It’s not new for artists to start out as part of a band, then branch out to have a solo career. But it is unique for them to start with a band, branch out, then get back together with the band. That’s exactly what Gwen Stefani, the lead singer of No Doubt and charting pop star did, though. And if you knew her, you’d know this is no surprise.

Stefani isn’t driven so much by the fame and the fortune, for her, it’s about the music. So when the ska-pop sound of No Doubt felt restrictive, she created music on her own. When she felt she’d done what she wanted by herself, she got the old band back together, and they, sometimes, perform together to this day.

Music, Fame, and Fashion

Gwen Stefani is older than she looks, which is to say she looks amazing for her age. She was born in 1969 and is pretty much the only rock star who doesn’t look older than they are (she’s in her 50s). Age aside, Stefani grew up in California and developed an interest in fashion, then learned how to sew. This came in handy later, during her solo career stint when she created the fashion brand L.A.M.B. which stands for “love, angel, music, baby”. Though the brand is no longer active, Stefani is still a big name on the fashion scene today.

Getting Back Together

Gwen got back together with her No Doubt bandmates in 2012, when they put out some long-awaited new music. After that, she became a judge on NBC’s The Voice, reminding everyone that she has talents and smarts. Just a year later, in 2015, she booked a residency show in Las Vegas, which is still booking full houses today.