Is going solo the musical equivalent of getting old and grumpy?

Question

I'm really struggling to think of anyone who became famous as a solo artist and then went into a group. Bob Dylan going into Travelling Wilburys but that doesn't really count, does it? Erm... Del tha Funky Homosapien going into Gorillaz...

But people like Paul McCartney, George Harrison etc climbed to fame WITHIN a group. Some good exceptions, but it is funny how it's nearly always this way round...

Answer 1

The idea is pretty cliche but the truth is that most band members eventually get stifled, or they get sick of their other bandmates, or if one member is more famous than the others, that person will go out and do something else. And yes, sometimes they seem greedy, esp if they think they are "carrying" the band.

One of the things I get most excited about in music is collaboration, particularly when a group comes together out of several different bands. Cream. Mr. Big (before they got too full of themselves.) David Lee Roth's bands. Even the Crossroads show on CMT or any other instance where there is a coming together from different places. Travelling Willburies would be considered a supergroup of sorts, so would The Highwaymen. A particular instance of an individual going from solo to band is when Bruce Hornsby slid into the Grateful Dead. No matter how different, it often seems to work really well. On the other hand, Mick Jagger and Ron Wood did some solo work and what do we know about that? NOTHING. They are HUGE celebrities in their own right and yet really nothing without being part of the Stones.

The members of Yes (my fav group) have freely come and gone from solo to group all these years. They have had about 15 different players in a five or so piece band and with each new project you don't know who will be playing or what the sound will be.

Since all the major band members in Yes are very talented and openminded, I think they do it for creatively selfish reasons that ultimately turn out OK. Jon's material on a solo album will be totally different from Yes, often times absorbed in the sound of another country, like he is a guest star in another sound. Jon is an excellent collaborater. But all the guys do their own thing for a while, then come back to the band fresh and with new ideas.

Their motives might be selfish, to make more money, to be in more control of the sound, to do something the band didn't want to do, and it might be that they are hard to work with. But I think rather than proving that they are old and grumpy, it is proof that they are trying to keep their individual integrity as a musician, and to come back to the music scene with something new. That is always important unless you want the industry telling you what you have to sound like in a sell-out move.

Answer 2

Roy Orbison and George Harrison were solo artists who went into the Traveling Wilburys, too. The next in line for the job was another solo artist - Del Shannon (hits in the 60's like Runaway, Hats Off To Larry, etc.) but he commited suicide before it happened.

A lot of soloists break off from a group (whether famous or not) because of a multitude of reasons. Sometimes they can't get along with the other members, in fighting in the group, manager is screwing them around, doesn't get song credits (in writing a song), sometimes they think that they'd do better as a solo, etc.

I am a professional musician who has played with groups in the past and am now solo. I am actually doing better and making more money now. I left groups because of in fighting, lack of talent, and a lot more reasons. I will never be among the elite stars, but I am doing very well as a solo artist in my field. I like performing with a group and do sometimes, but not as a steady thing. As a solo, you've got to make it or break it on your own. You can't blame anyone else.

Answer 3

Paul McCartney formed Wings... Sammy Hagar was already famous when he joined Van Halen, Bruce Dickinson had a great solo career but he returned to Iron Maiden, Jim Steinman formed The Dream Machine....

Answer 4

I think in this manufactured world of pop sh*te its easy to be
a boy-band etc to get signed, Then try once you have some
'fame' to go on your own..

Just the way the corporate pop wh*res work im afraid..

£££ $$$ before talent!, Then again, when the 'kids' grow up away from the boy / girl band etc the corporate bosses take who they know they can still squeeze a few $$ or ££ from and
pump em back into the market again (mostly!)

Answer 5

if your canines starts to get grumpy because it gets older then that's an indication of ailment or soreness. The canines could have arthritis or something else happening. canines that grow old get greater mellow and lay around lots greater. if your asking this because of the fact your canines is appearing grumpy he/she ought to be taken to the vet. wish this enables!

Answer 6

you only become a solo artist if you think your the best guy in the band and dont need bandmates. only bigheaded people become solo. And you only go into a band from being a solo artist if you are lonely or not as talented by yourself.

Answer 7

David Bowie - Tin Machine

Answer 8

Tin Machine = Bad Idea

Answer 9

What about Ronnie James Dio going into Black Sabbath after Ozzy was kicked out?

Answer 10

HA! I like that. I've always thought it wa the equivalent of getting old and greedy, but yours is probably right!