All great points. Tommy James's music just happened to be some of the most popular music out there when I started my first band. So, even though that may be looked at as bubblegum pop now, it did have its place in music history. But things happened. For instance, he collapsed on a stage not from where I am now. It was very serious and I think set him back quite a lot. Also, he missed the opportunity to play at Woodstock and also to collaborate with George Harrison. Still, I'll remember the fulfillment I felt when my garage band actually did an acceptable version of "I Think We're Alone Now" for the first time. (If you're around 15, it can be a big deal.)
That being said, this is still a thread on GodofThunder's situation (which sounds like quite a serious thing to me.) My personal take on the matter, though, (as I've already stated,) is that it will eventually lead to a going forward, not backward.