It’s the timeless conundrum faced by every celebrated frontman at some point in his glittering musical career. You’re the legendary leader of a famous band, you’ve got the platinum records, the sell-out stadium tours, the critical acclaim, supermodel girlfriend, adoring fans….so what’s next?

You make a solo record, of course.

Once he’s ticked fame and fortune off the rock and roll to-do list, it’s every band leader’s prerogative to strike out on his own. Well accustomed to the limelight, a solo career seems the logical next step. But despite the power and prominence of the frontman, there’s one entity over which even the illustrious lead singer turned solo artist can’t triumph – and that’s the frontwoman.

When it comes to going it alone alone, frontwomen arguably have more solo success than frontmen. Sure, there’s been many the successful lead singer who has surpassed his accomplishments as a frontman by forging an even more successful solo career.

The Police gave us “Roxanne” and “Every Breath You Take” but Sting alone came up with “If You Love Somebody Set Them Free” and “Englishman In New York”, along with his bucket load of Grammys and as many charitable appearances at global benefit concerts.

Justin Timberlake went from belting out “Tearin’ Up My Heart” as the youngest member and lead singer of ‘N Sync to bringing “SexyBack” as the slick, suited-up JT, and the king of pop was the adorable afro-haired Michael Jackson of The Jackson 5 before MJ grew up and went on to create Thriller, the best selling album of all time.

But these masculine accomplishments should not be allowed to overshadow the ladies who have been quietly going about their solo careers with as much aplomb as their male counterparts. “It’s the famous frontmen, not the frontwomen, who’ve bled our ears with some of the most spectacular solo fails…”

Beyoncé Knowles fronted the successful all-girl group Destiny’s Child before striding out into the spotlight with her 2003 solo debut Dangerously In Love, which sold 11 million copies; 4 million more than Justin Timberlake’s 2002 solo debut Justified.

Gwen Stefani was the pink haired, bindi adorned frontwoman of No Doubt and the poster-girl for angsty 90s schoolgirls, before she won a whole new legion of noughties fans with her 2004 solo record Love. Angel. Music. Baby from which, the single “Hollaback Girl” was the first digital download in the US to sell one million copies.

Fugees songstress Lauryn Hill found success with her band before going on to create the critically acclaimed neo-soul masterpiece The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill in 1998, and Annie Lennox, not content with selling almost 75 million records worldwide as one half of Eurythmics, achieved solo success with her 1992 album Diva – plus picking up an OBE, and an Academy Award for Best Original Song, along the way.

So in terms of solo success, it may appear that frontmen and frontwomen are fairly evenly matched. But there’s one problem with frontmen and solo success and that’d be that those with a y chromosome are adept at bringing about their own downfall. Because what’s the only thing that can eclipse a big talent? An even bigger ego.

Sting reportedly made the decision to leave The Police after the band’s 1983 show at Shea Stadium because he believed that playing that venue was “Everest”. Which is a valuable lesson some frontmen would do well to remember  – once you’ve reached the peak of the mountain, the only place to go is down.

After all, it’s the famous frontmen, not the frontwomen, who’ve bled our ears with some of the most spectacular solo fails. David Lee Roth managed to virtually undo the entire sum of his credibility earned with Van Halen with just the one epic mess (and accompanying video clip) that was “California Girls”.

Roger Waters was the genius and co-lead vocalist behind Pink Floyd but he was also responsible for the brain fade that was 1984’s The Pros And Cons of Hitchhiking (never heard of it? Exactly.) Without the help of The Rolling Stones, even Sir Mick Jagger OBE couldn’t do better than a top 10 hit from his egocentric 1985 solo album She’s The Boss.

Then there are the musical adulterers – the frontmen who have slunk sheepishly back to their faithful bands after satisfying themselves with their bit-on-the-side projects. While frontmen are busy sabotaging their own success, plenty of notable frontwomen have turned tough times into booming solo careers

Tom Petty left The Heartbreakers heartbroken when he went off after more than a decade with his band to pursue solo success with 1989’s Full Moon Fever (and a stint in the Travelling Wilburys), only to reform Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers in 1991.

More recently, Julian Casablancas went back to The Strokes after his lacklustre 2009 solo album Phrazes For The Young, while Jim James has flirted with a solo career with this year’s Regions Of Light And Sound Of God, despite still holding the lead vocalist and guitarist mantle with Americana rock band My Morning Jacket.

It was a group of men who sang “ego is not a dirty word”, but when it comes to frontmen, inevitably inflated egos tarnish solo success. A healthy dose of confidence is needed to give the frontman the courage to pursue his solo project – but he can easily become a victim of his own hype. This can be termed ‘the Ram effect’ – named after Paul McCartney’s first solo record.

While frontmen are busy sabotaging their own success, plenty of notable frontwomen have turned tough times into booming solo careers. Garbage’s leading lady Shirley Manson described being in a band as “like being in a minor Mafia”, and doubtless there are many other female leads who would agree. Whether overcoming abusive relationships (Tina Turner), sleazy managers (Joan Jett), or substance abuse (Debbie Harry), there are plenty of resilient frontwomen who have shown that adversity is no barrier to solo success.

A healthy dose of ego is part of what makes the frontman the charismatic leader that he is. But though success can be measured in terms of album sales or net worth, it is also a measure of an artist’s credibility. Yes, Sting is a mega-successful frontman and solo artist, but to be frank, he’s also a bit of a twat (tantric sex overshare, anyone?). JT’s split with Britney Spears was played out in embarrassing fashion in his misogynistic video clip for “What Goes Around”. And let’s not even start on the personal oddities that overshadowed Michael Jackson’s career.

In contrast, Beyoncé, Annie Lennox, Gwen Stefani et al have done a much better job of keeping their names out of the negative headlines. Frontmen do make successful solo musicians. They’re just less successful at preventing their massive egos from damaging their personal reputations.

In an industry dominated by men, where they’re subjected to intense scrutiny over their looks, talent, motives, and capabilities, women have proved that as frontwomen, they’re success stories to be reckoned with.

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