When music fans think about solo artists, many of the bigger names fall into the genres of pop, country, and R&B. Usually, with rock and roll, it's the bands that come to mind, such as Slipknot. Other times, an artist makes a clean break on their own and manages to achieve just as much success as a solo artist.
Of course, not all cases are the same. Some musicians are forced to go on their own, but it ends up being the best possible outcome. Others see a band's time coming to an end, and after a period making group decisions, it's time to seek freedom. Regardless of the circumstances, the solo careers the rock scene has produced have provided some of the biggest songs and albums in the genre's history. No fan enjoys watching their favorite band end, but it certainly helps to ease the blow when a successful solo career is born.
10 Jack White
Formerly Of The White Stripes
The song "Seven Nation Army" has become a part of Americana. It has one of the most recognizable guitar riffs of all time and has become a staple of sporting events. The band behind the tune was the White Stripes, featuring Jack and Meg White. Together, they lasted from 1997 until 2011. As the frontman of his former act, Jack White found fans eagerly waiting to see what he would do next.
The National Recording Preservation Foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps ensure the preservation of recorded sound.
Over the course of his solo career, he has released six studio albums - one more than he did with the White Stripes. He is now a board member of the Library of Congress National Recording Preservation Foundation as well. Additionally, he broke a record for the most first-week vinyl sales with his 2014 album. Between his work as a solo artist and with the White Stripes, he has won 12 Grammy Awards. He has proven he can thrive on his own but is also a formidable collaborator.
9 John Fogerty
Formerly Of Creedence Clearwater Revival
It took many years for Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) to finally find the perfect name, but once they did, they were ready to cement their legacy. Between 1968 and 1972, CCR released seven studio albums. During that time, the band managed to have an unprecedented fourteen consecutive Top 10 singles. Unfortunately, all the success was not enough to keep the band on the same page. After much inner turmoil, they decided to split.
On his own, John Fogerty has reached double digits for solo album releases, creating some of his most memorable songs, such as "Have You Ever Seen the Rain," "Proud Mary," and "Bad Moon Rising." Specifically, the work he has done on his own has helped cement his legacy to the point where Rolling Stone listed him as the 40th greatest songwriter of all time. Therefore, Fogerty will always have his Hall of Fame career with CCR, but he has more than made his mark as a solo artist.
8 Joan Jett
Formerly Of The Runaways
Joan Jett is regarded as one of the greatest rock stars ever, but for a period of time, she performed in the band the Runaways. In less than five years, Jett and the band would release four studio albums, with the first one featuring their hit "Cherry Bomb." Although they experienced success, the group was not meant to last and disbanded in 1979 after only just starting in 1975. For Jett, this was probably one of the best things that could have happened.
In the group, she faced a lot of competition around her, including Lita Ford. On her own, she has achieved incredible success, creating some of the biggest rock songs in history. These include "I Love Rock N' Roll" and "Bad Reputation," which was famously used by UFC Hall of Famer, Ronda Rousey. Joan Jett's solo career reached a pinnacle in 2015, when she and her Blackhearts were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
7 Sting
Formerly Of The Police
For nearly a decade, the Police were one of the best-selling rock bands of their generation. They were on a roll, constantly releasing hits and having each of their five albums achieve platinum certification. It seemed they could go on to become even greater, but they decided to end their run in 1984. This was the conclusion of the band, but it wouldn't be the end of Sting, as the work he put in with the Police ensured fans would be watching every move he made.
It wouldn't be the end of Sting, as the work he put in with the Police ensured fans would be watching every move he made.
Over the course of his solo career, Sting has not only established himself in the rock genre, but has also explored incorporating other styles such as jazz and reggae. Beyond just being a recording artist, he has also ventured into acting, and has even appeared on Broadway. He has won several Brit Awards and Grammy Awards and has also been nominated for an Emmy, a Golden Globe, and four Oscars. Sting truly made the most of his early fame and has created a lasting legacy.
6 Gwen Stefani
Formerly Of No Doubt
Breaking in during the 1980s, No Doubt worked tirelessly before finally releasing their debut studio album in 1992. For the next 10 years, they contributed to keeping ska one of the most talked-about genres, especially in the punk scene. They became known for hits such as "Don't Speak" and "Just a Girl" on their way to incredible success. Everything seemed to click for them as a band, but it didn't stop Gwen Stefani from venturing out on her own.
