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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?
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Showing 4 responses by martykl

martykl
3,578 posts
 
I'll play!

Karl Wallinger started with The Waterboys then formed World Party as his "solo" vehicle (think Paul McCartney's Wings)

Richard Thompson started with Fairport Convention and now enjoys a great solo career after a stint performing with his wife, Linda

Sonny Landreth started out with Zachary Richard's zydeco band, then joined John Hiatt, then started a great solo career

My own personal quirk would add Lindsey Buckingham, whose last 3 solo records and 2 live solo records are personal favorites while he maintains the on and off gig with Fleetwood Mac.

Marty
martykl
3,578 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
martykl
3,578 posts
 
Fair point re The Nazz. I'll pull my nomination of Todd.
martykl
3,578 posts
 
I agree that Alejandro Escovedo (and all of the bands he's played with) have flown well below the radar. I guess he had his 15 minutes when Springsteen jumped on his bandwagon, but there's no question we're not talking household name here.

OTOH, I also think that the music has (pretty) consistently been great and, often, astonishing. He's one of those rare beasts with both a right brain rocker gift and a left brain songwriter gift. I'd put his career output up against anyone listed here, but that is certainly reflective of my personal taste.

Marty
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