12 Boring Day Jobs That Rock Musicians Had Before they Were Famous

Before they were selling out stadiums, headlining festivals, and changing the course of music history, many of rock’s most iconic figures were clocking in and out of day jobs that were far from the glamorous life they would come to know. These early career paths not only grounded them in reality but also, in some cases, influenced their music and work ethic.

This article delves into the lives of rock musicians before they were famous, exploring the mundane jobs they held before making it big in the music industry.

1. Kurt Cobain: Janitor

Before Nirvana became the flag bearer of grunge, Kurt Cobain was cleaning toilets as a janitor for Lemon’s Janitorial Service. Cobain’s experience in this role was a stark contrast to his later life, filled with cleaning solvents rather than guitar solos.

He once humorously described grunge from a janitorial perspective as “a fine mixture of cleaning solvents, not to be used in the toilet.” This job, while humble, perhaps gave Cobain a unique perspective on the grunge aesthetic he would later pioneer.

2. David Bowie: Butcher’s Delivery Boy

At the tender age of 13, David Bowie took a job as a butcher’s delivery boy to fund saxophone lessons with legendary sax player Ronnie Ross. This early exposure to music education was pivotal, even though the job itself was far removed from the glam rock persona Bowie would later adopt.

His connection with Ross came full circle when Ross played the solo saxophone part on Lou Reed’s ‘Walk On the Wild Side,’ produced by Bowie.

3. Noel Gallagher: Inspiral Carpets’ Roadie

Before Oasis exploded onto the Britpop scene, Noel Gallagher was working as a roadie for Inspiral Carpets. Gallagher’s time as a roadie was marked by his distinctive fashion sense, claiming he was “the best-dressed roadie in the history of music.” This job kept him close to the music scene, laying the groundwork for his future success with Oasis.

4. Ozzy Osbourne: Abattoir Worker

Long before he became the Prince of Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne worked in an abattoir, a job that was as grim as some of his later musical themes. Osbourne’s task involved slicing open cow carcasses, a job that made him “vomit every day.” This early exposure to the macabre may have subtly influenced his dark, gothic image in Black Sabbath and his solo career.

5. Kele Okereke: Cinema Attendant

Bloc Party’s frontman, Kele Okereke, worked at the Curzon cinema in Soho, selling popcorn and snacks. Despite Bloc Party’s ‘Silent Alarm’ being voted NME’s album of the year in 2005, Okereke needed this job to pay the bills. This humble beginning contrasts sharply with the critical acclaim and success Bloc Party would later achieve.

6. Brandon Flowers: Bellboy

The Killers’ Brandon Flowers had a stint as a bellboy at the Gold Coast Casino in Las Vegas. A huge Morrissey fan, Flowers once rummaged through a bag belonging to Morrissey’s guitarist, Boz Boorer. This job, rooted in the service industry, was a far cry from the glitzy world of rock stardom Flowers would later inhabit.

7. Mick Jagger: Hospital Porter

Before the Rolling Stones became rock legends, Mick Jagger worked part-time as a porter at Bexley Psychiatric Hospital. This job saw him lose his virgi**** in an unlikely place, marking a stark contrast to the international s** symbol he would become.

8. Courtney Love: Exotic Dancer

Before she became the famous singer and actor that we know today, Love was an exotic dancer at places like Jumbo’s Clown Room and Seventh Veil. This was before she married Kurt Cobain in the 90’sSpeaking to LA Weekly, Love said that she used to earn $300 a day. With the money she earned from working, Love was able to create her band, Hole.

9. Colin Meloy: Author

The Decemberists’ Colin Meloy is not only a musician but also a published author. Before his music career took off, Meloy inked a three-book deal for the Wildwood Chronicles. This creative outlet outside of music showcases the diverse talents many musicians possess.

10. Debbie Harry: Playboy Bunny

In the early 70s, Debbie Harry worked as a Playboy bunny, a job that required her to deal with “dirty old men.” This experience, while challenging, didn’t deter Harry from pursuing her music career, eventually leading Blondie to international fame.

11. Freddie Mercury: Market Stall Owner

Before Queen’s meteoric rise, Freddie Mercury owned and ran a stall in Kensington Market, selling his artwork and second-hand clothes. Even after Queen released their first album, Mercury continued running the stall, showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit.

12. Tony Iommi: Sheet Metal Worker

While many know him as the Co-founder of the pioneering heavy metal band Black Sabbath, Tony once worked as a sheet metal worker. When he was 17, the future Black Sabbath guitarist worked at a sheet metal factory in Birmingham. He lost the tips of the middle and ring fingers on his right hand thanks to a horrible accident on his very last day on the job. The prosthetic ‘thimble’ he had to wear helped him develop that unique doomy style we all know him for today.