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About This Quiz
Sometimes it's the frontman, the drummer, the guitarist, the lead vocalist or the keyboard talent who ventures off on his/her own, leaving a musical duo/group/band for solo pursuits. Can you guess where some of these solo acts came from, or which band/group some performers originally started? Test your musical chops with this quiz!
Before he became the King of Pop, he was the cutest and youngest kid brother in the Jackson 5 group. Who is he?
Tito Jackson
Jeremy Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael jackson started singing way before he hit puberty, along with his older brothers. They were known as the Jackson Five.
LaToya Jackson
Before he brought "Sexy Back," he was harmonizing with NSYNC. Who is this singer-actor?
Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake keeps on proving that he can sing solo, and also act as well. He has a string of movies under his belt.
Pharrell Williams
Dustin Lance Black
Robbie Williams
This legendary singer-guitarist-composer of the Beatles also made it on his own as a solo act, prior to his assassination. Who is he?
Jon Cryer
Jon Bon Jovi
John Lennon
John Lennon also went solo after splitting with the Beatles. He also sung some songs with his wife, Yoko Ono.
John Cusack
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Before he became the lone Englishman in New York, he was first wrapped around the finger of the band named The Police. Who is this dude?
Fly
Edge
Cobain
Sting
Sting is now a successful solo artist. But he duets with other famous artists from time to time, for special projects.
This part of the duo that made "Sound of Silence" a phenomenal hit also made it on his own later, with phenomenal hits like "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover." Who is he?
Paul Simon
Paul Simon is a successful singer-songwriter. He also acts in movies once in a while.
Paul Runyon
Paul Revere
Paul Smith
Before he went solo and also became a huge reality TV dad, he was a member of the glam metal rock band called Black Sabbath. Who is he?
Iggy Pop
Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne became a hit in another venue -- reality TV. That's thanks to his wife Sharon and their kids as well.
Larry Sanders
Don Henley
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When she sang "set me free, why don't ya babe" with The Supremes, little did they know that she wanted out! Who is this diva?
Beyonce Knowles
Diana Ross
Diana Ross had a great career as a solo singing diva from the '70s up to the early 2000s. Her songs are popular film soundtrack inclusions.
Karen Carpenter
Gloria Gaynor
When the Beatles disbanded, this guy went solo, formed his own band, and also sang duets with Michael Jackson ("The girl is mine") and Stevie Wonder ("Ebony and Ivory"). Who is this Beatle?
Ringo Starr
Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney sings once in a while, and acts once in a while. He had a cameo as an imprisoned pirate in "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales."
John Lennon
George Harrison
Before she sang "No more I love yous," she was singing "Sweet dreams are made of these" with The Eurythmics. Who is she?
Dolores O'Riordan
Annie Lennox
Annie Lennox hit it big in the '80s with The Eurythmics. But in the '90s, her solo albums were also smash hits.
Sharleen Spiteri
Nicki Minaj
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This singer of "Keep the faith," "Bed of Roses," and "Blaze of Glory" was rocking it with a band that he shared his last name with. Who is this singer?
Jon Bon Jovi
Jon Bon Jovi lent his name to his original band called Bon Jovi. When he went solo, his first name was just added there, of course.
Raymund Marasigan
Kurt Cobain
Lars Ulrich
Before she ran the world as a solo girl, she was singing about independent women with Destiny's Child. Who is she?
Lady Gaga
Cher
Beyonce
Beyonce is now a solo performer to reckon with. She has a slew of chart hits and innovative albums since going solo.
Madonna
Before he sang about his "Freedom" and being "Too Funky," he sang "Careless Whisper" with Wham! Who is he?
Andrew Ridgely
Curt Smith
George Michael
George Michael had to fight a bitter legal case against his record company when he went solo. But even though that was happening, he still became a huge solo act eventually.
Roland Orzabal
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Ready or not, this R&B lead singer of the Fugees went off and recorded her own songs like "Doo Wop (That Thing)." Who is she?
Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill was a force to reckon with as an adult contemporary artist. But she also appeared in a singing and acting role as one of the teens in "Sister Act 2."
Ariana Grande
Lady Gaga
Debbie Gibson
With his hit "Sign of the Times," it was time this guy went solo and left One Direction. Who is he?
Nick Jonas
Nathan Sykes
Harry Styles
Harry Styles is apparently transferring his fandom from boy band fame to solo artist fame. With talent like that, it's sure to be a hit in any form!
Nick Carter
Before he rapped solo with "It's OK" and "Bright Lights Bigger City," he was jamming with the Goodie Mob group then the Gnarls Barkley duo. Who is he?
Nash
Ice Cube
CeeLo Green
CeeLo Green is not only a rapper or artist, but he's also a record producer. He has collaborated with many brilliant artists, too.
Daft Punk
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Before he did "The Next Episode" of his life as a solo performer, he was gangsta rappin' with NWA. Who is he?
Snoop Dogg
Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre has helped many other artists like him, who started struggling but earned a decent living as performers. Many rappers owe him big time!
Tupak Shakur
Eazy E
Before he embarked on a solo project with an album he named after himself as "The High Flying Birds," he was playing with his brother's band called Oasis. Who is he?
Shannon Hoon
Noel Gallagher
Britpop became a sensation thanks to Noel and Liam Gallagher, also known as Oasis. But Noel is now going solo, and currently touring the world promoting new songs.
Trevor Guthrie
D'Angelo
He had a string of hits like "BeFoUr," "She," and "Pillowtalk" when he released his solo album after departing from One Direction. Who is he?