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Stefani didn't let the band down, as she has done some incredible work over the course of her solo career. Not only has she owned the pop genre, but she has even dabbled in country music, making her one of the most versatile artists. Over the years, No Doubt has reunited at times, but even when she continues to tour as a solo artist, Stefani is upholding the standard of success the band established in the '90s.
5 Robert Plant
Led Zeppelin
Throughout the history of music, it's hard to find bands that are as well known as Led Zeppelin. Perhaps it's the fact they lasted less than thirteen years together. Maybe it's because they have one of the greatest debut albums of all time. Most likely it's a combination of everything, but due to their fame, it has continued to make former frontman Robert Plant one of the most sought-after live performers in the world.
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Since the end of Led Zeppelin, Plant has released an impressive eleven studio albums, but his work hasn't stopped there. He has also contributed to five collaborative records, a few of which have been with his former bandmate, Jimmy Page. Although Plant may not play all of Led Zeppelin's hits at his live shows, fans are happy just to be in his presence. He is a legend who has influenced so many, making his contribution to the music world iconic.
4 Paul Simon
Simon & Garfunkel
Long before Paul Simon was singing a duet with Sabrina Carpenter on the 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live, he teamed up with Art Garfunkel to form Simon & Garfunkel. Together, they released five studio albums and saw three of their songs become number one hits in the United States. Though the friends had a great run between 1963 and 1970, they would part ways, only coming back together for short stints.
As a solo artist, Simon has released 15 studio albums. The most recent, Seven Psalms, arrived in 2023. In addition to his singing endeavors, he has also appeared in multiple television shows and is dedicated to philanthropy. Perhaps at the top of his achievements is the fact that he has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, once with Garfunkel, and once on his own. That is an incredible accomplishment, placing him among legends such as Michael Jackson and Ozzy Osbourne.
3 Eric Clapton
Formerly Of The Yardbirds, Cream, Blind Faith, & Derek And The Dominos
Before Eric Clapton was truly making his mark as a solo artist, he was doing everything he could to make life in a band work. The Yardbirds, Cream, Blind Faith, and Derek and the Dominos were just a few of the many acts Clapton tried. Though it wasn't all for nothing, as Cream is regarded as the first supergroup of all time, and he produced one of his signature hits, "Layla," during his one record with Derek and the Dominos.
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Eric Clapton has made a name for himself as one of the best-selling artists of all time, having sold over 280 million records. He was ranked by Billboard as the 38th greatest artist of all time, and 24th most successful. Some of his best work came in the '90s, with his 1992 Unplugged album being regarded as one of the greatest live albums ever. If that wasn't enough, he is the only artist inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times.
2 Paul McCartney
Formerly Of The Beatles
"Beatlemania" was one of the greatest crazes not only in music, but also in pop culture. The Beatles were as sought-after as a Taylor Swift is in the 21st century. As a band, they sold over 600 million records, making them the best-selling act of all time. Who knows what more they would have accomplished if they had stuck together, but ultimately, the band's run was over after only a decade. However, each member became a star in their own right at the end of their run.
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Although Paul McCartney will always be known as a Beatle, he has managed to distinguish himself as a solo artist, selling over 100 million records. During that time, he collaborated with some of the biggest names in music, including Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and Rihanna. Additionally, he has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, once as a member of The Beatles, and once on his own.
1 Ozzy Osbourne
Formerly Of Black Sabbath
Ozzy Osbourne and his band Black Sabbath changed heavy metal forever when they burst onto the scene with their debut studio album in 1970. Their hits such as "Iron Man," "War Pigs," and "Paranoid" helped revolutionize the genre and paved the way for countless bands in the future. Sadly, after eight albums, Ozzy was forced to leave the band. Rather than another act, he opted to bet on himself and release music under his own name.
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During his solo career, he has sold over 50 million albums. Over the course of 13 solo records, he managed to work with some of the best guitarists the world has seen, making Randy Rhoads, Jake E. Lee, and Zakk Wylde household names. He has also endeared the world to his family, making each of them stars in the process. As a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, every artist wants to work with him, and there is nothing that Ozzy can't make magic.