I don't think that bands that make it on their first album are as strong as bands that don't: there is nowhere to go but down.
There are few people who define the word, 'rock star' better than U2's Bono. He's revered the world over not just for leading one of the biggest bands ever, but for his very public work on behalf of the underprivileged in Africa.
I wear a lot of black, but not in the goth way, I just really love black. I'll never be in pink or purples.