I've recently been listening to some music by The Mamas & The Papas, and it got me thinking. Cass Elliot, one of "The Mamas," was rather heavy-set to say the least. Would a person like this make it in today's music scene? I'm inclined to say "no" since so much of music today is visual. As I see it, Cass just doesn't have "the look" to compete in today's market.

She's not alone. Roy Orbison is another candidate in my list of performers least likely to make it. Anyone who's listened to any of Roy's work can't deny that he has an incredible voice. But he's certainly nothing to look at. He would most likely be overlooked if he started today. Who knows how much great music we're missing out on because the artists aren't the Ken's and Barbie's that producers want them to be?