Zayn Malik
Zayn Malik is one of the more colorful members of One Direction. Going toward another direction in his career, he's slowly coming on his own.
Ashley Parker Angel
Nick Lachey
Nick Jonas
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Before she could "Turn the beat around" as a solo performer, she was drumming it up with the Miami Sound Machine. Who is this lovely Latina?
Joan Jett
Gloria Estefan
Gloria Estefan used to be with a band run by her then-boyfriend Emilio. They're still playing beautiful music together, as husband and wife.
Sheila E.
Debbie Harry
Before she could lyrically declare that "Big girls don't cry," she was Boom Boom Pow-ing with the Black Eyed Peas. Who is she?
Iggy Azalea
Courtney Love
Gwen Stefani
Fergie
Fergie's solo albums were made like a decade apart. Her Dutchess album was released in 2006 while her Double Dutchess was released 2017.
Before he was "Livin' la vida loca" as a solo performer, he was crooning his way into puberty with a Puerto Rican boy band named Menudo. Who is he?
Robbie Rosa
Ricky Martin
Ricky Martin was one of the puberty-high voices of Menudo back in the 1980s. He returned with a vengeance -- and some muscles -- during the 1990s and 2000s as a successful solo act.
Sergio Mendes
Mario Lopez
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Before he engaged us to "clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth" with his "Happy" hit, he was singing and drumming with a band called N*E*R*D*. Who is he?
Pusha T
Pharrell Williams
Pharrell Williams has done many solo projects that became popular. He's also done many collaborations with other artists in special projects.
D'Angelo
Bun B
Before she remade "It's Raining Men," this former Spice Girl was singing what she really really wants with her other girl groupies. Who is she?
Geri Halliwell
Geri Halliwell also had a hit with "Look at Me." She has done well after Spice Girls.
Melanie B
Melanie C
Belinda Carlisle
Before she became our Hollaback Girl, she was fronting the band called No Doubt back in the '90s. Who is she?
Courtney Love
Debbie Harry
Gwen Stefani
Gwen Stefani was the voice of ska music when she was with No Doubt. But she stretched her musical styles since going solo.
Bjork
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Before he rapped "California Love," this gangsta rapper also had a stint being a member of Digital Underground. Who is he?
Tupac Shakur
Tupac Shakur enjoyed success with his music prior to his death. He was one of the numerous artists who collaborated with Dr. Dre.
Juicy J
Erick Sermon
Prodigy
His greatest hits as a solo act, so far, includes "Let Me Entertain You," "Millennium," and "Rock DJ." Who is he?
Marvin Berry
Robbie Williams
Robbie Williams also creates songs that are part of movie soundtracks. He also sings duets with other artists.
Luke Wilson
Dennis Smith
Before he went solo with dance hits like "Every Little Step" and "My Prerogative," this R&B dude was harmonizing with a boy band called New Edition. Who is he?
Bobby Brown
Bobby Brown broke out of the New Edition to become a solo star on his own. His pairing with Whitney Houston was considered as a pop music phenomenon, until her untimely death.
Eazy E
Andre 3000
Peabo Bryson
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Before he wanted to "Give it to you" as a solo act, he was "Hanging tough" with New Kids on the Block. Who is he?
Jordan Knight
Jordan Knight was the falsetto voice of New Kids on The Block. Aside from going solo, he also performs with the group every now and then in special NKOTB performances in tandem with other artists.
Joey McIntyre
Donny Wahlberg
Danny Wood
This brother decided to separate from his Jonas Brothers brood to produce singles like "Jealous" and "Chains." Who is he?
Sebastian Jonas
Carlo Jonas
Nick Jonas
Nick Jonas is currently garnering fans with his solo efforts. But The Jonas Brothers made him a household name first.
Famke Jonas
This former Soundgarden member sang solo when doing film soundtracks like the James Bond song "You know my name" and the singles song "Seasons." Who is he?
Billy Crudup
Scott Weiland
Chester Bennington
Chris Cornell
Chris Cornell was performing well until his untimely death. He had another band named Audioslave.
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Would you believe that this Planet of the Apes and Transformers actor once fronted a performing group named The Funky Bunch along with his name? Who is this former Calvin Klein underwear model?
Mark Wahlberg
Mark Wahlberg was once a rapper fronting Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. They had commendable hits back in the day.
Donnie Osmond
Peter Cetera
Tommy Lee
After 10,000 Maniacs disbanded, she went on to record hits like "San Andreas Fault," "Wonder," and "Jealousy." Who is she?
Bjork
Alanis Morissette
Natalie Merchant
Natalie Merchant was the only female member of 10,000 Maniacs. But her presence was so heartfelt in their songs.
Fiona Apple
Before he made you think with "Another Day in Paradise" or made you tap with "Sussudio," he was drumming for Genesis. Who is he?
Omarion
Phil Collins
Phil Collins made excellent contributions in pop music as a solo artist and a drummer. His signature beats are having a resurgence in contemporary pop culture, actually.
Donny Osmond
Eric Clapton
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Before he composed "Tears in Heaven," he was composing and playing the guitar with The Yardbirds and also Cream. Who is he?
Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton is also an excellent composer as well as a musician. HIs hits are popular in each decade he released them.
Tony Hadley
Peter Gabriel
Don Henley
Before he sang "Hello, is it me you're looking for" in the '80s, you can find him crooning with the '70s group called The Commodores before that. Who is he?
Lionel Richie
Lionel Richie's "Hello" song currently had a resurgence in memes. That's because people kept comparing it to Adele's hit of the same title.
Franki Valli
Bobby Brown
Jordan Knight
You Got:
/35
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