STEPPING OUT OF THE SHADOW OF A FAMOUS BAND

[RJhog (Admin)]

Scott and I have had a conversation going on today about Deen Castronovo, drummer for Journey, releasing a solo album, and about how many drummers of famous bands have gone on to have nice solo careers.  We've basically come up with Phil Collins (Genesis) and Don Henley (Eagles) with a possible nod from me to Dave Grohl (Nirvana). 

I was wondering who else from a position other than lead vocalist has stepped out of the shadow of a well known band and become a popular solo artist?  And I don't mean anyone that's put out a solo album or two, I mean folks who have made a name for themselves as a solo artist as well.  My first though was Sting (The Police), but although he was the bassist, he was also the lead vocalist.  So that's a no go.  I need to think some more, but what do you think?

[Scott]

Well.... Heres some thoughts...

Ringo Starr and George Harrison...
However, all 4 of the Beatles had successul solo careers...

Peter Cetera...
He was one of the lead vocalists of Chicago but not the only one, they actually split their vocal leads between several band members, Robert Lamm, Terry Kath, Bill Champlain, so I think he sort of squeaks in...

However, applying the the same logic as Peter Cetera, the following could squeak in as well...
Michael McDonald, Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks, Kenny Loggins, Benjamin Orr, Rik Okasek, Rik Emmett, and Pete Townsend ...

[RJhog (Admin)]

I'm not sure on Ringo and George...but only because they are more famous for being in the Beatles than their solo careers...how many casual rock fans can name two or more solo songs from Ringo or George?

I probably should not have discounted vocalists here, because I'd say Peter Cetera did have a solo career that was successful (again, my definition of successful here is that the casual rock fan can name two or more hits or songs from that solo career). That being the case, I'll take the following who have been mentioned througout this thread:

Peter Cetera
Michael McDonald
Lindsey Buckingham
Stevie Nicks (she would probably top the list)
Kenny Loggins (but I'm not sure what band he was in other than Loggins and Messina)
Pete Townend (I can probably only name two of his solo tunes)
Sting
Robert Plant (maybe)
Phil Collins (right behind Stevie Nicks)

Also, with this logic:

Don Henley
Glen Frey (maybe)
Steve Winwood

[RJhog (Admin)]

and I guess, applying this logic, I forgot about Dio.

[Jon]

Benjamin Orr? Don't know if he was "successful" though. One album I believe? Rik Emmet as well I would think.

[RJhog (Admin)]

That's what I'm trying to get at...is the person now well known (by the average rock fan). Some of the names are, but some are not. We know who most of them are, but not necessarily the average fan. Everybody knows:

Sting
Phil Collins
Peter Cetera

and so on...

[TageRyche]

I think Robert Plant qualifies here.

[RJhog (Admin)]

But he's a vocalist, so I don't count him. To me, the member with the best chance is the vocalist, because he's the voice of the band. I'm looking for folks who broke out as not well known and had a great solo career. Again, to clarify, I'm looking for guys that the casual music fan is now aware of as a solo artist.

[Niels (Mod)]

If you can't say Sting, I don't think, that you can say Phil Collins either, because he WAS in the front of Genesis, before his solo-years?!

The first, that I think about is Nils Lofgren.

[RJhog (Admin)]

That's correct Niels, but I'm not listing Phil Collins here, I was just mentioning that Scott and I had a previous conversation about him because of Castronovo.

I've heard of Nils Lofgren, but I don't know anything he's done.

[Niels (Mod)]

I guess, I misunderstood it, then.

Two of Lofgren's songs: "No Mercy" and "Beggars day". The last one, was covered by Nazareth on their "Hair of the Dog"-album.

What about Robbie Williams? I know he's DEFINETLY NOT classic rock, but.....

He started (?) in the Boy-band(!) "Take That", not in front, that was somebody else (Gary Barlow, I think, man, I hate myself for knowing these things!!), and then suddently he sold millions of records as a solo-artist in EUROPE, that is, because I don't think, you know him in the US, do you?

Robbie Williams - Let Me Entertain You @ Yahoo! Video

[RJhog (Admin)]

I don't know Robbie Williams. But I'm familiar with Nazareth's version of Beggar's Day, and I like it.

[Niels (Mod)]

Michael Schenker?