Pulp

Given an early break when influential BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel invited them to play a session on his show in 1981, Pulp endured 15 years of obscurity before becoming stars of the Brit pop explosion in the mid-1990s, turning kitchen-sink, working class observations into roaring indie disco pop. Led by Jarvis Cocker's awkward, dry wit, fourth album His 'n' Hers (1994) proved a major breakthrough, making it into the UK Top 10, but it was the huge, runaway success of Number 2 single Common People that turned them into mainstream stars. Pulp's finest moment came shortly after when they replaced the Stone Roses at the last minute to play a legendary headlining performance at the Glastonbury Festival. The classic Different Class (1995) followed, winning the Mercury Music Prize and topping the UK album charts, and Cocker hit the headlines when he infamously stormed the stage at the 1996 BRIT Awards and wiggled his backside at Michael Jackson. As the excess of the era fizzled out their music took a darker turn with This Is Hardcore (1998) and We Love Life (2001) before they split in 2002.