Notable musicians who found success with multiple bands

Albarn's work with Britpop giants Blur and the refreshingly odd virtual-alternative, electronica favorites Gorillaz seems to come from two different planets, which just goes to show how immensely talented he is when it comes to being a creative musician. Of course, the common denominator is that both are hugely successful to different fan bases. Blur related to the every-person, alternative rock fan. Meanwhile, Gorillaz is an underground juggernaut and a staple on the festival scene throughout the world of conceptual music.

Before there were the Backstreet Boys, N'Sync or One Direction, New Edition essentially began the modern-day "boy band" genre. Bell, Bivins and DeVoe made up three-fifths of the pop R&B act that produced hits such as "Mr. Telephone Man" and "My Secret." However, after Bobby Brown became a solo star and New Edition's time ended (for the most part), this trio formed their own group. Part of the "East Coast Family," BBD followed in New Edition's footsteps to earn some solid early 1990s success with hits like "Poison" and "Do Me."

In terms of individual grunge success, it's tough to top Cameron's resume. He initially earned acclaim as the underrated drummer of Soundgarden. He won two Grammy Awards with that band, which took a harder, more metal approach within the Seattle sound of the late 1980s and into the 1990s. While Soundgarden was still a thing, Cameron also found himself stepping behind the kit for fellow Seattle rockers Pearl Jam, starting in 1998. He's never left, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the band in 2017. 

There is somewhat of a gray area when talking about the band Cream, and declaring it a supergroup. However, it can be argued that's because we're talking about what became of its members Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker after they left the band. Now, with Clapton in tow, power trio might provide the proper description. As a collective, it delivered classics like "Sunshine of Your Love" and "White Room." Prior to that, of course, Clapton was a young star in the Yardbirds, and already considered one of England's top guitarists. He ultimately became one of the world's best.

Clarke has enjoyed plenty of success in almost 35 years with beloved synth-pop act Erasure. However, the famed British keyboardist, songwriter and composer made a name for himself well before then. Clarke was the early frontman of Depeche Mode, and wrote the band's 1981 classic "Just Can't Get Enough." If that wasn't impressive enough, Clark then joined Alison Moyet to form another popular British synth-pop group in Yaz (or Yazoo in the United Kingdom). Naturally, more success followed thanks to such gems as "Only You" and "Don't Go."

There's a good chance anybody who's professionally played a distortion-filled rock riff has spent time in the famed hard rock/metal outfit Whitesnake. However, this former Deep Purple singer (who was actually inducted into the Rock and Rock Hall of Fame with the band) remains the most prominent member of the band he founded. Coverdale has carried the torch for Whitesnake since the late 1970s, and is responsible for its re-released '80s monster hit "Here I Go Again." His hair style changed over the years, but Coverdale's wide-ranging voice might never fade away.

Deal shined as the bassist for the uber-influential alternative rock band Pixies. In fact, when it comes to female musicians, not just bassists/guitarists, Deal is regarded as one of the more important trendsetters in the alternative rock movement. She didn't do too shabby with her next project. The Breeders, which also features Deal's sister, Kelley, hit it big with 1993's Last Splash. The band remains active today (with its most recent album All Nerve released in 2018), and Deal is still rocking as hard as ever.

The little man with the big, devilishly piercing voice that was made for metal. There are heavy metal legends, then there is Ronnie James Dio. Whether fronting Rainbow, a post-Ozzy Osbourne Black Sabbath and spinoff Heaven & Hell, and of course, his own group (known for classics like "Hungry for Heaven" and "Mystery," beginning in the early-to-mid 1980s, Dio was one of the most revered and influential figures in heavy metal history. Every genre has a handful of voices that are synonymous with the music and attitude; Dio's certainly that when it comes to the metal community.

It's not enough to be in one of the most groundbreaking bands in music history, but Grohl took his individual success as a musician to even more consistent mainstream success with Foo Fighters. During his time with Nirvana, Grohl was the hard-pounding, hair-a-flyin' drummer. However, he's proven to be so much more with the self-created Foos. Where he's arguably one of the most versatile musicians, and songwriters, of all time. Not to be forgotten, late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, drew acclaim as a member of Alanis Morissette's band in the 1990s.

