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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
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almarg
8,673 posts
 
Judith Durham (The Seekers)

If two people count as a group, certainly Paul Simon should be mentioned.

And depending on how one defines "great" these might be included:

Kim Carnes (The New Christy Minstrels)
Kenny Rogers (The New Christy Minstrels)
Ben E. King (The Drifters)

Best regards,
-- Al
martykl
3,563 posts
 
I guess you'd also have to think about Alejandro Escovedo of The Nuns, Rank and File, True Believers, and Buick MccCane, Todd Rundgren of The Nazz, Paul Westerberg of The Replacements, Jeff Tweedy (if Wilco can count as a "solo" career) from Uncle Tupelo, and possibly Chris Stamey of The dbs.

Marty
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viridian
4,184 posts
 
Jimi Hendrix (Casuals, Isley Brothers)
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61 OP
4,163 posts
 
Some nice calls, but also some clunkers. My criteria are great group and great solo careers.

Hendrix - undistinguished before the experience
Todd R. - were the Nazz a great group?
Kim Carnes - a great solo career?
L. Rondstadt - the Stone Ponies a great group?
And honestly, I would have come up with Toscanini before thinking of Gerry Rafferty.

Just my opinions.

May I also suggest Duke Robillard (Roomful Of Blues), Annie Lennox (Eurythmics) and Robbie Robertson (The Band).
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viridian
4,184 posts
 
Point taken, re Hendrix, you are correct.

Most that go out on a solo career end up as soppy, MOR artists cranking out ever more boring and derivative records, vide Natalie Merchant, Eric Clapton, Rod Stewart, Aimee Mann and, most of all, Sting.
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