Power of one: The greatest hard rock/heavy metal solo albums

In 1972, the former Velvet Underground legend released his first two solo projects. The second, with this selection, turned out to be one of the most influential records of the glam rock genre. Anchored by the classic "Walk on the Wild Side," but also the massively underrated "Satellite of Love," Transformer , co-produced by David Bowie, achieved chart success worldwide. However, the impression it made on listeners and bands like The Pretenders, Sex Pistols, Motley Crue, U2 and the Smiths is the true measure of its greatness and legacy to the hard rock world.

After The Alice Cooper band called it quits, the famed frontman embarked on what has become a lengthy and successful solo career. It can also be argued that this conceptual debut effort from the master of musical macabre is his best offering as a solo artist. Now, the over-the-top theatrics of Cooper's live shows at the time were the talk, but the music, like the iconic title cut and stellar lead single "Department of Youth," can certainly hold its own. Produced by the great Bob Ezrin, Welcome to My Nightmare also features an appearance from Vincent Price. 

Pop collaborated with David Bowie on some of his early solo work after the end of the Stooges. However, Lust for Life, likely the most recognizable album to Pop's casual fans, does have plenty of elements from his days with the Stooges. Yet, Pop's second solo record has been highly influential, blending proto-punk and hard rock to form a piece of work that's stood the test of time quite well. Of course, the title cut remains Pop's signature tune. And, who doesn't love that album cover. 

When it comes to hard rock/heavy metal debuts, look no further than this classic from the legendary Black Sabbath frontman. Having been booted from that legendary band, Osbourne was at a crossroads in his career. But he trudged forward to put out a blistering record from start to finish. Featuring metal classics such as "Crazy Train," I Don't Know," "Mr. Crowley" and "Steal Away (The Night)." It also made the late Randy Rhoads a guitar god, while beginning a long and massively successful solo career for Osbourne.

In the wake of the Runaways' breakup, this Joan Jett debut solo record was released in May 1980, and self-titled. However, after she earned a deal with Boardwalk Records and the song "Bad Reputation" generated some mainstream buzz, the album was re-released and re-titled. In terms of Jett's songwriting ability, this might be her best effort. She co-penned the iconic "Bad Reputation" which has become an anthem, while her cover of "Do You Wanna Touch Me" is deliciously raunchy. The record set the table for Joan Jett and the Blackhearts to enjoy massive success with 1981's I Love Rock 'n Roll.

Ozzy's second studio album was a strong sophomore effort, and proved he was going to surpass his Sabbath years in mainstream popularity as an artist. Diary of a Madman features some of Osbourne's best songs and proved that he was going to be a force from a solo standpoint. The title track and album closer was not released as a single but remains a favorite among Osbourne's die-hard fans. Meanwhile, the opening trio of "Over the Mountain," "Flying High Again" and "You Can't Kill Rock and Roll" is as good as it gets.

Hagar was a known commodity in the hard rock world by the time this, his sixth studio album, was released. However, it also marked a beginning of his foray into mainstream rock with popular cuts like "There's Only One Way to Rock,"  which became one of Hagar's signature solo tunes, and often played live during his time with Van Halen. Meanwhile, "I'll Fall in Love Again" and "Heavy Metal" remain highly listenable rock tunes to this day.

In 1982, Plant proved that he would have a musical life post-Led Zeppelin with his solid solo debut Pictures at Eleven. Then a year later, Plant delivered his second straight top-10 album with The Principles of Moments. It features "Big Log" his first top 40 hit. Meanwhile, "Other Arms" and severely underrated "In the Mood," only added to the fact that Plant was going to become more of a mainstream rock star than he ever enjoyed within the confines of Zeppelin. 

This Swedish guitar phenom initially made his mark with California metal act Steeler, then Alcatrazz (which also featured prominent English rock vocalist Graham Bonnet). Neither sustained any real success, but Malmsteen's blistering guitar work opened the door for a brilliant solo career. With this '84 debut, Malmsteen's ability to shred is fully on display through the eight songs that cover just under 40 minutes. But for fans of guitar heroes, it fulfils said appetite. Rising Force received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.

We already have one prominent member of the Runaways. We'll here's another. Ford took more of a commercial, hair-metal approach during the 1980s, in contrast to Joan Jett's pop-rock sensibility, and her third studio record was one of the most notable albums of the genre. It houses two of Ford's signature songs with "Kiss Me Deadly" and "Close My Eyes Forever," which is the popular duet with Ozzy Osbourne, who also co-wrote the track. The album cracked the top 30 on Billboard's Hot 100.

