5 Band Members Who Became Successful as a Soloist — From Phil Collins to Harry Styles

Michael Jackson, Phil Collins, and more musicians built larger empires when they tried their solo careers.

Notable artists in the music industry went through ups and downs in their careers. Before embarking on their solo journey, they first became part of different groups and bands whose fame and popularity were soon surpassed.

Continue reading to see some solo musicians who became more popular when they left their bands.

Fergie

Before Fergie arrived on the music scene with her solo debut album, "The Dutchess," in 2006, she first debuted as a member of the now-disbanded girl group, Wild Orchid. She promoted alongside Stefanie Ridel and Renee Sandstrom under the group's original name, NRG, before they disbanded in 2003.

After her time with Wild Orchid, she was tapped by will.i.am to try out Black Eyed Peas' song, "Shut Up" from its third album, "Elephunk." Her appearance led her to record five additional songs with the members until she started focusing on her solo career and released her second and latest music project, "Double Dutchess," in 2017.

Gwen Stefani

Gwen Stefani started pursuing a music career when she co-founded and led the band, "No Doubt," which popularized the songs like "Spiderwebs," "Don't Speak," and "Just a Girl." Soon after the group announced its hiatus, she tried a solo pop career with her 2004 debut studio album, "Love. Angel. Music. Baby," and continuously dropped hit songs like "Hollaback Girl," "Cool," and "What You Waiting For?" to name a few.

Harry Styles

Zayn Malik originally scored the title of the most successful member of One Direction, but Harry Styles already got it from him when he started his solo career.

Following One Direction's hiatus in 2016, Styles marked his solo career with his self-titled debut album the next year. He immediately rose to fame without his bandmates as its lead single, "Sign of the Times," topped several charts globally and became one of the 10 best-selling albums of the year.

He went on to release more albums and songs while also trying his luck in the TV and film industry, landing several roles in flicks like "My Policeman," "Don't Worry Darling," and "Dunkirk."

Michael Jackson

Jackson 5 became one of the most successful groups in the 1970s, but Michael Jackson expanded his career as a soloist when he was still at Motown Records. After releasing "Off the Wall" in 1979, he started building his name until he became the King of Pop, helming some of the world's most famous songs including "Billie Jean," "Beat It," and "Thriller" - the latter became the best-selling album of all time.

Phil Collins

Phil Collins already had a solo career long before he joined Genesis - but as an actor. He notably had an uncredited role when he appeared in The Beatles' "A Hard Day's Night" as an extra before he was picked to join the musical "Oliver."

He then started his career with Genesis in 1970 after signing with Charisma Records, and the band grew to become one of the most sought-after rock bands in history. Despite that, the group went on a hiatus after their December 1978 tour, leading Collins to prepare for his debut solo album in 1981 with "Face Value."

Tags

Fergie, Gwen Stefani, Michael Jackson, Phil Collins, Harry Styles