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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
tostadosunidos's avatar
tostadosunidos
1,197 posts
 
Steve Winwood--Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, Blind Faith then a big solo career.

Alejandro Escovedo, really? I didn't think people outside of Austin had heard of Rank & File or True Believers. Most have never heard of AE himself.
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
bdgregory
1,712 posts
 
Tom Petty - "Mudcrutch?" , then TP&the heartbreakers, then solo, then back. Does he qualify?
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,587 posts
 
Emmylou Harris. Two albums with Gram Parsons then an outstanding solo career marked by grace, humor, integrity and great music.
chazro's avatar
chazro
635 posts
 
Peter Frampton/Humble Pie
Rod Stewart/Faces/Jeff Beck Group
Jack Pastorious/Weather Report
Frank Sinatra/Tommy Dorsey
Janis Joplin/Big Brother
Beyonce/Destiny's Child
Ricky Skaggs/Emmylou Harris Band
Hasn't happened yet but inevitable;
Adam Levine/Maroone 5
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