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6 solo music careers that never hit the right note

BBG News

As a devoted fan, I can attest that venturing into a solo career after leaving a highly acclaimed band isn’t always smooth sailing; it’s a mix of Phil Collin’s success stories and Joe Jonas’ trials. You see, Phil wasn’t just an exceptional vocalist but also a remarkable drummer, giving him a broader skillset to excel in his solo journey.

It’s often unexpected when some artists struggle with a solo career, even those who were part of successful bands. Singers in particular might seem well-equipped to continue their success alone, but for reasons that remain unclear, some have failed to do so despite having appropriate songs.

In some instances, a previous band member could have been involved in an ensemble that surpassed the individual talents of its members. While this musician isn’t poor, they aren’t exceptional either – at least, that was the general consensus among the audience.

6 solo music careers that flopped

Walter Becker of Steely Dan

It might be that fans who appreciate the charm in Steely Dan’s jazz-rock music lean more towards Donald Fagan, given his success as a solo artist compared to Walter Becker. Notably, three out of Fagen’s four solo studio albums reached at least the number 12 spot on the charts, whereas Becker’s two solo records didn’t perform nearly as well.

Back in 1994, my favorite musician, Fagen, released an album titled “11 Tracks of Whack” by Becker, which he produced. Despite our long-standing friendship with Becker, I found this album to be a bit overboard, jam-packing too many sounds into just 12 songs. Critics were somewhat understanding due to its experimental nature, but the general public wasn’t as lenient.

Joe Perry of Aerosmith

When someone imagines the vocal sound of Aerosmith, the band fronted by Perry, it is actually Steven Tyler’s voice that comes to mind. It can be challenging for a guitarist who doesn’t sing many of his band’s songs to ask for love when he releases a solo album.

In 2005, Perry’s self-titled album peaked at number 110 and didn’t produce any chart-topping hits. The record featured some excellent guitar solos and powerful choruses, but it wasn’t quite enough to make the project stand out. However, in 2014, Perry did release a Christmas EP that was as decent as one might expect.

Steven Page of Barenaked Ladies

Poor Steven, indeed. Notably, he was one of the founders of the highly acclaimed alternative rock band, Barenaked Ladies. However, in the 2010s, he faced difficulties with substance abuse, which ultimately led to his departure from the group, reportedly due to disagreements about recording an album. The predicament for fans is that Barenaked Ladies always shone brightest when Steven Page and Ed Robertson interacted harmoniously.

Page has been pursuing a solo path without much fanfare. He penned a musical titled “Here’s What It Takes“, but unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic halted its production. He collaborated with his former band once, though there was no foreseen long-term reunion and that was seven years back. On behalf of Barenaked Ladies fans across the globe, we hope for a reconciliation between the band and Page in the future.

KISS (every member)

Are you really fond of the Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley albums in your collection? It’s worth noting that although each member of KISS had a distinct talent, they thrived when working together, helping to bring out the best in one another.

In 1978, an intriguing move was made by the band as each member independently put out a solo album. Regrettably, none of these albums were particularly well-received. The duo of Stanley and Simmons is indispensable to one another; they are not remarkable on their own, but their collaborations are unforgettable.

Dennis DeYoung of Styx

DeYoung may have occasionally leaned towards a more dramatic flair. This isn’t necessarily a negative trait, especially when blending it with music effectively. For example, Freddie Mercury and David Bowie certainly had an element of drama, but they also delivered powerful performances.

In my opinion, Styx was a significant part of what made Dennis DeYoung unique. Without Styx, he seemed on the brink of becoming something similar to Michael Bublé, but without that same magnetic charm. Interestingly, DeYoung did score a top-10 hit with his solo debut, Desert Moon, but he never quite reached those heights again. Lately, he’s been expressing some discontent about his former band, and it feels like our days of singing together may be over for good.

Daryl Hall of Hall and Oates

An intriguing aspect is that despite Hall not achieving much solo success, he could have continued his sound similar to what it was with his longtime partner Oates. However, it was the soulful quality of Hall’s voice – often referred to as blue-eyed soul – that significantly contributed to their duo’s high-level success. This distinctive quality would persist whether or not John Oates was present.

The most notable solo performance chart appearance of his career peaked at position 29 in 1986, with the album titled “Three Hearts in the Happy Ending Machine.” It’s an unusual title for a record, and it’s possible that a more appealing name could have boosted its success. However, it might also be due to a shift in popular tastes, potentially moving away from Hall’s style of music.

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2025-05-20 13:00

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