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5 best songs by musicians who went solo

<p>Many iconic bands have broken fans’ hearts around the world after announcing that their band has split up.</p> <p>While some break up due to creative differences and others due to personal dynamics, many artists have still managed to strike up success as they create a new sound for themselves as a solo act.</p> <p>Here are the most famous songs by musicians who successfully transitioned to a solo artist.</p> <p><strong>5. “Freedom ’90” – George Michael</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="400" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/diYAc7gB-0A?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><strong>4. “Imagine” – John Lennon</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="400" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VOgFZfRVaww?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><strong>3. “Live and Let Die” – Paul McCartney &amp; Wings</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="400" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nR46gQLyxuE?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><strong>2. “Billie Jean” – Michael Jackson</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="400" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zi_XLOBDo_Y?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><strong>1. “In the Air Tonight” – Phil Collins</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YkADj0TPrJA?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p>What song would add to the list? Let us know in the comments below.</p>

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“The 27 Club”: 6 musicians who died at 27

<p>Chances are you’ve heard of “The 27 Club” by now, but if you haven’t, here’s a refresher: It’s a cultural phenomenon that’s seen dozens of notable musicians all coincidentally die at the age of 27.</p> <p>It began when the first four names on this list passed away at 27 within the space of just three years, and when Kurt Cobain died in 1994, the “club” really began to take off.</p> <p>“The number of musicians who died at 27 is truly remarkable by any standard,” wrote Cobain and Jimi Hendrix biographer Charles R. Cross. “[Although] humans die regularly at all ages, there is a statistical spike for musicians who die at 27.”</p> <p>Here are six of the most famous “club” members who tragically lost their lives at the age of just 27.</p> <p><strong>1. Brian Jones</strong></p> <p>A founding member of the Rolling Stones, Jones is credited with naming the band, choosing the members, choosing the music and booking gigs. However, in July 1969, after leaving the Stones amid legal issues, substance abuse and mood swings, the 27-year-old Jones was found dead in his swimming pool.</p> <p><strong>2. Jimi Hendrix</strong></p> <p>One of the most influential guitarists in history, Hendrix made more of a mark in his 27 years than many people do in a lifetime. However, almost a decade of substance abuse and violence sadly caught up with Hendrix, who died of a suspected drug overdose in London on September 17, 1970.</p> <p><strong>3. Janis Joplin</strong></p> <p>Just 16 days after his death, Hendrix’s friend and fellow rock star Janis Joplin died at the height of her fame from a drug overdose. In her will, Joplin left $2,500 to her loved ones to throw a wake party, which took place on October 26, 1969, 22 days after she was found dead.</p> <p><strong>4. Jim Morrison</strong></p> <p>The Doors front man was the icon of a generation before he met his untimely demise in March 1971. He was found by his long-term companion Pamela Courson in Paris, where the pair had been living. His official cause of death was ruled as heart failure, but due to there being no autopsy, there are still questions as to the true cause of his death.</p> <p><strong>5. Kurt Cobain</strong></p> <p>It was Cobain’s death that really launched the so-called “27 Club”. The Nirvana front man, who never quite coped with his fame and had spent the last few years of his life battling heroin addiction, chronic health problems and depression, was found dead in 1994 as a result of suicide.</p> <p><strong>6. Amy Winehouse</strong></p> <p>The popular five-time Grammy winner, known for her distinctive, soulful voice, was one of the UK’s most acclaimed artists, holding the record for the second best-selling album since 2000. Sadly, her life was cut short in 2011 after a long battle with alcoholism.</p>

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8 Aussie artists who made it big overseas

