3 Famous Rockstars Who Shifted To Pop and Why

Musicians evolve all the time, experimenting with new sounds and styles. Some rock stars take the leap into pop, and while that doesn’t always go over well, these four artists proved that change can be a good thing. Whether it was for commercial success or artistic growth, their move toward pop paid off in a big way.

1. David Bowie
David Bowie never liked being boxed into one genre. He was always pushing boundaries, but in his early days, he was firmly rooted in glam and art rock. His teenage years were spent in guitar-driven rock bands, and his classic Ziggy Stardust era made him a rock legend.

By the 1980s, however, Bowie leaned heavily into pop. His post-disco album Let’s Dance brought a whole new audience with hits like “China Girl” and “Modern Love”. Even his experimental work with Brian Eno had pop sensibilities woven into it. His ability to reinvent himself kept him relevant for decades.

2. Phil Collins
Phil Collins made his name as the drummer and later frontman of Genesis, crafting intricate progressive rock tracks. But when his solo career took off, his sound changed dramatically.

With tracks like “In The Air Tonight”, he embraced electronic elements, and his hit “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)” earned him a place in the world of pop-leaning soft rock. His unique ability to blend rock, pop, and emotional storytelling made him a global star.

3. Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart is one of the best-known examples of a rocker who transitioned into pop. Early in his career, he fronted hard rock and blues-inspired bands like Faces and The Jeff Beck Group.

But when “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” dropped in 1978, it was clear he was moving toward soft rock, pop, and even disco. That shift might have been controversial at first, but it paid off—he’s remained a massive star while still keeping rock alive in his live shows.