Late hit for an artist or band?

Comeback?
Resurgence?

no, it's a specific name for the hit.

People use the metaphor Indian Summer, but it doesn't hold true with your query

... or renaissance

lucky Bastards?

Death

Swansong

I know the word you mean, it's something a bit like autumnal/sepia etc, gets said in sentences like 'he scored a surprise ___ hit with' and it starts with a C.

comeback!!!

I claim my prize

Crepuscular?

Nope it's related to academic semester

Valedictory?  (I know it doesn't begin with a C!)

Poppydpg's suggestion of renaissance sounds about right to me.

not the word I had in mind. Journeyman is probably onto something, although I'm not sure what letter it starts with. Thanks for suggestions.

Revival

Creedence Clearwater   had one of those.

Crags - re your post and particularly the original post.  Hard to argue that CCR had any and/or early success before Proud Mary.

Just a play on words, blackbarn

How's the orchard(s)?

Ah. Understood Crags.   Re orchard, just the one plot still - the trees were planted in Feb to March 2013. They are a real hotch potch, ranging from small to bloody huge. This will be our first year of harvest based on proper "fruit pruning" so we are very hopeful. PM me if you are in Sussex and you can pop by to see them.  Ar blossom should be summat in May, judging by the apparent dormant fruit buds (see how I comfortably switch between the Sussex vernacular and the technical there).