Before the lights, the tours, and the gold records, many rock and pop musicians clocked in for “regular” jobs just like the rest of us. Whether behind a desk, in a field, or on a factory floor, these now-legendary artists once held roles you’d never expect. Some returned to civilian life after their time in the spotlight, while others never looked back. Here’s a look at the fascinating (and sometimes surprising) day jobs rock stars left behind.
1. Ozzy Osbourne
Before becoming the Prince of Darkness, Ozzy worked in a slaughterhouse, slicing open cow carcasses—an origin story as metal as it gets.
2. Kurt Cobain
The Nirvana frontman worked as a janitor, reportedly writing lyrics while cleaning toilets at his local high school.
3. Jack White
Before the White Stripes, he was a furniture upholsterer—and even opened his own shop with fellow musician Brian Muldoon.
4. Elvis Presley
The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll was an apprentice electrician before recording his first hit at Sun Records.
5. Noel Gallagher
Before Oasis stardom, he was a roadie for Manchester band Inspiral Carpets, traveling and setting up gear.
6. Lemmy Kilmister
The Motörhead icon was once a roadie for Jimi Hendrix, helping set up one of rock’s most iconic sounds.
7. Sting
Before Police fame, Sting worked as a tax collector—arguably the least rock ‘n’ roll job imaginable.
8. Brandon Flowers
The Killers’ frontman worked as a bellhop at the Gold Coast Hotel in Las Vegas before hitting it big.
9. Vanilla Ice
After music success, he pivoted to real estate and home renovation, starring in The Vanilla Ice Project and The Vanilla Ice Home Show.
10. Ailidh Lennon (Sons and Daughters)
She traded music for weaving and cooking, moving to the Isle of Iona to work as a weaver and chef.
11. Alan Donohoe (The Rakes)
The post-punk singer became a software engineer, finding intellectual fulfillment in coding after leaving the band.
12. Lloyd Dobbs (The Paddingtons)
Dobbs became a charity manager at Goodwin Development Trust, helping improve his community in Hull.
13. Alannah Currie (Thompson Twins)
She now works as an artistic furniture upholsterer under the name Miss Pokeno, combining activism with design.
14. Benedict Gautrey (The Cooper Temple Clause)
After earning a degree in occupational psychology, Gautrey now works at Great Place to Work UK.
15. MC Hammer
After financial struggles and personal loss, he became a pastor at Jubilee Christian Center in San Jose.
16. Willa Ford
The “I Wanna Be Bad” singer turned a difficult music experience into a successful interior design career.
17. Jeff “Skunk” Baxter (Steely Dan)
He went from guitar solos to national security, becoming a counterterrorism consultant for the U.S. government.
18. Alice Nutter (Chumbawamba)
She left music to become a successful screenwriter and playwright, fulfilling a lifelong dream.
19. Cindy Birdsong (The Supremes)
She became a nurse, minister, and secretary, returning to the nurturing roles she’d dreamed of as a child.
20. Russell Senior (Pulp)
After leaving Pulp, he became an antiques dealer and novelist, citing creative tensions within the band.
21. Terminator X (Public Enemy)
After a motorcycle accident, he became an ostrich farmer in North Carolina, inspired by a UK trend.
22. Jim Martin (Faith No More)
He now farms giant pumpkins and manages properties, comparing pumpkin-growing to perfecting music.
23. JB Gill (JLS)
After his boyband days, he became a farmer raising pigs and turkeys, and hosted a kids’ show about country life.
24. Bill Berry (R.E.M.)
Following a health scare, he became a hay farmer in Georgia, embracing a quieter rural life.
25. Dan Spitz (Anthrax)
He became a master watchmaker, continuing a family tradition he first learned from his grandfather.
26. Elliot Lurie (Looking Glass)
After “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl),” he became a music executive at Twentieth Century Fox.
Whether by necessity, burnout, or passion, these musicians traded in their microphones for farming tools, software, or a steady 9-to-5. Their stories are reminders that behind the fame often lies a deeply human journey—and sometimes a second act that’s just as inspiring as the first.