Some stories in music history are stranger than fiction. The rise of The Shaggs is one of them. What started as a father’s obsession with a palm reading became a band often labeled the worst band ever. Yet, against all odds, their legacy still echoes decades later.
A Band Born from a Prophecy
The Shaggs were formed in the 1960s by three sisters from Fremont, New Hampshire. Their father, Austin Wiggin, believed a palm reading predicted his daughters would become famous musicians. Without lessons or experience, he pulled them from school, handed them instruments, and insisted they practice.
They struggled, often producing sounds that barely resembled music. Still, their father pushed them onto local stages at talent shows and dances. Crowds booed, threw trash, and mocked them. Yet the sisters kept playing—forced forward by their father’s belief in destiny.
The Shaggs and the Worst Band Ever Label
In 1969, their father financed an album called Philosophy of the World. The result? Critics and audiences alike called it chaotic, off-beat, and unlistenable. Rolling Stone later described it as “the worst album ever recorded.” This cemented The Shaggs’ reputation as the worst band ever.
Despite this brutal title, their music began to attract attention. Some found it fascinating, others oddly charming. By the 1980s, rediscovered copies of their record circulated in underground circles, sparking new curiosity.
From Obscurity to Cult Fame
Radio DJs began spinning The Shaggs ironically, and alternative musicians praised them as raw and unfiltered. Kurt Cobain even listed them among his top influences. What started as ridicule transformed into cult admiration.
By the late 1990s, the sisters reunited for festival appearances. Indie fans, once raised on Nirvana and Neutral Milk Hotel, embraced the band. What was mocked as the worst band ever became a symbol of authenticity.
The Legacy of The Shaggs
The story of The Shaggs shows that failure can evolve into fame. Their music was unrefined, their journey heartbreaking, yet their persistence left a lasting mark. Today, collectors pay thousands for original copies of Philosophy of the World.
The Shaggs may never have been polished performers, but their strange tale proves that even the worst band ever can find a place in music history.
Things I Learned Last Night is an educational comedy podcast where best friends Jaron Myers and Tim Stone talk about random topics and have fun all along the way. If you like learning and laughing a lot while you do, you’ll love TILLN. Watch or listen to this episode right now!
Sources
Related Episodes
Tell Us What You Think of This Content!
Don’t forget to share it with your friends!