The 20 Best “Second Acts” In Music History

[grownazzblakman]

Same thing with Sinatra and Tommy Dorsey Band. Who? Yeah that's right! Nobody knew the group.

Don't sleep on Tommy Dorsey.

Tommy Dorsey was BIG. Real BIG. During the ‘Swing Music’ Era.

Tommy Dorsey had a run of 286 Billboard chart hits.

The Dorsey Band had (17) seventeen ‘Number One’ hits with his orchestra in the 1930s and 1940s.

His biggest hit was "I'll Never Smile Again", featuring Frank Sinatra on vocals, which was number one for (12) twelve weeks on the Billboard pop singles chart in 1940.

He brought Sinatra to Vegas. And started his whole career.

And during Frank's entire music career..... he's probably THE ONLY PERSON to ever get consistently mentioned in the 'headlines' ABOVE Frank Sinatra's name on all the posters & album covers.

Think about it....

Back in the day.... Who ever got listed ABOVE Frank Sinatra on the marquee?? Nobody else.

Sheeeiiittt…… Tommy Dorsey was so famous, he even had his own commemorative US POSTAGE STAMP.

 

[Curtwalk]

Jeffrey osbourne
RAy Parker jr.
Gerald Levert
Johhny gill ( did it in reverse order)

 

[HeathCliff]

Damn you guys got some good ones

 

[Dannyblueyes]

Kenny G (love unlimited orchestra -solo)
Max Weinberg (E street band - Conan O'Brien show music director)
Def Jef (solo rapper - music for "smart guy" and "that's so raven")
Everlast (solo-house of pain)
DJ Leathal (house of pain-limp bizkit)

A few more will come to mind

 

[Helico-pterFunk]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/a...depression-tore-apart-illness-drew-again.html

 

[dawilleyone]

Good list here, but If you are clearly the "superstar/most talented/driving force" of a group act (like MJ, Diana Ross, or Beyonce) then your first act is really a warmup act for your solo career. I mean it's just a matter of time for these people to launch.

What about the counter examples? People who had a successful introduction as part of a group but then failed to make it after leaving the group that introduced them.

The guy I always think of is Speech from Arrested Development. I bought 2 of his solo albums and it never captured the magic of "3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of..."

El Debarge and Ralph Tresvant as solo acts probably fits in this category as well.