10 Musicians Who Became Hitmakers As Teenagers

Many future rock stars became well-known before the age of twenty, even before pop singers like Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, and Justin Bieber ruled the charts as teenagers. In addition to reaching the top of the charts, these up-and-coming musicians often went on to create music history by earning platinum albums, Grammy Awards, and even inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Sadly, the lives of a few of these emerging stars were cruelly cut short. These are eleven amazing artists who rose to fame in their teens.

Alex Chilton of The Box Tops
Alex Chilton’s gravelly vocals on the Box Tops’ 1967 #1 smash, “The Letter,” sounded much above his years, and it’s hard to imagine he was just 16 at the time.

Eddie Cochran
In 1957, Eddie Cochran’s song “Sittin’ in the Balcony” made it into the Top 20 at the age of just 18. He co-wrote and recorded the classic hit song “Summertime Blues” when he was 19. Unfortunately, a vehicle accident at age 21 ended his promising career.

Rick Derringer of The McCoys
In 1965, Rick Derringer (then known as Ricky Zehringer) was just 17 years old when his band, the McCoys, achieved a #1 hit with “Hang On Sloopy.” With later collaborations with the Winter brothers and the iconic song “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo,” he rocked even harder.

Maurice and Robin Gibb of The Bee Gees
When twin brothers Maurice and Robin Gibb joined their older brother Barry at the age of 17, they released singles like “New York Mining Disaster 1941” in 1967. Before turning 20, they went on to create more chart-topping songs including “To Love Somebody” and “Massachusetts.”

Lulu
Lulu, a Scottish singer, married Bee Gee Maurice Gibb two years later, securing her place in the music aristocracy. At the age of 18, she had the biggest hit of 1967 with the title song “To Sir, With Love.”

Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits
When Herman’s Hermits released their first single, “I’m Into Something Good,” which peaked at number one in the United Kingdom charts, Peter Noone was just sixteen years old. Before his 20th birthday, the group’s U.S. #1 successes included “Mrs. You have a beautiful daughter, Brown.

The Edge and Larry Mullen Jr. of U2
Both drummer Larry Mullen Jr. and guitarist The Edge were only 19 years old when U2 produced their first album, Boy, in 1980. They established the foundation for one of the most successful bands in rock history alongside Bono and Adam Clayton.

Ritchie Valens
When Ritchie Valens tragically perished in the 1959 plane disaster that also claimed Buddy Holly’s life, he was a rising celebrity. “La Bamba” was the memorable B-side to his smash song “Donna,” which at the time peaked at number three.

Steve Winwood of the Spencer Davis Group
Steve Winwood became the soulful frontman of the Spencer Davis Group after joining them at the age of 14. By the age of 18, his strong vocals and organ playing propelled singles like “Gimme Some Lovin'” and “Keep on Running.”

Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder, who had nine Top 10 songs before turning 20, including “Uptight,” “For Once in My Life,” and “My Cherie Amour,” had no idea that his greatest accomplishments were yet to come.