Famous duos: Where are they now?

With Brooks & Dunn's farewell tour coming to the Twin Cities, we looked up a few former duos.

May 8, 2010 at 7:19PM
Kix Brooks, left, and Ronnie Dunn
Kix Brooks, left, and Ronnie Dunn (Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

With Brooks & Dunn's farewell tour coming to the Twin Cities next weekend, we wondered: What ever happened to some other famous duos?JON BREAM

Sonny & Cher

Sonny Bono: He had quite the career as a politician. Grade: A

Cher: A pop icon and, surprisingly, an Oscar-winning movie star. Grade: A+

SIMON & GARFUNKEL

Paul Simon (right): Adventurous and intellectual, he made the Rock Hall of Fame as a solo artist. Grade: A+

Art Garfunkel: He has played an overlooked second fiddle. Grade: C+

IKE & TINA TURNER

Ike: He did everything nice and rough. Grade: B-

Tina: Solo, she was simply the best. Grade: A+

HALL & OATES

Daryl Hall (left): Experimental, interesting and soulful but nothing significant. Grade: C

John Oates: Needs the mustache to be recognized without Hall. Grade: D

STEELY DAN

Donald Fagen (right): One splendid album, one curious one and an R&B detour. Grade: B

Walter Becker: Two solo discs appreciated only by aficionados. Grade: B-

EURYTHMICS

Annie Lennox: A fabulously arty if underappreciated solo star. Grade: A

Dave Stewart: More distinguished as a producer than as an artist. Grade: B-

THE JUDDS

Wynonna Judd (left): Started strong, but the quality of her material faded. Grade: B+

Naomi Judd: Opted for hosting a TV talk-show and writing books, not making music. Grade: B-

WHAM!

George Michael (left): Wanted sex but got hits and notoriety. Grade: B+

Andrew Ridgeley: Took up auto racing, surfing and golf. Squeezed in one album in 1990. Grade: D

ERIC B. & RAKIM

Eric B. (right): The DJ released one indie solo album in the mid-'90s. Grade: C-

Rakim: The revered rapper was nearly masterful on 1999's "The Master" but has done little else of note. Grade: B+

BIG & RICH

Big Kenny (left): Made the predictably eccentric, under-heard "Quiet Times of a Rock 'n' Roll Farmboy" last year. Grade: B-

John Rich: Huge success as producer, songwriter and reality-TV star, but an undistinguished solo CD. Grade: B

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