Musicians work for years and years trying to perfect their instruments in order to make it big and earn millions of dollars. That sounds like the way it should be in order to be famous, but in today's MTV world this is not the case.
First of all you've got to get the band formed. Yes musicianship needs to be thought about, but so does every ones appearance. A bunch of old fat guys banging there heads is not very pleasing to watch at a concert or on a music video. Young guys in fairly decent shape will help get the ladies screaming.
Secondly, you need to have a catchy song that gets stuck in every one's head. A song that's easy to sing along to will help people remember you. A lot of bands are only heard about once so you got to make it count. Then when VH1 does a one hit wonder count down people will remember you again.
Lastly, if the catchy song isn't working and you can't get a band full of Justin Timberlake's, you got to go for the shock video. This is one of the most useful tools for rock bands. You put anything possible in it and try to get on the news for something so repulsive that that not even MTV will show it twice. There needs to be naked ladies, monkeys humping, or something to cause controversy.
In conclusion, if your planning on being the next be thing you got to have a plan. You have got to do something to grab everyone attention. Just being able to play an instrument will not sale millions of records, but showing your stuff like Janet Jackson on national TV can.