Top 10 Band Members Who Switched Genres After Going Solo

#10: Harry Styles

During his stint in One Direction, Harry Styles entered into a hugely popular group. The boy band generated a huge following and earned massive global success. It couldn’t last forever though, with Styles going solo in 2016. For those not in the know, this frontman has done all kinds of pop and rock stylings. You could make an argument that his debut owes a debt to acts like U2. Instead of doing straight-up pop, the vocalist seems eager to distance himself from his former quartet. “Watermelon Sugar” and “As It Was” seem to salute the past, but also dive deeper into synth pop and beyond. He’s even dipped into a more folk style with “Cherry.”

#9: Sting

He’s best known as the bass player and vocalist for The Police, but Gordon Sumner didn’t stop there. Sting has since made his mark with pop and other rock adventures. The singer collaborates with a number of elite musicians, creating an eclectic output. You can find songs that sound nothing like albums such as “Synchronicity.” In the track “Desert Rose,” the artist ventures into largely unfamiliar territory for some Western audiences. The performer seems unafraid to tackle any number of subgenres. Not to be outdone, his work with Shaggy also allowed him to explore reggae once more with a twist.

#8: David Johansen

With one of the more influential punk acts, David Johansen helped make New York Dolls a unique band. He wouldn’t be an edgy rockstar for his whole career though. Donning a suit and new haircut, the singer transformed into Buster Poindexter. He became a crooner that surfed through genres like pop and Latin music. Where would we be as a society without a song like “Hot Hot Hot?” His ingenious switch-up gave us all something to dance to, with a big hit and a few fun extras. Poindexter allowed him to be more traditional in his look and crazy with his music. Keeping people on his toes, Johansen even shared his talents on “SNL” and in a handful of movies.

#7: Tom Morello

As one-quarter of Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave, Tom Morello rocked out with his guitar. Through his ingenious scratching and playing techniques, the guitarist redefined the instrument for a new era of music. Morello can’t help but throw curve balls with anything he does. Politically outspoken, the musician then turned to a different genre to speak his mind. His solo project The Nightwatchman gives him a chance to try out acoustic songs. With a folk edge, his voice takes his music to another level. It’s certainly much different from his rap or hard rock roots.

#6: Don Henley

As the drummer and co-founder of the Eagles, Don Henley achieved plenty of success in the 1970s. His group dissolved in the early 1980s and freed up the musician’s schedule. He decided to break away from country-inspired rock, becoming something of a pop star over the next decade. Henley seemed to have one great single after the other from “The Boys of Summer” to “The Heart of the Matter.” He could even turn out a groovy hit like “All She Wants to Do Is Dance.” Along with some powerful ballads, the performer revealed that he couldn’t be boxed into just one type of music.

#5: Darius Rucker

In the 1990s, Hootie & the Blowfish became a phenomenon. “Only Wanna Be with You” is certainly a staple of that decade’s lighter rock output. They were far from a one-hit wonder, but they also didn’t stop the vocalist from pursuing his own music either. Singer Darius Rucker went into a more eclectic solo catalog. He’s since become a country artist in his own right. With work such as “Wagon Wheel,” he helped to cultivate a career beyond the likes of “Let Her Cry.” Rucker’s deep voice also compliments the genre transition. A whole new generation might know him better for his recent work, making Gen Xers everywhere slightly sad.

#4: Robert Plant

If you know this man’s iconic voice, you probably love his time as the singer of Led Zeppelin. His work on everything from “Whole Lotta Love” to “Immigrant Song” is nothing short of legendary. Robert Plant also kept the pace up with a solid 1980s output. With “Big Log” and “In the Mood,” he explored his more pop-rock side. He also became something of a bluegrass artist in later life. Working with Alison Krauss, the artist co-created the album “Raising Sand.” The Grammy-winning record gave Plant further acclaim decades after leaving his most famous group.

#3: Annie Lennox

As the lead singer of Eurythmics, Annie Lennox partnered with Dave Stewart to great success. This included hits such as “Here Comes the Rain Again” and “Sweet Dreams.” With her powerful range, Lennox was a standout talent that wowed audiences. The singer then decided to keep going on her own and pursued more diverse song ideas. This includes pop, soul, and less-rock centric efforts. A track like “Why” raises the bar for what a ballad can be, with its sophisticated and moving production. This doesn’t count other work that includes a cover of Neil Young. Through her relentless artistry, the vocalist shows that she can’t be easily categorized.

#2: Phil Collins

Known to many for his 1980s output, Phil Collins was originally the drummer of Genesis. The progressive rock band allowed him to show off his incredible musicianship. His prior work might’ve been more obscure or technical, but everything changed when he became the front man. The singer Peter Gabriel went on to switch genres himself with songs like “Sledgehammer"”. Collins would stay in Genesis and go solo, with a focus being on more pop efforts. His earliest work is much less radio friendly than “Two Hearts” or the “Tarzan” soundtrack. The musician has a multi-decade career of massive hits, with a large catalog that evolved over the years.

#1: Gwen Stefani

As the ska-punk queen of the 1990s, Gwen Stefani rose to fame with No Doubt. Hits like “Just a Girl” and “Sunday Morning” were multi-faceted rockers. She then pursued a career that’s been much more about pop music. Climbing the charts and collaborating with various artists, Stefani redefined herself as a singular act. She also explored elements of hip-hop with songs such as “Hollaback Girl.” Whether she’s working with Akon or Eve, the vocalist shines in every genre. Her more recent relationship with Blake Shelton also led to some detours into country music. Needless to say, she’s become one of the more versatile performers of her era.

Did we forget another artist that changed their music after leaving a band? Let us know in the comments below.