When the Beatles split in 1970, McCartney was prepared. He’s one of the most successful composers and performers of all time for a big reason, and his debut solo album, “McCartney,” came not long after the end of the biggest band in the world. He then became the frontman for Wings, which turned into one of the most successful bands of the seventies.
When the eighties hit, McCartney was ready for his own thing again and went back to playing solo. With decades of musical experience, McCartney has collaborated with musicians like Michael Jackson, Kanye West, and Rihanna. He also puts in a lot of time promoting international charities.
Sting Today
While The Police never formally broke up – they had a reunion tour as late as 2008 – the members all started to gravitate to their solo careers, including Sting. The powerhouse proved that he could carry music all on his own without a band behind him.
Whether it was as a solo musician or as a member of The Police, Sting has collected quite a number of awards for music, including seventeen Grammys, three Brit Awards, a Golden Globe (Best Song in a Motion Picture), and an Emmy. He, and the rest of The Police, became part of music history when they joined the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.
Paul McCartney of The Beatles
You know what Paul McCartney is famous for. Go on, sing your favorite. You know you want to. McCartney is a singer-songwriter, musician, record producer, and film producer, as well as a completely self-taught musician. He was a founding member, a co-lead vocalist, and a bassist for The Beatles (you have heard of them), a band that was at the heart of the 'British Invasion' cultural phenomena.
The records he helped create with his bandmates have stood the test of time, even though the band eventually broke up. His partnership with the late John Lennon is one of the most successful in music history.
Bruce Springsteen
He's the Boss, as the bumper stickers say. Springsteen became one of the biggest singer-songwriters and musicians during the seventies and even started to attract international fame after “Born to Run” came out in 1975. The next few albums didn't disappoint either, with “The River,” “Born in the USA,” and “The Rising” all achieving critical acclaim.
The songs he came up with were musically complex, but his straightforward and memorable lyrics helped turn Springsteen into a musical storyteller that still hasn't been topped. Many of his songs revolve around the life of the working-class American.
Bruce Springsteen Today
The immense success of Bruce Springsteen's career has made him into a name that almost nobody can pretend to not know. He's collected twenty Grammy Awards, two Golden Globes, an Academy Award for Best Original Song, and, of all things, a Tony Award. He's also joined the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
He starred on Broadway alongside his traditional backing band, the E Street Band, a group of musicians that would frequently have his back when he was on stage or recording. He and the band have also performed on Saturday Night Live in December 2020.