25 frontmen/women who have enjoyed great solo careers

The driving force behind Destiny's Child. Beyoncé is essentially pop music royalty at the moment. Hooking up with rap superstar and entertainment mogul Jay-Z only magnified Beyoncé's popularity. However, it's the music that's made her what she is today. Songs like "Crazy in Love" and "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" are pop staples for a generation and ]are the strength of her legacy.

The pride of Iceland, Bjork earned acclaim as the lead vocalist of The Sugarcubes in the late 1980s and into the 1990s. However, Bjork's career took off as a solo artist after her band broke up. Thanks to her eclectic, alternative and electronica pop sound, Bjork has been nominated for 15 Grammy Awards and also shined as a DJ and actress during her career.

Clapton's grandest success has come as a solo performer but also as one of the greatest guitar heroes of all time. That earned him a Hall of Fame induction, but so did his time with both the Yardbirds and Cream. He's won 16 Grammys and given rock fans such classics as "Lay Down Sally," "Wonderful Tonight" and "Tears in Heaven" as well as popular covers of "Cocaine," "I Shot the Sheriff" and "After Midnight." 

Collins went from behind the drum kit and into the forefront with Genesis, when it became a mainstream pop sensation. He also didn't skip a beat when it was time to strike out on his own. Collins' solo smashes "Face Value" (1981), with the eerie "In the Air Tonight," and "Hello, I Must Be Going!" (1982) paved the way for giants in 1985's "No Jacket Required" and '89's "...But Seriously" to solidify him as one of the biggest musicians in the world.

The co-founder of N.W.A., Dre struck gold with 1992's "The Chronic," which helped launch Snoop Dogg's career. He's made three solo albums, including the overshadowed "2001" (1999), but Dre's essentially earned a living as an entrepreneur, first with Death Row Records and then Aftermath Entertainment and Beats Electronics. The Grammy winner is among the most influential figures in rap and hip-hop. 

Before Phil Collins used Genesis as a springboard to solo stardom, there was Gabriel. He was the frontman when Genesis was a true progressive rock outfit, and his solo stuff, though fit for the mainstream, has followed along those lines at times. From "Solsbury Hill" to "Sledgehammer" to "In Your Eyes" and beyond, Gabriel became one of the true great solo artists of the 1980s and into the 1990s. He's also a two-time inductee of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. 

"The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" (1998) remains one of the most commercially and critically successful debut solo albums ever. However, it's still the only studio solo project the former leader of Fugees has put out. Now, she's released numerous singles in the years since, and due to some personal issues, she remains one of the most enigmatic entertainers around. 

Like Dr. Dre, Ice Cube broke from N.W.A. to enjoy an even bigger solo career than his former bandmate. Albums such as "AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted" (1990) and "The Predator" (1992) made Cube among the biggest rappers of the day and helped usher him into a successful film and business career. Come on, the guy even started his own basketball league.

Strictly from a music perspective, there is arguably no bigger solo artist than Jackson. The life he allegedly lived off the stage has certainly tarnished his legacy, but on it, Jackson was beyond a superstar. With 66 million copies sold worldwide, Jackson's 1982 smash, "Thriller," is among the best-selling albums ever, and the hysteria that followed the singer from then on was bigger than the Beatles' fanfare when they first touched down in the U.S.

With Lennon post-Beatles, it seemed the persona always overshadowed the music. He was an activist and opinionated and loyal to Yoko Ono. Yet, no matter what kind of music Lennon put out, people would listen, even if they didn't necessarily feel like it. " Imagine" (1971) is often considered the best of Lennon's solo work from an album standpoint. 

Along with Dave Stewart, Lennox hit it big with the Eurythmics in the 1980s. After that, the success didn't stop, as Lennox went out on her own. The multi-Grammy winner has released six solo albums, but her debut, "Diva" (1992), still might be best thanks to hits "Why" and "Walking on Broken Glass." She also won the Oscar for Best Original Song with "Into the West" from the 2003 film "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King."

The former child actress ("Troop Beverly Hills," "The Wizard") earned some musical cred as the lead singer of indie rockers Rilo Kiley, founded in the late 1990s. However, Lewis has truly shown her chops as a solo artist. With albums like "Acid Tongue" (2008), "The Voyager" (2014) and, most recently, "On the Line" (2019), Lewis continues to draw raves and has worked with music heavyweights such  as Beck and Ringo Starr. 

While Weezy really cut his teeth with hip-hop act Hot Boy$, he became one of the giants of the rap world as a solo artist, specifically through Cash Money Records. The somewhat controversial performer has put out more than 10 solo albums, but his debut, "Tha Block Is Hot," (1999) should still be regarded as his best as well as one of the strongest solo rap debuts of the 1990s.

