Remember an era, 60 years ago, when all vocal acts had backing groups?

“Did they get embarrassed and tired of telling people, “I’m a Cricket”?”…

or a Pip! Vocal groups still exist they are just less likely to have a clear frontperson and more likely to favour the band name. Plus solo acts do a good share of their own background vocals these days, it’s cheaper and I guess it’s an easier marketing prospect to have just one person to make appealing to the public.

Backup singers. They still exist, but are uncredited.

Groups still exist, but most name themselves differently now. There's still Hootie & the Blowfish.

Its bound to be Simon Cowells' fault
Most musical atrocities are his fault , except maybe drill music.

https://youtu.be/AUy0QAEf7Qw

It was big in the eighties but I haven't heard of as many recent acts with named backing groups. I do think that one band name is better for marketing purposes. The last one I remember from the nineties was Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch BUT I'm reluctant to call them musicians. My dad was a Chuck Berry fan so he never told me to turn down my George Thorogood and the Destroyers. I've listed some big 80's backing groups below.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
Huey Lewis and the News
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band
Bob Marley and the Wailers
Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble
Bruce Hornsby and the Range

Too much cash to spread around!
I want it all!
People got along with one another much better than they do today.
Even though some had their differences, some wanted their own stardom. Simon & Garfunkel. Even the Beatles. Crosby Stills Nash & sometimes Young had their problems. Roger Waters & David Gilmor as well. The Mamma’s & Pappa’s probably would have had some artistic differences if Cass Elliot didn’t die. Harmonizing and back up groups? A thing of the past...

Elton John.

Tony Orlando and Dawn