http://fonddulac.uwex.edu/files/2013/10/going-solo-logo-300x153.jpg

Here's a little mini thread looking at those entirely solo debuts of former members of boybands and girlgroups. For the purposes of this thread I've just looked at post 1990 (for their first solo release) and concentrated on the first release as a solo act so "features" won't count if they were the first appearance for an individual outside their group.

I haven't been overly concerned with the notion of "boyband" and "Girl Group" so may not agree with the occasional entry- apologies if you don't.

For the record these "total" sales include streaming and are up to the end of 2016. To qualify the original boyband/ girl group must themselves have scored at least one top 20 hit in the UK charts


So how do you launch your solo career perfectly?....let's find out! :D


As always your comments are encouraged and appreciated!

Ooh, excited to follow this!

I assume mixed groups won't be included? Looking forward to it all the same.

Really nice idea. I reckon I could have a decent guess at who would be number 1, but it's better to sit back and enjoy your show :D

Yes the best seller is rather obvious :D

 

but let's see the also rans......

but it's only boybands? or does it also include if a guy from a rock indie band goes solo i.e. Richard Ashcroft

 

50. O- OMARION (6,100)

 

 

PEAK POSITION: 47

WKS ON CHART: 3

YEAR: 2006

 

Who recalls B2K? Briefly touted as the new “new edition” these teenagers made No 1 stateside in 2002 with “Bump Bump, Bump” which was written by R Kelly and featured P Diddy, but they had dissolved by 2003 with only Omarion scored a solo hit in its wake. It made No 27 in the US for the 22 year old though he’s more recalled here for “Icebox” back in 2007.

 

 

49. SOONER OR LATER- DUNCAN JAMES (7,700)

 

 

PEAK POSITION: 35

WKS ON CHART: 2

YEAR 2006

 

All 4 members of Blue are on the list you won’t be surprised to hear, but the least amazing solo debut goes to Duncan James. On paper this has good credentials, it was co-written by Chris Brade who co-penned Will Young’s “Anything Is Possible” which sold over a million just 4 years prior, but it limped to No 35 on release. Of course James was first to strike out as a solo star appearing with Keedie on 2004’s “I Believe My Heart” which went To No 2.

 

but it's only boybands? or does it also include if a guy from a rock indie band goes solo i.e. Richard Ashcroft

Only boybands or girlgroups

Loved B2K...didn't care much for Omarion's solo stuff mind. 'Icebox' was so blatantly piggy backing on Timbaland's wave of success at the time it was unreal.

 

I was secretly a little pleased when Duncan's single flopped - it was cheesy as hell. Although I did quite like him in 'Plus One' that was on Channel 4, where he played a parody of himself. He has an untapped talent for comedy he should really exploit more instead of going on Hollyoaks.

So if I got it right, Work It Out will be Beyoncé's entry? Wish it was Crazy in Love as it did 9x more. 😒

48. LOVE ME- PATRIC (9,400)

 

 

PEAK POSITION: 54

WKS ON CHART: 2

YEAR: 1994

 

Who? Well if you’re of a certain age then you may recall World’s Apart who were briefly (in around 1993) touted as the third biggest boyband of the moment behind East 17 and Take That. Way behind! Anyway Marcus Patric was an original member back in those days but he left in 1994 for a solo career coming out with this track which didn’t exactly set the charts alight. He’s better known know as an actor and doing some nude shots.

 

47. THE KEY- MATT GOSS (9,400)

 

http://images.eil.com/large_image/MATT_GOSS_THE+KEY-192025.jpg

 

PEAK POSITION: 40

WKS ON CHART: 2

YEAR: 1995

 

Taking three years in between the end of Bros and launching a solo career probably tells you how the group were perceived by the end. Anyway Goss never really made it as a solo act though he’s ended up a hit in Vegas and of course is back for a BROS reunion this week.

 

46. DO YOU EVER THINK OF ME- ANTONY COSTA (10,500)

 

 

UK CHART POSITION: 19

WEEKS IN CHART: 2

YEAR: 2006

 

Another ex-blue member takes a bow, shortly before he tried for Eurovision 2006 (he didn’t succeed) Costa threw out this track which admittedly went top 20 even if it only lasted a fortnight on the survey. Its performance and Costa’s subsequent Eurovision failure saw his album being cancelled in the UK though it got a Japanese release.

 

I have never been able to take Matt Goss seriously. The French and Saunders sketch of them doing Bros probably put paid to that :D

 

I quite liked Antony Costa's single. Always felt sorry for him, he seemed like the nicest of the Blue lads but always forgotten about. Quite a successful stage career now mind.

So that would exclude Rachel Stevens et al

What a list so far... :mellow:

 

Have to say I loved Omarion's bigger hit "Ice Box".

So if I got it right, Work It Out will be Beyoncé's entry? Wish it was Crazy in Love as it did 9x more. 😒

 

Think of poor, brave Victoria Beckham, whose dong Out of your Mind will be repleaced by the less successful, but still amazing, Not Such An... :(

 

No idea who is no.1 as it is their first solo track ever excluding features!! :o

By "features won't count" does this mean songs they are featured on, or songs where they feature someone else though?

I have never been able to take Matt Goss seriously. The French and Saunders sketch of them doing Bros probably put paid to that :D

 

I quite liked Antony Costa's single. Always felt sorry for him, he seemed like the nicest of the Blue lads but always forgotten about. Quite a successful stage career now mind.

 

Bad judge of character. He was the worst one. He used, d you know who I am?, got in fights, was arrogant, rude to fans, etc.