Rock musicians are known for their wild lifestyles and larger-than-life personas, but some have taken their interests far beyond the stage. While many stick to side projects within the music industry, others have ventured into completely unexpected fields. Whether out of passion, curiosity, or just a desire to try something different, these rockers prove that their talents extend well beyond music.
Some have dabbled in science, launching careers that seem worlds apart from their rock ‘n’ roll image. Others have tried their hand at business, fashion, or even designing furniture. These aren’t just casual hobbies either—many of these ventures became serious pursuits, earning them recognition outside of music.
From a legendary guitarist turned astrophysicist to a rock star who found success in Hollywood, these side gigs may surprise you. Here’s a look at ten rock musicians who took on unexpected jobs outside of music.
1. Ringo Starr
Ringo Starr wasn’t just a rock star—he had an eye for design too. While he found success in acting, starring in films like The Magic Christian and Caveman, he also took an unexpected turn into furniture design. In the 1970s, he teamed up with designer Robin Cruikshank to create a line of stainless steel furniture.
In 1971, Starr even showcased his work on BBC’s Blue Peter, featuring a chrome-plated table made with Rolls Royce radiators. At the time, the company, ROR International, had about 40 designs, with plans to expand. When asked about the future, Starr jokingly said, “We’ll carry on until we dry off.”
ROR International wasn’t just a passion project—it attracted big-name clients like Elton John, David Bowie, and British Prime Minister Edward Heath. Despite its success, the company eventually closed in 1986, leaving behind a truly unique chapter in Starr’s post-Beatles career.
2. Brian May
Brian May isn’t just a legendary guitarist—he’s also an astrophysicist. While Queen was taking a break after Freddie Mercury’s passing, May decided to finish what he started decades earlier. In 2007, he completed his PhD in astrophysics at London’s Imperial College, a choice he had once put aside for rock stardom. “I put everything, and I mean everything, on hold for a year,” he recalled.
His research focused on “zodiac dust,” tiny particles floating through the solar system. This expertise led him to work with NASA, where he helped create stereoscopic images for a spacecraft landing on an asteroid in 2020. The mission successfully collected a rock sample, which made its way to Earth in 2023.
May was thrilled about the discovery, calling it a window into the origins of the universe. “This box… can tell us untold secrets,” he shared. From chart-topping hits to charting the stars, his career proves that rock and science can go hand in hand.
3. Dusty Hill
ZZ Top’s Dusty Hill was known for his signature bass lines and bluesy swagger, but in the late 1970s, he took on a job no one would expect. During a break in the band’s career, Hill worked as a baggage handler at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. It wasn’t about money—he just wanted to feel like a regular guy.
With his hair cut short and a work shirt labeled “Joe,” Hill blended in with the crew. “I just wanted to feel normal,” he once said. For a few months, he worked alongside everyday people who had no idea they were stacking luggage with a rock star.
Hill even joined his coworkers for Friday night drinks, enjoying the simple life away from the spotlight. “I was really happy,” he recalled. The experience gave him a sense of grounding before he eventually returned to the world of rock and roll.
4. David Lee Roth
David Lee Roth is best known for his wild stage presence and iconic vocals with Van Halen, but in 2007, he took on a very different role—working as an EMT in the Bronx. After years of rock stardom, he traded the spotlight for an ambulance, responding to emergency calls across the city.
Looking back on the experience, Roth admitted it changed him. “I wasn’t someone until I put on that uniform and went on my first call,” he said. The work was humbling, but it gave him a new sense of purpose. He saw everything from domestic disputes to people in desperate need of help.
For Roth, those experiences stuck with him. He once reflected that every person he encountered as an EMT became part of his voice when he sang. It was an unexpected turn for a rock legend, but one that left a lasting impact.
5. Lenny Kravitz
Beyond his rock star status, Lenny Kravitz has built a name for himself in the world of interior design. In 2003, he launched Kravitz Design, a firm that has gained widespread recognition. By 2023, his work had earned a spot on Architectural Digest’s prestigious AD100 list, highlighting his influence in the industry.
Kravitz has worked on impressive projects, from designing the $38-million Stanley House in LA to creating the set for Queen Latifah’s talk show. He even teamed up with Flavor Paper to craft a line of high-end wallpaper, featured in his former home in New Orleans and his retreat in Brazil.