<p>Australia has produced some of the greatest musicians and bands of the last century. From John Farnham to Hunters &amp; Collectors, Aussies sure know how to rock.</p> <p>However, only a lucky few ever find fame on the world stage. Here are eight who did just that.</p> <p><strong>1. AC/DC</strong></p> <p>They’re known for their iconic rock anthem “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll)”, but AC/DC contradicted their own song, making their way to the top of the charts in 1975, less than two years after forming. It wasn’t until 1976 that the group found international fame, but they quickly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with. To this day, AC/DC is among the best-selling music artists of all time in the US as well as around the world.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-sUXMzkh-jI" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><strong>2. Kylie Minogue</strong></p> <p>She first entered the spotlight as a child star on Aussie TV shows like <em>The Sullivans</em> and <em>Young Talent Time</em> before landing her breakout role in Neighbours. The program, which already had a strong following in the UK, set her up for success when she decided to pursue a music career, releasing her first single “The Locomotion” in 1987. 14 albums and an Order of the British Empire later, she’s one of Australia’s most successful exports.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Rfr9bhSmfXc" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><strong>3. Bee Gees</strong></p> <p>The Bee Gees’ disco hits served as the soundtrack to an entire decade, but it took a while for Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb to find fame beyond Australia. Formed in 1958 as The Rattlesnakes, it wasn’t until 1967 that they first found overseas success, and they didn’t take off properly until the ‘70s, reforming after a short break-up. In 1977, the Bee Gees shot to stardom with their soundtrack for the hit film <em>Saturday Night Fever,</em> which included hits such as “Stayin’ Alive” and “How Deep Is Your Love”. It remains the best-selling film soundtrack of all time.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XpqqjU7u5Yc" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><strong>4. The Seekers</strong></p> <p>The first ever Aussie pop group to achieve success in not only their home country but also the UK and the US, The Seekers have sold more than 50 million records worldwide. They formed in Melbourne in 1962, and than three years later became an international hit, with songs like “I’ll Never Find Another You”, “The Carnival is Over” and the iconic “Georgy Girl”. To this day, they’re still one of the nation’s most successful musical acts.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wsIbfYEizLk" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><strong>5. Olivia Newton-John</strong></p> <p>A performer since her school days, ONJ’s first few albums were reasonably successful, and she even represented the UK at Eurovision in 1974 with the song “Long Live Love”, but lost out to ABBA. However, her biggest break came in 1978 when she was given the lead role in <em>Grease</em>. The film (and its soundtrack) were hugely successful, launching Olivia to worldwide fame. She continued her success with the<em> Xanadu</em> soundtrack in 1980 and released her best-selling album <em>Physical</em> in 1980.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/itRFjzQICJU" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><strong>6. Keith Urban</strong></p> <p>Perhaps even more successful in the US than his home country, Keith Urban got his start touring as a backup act to Slim Dusty in the early ‘90s before moving to Nashville, Tennessee. By the mid-2000s, he was a certified country music star. He’s released nine albums, won countless awards, had 20 number one singles in the US and, in 2006, married Australia’s golden girl, Nicole Kidman.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SoIKv3xxuMA" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><strong>7. INXS</strong></p> <p>The Farriss brothers, along with Michael Hutchence, Kirk Pengilly and Garry Beers, founded the band in 1977. After changing their name to INXS upon the recommendation of a Midnight Oil member, the group soon became one of Australia’s most beloved rock acts, with hits like “Original Sin”, “Burn for You” and “Don’t Change”. At the height of their fame, both domestically and internationally, Michael Hutchence sadly died, but his music – and the band – remain incredibly popular.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_VU9DjQpvMQ" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><strong>8. Sia</strong></p> <p>Sia Furler spent her whole career writing hits for other people (think Christina Aguilera, Beyoncé, Rihanna), but in 2014, she smashed the charts with her hit song, “Chandelier”, which reached the top five on record charts in 20 countries. “Cheap Thrills”, released in 2016, became her first number one in the US. Despite this, she remains as humble and mysterious as ever.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2vjPBrBU-TM" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p>Tell us in the comments below, who’s your all-time favourite Aussie musician?</p>

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8 weird companies started by musicians

<p>As if it’s not busy enough being a singer and entertainer, these musicians decided to do more. Below you’ll find well known artists who have diversified their talents into entertainment, alcohol, technology companies and more.</p> <p><strong>1. Gwen Stefani’s</strong> L.A.M.B. sells fashionable accessories such as shoes, bags and sunglasses – further endorsed by celebrity pals like Cameron Diaz.</p> <p><strong>2. Snoop Dogg</strong> is one of the co-owners of Reddit, a social media news site. He invested in the company with other celebs such as Jared Leto.</p> <p><strong>3.</strong> If you’re a vegan needing a home delivered meal, look no further than 22 Days Nutrition, co-founded by <strong>Beyoncé.  </strong></p> <p><strong>4.</strong> Speaking of vegans, <strong>Moby</strong> opened a vegan tea house in New York with his (now-ex) girlfriend. It has since closed down.</p> <p><strong>5. Bono</strong> from U2 bought a two-star hotel in Dublin and refurbished it into a five-star luxury retreat.</p> <p><strong>6. Céline Dion</strong> spent millions on a golf course in Canada, and loves hosting fellow celebs. Even Willie Nelson got in on the action – he’s got his own course too.</p> <p><strong>7. Dr Dre</strong> became a money-making machine when he saw a hole in the market for high quality headphones. Beats by Dre became the go-to brand worldwide (celebrities love them too, which helps).</p> <p><strong>8. Mark and Donnie Wahlberg</strong> and their brother Paul have a chain of burger restaurants with possibly the best name ever – Wahlburgers. There’s even a reality show of the same name.</p> <p>Have we missed anything? Let us know about your favourite celebrity’s side hustle in the comments.</p>

