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Stuck In The Middle - A Gen X PodcastAuthor: Jason Ek
Welcome to Stuck in the Middle - the podcast about the music, movies, and culture of Generation X. Language: en Genres: Music, Music History, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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From Star to Superstar - When Musicians Go Solo
Wednesday, 1 October, 2025
More 80s goodness on deck, Slackers!The 1980s were a springboard for musicians who left chart-topping bands to chase solo stardom, often outshining their former groups with blockbuster success. This episode explores artists who turned band fame into iconic solo careers, surpassing their groups’ album sales with hits that defined the decade.Going solo was a bold move. Some swapped gritty rock for sleek pop, others wove in soulful R&B or forged entirely new sounds. Their debut albums were massively successful, with singles that dominated radio and MTV, becoming instant anthems for a generation. What’s even crazier is that many of these artists sold millions more records than their former bands, crafting music that captured the 1980s spirit. From stadium rock to heartfelt ballads, their songs were everywhere - literally everywhere if your name is Phil Collins. And he wasn’t the only one to spawn from Genesis!Yet, not every artist’s solo leap soared. Why did some “sure-thing” talents stumble? Was their style shift too bold, or did their solo vision lack the spark of their band’s collective magic? I'm looking at you, Robert Plant!
