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Great Overall Career Arc -- Group/Solo

I'm interested in opinions on great artist who started out in a great band(s) and then went on to have equally great or better solo careers. The starting band can be relatively short-lived (at least 2 albums), but the solo career should be long-lived, or vice versa.

An obvious example would be John Lennon, but after thinking about it I don't think he qualifies. Is his solo work really as good or better than his original group work? I think the same applies to Brian Wilson, Smokey Robinson, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, George Clinton or Sting.

I'm thinking more along the lines of Neil Young (Buffalo Springfield), Bryan Ferry (Roxy Music), Gram Parsons (Byrds & Flying Burrito Bros.), Jeff Beck (Yardbirds), Micheal Jackson (Jackson 5), Dave Alvin (Blasters) or even Robin Trower (Procol Harum).

Who would you include on this list?
128x128onhwy61

Showing 4 responses by bdgregory

bdgregory
1,580 posts
 
Peter Gabriel from Genesis
Steve Hackett from Genesis
Phil Collins " " EDIT: oops - strike him per the OP's criteria and prior mention

Brian Eno from Roxy Music
bdgregory
1,580 posts
 
My criteria are great group and great solo careers.

ok, just to be a little more provocative, by this criteria I think many of these listed would be disqualified. I had thought of Robbie Robertson - and I like him a lot, but has he really had a great solo career? I would for sure think Van Morrison belongs on the list, but was "Them" a great band?

Further, why disqualify folks like Eric Clapton, Phil Collins (I don't like his solo albums but really like his other project work like "Brand X"; none the less, his solo albums were very popular), and maybe even Sting, other than you're not a fan? It's hard to argue that they haven't had great solo careers, or played with great, successful bands.
bdgregory
1,580 posts
 
thanks Viridian - I think that's exactly the point. We just won't reach a consensus on who's careers were great, nor on which bands were great. eg, I would clearly have Clapton on this list before I would have Robbie Robertson. I can agree with you that Sting doesn't belong.

While I'm at it - I think I have all of Robert Fripp's solo albums, as well as all of King Crimson's - I thought I was probably the only one who did though. Glad none the less to see him listed.

Mention of Jorma Kaukonen caused me to think of Bert Jansch and John Renbourn - both I think started with "The Pentangle" (a great group) and have a pretty great solo output.
bdgregory
1,580 posts
 
Tom Petty - "Mudcrutch?" , then TP&the heartbreakers, then solo, then back. Does he qualify?
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