Famous Musicians Who Served In The Military

Did you know several rock and metal musicians served in the U.S. military? These musicians’ dual roles as both defenders of their country and contributors to musical innovation highlight the diverse paths individuals can take on their journey to artistic greatness.

Below, we’ve compiled a list of 16 artists who’ve lent their talents to both music and the military, showcasing their diverse backgrounds and contributions.

Maynard James Keenan
James Herbert Keenan joined the army with aspirations of attending art school. He adopted the name Maynard during his military service.

Jimi Hendrix
Enlisting in the army under somewhat coercive circumstances, Hendrix’s musical prowess far outweighed his soldiering skills. He was given an honorable discharge after just a year.

Ice-T
After high school, Ice-T enlisted in the army for financial support, spending four years in the military, including a deployment to Hawaii.

Elvis Presley
Drafted at 22, Presley served actively for two years and remained in the reserves for an additional four. The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll balanced his burgeoning music and acting career with military duties even earning the title of sergeant.

Fred Durst
Before founding Limp Bizkit, Durst spent two years in the Navy before pivoting to a career in tattoo artistry.

Ray Manzarek
Enlisting after college, the Doors keyboardist served in the Army Security Agency, later sharing anecdotes of his musical endeavors and cannabis indulgence during his service.

Phil Labonte
Coming from a family of veterans, Labonte signed up for Marine service but this was cut short by an ankle injury, earning him an honorable discharge.

John Fogerty
Dodging the draft by volunteering for the Army reserves, Fogerty’s service lasted just a year before he was discharged. The band Creedence Clearwater Revival kicked off right after.

Jason Everman
Transitioning from a brief stint in music to multiple military tours, Everman served in Iraq and Afghanistan with the Army.

B.B. King
Joining the Army towards the end of World War II, King’s skills as a tractor driver led to his release for economic reasons.

Adrian Estrella
Seeking refuge from family issues, Estrella’s Army service preceded his pursuit of a music career in California.

Johnny Cash
Starting his Air Force tenure at the age of 18, Cash rose to Staff Sergeant before his honorable discharge after four years of service.

Jerry Garcia
Garcia’s short-lived military stint was a consequence of a youthful car theft, resulting in a general discharge due to minimal involvement.

Chris Henderson
Growing up in a military family, Henderson followed suit by enlisting in the U.S. Navy, a path he had envisioned since childhood.

Artimus Pyle
Before his drumming days with Lynyrd Skynyrd, Pyle served in the Marines, reaching the rank of sergeant before his honorable discharge.

Toy Caldwell
Wounded in Vietnam during his Marine service, Caldwell returned to duty after recovery, later achieving fame as a member of The Marshall Tucker Band.