History Main / BandToon

* [=MC=] Hammer has (''WesternAnimation/{{Hammerman}}'')
* ''WesternAnimation/HiHiPuffyAmiYumi''. Unusually, the show wasn't made in response to the band's popularity, but as an attempt to establish them as popstars in the United States. The group and the show were only moderately successful. In Japan, where Puffy are popstars, the show is a more conventional example of this trope.

* Folk rock trio The Roches made a guest appearance on the ''WesternAnimation/TinyToonAdventures'' episode "New Character Day". that followed this trope: The segment focused on a band, who were played by the Roche sisters themselves, drawn to look like their real-life counterparts and given the same names, and were at one point depicted performing their song "We"... The plot twist was they were depicted as [[VisualPun cockroaches]] trying to put on a show in Hampton's kitchen. The group had a cult fandom and had been performing for 20 years at that point, but the cartoon was largely ParentalBonus, as the children's audience probably wouldn't have heard of them.

* ''Music/TheOsmonds'' - The show featured only the brothers; Marie had not yet made into the music scene when the Osmonds cartoon was made (1972--she would record her first song, "Paper Roses," in 1973).

* ''[[WesternAnimation/KidNPlay Kid 'n Play]]''
* [=MC=] Hammer (''WesternAnimation/{{Hammerman}}'')
* ''WesternAnimation/HiHiPuffyAmiYumi''. Unusually, the show wasn't made in response to the band's popularity, but as an attempt to establish them as stars in the US. The group and the show were only moderately successful. In Japan, where Puffy are popstars, the show is a more conventional example of this trope.

* ''Pink Lady''. Yep, their career was turned into an anime show. Though it lasted longer than the US-variety show (see below), it's about as obscure today.

* Folk rock trio The Roches made a guest appearance on the ''WesternAnimation/TinyToonAdventures'' episode "New Character Day". that followed this trope: The segment focused on a band, who were played by the Roche sisters themselves, drawn to look like their real life counterparts and given the same names, and were at one point depicted performing their song "We"... The twist was they were depicted as [[VisualPun cockroaches]] trying to put on a show in Hampton's kitchen. The group had a cult fandom and had been performing for 20 years at that point, but the toon was largely ParentalBonus, as the target audience probably wouldn't have heard of them.

Note that shows using this format need not be based on an existing real-life band. Shows such as ''WesternAnimation/JosieAndThePussycats,'' ''WesternAnimation/{{Jem}},'' or ''WesternAnimation/{{Jabberjaw}}'' all fall into this category. Also note that occasionally a song from such a "fictional" band will be a break out hit, such as "Sugar Sugar" by [[Franchise/ArchieComics The Archies.]] And that's all without mentioning live-action series like ''Music/TheMonkees.''

* ''WesternAnimation/KiddVideo'' - One example of a band being made specifically for the purpose of the series. Other examples include WesternAnimation/JosieAndThePussycats, [[Franchise/ArchieComics The Archies]], Fire Bomber (of ''Anime/Macross7'' fame) and Music/TheMonkees.

* In TheNewTens, Japan had a trend of creating fictional bands - both IdolSinger style, and rock band style, as well as various other types - played by popular voice actors. They would release singles accompanied by drama [=CDs=], and often also have a rhythm game. If they're popular, they'll even get an anime. Examples include ''Music/{{Tsukipro}}'''s 10+ units, ''Music/MarginalNumber4'', and others.

* In 1998, Disney has plans to do with an animated Creator/OneSaturdayMorning series of the Music/SpiceGirls, however it failed to materialise due to Geri Halliwell's departure.

* Each episode of ''WesternAnimation/FatAlbertAndTheCosbyKids'' has at least one song where they are seen as a junkyard band, but the show is more about their life experiences in general.
* In 1998, Disney has plans to do with an animated Creator/OneSaturdayMorning program of the Music/SpiceGirls, however it failed to materialise due to Geri Halliwell's departure.

Alternately, it may be a flashback series, showing the band in their hometown as up-and-coming performers looking to make their big break. And getting in and out of adventures and singing a song at the end. Other series may go even further, casting the band as {{Superhero}}es, secret agents, or the like who just happen to be able to sing or play really well: a very literal FiveManBand. If the group also recently had a [[TheMovie movie]] released, the cartoon may be a continuation of that, usually (when necessary) changing the names of the movie's characters back to the performers' real or stage names. Expect a GratuitousAnimalSidekick to be added to the crew. Often, TheyFightCrime using ThePowerOfRock.

* Parodied in ''Film/TheCountryBears'', where in one scene the Bears watch a re-run of a baffling, badly-animated cartoon about them.

