Are solo efforts ever better?


I’m sure someone will think of something, but IMO, I can’t think of any artist that went solo and produced a significant amount of material that was “better” musically than what they did with their bands. Paul Simon did some decent stuff, but I don’t think it ever reached the artistic levels of what S&G did together.  Sting, Fogarty, Bruce…  I guess Diana Ross and Beyoncé were far more successful solo, but I think the Supremes and Destiny were more of window dressing for the star and less of a collective effort. Again, IMO. What do you think?  

chayro

Todd Rundgren > The Nazz.

Michael Jackson > The Jacksons

Bjork > The Sugarcubes.

Neil Young > Buffalo Springfield.

Brian Eno > Roxy Music

I would push back and vouch for Sting's solo career. The Police were The Police and no one can ever take their genius and influence away from them, but Sting has managed to carve out a memorable and influential solo career more successful and deep than his Police days. Then again, he also has grown up, too.