Unseen Vintage Rock Star Photos That Might Change Everything You Thought You Knew
Ever wonder what your favorite rock legends looked like before the spotlights and screaming crowds? Spoiler: they didn’t just wake up famous, strumming guitars in tight leather pants. Nope, becoming a rock star demands heaps of grit, countless rejections, and more practice than you’d care to count. From Joan Jett ditching her birth name to Paul McCartney’s supportive musical family, these icons each have their own wild backstory that’s as fascinating as their chart-topping hits. Ready to see Mick Jagger, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, and others like you’ve never seen them before? Buckle up for some seriously vintage snapshots and quirky tales that prove every rock star’s road to fame is one heck of a ride. LEARN MORE.
Rock stars aren’t born famous. Becoming a well-known rock star takes years of practice, dedication, and rejection. Every rock star has a unique origin story of how they stumbled upon fame. Musicians such as Mick Jagger, Jimi Hendrix, and David Bowie all have things from their pasts that most fans never knew. Here are some vintage photos of talented rock stars before they became worldwide sensations.
Why Joan Jett Changed Her Name
Joan Jett was born Joan Marie Larkin in 1958 and grew up in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania and Rockville, Maryland.
Jett started playing guitar when she was 13-years-old but quit her lessons because she didn’t want to play folk songs. After moving to Los Angeles as a teen, she changed her name to sound more like a rock star.
Paul McCartney Was Encouraged To Become A Musician
This photo shows a six-year-old Paul McCartney at the center sitting in the grass with his younger brother Mike. McCartney was born in 1942 and grew up in Liverpool, England.
His family was on the lower end of the working-class, but his parents were very supportive of their kids. His father was a musician who encouraged his children to take music lessons.
Ozzy Osbourne Was Inspired By The Beatles
Before Ozzy Osbourne became the frontman for Black Sabbath, he grew up in Birmingham, England. His family of eight lived in a small, two-bedroom home.
While in school he started acting in musicals and credited the Beatles for inspiring him to get into music. After leaving school at 15, he worked odd jobs and ran into trouble with the law before forming his first band.
Jon Bon Jovi Is Related To Another Famous Musician
Jon Bon Jovi was born John Francis Bongiovi Jr. on March 2, 1962, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Some may not know that he is a blood relative of Frank Sinatra.
He started playing music at the age of 13 with his first band called Raze and kept making more bands as he got older.
Elton John Escaped Into A World Of Music
Elton John was originally named Reginald Kenneth Dwight and grew up in Pinner, England. He was interested in the piano at a young age and knew he wanted to pursue a career in music.
His parents often fought while he was growing up, so he escaped with the music of Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, and many more.
Jim Morrison Was A Military Brat
Jim Morrison was raised as a military brat and moved around to places such as Melbourne, Florida, San Diego, California, and Kingsville, Texas.
When he was a toddler he witnessed a car accident that inspired a lot of his work, including the song “Peace Frog.” Morrison was also an avid reader and loved the works of poets and philosophers.
Neil Young Taught Himself How To Play Music
Born on November 12, 1945, Neil Young grew up in Toronto and Omemee, Canada. At the age of seven, he contracted polio.
He first became interested in music during the mid-1950s after hearing artists such as The Ventures, Chuck Berry, and Little Richard on the radio. Then, he taught himself how to play music on a plastic ukulele.
Eric Clapton Thought His Mom Was His Sister
Eric Clapton’s mother was just 16 when he was born and he grew up thinking she was his older sister. He was mostly raised by his grandmother and stepgrandfather.
For his 13th birthday, he received a Hoyer guitar, which he became obsessed with a couple of years later. Ever since then, he had a focus on music and was mostly inspired by blues.
Elvis Presley Came From Small Town Mississippi
Elvis Presley was born on January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi in a two-room home. He had a close bond with his parents growing up and entered a singing contest after being encouraged by his teacher.
