Unseen Vintage Rock Star Photos That Might Change Everything You Thought You Knew
He grew up in a lower-class family and often had to rely on government food assistance. As a child, he was described as a loner but was crazy about music.
Steven Tyler Came From A Musical Family
Steven Victor Tallarico, or Steven Tyler, was born on March 26, 1948, in Manhattan, New York. His father was a classical musician who taught high school students.
One of his biggest musical influences as a teenager was the Rolling Stones. He was told that he resembled Mick Jagger and loved the music written by Keith Richards.
Gene Simmons Used To Work At Vogue
Gene Simmons was originally named Chaim Witz and grew up in Israel. His parents had fled to Israel from Hungary during World War II. While his family was very poor, he spent most of his childhood playing guitar.
His family moved to New York City when he was eight. He went on to work some odd jobs before fame such as being the assistant to an editor at Vogue.
Stevie Nicks’ Grandfather Taught Her To Duet
Stevie Nicks moved around a lot as a child because of her father’s job, so they lived in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, California, and more.
When she was about four years old, her grandfather taught her how to sing duets. She received her first guitar when she was 16 and immediately started writing songs.
Freddie Mercury Started A Rock And Roll Cover Band
Farrokh Bulsara, or Freddie Mercury, was born on September 5, 1946 in Zanzibar, which is now Tanzania. He spent most of his childhood in India and started taking piano lessons when he was seven.
By the time he was 12, he started his first band called the Hectics, which was a rock and roll cover band.
Mick Jagger Met Keith Richards In Elementary School
Mick Jagger grew up in a middle-class family in Kent, England, and was encouraged to become an athlete. Jagger always loved singing as a child, so he knew that’s what he wanted to pursue.
He met Rolling Stones band member Keith Richard in elementary school. When the two reconnected several years later, they formed their world-famous band.
David Bowie Grew Up A Gifted Child
David Robert Jones, or David Bowie, was born on January 8, 1947 in Brixton, London, England. He was considered to be a gifted child and participated in choir, dancing, and music classes.
The first time he could remember wanting to become a musician was listening to his father’s Little Richard record with the song “Tutti Frutti.”
Jimi Hendrix Had A Rough Childhood
This photo shows a three-year-old Jimi Hendrix with his father Al. This was the first time the two met since Al wasn’t allowed to leave the military when Jimi was born.
Hendrix started playing guitar at age 15. During his late teens and early 20s, he became a backing band member for musicians such as The Isley Brothers and Little Richard.
Bruce Springsteen Was A Loner In High School
Bruce Springsteen grew up in Freehold, New Jersey. As a child he struggled with his father’s mental health issues.
During high school, he was often thought of as a loner who only wanted to play his guitar. He felt so alienated that he skipped his graduation ceremony. When he was 19 he was called for the Vietnam War draft, but a concussion from a motorcycle accident prevent him from going.
Grace Slick Used To Be A Model
Grace Wing (Slick) was born on October 30, 1939 in Chicago, Illinois and later on her family moved around to several cities in California.
Before becoming a singer, she worked as a model at an I. Magnin department store and would compose music for her husband’s short films. She knew she wanted to pursue music full-time after reading an article about Jefferson Airplane in the newspaper.
Prince Was a Young Athlete and Dancer
Prince grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota where his mother was a jazz singer and his father was a pianist and songwriter. He originally didn’t like his name and would ask people to call him Skipper.
He was quite the athlete in his younger years! Prince played for his school’s football, basketball, and baseball teams. He also practiced ballet.
Janis Joplin Was Ostracized In High School
Janis Joplin was born and raised in Port Arthur, Texas, and would often receive more attention from her parents than her younger siblings.
