Sometimes the only way forward is on your own. These 20 artists left the bands that made them famous—and in many cases, proved they were just getting started.
1. George Harrison – All Things Must Pass (1970)
Tired of being limited to two songs per Beatles album, George burst out of the gate with a triple LP masterpiece. It had jams, it had soul, it had “My Sweet Lord.” This wasn’t just a debut—it was a liberation.
2. Peter Gabriel – Peter Gabriel (1977)
Leaving Genesis meant ditching masks and prog excess. Gabriel’s first solo album felt raw, theatrical, and completely his own. “Solsbury Hill” said it best—it was a breakup song with a band.
3. Phil Collins – Face Value (1981)
Written in the shadow of his crumbling marriage, Face Value mixed heartbreak, pop, and a drum machine that would define the decade. “In the Air Tonight” made sure you’d never forget it—or that drum fill.
4. Dio – Holy Diver (1983)
Ronnie James Dio had already fronted Rainbow and Sabbath. Now it was his turn. Holy Diver brought fantasy, fury, and the metal anthem of a lifetime. The horns went up—and stayed up.
5. Ozzy Osbourne – Blizzard of Ozz (1980)
Kicked out of Black Sabbath and written off as a burnout, Ozzy came back swinging. With Randy Rhoads on guitar, he unleashed “Crazy Train” and proved he was far from finished. A solo debut that roared louder than anyone expected.
6. Sting – The Dream of the Blue Turtles (1985)
Sting didn’t just step away from The Police—he dove headfirst into jazz. With Branford Marsalis in the band and “If You Love Somebody Set Them Free” on the charts, he never looked back. It was cool, complex, and a smash.
7. Paul Simon – Paul Simon (1972)
After the split with Garfunkel, Simon doubled down on groove, rhythm, and world music. “Me and Julio” and “Mother and Child Reunion” made sure his new sound was unforgettable. This was where his solo journey really began.
8. Janis Joplin – I Got Dem Ol’ Kozmic Blues Again Mama! (1969)
Janis ditched Big Brother and went full soul singer. With horns, grit, and powerhouse vocals, she showed another side of herself. It wasn’t Cheap Thrills—it was something deeper.
9. Keith Richards – Talk Is Cheap (1988)
With the Stones in limbo and Jagger chasing pop, Keith called in some friends and made the kind of raw, bluesy rock record that fans had been craving for years. “Take It So Hard” sounded like the Stones… but hungrier.
10. David Lee Roth – Eat ‘Em and Smile (1986)
Leaving Van Halen was a gamble. But Roth came out swinging with a guitar god (Steve Vai), a killer band, and full theatrical flair. It was outrageous. It was fun. It was very, very Diamond Dave.
11. Roger Waters – The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking (1984)
Pink Floyd had become his personal playground, but Waters officially stepped out with a concept album that felt like a solo sequel to The Wall. It was heady, dense, and deeply personal.
12. Beyoncé – Dangerously in Love (2003)
Beyoncé was already a superstar with Destiny’s Child. But Dangerously in Love announced her as a solo icon. “Crazy in Love” became a pop landmark—and so did she. Independent woman? Try the woman.
13. Lauryn Hill – The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998)
One album. Infinite impact. Lauryn Hill fused soul, hip-hop, and gospel into a genre-defining masterpiece. It won five Grammys and never needed a follow-up to prove its genius.
14. Mick Jagger – She’s the Boss (1985)
Jagger’s first solo outing wasn’t a Stones clone—it was glossy, funky, and aimed squarely at the ‘80s charts. “Just Another Night” turned heads, but the tension with Keith made bigger headlines. A bold step that shook the world’s greatest rock ‘n’ roll band.
15. Gwen Stefani – Love. Angel. Music. Baby. (2004)
Fresh out of No Doubt, Gwen dove into electro-pop, fashion, and full-on Harajuku style. “Hollaback Girl” became the first digital song to sell a million copies. B-A-N-A-N-A-S, indeed.
16. Steven Tyler – We’re All Somebody from Somewhere (2016)
Yes, it came decades after Aerosmith’s heyday—but Steven Tyler’s country-tinged solo debut was a heartfelt curveball. With pedal steel, twang, and that unmistakable voice, he dove into Nashville. It was less “Dude (Looks Like a Lady),” more outlaw storyteller.
17.Annie Lennox – Diva (1992)
Fresh off her Eurythmics success, Annie Lennox stepped into a world of elegance, art, and emotional range. Diva gave us “Why,” “Walking on Broken Glass,” and a masterclass in reinvention. It was theatrical, soulful—and utterly commanding.
18. Eric Clapton – Eric Clapton (1970)
After Cream, Blind Faith, and Derek and the Dominos, Clapton’s solo debut felt refreshingly laid-back. With Delaney & Bonnie’s band behind him, he blended blues, rock, and gospel with ease. “Let It Rain” still feels like a summer drive with the windows down.
19. Robbie Robertson – Robbie Robertson (1987)
After years in The Band, Robertson returned with a solo debut steeped in Americana, cinematic sounds, and collaborations with U2 and Peter Gabriel. It wasn’t The Band—but it was a powerful next chapter.
20. Björk – Debut (1993)
She’d fronted The Sugarcubes, but Debut was the moment Björk became Björk. Mixing electronic, jazz, and house with her one-of-a-kind voice, she carved out a totally new lane. The avant-pop revolution had officially begun.
