Today, May 1st, is Labor Day, and although most people have the day off, the holiday commemorates and often celebrates the many roles that help society function better, from nurses and doctors who, more than ever, are a top priority in pandemic times, to artists and musicians who fill our lives with rhythm even when the world seems to be playing to a single beat.
But when we think of our great music idols, it's hard to imagine that they weren't born alongside guitars and Grammys on a stage, right? Therefore, in this list, we'll tell you about 7 unusual jobs that great rock and heavy metal artists had before entering eternity.
7. Kurt Cobain was a janitor at a school.
One of the biggest icons of grunge and faces of the 90s, Kurt Cobain cleaned school hallways before becoming the lead singer of Nirvana . His job was referenced in the music video for the classic "Smells Like Teen Spirit," where a janitor appears dancing in the video's setting, which takes place in a high school.
6. Bon Scott was a mailman in his hometown of Fremantle.
Before traveling the world as the lead singer of AC/DC , Bon Scott was already traveling… from house to house delivering letters and packages to the residents of his hometown, Fremantle, Australia. In addition to his job, Scott would also have listed on his LinkedIn profile , if the professional social network existed at the time, experiences as a bartender and even a truck driver.
5. Klaus Meine sold curtains.
Would you buy curtains for your home from the Scorpions , Klaus Meine? Before his fame, such a scenario could have been a reality. The musician stated in an interview with the Scorpions Brazil (see below from 41:45) that the rumors about this job were true; however, he did not clarify whether he actually sold the curtains or manufactured them… Another mystery remains for the band's fans.
4. Dan Lilker sold decorations for children's parties.
Imagine walking into a like Americanas or Proplastic to buy decorations for your 5-year-old daughter's birthday party, where the theme, of course, will be the movie Frozen , and being served by none other than bassist Dan Lilker ? Before becoming the bassist for Anthrax , Nuclear Assault , and other bands, you could find the musician playing bass solos in the air amidst balloons and Mickey Mouse .
3. Ozzy Osbourne worked in a slaughterhouse.
If any job signaled, even slightly, that a Prince of Darkness was about to emerge, it was certainly the period in Ozzy Osbourne's he worked in a local cow slaughterhouse, and contrary to what many might think: no, no bats or pigeons.
2. Jonathan Davis was a morgue assistant.
Continuing the topic of macabre jobs, Korn frontman Jonathan Davis landed one of the most bizarre and challenging jobs out there, assisting medical examiners with corpses. The musician justified his choice of position by saying he had always been interested in dark themes and horror films; however, he had no idea how much the terrifying experience would leave lasting trauma.
1. Tom Morello was an “exotic dancer.”
That’s right: before becoming one of the greatest guitarists of our time with Rage Against The Machine , Tom Morello, like many of us, had to make ends meet, and in this case, specifically, to fulfill his desire to buy a hot tub. Before the band was formed in 1991, the artist revealed that, with this goal in mind, he and a roommate started working as strippers, knocking on the doors of bachelor parties in suits, then stripping and dancing for women. Despite the fun the job might seem in movies like Magic Mike , Tom reveals that he didn't enjoy the "side hustle" at all.
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