Not recognized in their lifetime?


I have appreciated the composer Bach for some time, and was startled to learn this week that he was ignored and abused during his own lifetime. The music that he wrote covers a broad range of types and styles, though it was mainly written to be performed in church. It is majestic and mathematical at the same time. Johann Sebastian Bach died poor, and his wife died in a home for destitute women.. On her death bed she was quoted as asking God not for anything for herself, but that her husbands music should live on.

At age 11 Mendelson , took a liking to Bach’s work. It was not till Mendelson's love for Bach's work that it became popular. Unfortunately Mendelson was abused physically and mentally for his appreciation of what was considered musical exercise. Mendelson, a Jew, left the school he attended, was baptized as a Lutheran and began to study the work of Bach. When Mendelson began performing the music of his mentor, Bach was accepted as the genius that he was.

Which other people can you think of that were neglected in their own lifetime, but have been recognized since as having something great to offer to the world of music?
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Sorry! It's Mozart again. The public in Prague loved him.
As a child prodigy he played on the lap of Marie-Antoinette (and look what happened to her.) But as an adult he was blacklisted in Europe, except for Prague.
The tragic 1979 death of 31-year-old Minnie Riperton silenced one of soul music's most unique and unforgettable voices -- blessed with an angelic five-octave vocal range, she scored her greatest commercial success with the chart-topping pop ballad "Lovin' You." - written by Stevie wonder as a gift. Riperton was born in Chicago on November 8, 1947; as a youth she studied music, drama and dance at the city's Lincoln Center, and later contemplated a career in opera. Her pop career began in 1961 when she joined the local girl group called the Gems, signing to the famed Chess label to release a handful of singles as well as lending backing vocals to acts including Fontella Bass, the Dells and Etta James.
Harpoon Job? Get up on the wrong side of the bed? I loved your post. I am a fan of several on your list, but must admit that I am not familiar with most of them. Believe me, I will do some research on your list and will definitely indulge myself if I find something I like. My allusion to Tiny Tim and Minnie Pearl was just a weak attempt to be amusing. Minnie Pearl wasn't a great musician, but she was a great human being. Tiny Tim used to hang out with Bob Dylan, and Dylan said that if he had taken himself more seriously Tim could have been more. All apologies for any offense.
Hey i told you i was dim... no offense taken. I think you may be right about the tendancy to take some of the big pop culture artists for granted. Listening to Oranj Symphonette do Henry Mancini or Jewels and Binoculars do Bob Dylan kind of helped drive home how strong both were as composers. Same goes for Gil Evans covering Hendrix.