Are solo efforts ever better?

Sometimes it's not that clear cut.  Brian Wilson post Beach Boys may have an artistic edge, but certainly not popularity.  Frank Zappa post Mothers Of Invention by volume alone overwhelms the earlier work.

Nile Rodgers production work after Chic is vast and very impressive.  Bill Nelson's work post BeBop Deluxe could be obscure, but reached heights that the band did not.  Janis Joplin was certainly most popular as a solo artist after Big Brother & the Holding Company.  Elvis Costello as a solo act has released a number of superb recordings throughout his long career.  Curtis Mayfield achieved greater fame as a solo act than with the Impressions.  Finally, Mick Taylor's s/t debut album is far better than his output with the Rolling Stones.  The songs weren't up to the Jagger/Richards level, but the performances were better.  Unfortunately, he never reached that level again.

@lowrider: No, I’m saying Debbie Harry was better in Blondie than she was in Wind In The Willows, which of course doesn’t conform to the point of the post. Guilty as charged! Many people refer to her as "Blondie", though that is actually the group’s name. I consider the other members of Blondie as Debbie Harry’s back-up band. I never cared for Blondie, and have never heard Harry’s solo albums, so can’t comment. I assume they are even worst than those of Blondie.

As for Dave Edmunds, his pre-solo group Love Sculpture were relatively successful (at least in the UK, where "Sabre Dance" was a hit single). I much prefer his post-Love Sculpture music. I too saw Rockpile live, with Moon Martin opening. Great double bill! As good as Rockpile was, Edmunds live was even better.

Nick Lowe’s group Brinsley Schwarz were also well known in the UK, and again I prefer his post-BS music. Moon Martin’s pre-solo group Southwind had two albums on a major label, and toured the states. John Hiatt is very well-known, and his solo work is far better than was his stuff in White Duck. The Steeldrivers are very well known (at least to fans of Americana), and Chris Stapleton is now a huge solo artist. Not "monster" enough? ;-)

I didn’t realize only guys who "fronted monster bands" were eligible. What constitutes a "monster" band? Vince Gill was very well known as a member of Pure Prairie League. Do you guys listen to only "monster Rock bands"?! ;-)

I don’t care for most huge stars, whether as members of a band or solo. The Stones/Mick Jagger/Keith Richards? Who cares?! The Who/Roger Daltry/Pete Townshend? Likewise! II guess I’m talking to the wrong audience. Back to hibernatin'.

@bdp24 

Maybe Monster could also mean popular. Pure Prairie League sure qualifies. Also Brinsley Schwarz, agree with you about Nick Lowe and Dave Edmonds (super talented).

I must say I was a Blondie fan from the beginning, seeing the band play in NYC 1976, 77. Debbie's solo work was weak. She had success with dance club stuff.

I think he took the bass  player and someone else too though. Got away from Jeff Beck. 

@brunomarcs 

That someone was Ronnie Wood. They formed The Faces with members from Small Faces.

It's a fine line between better and different. I applaud musicians who have the courage to make a clean break rather than staying in the comfort zone of their bands viz. Paul Weller, Mark Knopfler and Sting. Of those three, only Mark Knopfler's post-band music really appeals to me, but I appreciate what Paul Weller and Sting have done post the Jam and the Police.