90’s and has become industry standard to the present day. This rise was born out of the spirit of the commercialism of the 80’s hit making machine.  collection of recording artists that still provide for the “100 Best Where Are They Now” programs of the present day.

This excessive commercialism was put in check by the 90’s wave of “alternative” music approaches, an alternative to the generic pop approach of the previous decade. The alternative genre was born along w/ the “independent” movement that had for a brief moment, moved the music industry to rethink its artist development policy but has now been reduced to a particular genre or sound itself.

    
The music scene was left with a tremendous surplus of unemployed musicians who were left to entertain (or hang up their garb & guitars) the mass of junkies still starving for their high school hits, singing and drinking in the clubs and bars across America and beyond.  The cover band gigs became essential entertainment for booking venue needs from the club to the concert circuit.

Much credit can be given to a now legendary Los Angeles cover band gigs outfit known as ‘Boogie Nights” (formerly a little known band “Roxanne”).  This entertaining disco set was so hot, the demand for this group provoked the necessity to form multiple “Boogie Nights” groups in order to fulfill booking requests for casinos and corporate events across the country.

     
This cover band gigs escalation was also greatly responsible for the trend of artist reunions that became a vital facet of the modern music industry marketing campaign.

The extremely lucrative Kiss reunion of the 90’s had much inspiration from a group of formerly employed metal musicians “Black ’N Blue”, who garnered much attention from Gene Simmons & Paul Stanley and countless hungry Kiss fans throughout L.A. by performing packed cover band gigs in full Kiss make-up calling themselves “Cold Gin”.

   
Retroactive (“Retro”) rocking is the beat on the street with cover band gigs everywhere.  And has been on fire ever since, catering to a pop music culture spanning 50 strong years of consumerism.

One bit of advice this writer has always suggested to bands and musicians is…be prepared for cover band gigs.  Be prepared to have a repertoire of a full set worth of cover tunes, a solid insurance policy (if you will) to maintaining a working career as a musician in a tough and competitive line of living.