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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 3 responses by onhwy61

onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61 OP
5,269 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).
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61 OP
5,269 posts
 
I think Robbie Robertson's solo work is of superior quality. I could see where some people would add Levon Helm to this list. I also rank Jack Bruce's solo career higher than Eric Clapton's, but both pale when compared to their work with Cream.

How about Donald Fagen (Steely Dan), Robert Fripp (King Crimson) and Jorma Kaukonen/Jack Casady (Jefferson Airplane). While technically Kaukonen and Casady are two different people, career wise they really can be thought of as a single entity.

It's all just opinion.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61 OP
5,269 posts
 
I was wrong by being too stringent. John Lennon, Brian Wilson, Eric Clapton and Smokey Robinson belong. They've had wonderful and long lasting post group careers.

I can't believe no one mentioned Lou Reed!

It's a little bit of a stretch, but I'd also nominate Mick Taylor. In his post Rolling Stones career he's generated two really good albums (Mick Taylor & A Stone's Throw), appeared in Dylan's greatest band (opposite Mark Knopfler) and on rare occasions delivered blistering concert performances. When you think about it his work outside of the Stones is far better than any other member of the group (Ronnie Woods excepted).
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