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Just how long it took musicians to get their first real hit

<p>Although musicians will often be described as an “overnight success”, the reality is that most spend many years working hard and going completely unnoticed by mainstream music lovers. Using <em>Rolling Stone</em>’s 100 Greatest Artists list, website <a href="http://www.gocompare.com/life-insurance/life-and-times-of-the-greatest-artists/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>GoCompare.com</strong></span></a> has put together a fascinating <a href="http://mentalfloss.com/article/501642/how-long-it-took-famous-musicians-get-their-first-hit" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>list of timelines</strong></span></a> charting when some of the most recognisable acts in the world formed and broke up, with indicators of their first Top 10 single. The timelines may surprise you. We’ve chosen some of our favourite artists to highlight below.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Beach Boys</span></strong></p> <p><strong>Year formed:</strong> 1961</p> <p><strong>The hit:</strong> “Surfin’ USA”</p> <p><strong>The year:</strong> 1963</p> <p><strong>Years:</strong> 2</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Beatles</span></strong></p> <p><strong>Year formed:</strong> 1960</p> <p><strong>The hit:</strong> “Love Me Do”</p> <p><strong>The year:</strong> 1962</p> <p><strong>Years:</strong> 2</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Doors</span></strong></p> <p><strong>Year formed:</strong> 1965</p> <p><strong>The hit:</strong> “Light My Fire”</p> <p><strong>The year:</strong> 1967</p> <p><strong>Years:</strong> 2</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Police</span></strong></p> <p><strong>Year formed:</strong> 1977</p> <p><strong>The hit:</strong> “Cant’s Stand Losing You”</p> <p><strong>The year:</strong> 1979</p> <p><strong>Years:</strong> 2</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Elvis Presley</span></strong></p> <p><strong>Year career began:</strong> 1953</p> <p><strong>The hit:</strong> “Heartbreak Hotel”</p> <p><strong>The year:</strong> 1956</p> <p><strong>Years:</strong> 3</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Eric Clapton</span></strong></p> <p><strong>Year career began:</strong> 1962</p> <p><strong>The hit</strong>: “For Your Love”</p> <p><strong>The year:</strong> 1965</p> <p><strong>Years:</strong> 3</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Jimi Hendrix</span></strong></p> <p><strong>Year formed:</strong> 1963</p> <p><strong>The hit:</strong> “Hey Joe”</p> <p><strong>The year:</strong> 1966</p> <p><strong>Years:</strong> 3</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Carlos Santana</span></strong></p> <p><strong>Year career began:</strong> 1965</p> <p><strong>The hit:</strong> “Evil Ways”</p> <p><strong>The year:</strong> 1969</p> <p><strong>Years:</strong> 4</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Marvin Gaye</span></strong></p> <p><strong>Year career began:</strong> 1959</p> <p><strong>The hit:</strong> “Pride and Joy”</p> <p><strong>The year:</strong> 1963</p> <p><strong>Years:</strong> 4</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Madonna</span></strong></p> <p><strong>Year career began:</strong> 1979</p> <p><strong>The hit:</strong> “Holiday”</p> <p><strong>The year:</strong> 1983</p> <p><strong>Years:</strong> 4</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">David Bowie</span></strong></p> <p><strong>Year career began:</strong> 1962</p> <p><strong>The hit:</strong> “The laughing Gnome”</p> <p><strong>The year:</strong> 1967</p> <p><strong>Years</strong>: 5</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Bob Dylan</span></strong></p> <p><strong>Year career began:</strong> 1959</p> <p><strong>The hit:</strong> “The Times They Are A-Changin’”</p> <p><strong>The year:</strong> 1965</p> <p><strong>Years:</strong> 6</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Prince</span></strong></p> <p><strong>Year formed:</strong> 1976</p> <p><strong>The hit:</strong> “1999”</p> <p><strong>The year:</strong> 1982</p> <p><strong>Years:</strong> 6</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Roy Orbison</span></strong></p> <p><strong>Year career began:</strong> 1953</p> <p><strong>The hit:</strong> “Only The Lonely”</p> <p><strong>The year:</strong> 1960</p> <p><strong>Years:</strong> 7</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tina Turner</span></strong></p> <p><strong>Year career began:</strong> 1958</p> <p><strong>The hit:</strong> “River Deep – Mountain High”</p> <p><strong>The year:</strong> 1966</p> <p><strong>Years:</strong> 8</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Elton John</span></strong></p> <p><strong>Year career began:</strong> 1963</p> <p><strong>The hit:</strong> “Your Song”</p> <p><strong>The year:</strong> 1971</p> <p><strong>Years:</strong> 8</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Simon and Garfunkel</span></strong></p> <p><strong>Year formed:</strong> 1957</p> <p><strong>The hit:</strong> “The Sound of Silence”</p> <p><strong>The year:</strong> 1965</p> <p><strong>Years:</strong> 8</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Janis Joplin</span></strong></p> <p><strong>Year career began:</strong> 1962</p> <p><strong>The hit:</strong> “Me and Bobby McGee”</p> <p><strong>The year:</strong> 1971 (posthumous)</p> <p><strong>Years:</strong> 9</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Joni Mitchell</span></strong></p> <p><strong>Year career began:</strong> 1964</p> <p><strong>The hit:</strong> “Help Me”</p> <p><strong>The year:</strong> 1974</p> <p><strong>Years:</strong> 10</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">James Brown</span></strong></p> <p><strong>Year career began:</strong> 1953</p> <p><strong>The hit:</strong> “Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag”</p> <p><strong>The year:</strong> 1965</p> <p><strong>Years:</strong> 12</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Johnny Cash</span></strong></p> <p><strong>Year career began:</strong> 1954</p> <p><strong>The hit:</strong> “A Boy Named Sue”</p> <p><strong>The year:</strong> 1969</p> <p><strong>Years:</strong> 15</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Bruce Springsteen</span></strong></p> <p><strong>Year career began:</strong> 1964</p> <p><strong>The hit:</strong> “Hungry Heart”</p> <p><strong>The year:</strong> 1980</p> <p><strong>Years:</strong> 16</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">AC/DC</span></strong></p> <p><strong>Year formed:</strong> 1973</p> <p><strong>The hit:</strong> “Highway To Hell”</p> <p><strong>The year:</strong> 2013</p> <p><strong>Years:</strong> 40</p> <p>Did you know that it took AC/DC 40 years to get their first Top 10 single? Keep that one up your sleeve for the next trivia night.</p>

