This week, the week of March 7-11, 2016, we will be looking at songs from solo artists after they left their own groups.

We call it:  "Splitsville"

March 11, 2016

This week marks the 46th anniversary of Diana Ross performing as a solo artist for the first time.  So let's look at those brave souls who stepped out of the comfort of a group and struck out on their own!

After leading his group since 1955, Smokey Robinson announced his retirement from the group to focus on his role as vice president of Motown Records in 1969.  He had his last official performance with the group in 1972.

Just a year later Robinson released "Smokey" and had his first top 40 solo hit.

Reaching #27 in February, 1974 it was the first of more than a half dozen top 40 hits for Robinson...although he never reached the top spot as a solo artist.  Only managing #2 with "Being With You" in 1981.

And that wraps up another week and another theme!

Thanks for stopping in!

~ Glenn

This week, the week of March 7-11, 2016, we will be looking at songs from solo artists after they left their own groups.

We call it:  "Splitsville"

March 10, 2016

This week marks the 46th anniversary of Diana Ross performing as a solo artist for the first time.  So let's look at those brave souls who stepped out of the comfort of a group and struck out on their own!

First teamed up in 1957, Simon & Garfunkel (in all their various names) eventually split up in 1970.

(I'm seeing a real theme here!)

Despite numerous one offs and reunion tours through the years.

In 1971 Simon released his first solo album and had his first top 10 solo hit when he reached #4 with "mother & Child Reunion".

In 1975 Art Garfunkel reached the top 20 as a solo artist himself with a remake of "I Only Have Eyes for You"

The song went to #1 in the UK.

~ Glenn

This week, the week of March 7-11, 2016, we will be looking at songs from solo artists after they left their own groups.

We call it:  "Splitsville"

March 9, 2016

This week marks the 46th anniversary of Diana Ross performing as a solo artist for the first time.  So let's look at those brave souls who stepped out of the comfort of a group and struck out on their own!


Here is another example of what constitutes leaving a group.

Motown records, off the success of the Jackson Five, released the first solo Michael Jackson song in 1971.

The song peaked at #4 for Jackson on the Hot 100.

However the Jackson 5 continued to release singles even after Michael's solo hit.

Jackson's 1981 album "Off The Wall" was seen as a more permanent departure from his brothers which was cemented with the release of the "Thriller" album in November of 1982.

~ Glenn

This week, the week of March 7-11, 2016, we will be looking at songs from solo artists after they left their own groups.

We call it:  "Splitsville"

March 8, 2016

This week marks the 46th anniversary of Diana Ross performing as a solo artist for the first time.  So let's look at those brave souls who stepped out of the comfort of a group and struck out on their own!

I strongly debated this entry with the staff behind the blog (me).

Technically this single was released BEFORE the group he founded broke up.  However given the inevitability of the group dissolving I felt it was fit this week's theme in the end.

Released on July 26, 1969 and reaching #14 on the Hot 100, "Give Peace a Chance" was the first solo single by a member of the Beatles.

There is some debate on *when* the Beatles actually split though.  Was in December, 1970 when Paul McCartney filed a lawsuit?  Or in March, 1971 when the suit was finally resolved?  Or in 1975 when the last of the legal ends had been tied up?

In April, 1971 Ringo Starr released "It Don't Come Easy".  George Harrison went to #1 with "My Sweet Lord" on December 26, 1970.

~ Glenn

This week, the week of March 7-11, 2016, we will be looking at songs from solo artists after they left their own groups.

We call it:  "Splitsville"

March 7, 2016

This week marks the 46th anniversary of Diana Ross performing as a solo artist for the first time.  So let's look at those brave souls who stepped out of the comfort of a group and struck out on their own!

Today we will start with the original diva: Diana Ross.

A founding member (and the leader singer) of The Supremes, Ms. Ross went solo in 1970 with her self titled debut album which produced two top 20 hits and number one song on the Hot 100.

Written by Ashford and Simpson the song had reached the top 20 when recorded by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell in 1967.

~ Glenn