Yes, Hagar enjoyed a solid solo career ("Give to Live," "I Can't Drive 55," "There's Only One Way to Rock") before joining Van Halen in 1985. However, he initially broke through as the voice, and essentially the leader, of hard rockers Montrose ("Rock Candy," "Bad Motor Scooter") during the 1970s. He went into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the others in Van Halen, or better known during that time as Van Hagar. In his post-Van Halen years, Hagar also found some success with supergroup Chickenfoot, which featured former VH bassist Michael Anthony, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and guitar hero Joe Satriani.

Following the suıcide death of frontman Ian Curtis, frontman of highly-regarded 1970s/early 1980s British post-punk favorites Joy Division, surviving members Hook, Morris and Sumner formed New Order. While Joy Division's work often provided a melancholy sound resonating from Curtis' emotionally-torn lips, New Order headed in a completely different direction. It was one of the pioneers of the synth-pop, electronica sounds that had a major presence during the 1980s alternative/120 Minutes era. Songs like "Blue Monday" and "True Faith" can still be heard at dance clubs in one form or another.

In the annals of rock and roll, Lydon will forever be remembered for his punk persona of Johnny Rotten, leader of the short-lived, but unforgettable, Sex Pistols. However, in the wake of the Sex Pistols' brief run and rather predictable demise, Public Image Ltd was born in 1978. PIL is a definite departure from Lydon's past punk life, and always showcased his innovative and creative side when it came to making music. Lydon checked his punk cred at the door for a sound that has mixed new wave, dance and dub to create art that remains popular even today. Interesting to note, the initial PIL lineup featured guitarist Keith Levene, who was an original member of The Clash.

Morrissey might have been the face of The Smiths, one of the most revered and influential indie/post-punk bands of the 1980s, but Marr's guitar work was a major reason for the band's success. Then when that beloved outfit prematurely called it quits in 1987, Marr found himself still active, notably playing with the Pretenders, and perhaps most noticeably Modest Mouse. He played with that group Washington state-based indie rockers from 2006-09, and was part of its critically acclaimed fifth studio album We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank.

It's obviously tough — no, impossible — to top what McCartney did as a Beatle. However, his work with follow-up project Wings still stands up pretty well in terms of classic rock greatness. Joined by his wife, Linda, for better or worse, and renowned guitarist Denny Laine, who enjoyed his own critical and commercial success with the Moody Blues, Wings was on top of the rock world for a decade in the wake of the Beatles' break-up. Tunes like "Band on the Run" and "Jet" remain in regular rotation for those still listening to classic rock radio, or Beatles-related satellite radio.

Depending on who is doing the talking, Bob Mould is considered the father of alternative rock. Well, maybe. Now, he's certainly had a major influence within the genre. It started with Mould's Twin Cities-based Hüsker Dü, a punk outfit that featured underground catchy tunes amid piles of dysfunction, but certainly with an edge and attitude that mainstream listeners weren't ready to handle. Following his first solo stint, Mould then formed Sugar, which gave the world an alternative rock classic in 1992's Copper Blue," which was highlighted by the hit "If I Can't Change Your Mind." 

To even the most casual hard rock and heavy metal fans, the tale of Dave Mustaine's boot from Metallica is well-covered material. Maybe because the music media has never really stopped talking about it, even though he's enjoyed consistent international success for nearly 40 years with Megadeth. Mustaine contributed to a number of songs on Metallica's debut album, Kill 'Em All, including "The Four Horseman," "Jump in the Fire" and "Metal Militia." However, Mustaine has overcome some personal demons, and maybe that ill will with his former Metallica bandmates, to make a long and prominent success with a thrash-metal giant like Megadeth.

Navarro has been involved with two of the most popular alternative rock bands in history: Jane's Addiction and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Of course, his run with the former has lasted much longer. He played a major role in Jane's' success, thanks to its stellar first two releases: Nothing's Shocking (1988) and Ritual de lo Habitual (1990). Now, he only played Woodstock '94 with the Chili Peppers, and was part of its One Hot Minute album before being fired in 1998, but that was still a notable gig. Navarro has also versed himself in various other forms of media, such as television and podcasting. 

