I recently attended a Bob Mould solo electric show and was amazed by his catalog from all three phases of his career (Husker Du, Sugar and Bob Mould solo). I started thinking about how much I loved the band band Sugar that he formed after the break up of Husker Du. That, in turn, got my wheels turning about other great second acts in rock history. Let me clarify what I mean by a second act; it’s when a founding member or integral member of an influential band leaves to form another band. There are some parameters in my selection. In my list I don’t include a side project from an artist. For instance, Zwan does not count as a second act for Billy Corgan since that was really a side project from Smashing Pumpkins. Additionally, Ronnie Wood going from Faces to The Rolling Stones does not count since the Stones were already in place. Here is my list. More to be added over time.
Sugar – After founding one of the most influential and legendary alternative bands of all time – Husker Du – Bob Mould formed Sugar – which was more power pop than punk.
Crowded House – Following his stint in his older brother Tim’s band Split Enz, Neil Finn formed the commercially successful band Crowded House. Gone were the days of quirky pop hits such as “One Step Ahead” and “I’ve Got You.” Crowded House produced very accessible, radio friendly hits such as “Don’t Dream It’s Over” and “Something So Strong.”
Wilco – Following the break up of Uncle Tupelo – the influential Americana with a punk twist band – Jeff Tweedy turned to a more pure Americana meets Rolling Stones sound for his new band Wilco.
Son Volt – The other central member of Uncle Tupelo, Jay Farrar, took to the straight ahead approach of Son Volt on their debut album Trace.
Foo Fighters – Although not a founding member, Dave Grohl was an integral part of Nirvana during their most successful period. After the death of Kurt Cobain, Grohl recorded new tunes under the name Foo Fighters. The songs and the band took off and they became one of the biggest bands in rock & roll.
The Style Council – Following the very successful band (at least in the UK) The Jam, lead singer and guitarist Paul Weller took his music in a different direction with The Style Council. Over the next few years, The Style Council would achieve success in the UK and even moderate success in the US.
Megadeth – Dave Mustaine left a lot behind when he left Metallica in their early days. Metallica would of course become one of the biggest selling rock acts of all time and while Megadeth never matched their success, Mustaine and his new band became staples in the heavy metal genre throughout the late 80s and 90s.
Ozzy Osbourne – Everyone counted Ozzy out once he left (or was dismissed) by Black Sabbath. However, Ozzy had ideas of his own and along with his manager (and future wife) Sharon Arden and a guitar wizard names Randy Rhodes, Ozzy became an even more well known name in the heavy metal arena.
Rainbow – Originally the guitarist for rock legends Deep Purple, Ritchie Blackmore decided to go out on his own with his new band – originally known as Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow,. The original band included an unknown singer named Ronnie Dio. After Dio’s departure to replace Ozzy in Black Sabbath, Rainbow continued forward by bringing in journeyman singer Graham Bonnet and eventually Joe Lynn Turner for a commercially accessible and radio friendly sound.
Public Image Ltd. – John Lydon made his name originally as Johnny Rotten, lead singer of The Sex Pistols. After the controversial and influential punk band split up, Lydon changed his name and reinvented himself as the leader of his new band Public Image Ltd.
World Party – As an original (although not a founding member) of The Waterboys, Karl Wallinger helped bring the band’s sound forward with his musicianship and production capabilities. Following the third Waterboys album – 1985’s This is the Sea – Wallinger set out on his own to form World Party.
New Order – Turning the tragedy of the death of lead singer and visionary Ian Curtis, the remaining members of Joy Division formed New Order. Although Joy Division has massive cult status, New Order brought the music to a broader audience, becoming one of the most influential bands of the 80’s and 90’s.
Sebadoh – As a founding member of Dinosaur Jr., Lou Barlow booked out and formed his own band Sebadoh in 1989. Barlow also founded Folk Implosion the early 90s.
Magazine – Howard Devoto left legendary punkers Buzzcocks in 1977 to form his own band Magazine.
Fatboy Slim – Norman Cook (aka Fatboy Slim) got his first taste of fame and success in the 1980s with indie rock/britpop band the Housemartins. Following his time with the Housemartins, Cook became known as Fatboy Slim where he would achieve fame as a DJ and producer.
The Beautiful South – Also spawned form the Housemartins, Dave Hemingway and Paul Heaton formed a new and successful band with The Beautiful South in 1988.
