I remember thinking it was odd when Jordan Knight had a solo hit so long after NKOTB, and even odder that I quite liked it. Odder still that he never seemed to try to follow it up.

12. CHILD- MARK OWEN (197,000)

 

 

CHART PEAK: 3

WKS ON CHART: 15

YEAR: 1996

 

Good quiz question this one- the first member of Take That to release a solo album- Mark Owen of course! Debut solo single “Child” paved the way arriving in the top 3 in late 96 and once again was co-penned by an 80s pop star this time Martin Bammer of The Kane Gang.

 

11. STOLE- KELLY ROWLAND (233,000)

 

 

PEAK POSITION: 2

WKS ON CHART: 19

YEAR: 2003

 

Similarly though Beyoncé would end the biggest solo star from Destiny’s Child it was Kelly Rowland who scored the first chart topper (“Dilemma”) and bagged herself a No 1 album “Simply Deep” before Knowles managed those feats. This was defeated by t.A.T.u and debuted at No 2 the week after “Bonnie & Clyde 03” had equally narrowly failed to make No 1.

 

 

I remember thinking it was odd when Jordan Knight had a solo hit so long after NKOTB, and even odder that I quite liked it. Odder still that he never seemed to try to follow it up.

 

 

 

Absolutely adore Stole. Although I never liked much more of Kelly's output besides Work and Train On A Track.

stole best Kelly Rowland song by a country mile

Stole is so good , it was on the import chart weeks before actual release. Maybe could have been number 1 if this didn't happen.

Kelly Rowland has always had the better solo career of all of Destiny's Child for me. Songs like 'Stole' and 'Dilemma' with Nelly are two of the reasons why that is.

 

Strangely I only remember 'Clementine' from the first wind of Mark Owen's solo career. I did however love his 2003 comeback with 'Four Minute Warning' and his 'Art of Doing Nothing' album he released in 2013.

Stole was a brilliant debut, still one of her best although it's no Commander, Like This or Motivation *.*

10. THIS TOWN- NIALL HORAN (234,000)

 

 

PEAK POSITION: 9

WKS ON CHART: 10

YEAR: 2016

 

Having had a hand in the writing of One Direction singles “Story Of My Life” and “Night Changes” perhaps it isn’t a surprise how Horan’s debut single sounded. A much more subtle solo birth into the charts accompanied the single unlike former bandmate Zayn’s solo single but still it sold over 200,000 in just its first ten weeks on the chart- impressive!

 

09. POISON- NICOLE SCHERZINGER (244,000)

 

 

PEAK POSITION: 3

WKS ON CHART 12

YEAR: 2010

 

Scherzinger had a multitude of solo credits on Pussycat Dolls singles and on collaborations but she didn’t go truly solo until this production in 2010. Producer of the moment RedOne is at the helm here and the track was launched with the obligatory (in 2010) performance on “X Factor” which got it off to an admirable start.

 

 

08. WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG- EMMA BUNTON (271,000)

 

http://djbrecord.free.fr/emmabunton003.jpg

 

PEAK POSITION: 1

WKS ON CHART: 12

YEAR: 2001

 

Of course a very high profile feature on Tin Tin Out’s “What I Am” marked her first foray into the charts without her fellow spices but it took another 18 months to release her first fully solo single. When it topped the charts in April 2001 it meant that the Spice Girls were the first band to house four ex-members who went on to score solo chart toppers.

 

Strangely I only remember 'Clementine' from the first wind of Mark Owen's solo career. I did however love his 2003 comeback with 'Four Minute Warning' and his 'Art of Doing Nothing' album he released in 2013.

 

It's not that strange, because 'Clementine' is a much more memorable song. I remember it as a quite a pleasant surprise at the time.

I also quite liked his third single 'I Am What I Am' but the album version isn't as good as the single.

I thought Baby Love was Nicole's solo debut? Didn't it make like #14 or something?

I thought Baby Love was Nicole's solo debut? Didn't it make like #14 or something?

 

Yup, he has made a mistake.

Yup, he has made a mistake.

 

It features will.i.am though and Gezza didn't want any features on this countdown hence the choice for Word Up as Mel B's entry instead of I Want You Back (cause of Missy Elliott).

It features will.i.am though and Gezza didn't want any features on this countdown hence the choice for Word Up as Mel B's entry instead of I Want You Back (cause of Missy Elliott).

Correct :D

07. FREEDOM- ROBBIE WILLIAMS (302,000)

 

 

PEAK POSITION: 2

WKS ON CHART: 14

YEAR: 1996

 

George Michael’s musings on the merits and restrictions of once being in a “teen scream” act was of course perfect, thematically, for the first Robbie single. It improved vastly on the No 28 peak of the Michael original but was denied top billing thanks to the Spice Girls “Wannabe”

 

06. LIKE I LOVE YOU – JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE (317,000)

 

 

PEAK POSITION: 2

WKS ON CHART: 16

YEAR: 2002

 

N Sync’s final single “Girlfriend” gave some hints to the way Timberlake’s career was heading with the Neptunes once again on co-writing and production duties. Comparisons to Michael Jackson abounded, not surprising as Timberlake had listened to “Off The Wall” and “Thriller” during the recording of “Justified”, the single meanwhile debuted at No 2 behind “Dilemma” by the same guy who had helped out on “Girlfriend”- Nelly.

 

The 'Justified' album was what kicked off my love of everything Justin has done solo. Even now a flawless, ageless album, such a good mix of pop, R&B, soul, dance.

 

Love the Emma and Niall singles as well. Robbie looked awful during promo of pretty much all his first album until he released 'Angels'.