Some of today's successful solo artistes started off in bands. Here are some of those who left the collective glory to find their place in the sun
Beyonce
An artiste going solo after earning fame as part of a band is nothing new. When Zayn Malik of the massively popular boy band One Direction left the group, he joined a long list of names like Robbie Williams, Sting and Ozzy Osbourne who had also abandoned their respectives bands, and the fame that came with it, to get their individual voices heard. Although, Malik went on record to say that he gave up his enormous success to ‘be a normal 22- year-old’, rumours were rife that he was in the process of collaborating with Naughty Boy. But recently, when the two had a very public and nasty fallout on Twitter, the social media went abuzz with speculations that Malik might consider re-joining the boy band. On Saturday the hashtag #ZaynIsComingBackOnJuly26 started trending. Although the origin and the veracity of the news is still unknown, it was enough to send the One Direction fans on a meltdown.
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Beyonce
Destiny’s Child was one of the most popular all-girl bands. However, the way Beyonce ruled the screen with her stunning presence, it was but a matter of time before she went solo. After winning multiple awards and marrying music tycoon Jay Z, the singer is today a worldwide sensation. And it seems that the band was nothing but a stepping-stone to her success.
Justin Timberlake
It was clear from the start that the young musician was meant for greater glory. But, when the singer left the internationally successful band NSYNC, many thought it was a risky move. However, Timberlake, who credits Michael Jackson for planting the seed of going solo in his head, has proved the cynics wrong. Today, happily married to Jessica Biel, he not only can boast of a successful career as a singer but is also seen flexing his acting chops often.
John Lennon
After a staggering body of work with The Beatles, a band that till date carries a legacy that can arguably be considered the greatest in the world of music, Lennon went on to build his solo career. In 1970, he released his debut solo album, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band and a year later came Imagine, his most popular signature song post the Beatles days.
Gwen Stefani
Stefani’s cute-girl presence on stage and nasal voice helped her band No Doubt get considerable success. But, she reached her full potential in 2004 when she embarked on a solo journey as an artiste. A throwback to the ’80s, Love. Angel. Music. Baby. earned her a gamut of nominations. And it was just the beginning.
Michael Jackson
The profoundly talented singer and dancer and his indomitable star aura contributed significantly to his band, Jackson 5 in the sixties and seventies, and led his siblings as well as the band to great success. But, when he went solo in 1971 he became a legend enchanting the world with his music as well as dancing skills. Although his life was mired
in controversy, his music kept earning him glory and made him the most awarded recording artiste in the history of popular music.
Honourable mentions
Dave Grohl: Known today as one of the best drummers in the world, Grohl was doing just fine as the drummer of grunge band Nirvana.
But after Kurt Cobain’s suicide in 1994, Grohl kicked into high gear, writing, producing, playing all the instruments and being the frontman of now mega successful band Foo Fighters.
Stevie Nicks: After making a name for herself as the vocalist of Fleetwood Mac, one of the best-selling bands of all time, Nicks kicked off her solo career in 1981 with Bella Donna.
Her top-notch vocals and poetic lyrics ensured that the album reached platinum status in less than three months of its launch.
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