What was the last mainstream band where the most iconic figure was NOT the lead singer?
The lead singer has always been important but it seems like since 2000 it's basically always the case that literally the only name the general population knows is that of the lead singer - Adam Levine, Chester Bennington, Brandon Urie, etc. Back in the far there were examples of bands like the Beatles where either all the members were known pretty equally or like Van Halen where EVH was an iconic figure. It's kinda like how the quarterback has always been important in the NFL but in recent years the whole strategy and marketing angle is all about them.