These upbeat songs have surprisingly dark meanings
Mick Jagger fronts one of the biggest rock 'n' roll bands of all time. He also, however, released five studio albums as a solo artist. And while he managed to get a few gold and silver records, these didn't come close to the success he experienced with albums released by The Rolling Stones.
Art Garfunkel did reach the top 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart with 'All I Know' in 1973, but his solo success cannot be compared to that of the duo Simon & Garfunkel (or even Paul Simon as a solo artist, for that matter).
Billy Corgan is a prolific songwriter, but his solo career is completely overshadowed by his work with The Smashing Pumpkins.
Between 1973 and 2018, the iconic singer has released 10 studio albums. It goes without saying that none reached the success of those released with his band, The Who.
This member of the Black Eyed Peas did get some attention with his solo work (particularly singles where he collaborated with other artists), but it wasn't quite the same as the attention he got with his band.
Sure, Freddie Mercury is synonymous with Queen. The singer did release two studio albums under his own name though. While they were somewhat successful, they definitely don't top his band's relevance in music history.
You may recognize the rapper and DJ from the duo LMFAO. As for his solo career? Well, let's just say he hasn't released another 'Party Rock Anthem' or 'Sexy and I Know It' just yet.
Patrick Stump never really found his way to success outside of Fall Out Boy. His 2011 album 'Soul Punk' was okay, but not really up to his main band's standard.
Yes, every original Kiss member. In 1978, the band's label, Casablanca, released solo studio albums for every band member. Let's just say they were not quite as successful as those released as a band. Ace Frehley went on record six more albums when he left the band, but he never enjoyed the same level of success as Kiss.
Sources: (Yardbarker) (CafeMom) (TheRichest)
Gavin Rossdale is famous for fronting the English rockers Bush. He did enjoy great success with his band, but he was better known for being married (and then divorced) to Gwen Stefani than for his solo hits.
Courtney Love's band, Hole, earned their place in rock music history. As for Kurt Cobain's widow as a solo artist? Well, not so much. Love's 2004 album 'America's Sweetheart' didn't quite get the critical and fan reception she was hoping for.
Tommy Lee made a name for himself as the drummer of Mötley Crüe. But what happens when he releases his own music? Not a lot, apparently. Lee even had some star collabs on his 2002 album 'Never a Dull Moment,' but his solo music career never really took off.
Nicole Scherzinger has released two studio albums, both of which received mixed reviews from critics. It's safe to say she did a lot better with The Pussycat Dolls.
Tom Morello was the axman in successful bands such as Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, and Prophets of Rage. He has released music in his name and under the name The Nightwatchman. But his solo career is just not quite up to par with the likes of RATM and his other bands.
Joe Perry is best known as the guitarist of Aerosmith. He did, however, record a couple of albums with his side band The Joe Perry Project in the '80s. Then, in 2005, his first solo album was released. Perry has released a few more ever since, but it's safe to say they're nowhere near Aerosmith's success.
Davy Jones is best known as a member of The Monkees. Have you listened to his solo stuff? If your answer is no, it's probably because Jones failed to achieve the level of success he did with his band.
Mumford & Sons front man Marcus Mumford has enjoyed great success with his band. The buck stops there though. He released 'Self-Titled' as a solo artist in 2022, but the album's chart performance was a bit underwhelming.
This former member of the Backstreet Boys' solo debut album actually reached no. 31 on the charts—in Japan... This is as far as AJ McLean's solo career goes in terms of worldwide success.
Scott Stapp enjoyed true success with his band Creed. His solo career, however, was a flop. Stapp has released three solo albums so far.
Ali Campbell found great success as the singer of the reggae-pop band UB40. His solo albums did moderately okay in the UK, but he's yet to have a hit like 'Red Red Wine.'
The late singer was a successful rock star while fronting Stone Temple Pilots and later Velvet Revolver. His stab at going solo, though, wasn't as successful.
When you picture Natalie Maines, you probably imagine her together with Emily Strayer and Martie Maguire in the country trio The Chicks (formerly Dixie Chicks). And while her 2013 album 'Mother' did receive some positive reviews, her solo career failed to take off.
Debbie Harry was all the rage while fronting Blondie. But despite having released five studio albums, she never really quite made it as a solo artist.
We get it: the former Journey front man sang 'Don't Stop Believin'' so many times that he actually believed he could have found success as a solo artist. Sadly, he didn't.
Being an ex-Backstreet Boy might give Littrell some credibility in the industry, but that doesn't quite equal success. He did, however, reach no. 3 on the Christian Albums chart with his debut 'Welcome Home' in 2006.
Boy George has enjoyed moderate success since his solo career started in 1987. But let's be honest: most fans will go to his shows to listen to Culture Club songs.
Nick Carter has three solo albums under his belt, but none have come close to the success his Backstreet Boys albums achieved.
The former member of Destiny's Child is no stranger to success. Williams did release a successful gospel pop record in 2002 called 'Heart to Yours,' but, sadly, her follow-up albums weren't as successful.
David Lee Roth is a brilliant front man, but one that will always be associated with Van Halen. While some of his solo work got praised by critics and fans alike, the success of his solo career was not quite the same as with his band.
Unlike Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez said bye, bye, bye to musical success after he left NSYNC. He did, however, find success as a judge on the TV show 'America's Best Dance Crew.'
Finding success after a career with a group like New Kids on the Block is not easy. Jordan Knight never quite found the spotlight he was under when he was a member of NKOTB.
Indeed, many lucky musicians enjoyed a high degree of success with their groups. In fact, some even did so with more than one band! But while some music artists did remarkably well for themselves when they moved on to their solo careers, others not so much. Sadly, some of these singers and musicians got nowhere near the success of their previous project.
In this gallery, we look back at music artists from famous bands whose solo careers flopped. Click on to discover them.
Musicians from famous bands whose solo careers flopped
From ex-boy band members to rock stars
MUSIC Solo artists
Indeed, many lucky musicians enjoyed a high degree of success with their groups. In fact, some even did so with more than one band! But while some music artists did remarkably well for themselves when they moved on to their solo careers, others not so much. Sadly, some of these singers and musicians got nowhere near the success of their previous project.
In this gallery, we look back at music artists from famous bands whose solo careers flopped. Click on to discover them.