Some performers must break away from their day gigs and have a solo turn in front of the mike, either out of artistic necessity (or band tension, or simply a desire to collect more checks). The separation might be acrimonious in some situations. In the minds of others? Both the solo and group careers are still going strong. Nonetheless, for every Dee Dee King or Victoria Beckham attempt at solo stardom, certain musicians have true front-and-center moments – moments that rival, if not outshine, the ensembles from which they emerged.
1. Michael Jackson
It wasn’t uncommon for members of The Jackson 5 to branch out and release solo albums during their reign: both Michael and Jermaine did so in 1972. However, the Michael Jackson who ruled the 1980s and 1990s wasn’t the Michael we knew until we heard 1979’s disco-slick Off the Wall, an album released shortly after his appearance in the sensational film. While MJ ruled the 1980s and tore down musical and cultural barriers with a glitter-gloved zeal, he never forgot his roots, writing and performing with his family as The Jacksons and even scoring a top-five success with the Mick Jagger duet “State of Shock” in 1984.
2.Gwen Stefani
Gwen Stefani was the band for all intents and purposes, according to the music video for No Doubt’s classic single “Don’t Speak” (No Doubt about it). Following her outstanding cameo appearances on Moby’s “Southside” and Eve’s classic “Let Me Blow Ya Mind,” a move toward a solo career was all but inevitable. When her debut album’s lead single, Love. Angel. Music. Baby., stalled in the top 20, record executives were understandably concerned, but it wasn’t until the album’s third single, “Hollaback Girl,” that Gwen received the chart-topper she so clearly desired. Since then, we’ve been blessed with outstanding solo tunes.
3. Harry Styles
For a group as new and social media-savvy as One Direction, it was only natural that all five members would release solo albums at some point. The true stunner was how Zayn, the group’s greatest vocalist, got ahead of the game and topped the charts with his debut solo single “Pillowtalk” – only to be unable to follow up with anything even remotely as fascinating (or popular). While waiting for his turn, unofficial frontman Harry Styles whetted his thirst for film acting, but when he eventually gave us the music he had inside him, the impact was immediate: he now has two chart-topping albums that continue to sell as the United Kingdom continues to embrace him.
4. Justin Timberlake
NSYNC’s mega-selling sophomore album, No Strings Attached, is essentially a declaration of freedom, as the pop quartet had finally broken free from the shackles of unstable pop svengali Lou Pearlman’s contracts. His fans were aware of this, but even fewer were aware that this album and its follow-up, Celebrity, featured the group’s effective lead singers JC Chasez and Justin Timberlake co-writing and even producing some of their own songs. While both pursued solo careers, Chasez only managed small chart success, while Timberlake collaborated with
The Neptunes, Timbaland, and Max Martin to produce a string of hit albums and singles.