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20 weird and wonderful facts about music

<p>Think you know everything there is to know about music? Prepare to be blown away as we take a look at some of the most interesting, unbelievable facts about musicians and the music industry.</p> <p>1. One in five country music songs refer to alcohol, one in three to tears and one in seven to “mama”.</p> <p>2. Not a single member of the Beatles could read or write music.</p> <p>3. The most expensive instrument in the world is the “Lady Blunt” Stradivarius violin, which sold in 2011 for US$15.9 million.</p> <p><span>4.</span><strong><span> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.medindia.net/news/study-proves-that-music-can-help-plants-to-grow-faster-25678-1.htm" target="_blank">A 2007 study</a></span></span></strong> found that music, classical in particular, can help make plants grow faster.</p> <p>5. Barry Manilow didn’t write the song called “I Write the Songs”</p> <p>6. In 2008, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080718180723.htm" target="_blank"><strong>researchers discovered</strong></a></span> that loud music makes customers in bars drink more alcohol in less time.</p> <p>7. Leo Fender, the founder of the iconic electric guitar and bass brand and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, never learned to play either instrument.</p> <p>8. In 2015, Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield released the first ever album recorded entirely in space, named <em>Space Sessions: Songs from a Tin Can</em>.</p> <p>9. For every US$1,000 of music sold, the average musician only makes about US$23.40.</p> <p>10. The first (and only) band to play on all seven continents is Metallica.</p> <p>11. In “Bohemian Rhapsody”, Freddie Mercury plays on the very same piano used by Paul McCartney in “Hey Jude”.</p> <p>12. Music, along with painting, poetry, literature and architecture, was Olympic event from 1912 until 1948.</p> <p>13. Mozart sold more CDs than Beyoncé in 2016.</p> <p>14. When you listen to music, the brain releases the same feel-good hormone (dopamine) it does during sex and eating.</p> <p>15. In 1952, American composer John Cage created a song titled “4’44”. It consisted of four minutes and 33 seconds of silence.</p> <p>16. The longest song title ever is Hoagy Carmichael’s 1943 “I'm a Cranky Old Yank in a Clanky Old Tank on the Streets of Yokohama with my Honolulu Mama Doin' Those Beat-o, Beat-o Flat-On-My-Seat-o, Hirohito Blues.”</p> <p>17. There are more people in Monaco’s orchestra than in its army.</p> <p>18. Bryan Adams photographed The Queen for a Canadian postal stamp commemorating Her Majesty’s Golden Jubilee.</p> <p>19. A 2001 study found that cows produce more milk when listening to relaxing moo-sic (sorry, we couldn’t resist!).</p> <p>20. In the US in 2005, vinyl record sales only reached US$35 million. In 2015, sales had exploded to $416 million.</p> <p>What fun fact about music do you know? Share it with us in the comments below.</p>

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