(Last update: 22 September 2020. 20 new photos added)
Rock music history starts with these photos. All these rock bands became popular in a year or two after these photos were made. And all of them had hundreds if not thousands of stylish photoshoots then, with professional lights, makeup, and expensive cameras involved. But not on these pictures, which are not even credited because they were made by the band’s friends or relatives when they didn’t believe that photo heroes will become world-famous.
Even more music history photos!
On many of these music history photos of the bands you used to listen to, you’ll find unknown faces, even if you used to think that you know rock music well. Don’t be surprised: bandmembers joined and departed, the lineup changed often. For example, the initial lead vocalist of The Queen left the band because he didn’t believe that Jon Taylor and Brian May will ever produce a good song. He switched to the jazz band instead and finished his musical career a few
years later. The Rolling Stones started as a band of five members, while you may know them as quartets. The Pink Floyd starts with Sid Barret as a vocalist, who left the band after Gilmore joined the team. Now this history of rock music stays in photos.
And there’s one thing which connects all these music history photos: integrity—a pure young-hood, raw talents, without layers added by popularity, producers, and labels.
AC\DC, 1978: This photo was taken in Sydney, 5 years after the band was founded, and two years before their first hit album “Highway to hell.” Vocalist and song co-writer Bon Scott is still here: he’ll pass away in two years because of alcohol poisoning.
This photo of AC\DC looks even younger. Circa 1969
Aerosmith, 1973: This photo in New York was taken a few months after its first album release. Originally formed in Boston, the band recorded their song “Dream on” in NYC this year.
Black Sabbath, 1970: band released two albums in 1970th: “Black Sabbath” and “Paranoid.” This photo was taken between records sessions. Though it received a negative critical response, the album was a commercial success, leading to Paranoid’s follow-up record.
Deep Purple, 1968: this photo was made in May, in London, where bandmates recorded their debut album. It will top the UK chart and hit the 4th position in the US in just four months.
Depeche Mode, 1981: originally founded by Michael Gore and Andy Fletcher in 1977, the band changed its name several times until they gained David Gahan in 1980, and recorded their first album “Speak and spell” in 1981, which brought Depeche Mode on the top of the new wave.
And this photo of Depeche Mode. Dave Gahan is so young…
Kiss, 1973: The started as Wicked Lester but renamed to “Kiss” in 1973 when guitarist Ace Frehley joined the band. The most bizarre photos in the rock history of the 70s picture this band.
Metallica, 1983: the band was formed in Los Angeles in late 1981 when Danish-born drummer Lars Ulrich placed an advertisement in a Los Angeles newspaper, The Recycler, which read, “Drummer looking for other metal musicians to jam with Tygers of Pan Tang, Diamond Head, and Iron Maiden.”Guitarists James Hetfield and Hugh Tanner of Leather Charm answered the advertisement.
It may seem that this photo of Metallica was taken during their school years.
Pink Floyd, 1968: the tipping point time of the band. David Gilmour has already joined them, and Syd Barret hasn’t left yet. In several months Barret will depart for the solo career, and Gilmour will lead Floyd to its golden age.
Red Hot Chilly Peppers, 1984: formed by classmates at Fairfax High School in 1983, the band consisted of singer Anthony Kiedis, guitarist Hillel Slovak, bassist Flea, and drummer Jack Irons. Los Angeles never received such love from a single rock band since The Doors times.
Sex Pistols, 1977: This photo was made in the mid-1977 when Sid Vicious has replaced Glen Matlock. Genius managed by Malcolm McLaren, the band has a bombshell effect, changing the rock landscape forever. “Rock is sick and lives in London” was a headline for a cover story in the Rolling Stone magazine covering Sex Pistols phenomena.
Another early photo of The Sex Pistols
The Beatles, 1957: Sir Paul McCartney is 15 on this photo, brought by parents to participate in a no-name band performance somewhere in Liverpool. Rock music history starts with this photo.
U2, 1979: In 1976, Larry Mullen Jr., then a 14-year-old student at Mount Temple Comprehensive School in Dublin, Ireland, posted a note on the school’s notice board in search of musicians a new band. Six people responded and met at his house on 25 September. Set up in the kitchen, Mullen was on drums, with Paul Hewson (“Bono”) on lead vocals; David Evans (“the Edge”) and his older brother Dik Evans on guitar; Adam Clayton, a friend of the Evans brothers, on bass guitar;
And this U2 photo
Van Halen, 1972: Edie Van Halen formed his band in 1971, and took him 10 years to become one of the most popular and influential rock groups in the US. If Mozart was alive in the 20th century, his name was Van Halen, The Roling Stone magazine wrote at the beginning of the 80s.
Rolling Stones, 1962: it’s their first performance ever. So many albums, titles, and outsold concerts lay before them. How can you imagine music history without this photo?
Young members of The Rolling Stones
The Doors, 1965: the band was formed this year, and believe it or not, not so many rock performers were brave enough to list a keyboardist among the bandmembers. Ray Manzarek was such a keyboardist. A genius behind Jim Morrisson’s charisma who fueled the band’s success.
The Police, 1977: The Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. For most of their history, the line-up consisted of primary songwriter Sting (lead vocals, bass guitar), Andy Summers (guitar), and Stewart Copeland (drums, percussion). The Police became globally popular in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Emerging in the British new wave scene, they played a rock style influenced by punk, reggae, and jazz. Considered one of the Second British Invasion leaders of the U.S., in 1983, Rolling Stone labeled them “the first British New Wave act to a breakthrough in America on a grand scale, and possibly the biggest band the world.