Rock, Pop and Peculiar
10 Quirky Facts About Music Legends
Jimi Hendrix Was Self-Taught: Hendrix, a left-handed guitarist, taught himself how to play guitar by turning a right-handed guitar upside down and restringing it. His unique playing style emerged partly from adapting to this unorthodox setup.
David Bowie’s “Extra Pupil”: Bowie’s unique eye appearance wasn’t a case of heterochromia (different colored eyes) but rather the result of an injury in a teenage fight. His left pupil stayed permanently dilated, creating his signature look.
Elton John’s Odd Requests: Elton is known for his extravagant backstage requests. Once, he reportedly asked for a room to be rearranged entirely in pink, from the flowers to the curtains. His team said it was simply for his mood!
Ozzy Osbourne and the Bat: In 1982, during a concert, someone threw a live bat onto the stage. Mistaking it for a toy, Ozzy bit into it, only to realize it was real. This infamous act became one of the most talked-about moments in rock history.
Taylor Swift’s Songwriting Technique: Taylor famously writes songs in hotel bathtubs. It’s her creative ritual, and it’s led to some of her biggest hits. Her “writing spots” have ranged from tubs in Japan to ones back home in Nashville.
Prince and His Symbol: After a dispute with his record label, Prince changed his name to a symbol, known as “The Love Symbol.” Since it couldn’t be pronounced, he was often referred to as “The Artist Formerly Known as Prince” until he reclaimed his original name.
Johnny Cash and Folsom Prison Blues: Cash never actually spent time in prison (other than short stints in county jails for minor offenses), but his connection with inmates was so strong that he performed famously in prisons and even recorded his live album “At Folsom Prison.”
Freddie Mercury’s Microphone Trick: Mercury would often detach his microphone from the stand, creating a “half mic” look that became his signature. It happened by accident when his mic stand broke during a show, but he loved the style and kept it up for future performances.
Lady Gaga’s Inspirations: Gaga took her stage name from Queen’s song “Radio Ga Ga.” Her former producer, Rob Fusari, noted her theatricality and compared it to Freddie Mercury’s. The name stuck, and she embraced it fully.
Ringo Starr’s Drumming Style: As a left-handed drummer playing a right-handed drum kit, Ringo Starr had a distinctive beat. It created a “lag” that became a hallmark of The Beatles’ sound, giving many of their hits a unique rhythm.