Before the Hall of Fame guitarist became an icon with Led Zeppelin, he got his true introduction to the rock-and-roll world with the Yardbirds. Like Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck, Page earned his chops with the famed British band. Page spent roughly two years in the Yardbirds before forming what would become perhaps the greatest rock band of all time. Though at the time, Page's decision to start a new group wasn't considered to be a good move by some of his contemporaries. Obviously, it worked out well. Not to mention his involvement in the brief history of supergroup The Firm, which featured former Free and Bad Company singer Paul Rodgers. 

Schon was a teenager when he joined legendary Santana in 1971 to play guitar. That was quite the accomplishment, and Schon enjoyed even more mainstream success with Journey, which he and fellow Santana organist/keyboardist/vocalist Gregg Rolie went on to form. While Rolie eventually left Journey, and was replacement by Steve Perry, who also departed the band, Schon continues to plug along. Playing some of the great arena-rock classics of all time like "Don't Stop Believin'," "Lights," "Any Way You Want It". Schon, and current Journey bandmate Jonathan Cain, also enjoyed brief success with pseudo-supergroup Bad English, which featured vocalist John Waite.

For years, Taylor's face could be found behind the mask as the frontman of Slipknot, a giant presence within the nu metal/alternative metal genres. Even before that, however, Taylor drew raves through his real-life persona as the singer of hard rock act Stone Sour, which he revived during his run with Slipknot. As a testament to Taylor's talent, both bands have received numerous Grammy nominations over the years. One of the hardest-working singers on the hard rock/heavy metal scene, Taylor continues to deliver at a high level, regardless which band we're talking about.

Walsh initially earned a following as part of the power trio James Gang, which produced classic rock favorites hit "Funk #49 and "Walk Away," with the quirky guitarist in tow. Of course, Walsh's true acclaim came after joining the Eagles in 1975, only solidifying the band's fame from a critical and commercial standpoint. Walsh added a potent element of soul to the group, and co-wrote the Eagles hit "Life in the Fast Lane," while also winning multiple Grammys. Not to be left out, Walsh also spent time playing with Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band. 

The husband-and-wife team – Weymouth, one of the most appreciated bass players of all time, and underappreciated drummer Frantz — might be best known for their work with David Byrne in Talking Heads. However, the couple's second musical life with Tom Tom Club has been going strong since 1981. The band's self-titled album from that year was a huge success with critics, and the can't-get-it-out-of-my-head "Genius of Love" is one of the most popular dance and club songs of all time. Another example of artists who are able to show off their versatility when it comes to musical stylings. 

What White did alongside Meg as The White Stripes was amazingly innovative and influential. However, the work Jack White has done — and is doing — with the The Raconteurs should not be overlooked. Though not as commercially successful as The White Stripes, The Raconteurs have been regulars on the festival scene, and produced indie rock gems like "Steady As She Goes" and "Salute Your Solution." In addition, White has also been a member of of indie-rock supergroup The Dead Weather. It should not be surprising that White continues to play, with just anybody, regardless of genre or sound. 

First, Traffic member Dave Mason would go on to become one of the best guitar players in the world. That said, Winwood was the true star of that English Hall of Fame band that delivered such classics as "Feelin' Alright?" and  "Hole in My Shoe." Somewhat of a child musical prodigy, Winwood joined The Spencer Davis Group at age 14, and co-wrote the band's smash "Gimme Some Lovin'" before reaching new heights with Traffic. Then, of course, Winwood found even more mainstream success as a solo artist during the 1980s.

There's probably a very  good chance that Wood would have enjoyed lasting stardom had he not joined the Rolling Stones in 1975. He's that good of a guitarist. Wood, still mastering his guitar while well into his 70s, played with the Jeff Beck Group starting in 1967. He then helped form the Faces in the late '60s, with Rod Stewart on vocals. Wood became an official member of the Rolling Stones in 1976, and has never looked back. He's more than capable of holding his own on stage with Mick and Keith. Talk about surrounding oneself with true music legends — Wood knows how to keep good company.