Many are called. Most end up in the bargain bin of the local thrift store. For all the great bands like Fanny, The Slits, L-7, The Go-Gos, The Bangles, and so on, there are several dozen—nay, several hundred—who score one hit (or fewer) and then disappear before the ink’s dried on their record contracts.

And then there are bands like these glamorous groups—who managed a record deal, had the hit single and even produced a handful of albums—sometimes well-received albums.

These are the sometimes forgotten girl bands of the 1970s-1980s who may have looked like they borrowed their style from a spandex catalog but actually had greater success and in some instances a greater influence on other bands than is ever recognized….or should I say, admitted.

For example, the Love Machine (above) were originally dancers on the Benny Hill Show and not to be confused with the Italian Love Machine. The Love Machine were one-hit wonders like that other notorious dance group Hot Gossip—who had a major hit with “Starship Trooper.”
 

Phantom Blue—Heavy Metal band who released four albums between 1986-1997.
 

The Orchids were a rock/pop/New Wave formed and managed by Kim Fowley—they never quite managed the heights of The Runaways.
 

Cice-Mace—a Serbian disco-pop band produced by synth pioneer Miha Kralj.
 
More forgotten girl groups, after the jump…