Where, oh where, have all those stars of the ’90s gone?

The “Roaring ’90s” certainly offered up a distinctive music scene, transitioning from the days… The “Roaring ’90s” certainly offered up a distinctive music scene, transitioning from the days of heavy instruments in the ’80s to the word-and-rhythm-savvy decade that followed. The ’90s’ pop music provided a range that covered everything from feminism to yodeling, from loud screaming to mellow grooves.

So what have the icons of the ’90s been doing since the end of their reigns as the pinnacles of success and stardom?

Does anyone remember Hootie and the Blowfish? The unlikely bunch with a peculiar name struck a chord with millions of mellow-rock fans, launching them from a garage band to the winners of the 1995 Best Album award for Cracked Rear View. With such immediate hits as “Let Her Cry” and the annoyingly catchy “I Only Want to be With You,” the ensemble was able to cater to everyone from young teens to aging hippies.

However, their success was ultimately short-lived. Their second album produced disappointing sales; their third was even worse. Consumer taste shifted and left the group’s homegrown flavor behind. Nowadays, Hootie is touring the country, reaching smaller venues and adjusting to the reduced fan base.

The rebirth of the feminist movement in the ’90s can be attributed to, at least partially, Alanis Morissette. The difficult-to-describe female rocker who jolted airwaves throughout the mid ’90s certainly carved herself a lasting niche in women’s music history. With lyrics ranging from venomous to sentimental, she was able to captivate the thoughts and feelings of the 16 million fans who bought Jagged Little Pill.

Since her breakthrough, Morissette has faced a consistently dwindling fan base with the less-popular releases of her second and third albums, though critics laud her for her resistance to the temptation to succumb to popular demand. Her hatred for men has faded; she has released her new, relaxed and thoughtful fourth album, “So-Called Chaos,” and is engaged to actor Jason Reynolds.

While Morissette fueled the fiery airwaves, fellow female artist Jewel calmed them. While growing up, the Alaskan native practiced both yodeling and writing, finally breaking into the scene with the lilting album “Pieces of You.” The album included such silvery ballads as “Pieces of You” and “You Were Meant for Me,” soothing millions with her simplistic, yet impassioned lyrics.

Since this album’s release, Jewel has been unable to re-establish inroads into the evolving music market. She is currently making appearances at occasional concerts and rumored to be working on a new album.

Could the ’90s be remembered without thinking about The Smashing Pumpkins? Their hypnotic melodies and clever lyrics were epitomized by the success of the single “1979.” They were able to avoid one-hit-wonder status with several other impressive releases, though the group would stall before ever creating another such classic.

Their acclaimed double album “Mellon Collie and The Infinite Sadness” propelled lead-singer Billy Corgan to rock-god status for his ability to both captivate the alternative music crowd and explore his own eccentricities. (His appearance can be death-like.) Before disbanding, the group toured Europe in recent years and offered several songs for movie soundtracks.

Whether these artists can ever rise again is anyone’s guess. Regardless, the ’90s have left a lasting impression on the music timeline.