In 2021, he expanded his reach by partnering with CB2 for an exclusive home furnishings collection. “Home should be a place where you feel like yourself,” he said. Inspired by his travels, the collection blends global influences into stylish, comfortable designs.
6. Ronnie Wood
Ronnie Wood isn’t just a legendary guitarist—he’s also a passionate artist. The Rolling Stones guitarist has showcased his paintings in exhibitions worldwide and sells his work online. He credits his wide-ranging influences for his artistic style, comparing it to his diverse taste in music, from Mozart to Bob Marley.
His bandmates have been generally supportive of his artistic pursuits. Mick Jagger, while not having seen many of Wood’s pieces in person, has praised the ones he has. Wood himself acknowledges that painting is a major creative outlet alongside his music.
However, not everyone is impressed with his work. Some art critics have been brutally honest, particularly about his interpretation of Picasso’s Guernica. One critic called it “terrible fan art,” while another suggested Wood should stick to playing Paint It Black instead of painting itself.
7. Billy Corgan
While Billy Corgan is best known as the frontman of The Smashing Pumpkins, he has a deep passion for professional wrestling. In 2011, he co-founded his own wrestling league, Resistance Pro, and by 2015, he joined TNA Wrestling as a senior producer, contributing to the development of storylines.
Corgan took his love for wrestling to the next level in 2017 when he bought the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). He explained that he wanted to apply the same creative control to the NWA that he had with his music career. “I’m going to book the NWA the way I want to book it,” he declared.
In 2024, Corgan’s wrestling ventures expanded further when he announced an unscripted TV series titled Billy Corgan’s Adventures in Carnyland. The show will offer fans a behind-the-scenes look at his efforts to rebuild the historic NWA brand.
8. Maynard James Keenan
Maynard James Keenan, known as the frontman of Tool, has a side hustle as a vintner. He runs Merkin Vineyards in Arizona, producing wines under the Caduceus label. Keenan isn’t just a celebrity name on a bottle—he’s deeply involved in the winemaking process, ensuring quality from start to finish.
His passion for wine came after tasting an Arizona-produced Soldera Reserva. Inspired by the region’s ancient limestone beds, volcanic soils, and elevation, Keenan realized that wine could thrive there. He was also intrigued to learn that Arizona had a history of winemaking prior to Prohibition.
Keenan likens winemaking to music, both requiring creativity and thinking outside the box. He believes his wines reflect his true personality more than his music does. While his musical tastes lean toward Pink Floyd and Joni Mitchell, he feels his wines echo those influences, rather than the heavy metal scene he’s known for.
9. Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan, known for his iconic songwriting career, also has a hidden talent for metalwork. Beyond his music, Dylan has become an accomplished painter and a creator of artistic wrought-iron gates. This unexpected skill has added a unique layer to his creative legacy.
Dylan’s passion for welding began in the early ’90s, after he started crafting iron sculptures and assembling found objects. Over time, he created intricate wrought-iron staircases and gates, initially for his own home, before sharing them with others. These works became an important personal expression for the legendary artist.
His metalwork has even made its way into public exhibitions. In 2013, his gates were showcased at London’s Halcyon Gallery, surprising many who didn’t know of his sculpting endeavors. One of his gates, “Portal,” is permanently displayed at the MGM National Harbor in Maryland, framing the entrance to the casino.
10. Joey Kramer
Aerosmith’s drummer, Joey Kramer, has been part of the band’s iconic sound since its inception. In 2013, he expanded his passions by launching Rockin’ and Roastin’, an organic coffee line. As a longtime coffee enthusiast, Kramer had always dreamed of pursuing a coffee business, but it wasn’t until later in life that he found the time to make it happen.
Two years after launching his coffee brand, Kramer opened Joey Kramer Rockin’ & Roastin’ Café in North Attleborough, Massachusetts. The café quickly became a beloved local spot, adding another chapter to his entrepreneurial journey.
However, in late 2024, Kramer announced the closure of his café after over a decade of operation. He cited the challenges of recovering from the impacts of COVID, rising business costs, and the painful loss of his wife, Linda, as reasons behind his decision to shut down the café.