7 Rock Stars Who Were in a Different Band Before They Got Famous

Many legendary rock musicians started their careers in lesser-known bands before achieving fame. Here are seven classic rock stars who were part of different groups before becoming household names.

1. Eric Clapton

Before achieving fame with Cream and his solo career, Eric Clapton played guitar for The Yardbirds and John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. His time with these bands helped him develop his distinctive blues-rock style. Clapton’s tenure with The Yardbirds introduced him to a broader audience, but he left the band in 1965, seeking a purer blues sound. Joining John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers allowed him to delve deeper into traditional blues, earning him the nickname “Slowhand.” These early experiences laid the foundation for his later success with Cream, Blind Faith, and his enduring solo career.

2. Jimmy Page

Prior to forming Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page was a session musician and later joined The Yardbirds. His exceptional guitar skills made him a sought-after session player in the early 1960s, contributing to tracks by artists like The Who and The Kinks. In 1966, Page joined The Yardbirds, initially as a bassist before switching to lead guitar. After the band’s dissolution in 1968, he formed Led Zeppelin, blending blues, rock, and folk influences to create a groundbreaking sound that would define hard rock for decades.

3. Peter Frampton

Before his solo success, Peter Frampton was a member of The Herd and Humble Pie. As the lead guitarist and vocalist for The Herd in the late 1960s, Frampton gained teen idol status in the UK. Seeking a heavier sound, he co-founded Humble Pie with Steve Marriott in 1969, blending hard rock and blues. Frampton’s desire for artistic freedom led him to pursue a solo career in 1971, culminating in the release of “Frampton Comes Alive!” in 1976, one of the best-selling live albums in history.

4. Steve Winwood

Steve Winwood first gained attention as the lead vocalist and keyboardist for The Spencer Davis Group. Joining the band at age 14, Winwood’s soulful voice propelled hits like “Gimme Some Lovin'” and “I’m a Man.” In 1967, he co-founded Traffic, exploring psychedelic rock and jazz influences. Winwood later joined the supergroup Blind Faith with Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker. His diverse musical background paved the way for a successful solo career, blending rock, blues, and R&B elements.

5. Rod Stewart

Before his solo stardom, Rod Stewart was a member of several bands, including The Jeff Beck Group and Faces. In the late 1960s, Stewart’s raspy voice complemented Jeff Beck’s innovative guitar work, influencing the emerging hard rock genre. He later joined Faces, known for their energetic performances and blues-rock sound. Concurrently, Stewart launched his solo career, achieving massive success with hits like “Maggie May,” showcasing his distinctive voice and storytelling ability.

6. Phil Collins

Before becoming the lead vocalist of Genesis and a successful solo artist, Phil Collins was a child actor and later joined the band Flaming Youth as a drummer. Flaming Youth’s 1969 album “Ark 2” received critical acclaim but failed commercially. In 1970, Collins joined Genesis as their drummer, eventually taking over lead vocals after Peter Gabriel’s departure in 1975. His tenure with Genesis and subsequent solo work solidified his status as a pop and rock icon.

7. David Bowie

Before rising to fame as a solo artist, David Bowie was involved in several bands, including The Konrads and The King Bees. In the early 1960s, Bowie experimented with various musical styles, from rock and roll to blues. These early experiences allowed him to develop the chameleon-like persona that would define his career. Bowie’s ability to adapt and reinvent himself led to groundbreaking albums like “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars,” cementing his legacy as a music innovator.