We already touched on the greatest of The Principle of Moments, but Plant's first three solo records are undoubtedly worthy of praise. However, the fourth effort from the Led Zeppelin legend proved he could still perform at a high level. Now and Zen reached No. 6 on Billboard's 200 album chart and featured some of Plant's most notable tracks — like "Tall Cone One," with Zeppelin bandmate Jimmy Page on guitar. Other standout tracks include the wonderful gems "Ship of Fools" and "Heaven Knows."  

Richards' solo debut came at a time when he and fellow Rolling Stones' icon Mick Jagger were at odds. Richards had to work, and put out one of the best pure, rock records of the year. Prominent musicians such as Steve Jordan, Waddy Wachtel, Bootsy Collins and Patti Scialfa appeared on the album that featured "You Don't Move Me," which was inspired by his tension with Jagger. To date, Richards has made three solo records, but this remains the best. 

OK, even this record is under the Ju Ju Hounds moniker (the only one he would make under the name), it's considered Stradlin's debut solo album. Stradlin was an underrated member when Guns N' Roses took the hard rock world by storm. And, he further proved his worth as a songwriter, underappreciated rock guitarist and even an above-average vocalist. The bluesy, gritty "Shuffle It All" remains the highlight of a record that should appeal to Guns' fans and beyond.

Though Alice in Chains is still active, Cantrell has enjoyed a solid solo career. Boggy Depot is his debut in that department, and proved Cantrell's versatility as a musician. He wrote, sang, played guitar, piano and steel drums -- just to name a few -- on the album. Hard rock big wigs Les Claypool and Rex Brown appear on an album that tends to get lost amid Cantrell's work with Alice in Chains, but stands up quite well. "Between" is a Boggy Depot deep cut that shouldn't be skipped. 

This was the last solo album from Dickinson before he rejoined Iron Maiden. On his fifth solo project, it also seemed that Dickinson truly found his form as a solo artist. Another conceptual piece, that also harkened back to Iron Maiden's glory days of the early-to-mid 1980s. With fellow Maiden bandmate and guitarist Adrian Smith in tow, The Chemical Wedding is a topical album, almost like each song serving as its own chapter in a book.  

Technically, the full title of Rob Zombie's exemplary solo debut is Hellbilly Deluxe: 13 Tales of Cadaverous Cavorting Inside the Spookshow International. Building off his success with White Zombie, Rob Zombie almost went a little more outside of the box on this album. Of course it's heavy, but with elements of electronica and a nod to the Alice Cooper with the lyrical influence from the horror film genre. Paced by singles "Superbeast," "Dragula" and "Living Dead Girl," Hillbilly Deluxe reached No. 5 on the Billboard 200.

Recorded and released during the time between the end of Soundgarden and beginning of Audioslave, Cornell's solo debut has enjoyed a renaissance with rock fans in the wake of his 2017. However, it was actually a well-recorded, critically praised, well put together album. It can be heavy, but with a folksy, trippy flare that seemed personal to Cornell, and as a side of him he wanted to convey to listeners. The single "Can't Change Me" was nominated for a Best Male Rock Vocal Performance Grammy Award.

No offense to the aforementioned Izzy Stradlin, but Slash was the true musical star of Guns N' Roses. However, it was more than 10 years after the band broke up that Slash put out a true solo record with this effort. While Slash's brilliant hard rock guitar work is the focus and heart of the record, the collection of vocalists employed on the album is truly impressive, and adds credibility to the project, which Stradlin plays on. Ozzy Osbourne, Chris Cornell, Lemmy, Iggy Pop and Dave Grohl are just a few legends to lend their voices. However, the Myles Kennedy-crooned "Starlight" is the album's highlight.

Speaking of Myles Kennedy. His first solo record is one of the most unheralded rock records of the century. Sure, it's an obvious departure from Kennedy's hard rock tendencies while playing with Slash and Alter Bridge, but there are still plenty of killer elements to Year of the Tiger, which has a more bluesy, almost Zeppelin-esque vibe, but heavy on musical emotion. The concept album chronicles the death of his father from 1974, and truly shows just how talented Kennedy is as a musician and songwriter. 

While fans of 1980s, early '90s hard rock continue to clamor for Bach and Skid Row to reunite, maybe they should pay more attention to the iconic frontman's solo career. Child Within the Man is Bach's fifth solo album, and arguably his best. Heavy, raw, and more intense than anything he did with Skid Row (yes, even Subhuman Race). Many critics, pundits and personalities within the current-day hard rock/metal community have praised Child Within the Man as one of the genre's best records of 2024.