* ''WesternAnimation/HiHiPuffyAmiYumi''. Unusually, the show wasn't made in response to the band's popularity, but as an attempt to establish them as stars in the US. The group and the show were only moderately successful. In Japan, where Puffy are pop legends, the show is a more conventional example of this trope.

* In 1998, Disney has plans to do with an animated Creator/OneSaturdayMorning program of the Music/SpiceGirls, however it failed to materialise when Geri Halliwell left the group.

* In 1998, Disney had plans to do an animated Creator/OneSaturdayMorning program of the Music/SpiceGirls, however it failed to materialize when Geri Halliwell left the group.

* Anime has a recent trend of creating fictional bands - both IdolSinger style, and rock band style, as well as various other types - played by popular voice actors. They release singles accompanied by drama cds, and often also have a rhythm game. If they're popular, they'll get an anime. Examples include ''Music/{{Tsukipro}}'''s 10+ units, ''Music/MarginalNumber4'', and others.

* In 1998, Disney had plans to do an animated DirectToVideo movie, TV movie, or Creator/OneSaturdayMorning program of the Music/SpiceGirls, however it failed to materialize when Geri Halliwell left the group.

* Folk rock trio The Roches made a guest appearance on the ''WesternAnimation/TinyToonAdventures'' episode "New Character Day". that followed this trope: The segment focused on a band, who were played by the Roche sisters themselves, drawn to look like their real life counterparts and given the same names... The twist was they were depicted as [[VisualPun cockroaches]] trying to put on a show in Hampton's kitchen.

* Anime has a recent trend of creating fictional bands - both IdolSinger style, and rock band style, as well as various other types - played by popular voice actors. They release singles accompanied by drama cds, and often also have a rhythm game. If they're popular, they'll get an anime. Examples include ''Franchise/{{Tsukipro}}'''s 10+ units, ''Music/MarginalNumber4'', and others.

* ''Franchise/AlvinAndTheChipmunks'' is an edge case - this "band" [[VirtualCelebrity exists only on records and in animation]], but the records came first.

Note that shows using this format need not be based on an existing real-life band. Shows such as ''WesternAnimation/JosieAndThePussycats,'' ''WesternAnimation/{{Jem}},'' or ''WesternAnimation/{{Jabberjaw}}'' all fall into this category. Also note that occasionally a song from such a "fictional" band will be a break out hit, such as "Sugar Sugar" by [[Franchise/ArchieComics The Archies.]] And that's all without mentioning live action series like ''Music/TheMonkees.''

* Music/{{ABC}} in the video for "How To Be A Millionaire".

* ''[[KidNPlay Kid 'n Play]]''

* ''[[WesternAnimation/HiHiPuffyAmiYumi Puffy Ami Yumi]]''. A bit of a subversion in that the show wasn't made in response to the band's popularity, but as an attempt to establish them as stars in the US. The group and the show were only moderately successful. In Japan, where Puffy are pop legends, the show is a more conventional example of this trope.

* ''Series/TheAquabatsSuperShow'', a live action/animated WidgetSeries featuring aforementioned superhero rock band Music/TheAquabats, from the fine people that brought you ''Series/YoGabbaGabba''. Subversion in that The Aquabats have been trying to get the show off the ground [[DevelopmentHell since 1997]] (and it serves as the closest brush with fame they've had since that year as well).

* ''Music/TheOsmonds'' - The show featured only the brothers; the omission of Marie was never explained.
** Marie had not yet made into the music scene when the Osmonds cartoon was made (1972--she would record her first song, "Paper Roses," in 1973).

* ''[[WesternAnimation/{{Jabberjaw}} Jabberjaw]] is this trope [[RecycledInSpace UNDERWATER... IN THE FUTURE!]]''

* And, of course, {{Music/Gorillaz}}. Their cartoons are a couple of music videos and internet shorts.

* ''TVFunhouse'' parodied the trope with a cartoon based on Music/BlackSabbath. (This was years before ''Series/TheOsbournes''.)

* ''WesternAnimation/KiddVideo'' - One example of a band being made specifically for the purpose of the series. Other examples include WesternAnimation/JosieAndThePussycats, [[Franchise/ArchieComics The Archies]], Fire Bomber (of ''Anime/{{Macross 7}}'' fame) and TheMonkees

* TheWeirdAlShow

* ''[[ThePartridgeFamily Partridge Family]] 2200 A.D.''

* In 1998, Disney had plans to do an animated DirectToVideo movie, TV movie, or OneSaturdayMorning program of the Music/SpiceGirls, however it failed to materialize when Geri Halliwell left the group.