Like Lennon, McCartney's fame wasn't hindered following the breakup of the Beatles. McCartney never had trouble enjoying huge amounts of success with Wings and on his own post-Beatles. McCartney, who turned 77 this month, is still one of the biggest entertainers on the planet, and his concerts are truly a bucket-list experience for anybody who likes music. McCartney's "Maybe I'm Amazed" can hang with any Beatles classic. 

Sure, Wham! was a duo, but Michael was always the star of that group, and it was only a matter of time before he enjoyed international success as a solo musician. He started out strong with his 1980s debut, "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)," with Aretha Franklin and then the smash "Faith" (1987), but Michael was never able to build on that success in the U.S. In Europe, he still received the royal treatment. While his personal life tended to supersede his music toward the end of his life, Michael was a superstar in the true sense of the word. 

The former frontman of the Smiths, Morrissey seemed destined for a successful solo career after the popular English alt rockers split. He's released 12 studio albums on his own and just seems at his best alone, without having to deal with others in the decision-making environment of a band. His 1992 effort, "Your Arsenal" is often regarded as the best of Morrissey's solo material.

Nicks is still making money with Fleetwood Mac, but she's also in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame because of her stellar solo career. She's been nominated for eight Grammys as a solo artist, highlighted by 1981's "Bella Donna" and "The Wild Heart" two years later. One of the greatest songwriters ever, Nicks has been cited as an influence by just about any female who has ever picked up a microphone.

Perhaps the best thing that happened to Osbourne was being sacked by Black Sabbath. The greatest solo performer in the history of metal, the Prince of Darkness is one of music's true iconic figures. The 1980 classic "Blizzard of Ozz," highlighted by his mega-hit "Crazy Train," is one of the best hard rock albums of all time and opened the door for a solo career that's spanned four decades.

Forever known as the voice of Led Zeppelin, Plant might not be able to hit some of the high notes he did with the classic rock heroes, but he's done well for himself as a solo artist in the wake of the band's end. He's put out more than 10 albums post-Zeppelin, including the much-acclaimed "The Principle of Moments" (1983) and "Now and Zen" (1988). His "Raising Stand" LP with country-bluegrass star Alison Krauss, from 2007, earned plenty of Grammy love.

Richie, who turned 70 this month, was responsible for the Commodores' biggest hits like "Easy" and "Three Times a Lady." So it should not have been a surprise that Richie has enjoyed such a huge solo career. Songs such as "Truly," "All Night Long (All Night)," "Hello" and "Dancing on the Ceiling" are some of the iconic pop songs of the 1980s. Oh yeah, the multi-Grammy winner also co-wrote "We Are the World." 

One of the greatest performers in the history of Motown with the Supremes, Ross did not skip a beat when she left the group to venture into a solo career in 1970. Right out of the gate, Ross scored a No. 1 hit with her version of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." The hits kept coming for the legend, who teamed with Lionel Richie for the smash "Endless Love." Ross was also nominated for an Academy Award for her role as Billie Holiday in the film "Lady Sings the Blues."

The success of No Doubt in the 1990s fully introduced music fans — thanks to MTV — to Stefani. Her "girl power" vibe, trendy fashion sense and captivating stage presence made Stefani one of the most popular entertainers in the world. Her success and popularity got even bigger thanks to solo work such as "Love. Angel. Music. Baby" (2004) and "The Sweet Escape" (2006), plus her time on "The Voice."

Simon was obviously the main cog in Simon & Garfunkel, so it was no surprise his solo career has been filled with critical and commercial success. One of the greatest singer-songwriters ever, Simon's given us such lasting solo classics as "Mother and Child Reunion," "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard," "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" and "You Can Call Me Al." The latter was off 1986's "Graceland," which revitalized his career.

Sting would have remained a huge star had it only been about The Police, yet it made sense one Gordon Sumner would take advantage of the band's international success to pave the way as a solo star. The 17-time Grammy winner hit the ground running with 1985's "The Dream of the Blue Turtles" and "...Nothing Like the Sun" (1987) and then picked up with "The Soul Cages" (1991). He's still a force on the global music scene today.

JT went from the main voice of boy-band NSYNC to one of the biggest entertainers on the planet. Whether it's the concert stage, TV or big screen, Timberlake's engaging personality and humor has made him a superstar whom anybody can respect. Of course, music is where Timberlake's bread is buttered. Hits like "Cry Me a River" and "SexyBack" are why he's a 10-time Grammy winner who's showing no signs of stopping.