15 Rock Artists with Unexpected Day Jobs Before Becoming Famous
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Rock stars may seem like they were born to rock ‘n’ roll, but before hitting the big time, many of them had to work ordinary and sometimes downright unusual jobs to make ends meet. From handling fish guts to embalming dead bodies, here’s a look at 15 rock artists who had unexpected day jobs before their music careers took off.
Ozzy Osbourne – Slaughterhouse Worker and More
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Before becoming the Prince of Darkness with Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne worked a variety of odd jobs. He was a construction site laborer, trainee plumber, apprentice toolmaker, and even a car factory horn-tuner. But the job that left a lasting impression on him was in an abattoir, where he had to clean cow carcasses. Ozzy once said, “I used to vomit every day; the smell was something else.”
Mick Jagger – Psychiatric Hospital Porter
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Sir Mick Jagger, the iconic frontman of The Rolling Stones, worked part-time as a porter at the Bexley Mental Hospital while he was a student. He earned a reported four pounds and ten shillings a week during his time there.
David Bowie – Butcher’s Delivery Boy
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A young David Bowie started his journey to stardom by working as a butcher’s delivery boy. He took this job to fund his first saxophone, which marked the beginning of his legendary music career.
Joe Strummer – Gravedigger
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Joe Strummer, known for his work with The Clash, worked as a gravedigger in St Woolos Cemetery in Newport, South Wales, while also fronting the band The Vultures.
Keith Richards – Tennis Ball Boy
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The legendary Rolling Stones guitarist, Keith Richards, served as a ball boy at a tennis club in his youth, mostly for his parents who were avid tennis players.
Lemmy Kilmister – Jimi Hendrix’s Roadie
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Before founding Motörhead, Lemmy Kilmister worked as a roadie for the Jimi Hendrix Experience, getting paid £10 a week and “handfuls of acid.”
Debbie Harry – Playboy Bunny
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In the early ’70s, Debbie Harry, the lead singer of Blondie, worked as a Playboy Bunny at New York’s Playboy club. She often had to deal with “dirty old men” while working there.
Freddie Mercury – Market Stall Owner
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Freddie Mercury owned and ran a stall in Kensington Market, selling his artwork and second-hand clothes. He even continued running the stall after Queen released their first album.
Rod Stewart – Gravedigger
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Rod Stewart worked as a gravedigger at Highgate Cemetery in London. Although he primarily marked out plots rather than dug graves, it was still an unexpected day job for the rock legend.
Tom Waits – Pizza House Cook
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In the mid-’60s, Tom Waits worked as a pizza cook at Napoleone Pizza House in San Diego. His experience there inspired his song, “The Ghosts of Saturday Night (After Hours at Napoleone’s Pizza House).”
Ian Curtis – Civil Servant
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Ian Curtis, the late lead singer of Joy Division, worked as a civil servant at an unemployment office in between gigs, as shown in the Joy Division biopic “Control.”
Art Garfunkel – Math Teacher
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Art Garfunkel, of Simon & Garfunkel fame, worked as a math teacher when “Bridge Over Troubled Water” became a hit.
Eric Clapton – Laborer
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Before becoming the legendary “Slowhand,” Eric Clapton worked as a laborer on building sites, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, a master craftsman.
Bon Scott – Postman
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Bon Scott, known for his time as the lead vocalist of AC/DC, worked as a postman at one point in his life, delivering mail to households.
Kurt Cobain – Janitor
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Before Nirvana’s rise to fame, Kurt Cobain worked for Lemon’s Janitorial Service in his hometown. His bandmate, Krist Novoselic, remembered that Kurt “cleaned toilets” to pay for their demo, and he couldn’t help but express himself even then.
