Inspiration for Zayn Malik: 12 Boy Band Alumni Who Made It Big

The release this week of ex-One Direction member Zayn Malik’s debut album, Mind of Mine , raises an important question: Can he make it on his own? Many boy band alumni have fallen by the wayside, but some have become huge solo stars. Here are a dozen former boy band members who made it big.

The former *NSYNC star’s transition to solo stardom was as seamless as any in pop history. His first solo singles were hits, but it was his 2006 single “SexyBack,” that made him a true superstar.

His recent single “Jealous” was a bigger hit than anything Jonas recorded with his brothers. Moreover, the sexy pop/R&B smash had appeal far beyond the Jonas Brothers’ teen-oriented hits.

A lot of people may not even remember that Martin was a member of Menudo from age 12 to 17. Martin became a solo star overnight with a hip-shaking performance on the Grammy telecast in February 1999. He had a No. 1 hit a few months later with “Livin’ La Vida Loca.”

The former New Edition member was once the hottest artist in R&B — and maybe even in all of contemporary pop. His hit-laden sophomore album, ‘Don’t Be Cruel,’ was Billboard’s top album of 1989.

The former Take That member is a huge star in England, but he has never really broken through in the U.S. Williams’s biggest solo hit in the U.S. was “Angels,” which hit No. 53 in January 2000 and was later covered by boy-band wife Jessica Simpson.

The 98 Degrees alum was featured on “Where Are You,” a 2000 song by his future wife, Jessica Simpson. He hit a solo peak in May 2006 with his divorce-inspired top 10 hit “What’s Left of Me.”

The King of Pop had 13 No. 1 hits on his own, more than three times as many as he had with the Jackson 5. He’s in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame both solo and with the J5.

Michael’s older brother had two top 10 hits on his own: a remake of Shep and the Limelites’ 1961 single “Daddy’s Home” and “Let’s Get Serious,” which was co-written by Stevie Wonder.

These former New Kids on the Block members each had a top 10 solo hit in 1999, a decade after NKOTB’s heyday. McIntyre hit No. 10 that April with “Stay the Same.” Knight hit No. 10 the following month with “Give It to You.”

The former Wham! star had seven No. 1 hits as a solo artist, including collabos with pop legends Aretha Franklin and Elton John. Michael’s album 'Faith’ was Billboard’s top album of 1988 and won the Grammy for Album of the Year.

The “serious Monkee” was the only one from the group to land a top 40 hit on his own. Nesmith’s “Joanne” (which he recorded with the First National Band) reached No. 21 in October 1970.

Osmond had six top 10 hits on his own, stretching from 1971’s “Sweet and Innocent” to 1989’s surprise comeback hit “Soldier of Love.” He had four top 10 hits with the Osmonds in the early '70s and two more with his sister Marie.
Can Zayn Make It on His Own?
The release this week of ex-One Direction member Zayn Malik’s debut album, Mind of Mine , raises an important question: Can he make it on his own? Many boy band alumni have fallen by the wayside, but some have become huge solo stars. Here are a dozen former boy band members who made it big.
Follow Paul on Google+
