Non-Musician One Hit Wonders: Normal guys turn Superstars and then... gone

Without saying much, even person who does not belong to music industry knows that it is incredibly difficult to make a song that would become a hit - even for the professionals. But history has proved that sometimes, under some special circumstances (or maybe luck), an average Joe could come up with a bright idea for a song that could captivate a number of audiences in that period. A small percentage of them might be able to continue their life as professional musicians, however, most of them could not. These are the samples of those normal people who happened to create a fluke hit, but could not prolong their career in the industry past that one song.

mormon tabernacle choir - battle hymn of the republic

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Artist	Mormon Tabernacle Choir	Year	1959
Song	Battle Hymn of the Republic	Chart	13

Probably the American's best known and longest-lasting choral group. Formed in 1847, the Choir is best known for the expression of its classical renditions and evergreen Americana. In 1959, their rendition of "Battle Hymn of the Republic" hit the national chart and became the most well-known version of the song. They have yet to produce another hit so far.

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Artist	Wink Martindale	Year	1959
Song	Deck of Cards	Chart	7

Win Martindale was a famous game show host, who hosted many shows during the 70s, including Gambit, High Rollers, and Tic-Tac-Dough. In the late 50s, he briefly made his name in the music world with his spoken-word record "Deck of Cards", which flied to no.7 on national chart. He never persued his career in music after that.

ssgt barry sadler - the ballad of the green berets

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Artist	SSgt. Barry Sadler	Year	1966
Song	The Ballad of the Green Berets	Chart	1

Who would be better at telling the story of the soldiers than one of them? As the member of the Green Berets himself, SSgt. Barry Sadler told the story of how hard it is to be one of them through his no.1 hit smash "The Ballad of the Green Berets". Despite this suddens superstardom, Sadler could not continue his music career and withdrew to become a novelist instead.

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Artist	Senator Everett McKinley Dirksen	Year	1967
Song	Gallant Men	Chart	29

Everett McKinley Dirksen was one of the important figures in the Republican Party. While his politcian role was well-known, not many know the he released a couple of records during the 1960s. His spoken-word record "Gallant Men" became an accidental hit in 1967. He did not follow this success and returned to the policitian world. He died in 1969.

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Artist	Byron MacGregor	Year	1974
Song	Americans	Chart	4

Byron MacGregor was a news presenter/director from Alberta, Canada. In 1973, his presentation of Gordon Sinclair's commentary about America received so much response that he later made it into a record. Titled as "The American", it became a huge hit in US and made his name known throughout North America. He never made another record again.

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Artist	Gordon Sinclair	Year	1974
Song	The Americans (A Canadian's Opinion)	Chart	24

This Canadian journalist and broadcaster became a household name in US - thanks to his commentary about US in 1973. However, he lost his opportunity when MacGregor released his own version before his authorized version - which hit only at no.24 on the chart. It was the only record he ever produced till his death in 1984.

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Artist	Captain Beaky and His Band	Year	1980
Song	Captain Beaky	Chart	5 UK

Jeremy Lloyd is a renowned British author/screenwriter who wrote/co-wrote several popular British sitcoms, including 'Are You Being Served?'. In 1977, he wrote poems for two children albums (and books) called "Captain Beaky & His Band". The title track, presented by Keith Michell, became a Top5 hit in UK in 1980. Lloyd never made any attempt to follow this music success.

elmo shronpshrine - grandma got run over by a raindeer

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Artist	Elmo & Patsy	Year	1983
Song	Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer	Chart

Elmo Shropshire was a veterinary doctor who opened an animal hospital in San Francisco. His other passion is music, which he often performs with his wife as "Elmo & Patsy". His comedy song "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" became one of the all-time favorite Christmas records. Elmo still releases novelty records from time to time, but none could become another hit.

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Artist	Rosie Vela	Year	1987
Song	Magic Smile	Chart	27 UK

Rosie Vela is a successful American fashion model from Texas. She also had passion for music and recorded one album in the mid 80s. The singles "Magic Smile" became a mild hit in UK, but the album didn't sale well and record company called off her next album.

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Artist	Shaquille O'Neal	Year	1993
Song	(I Know I Got) Skillz	Chart	35

Shaquille O'Neal is one of NBA Superstars who, like many others sport stars, have tried his hands on other things beside the ball. One of those was music, which he released the total of 4 rap albums during the 1990s. One of his song "(I Know I Got) Skillz" actually broke into Top40 chart in 1993. It was his only success outside the court.