The 60s, 70s, and 80s not only gave us legendary Rock and Roll bands like : The beattles, The Rolling Stones, and Aerosmith just to name a few, it also gave us some of the most iconic songs and performers, ever.
Even if you haven’t listened to rock and roll before, chances are you’ve heard a few of the many classic songs somewhere.
See what some of the biggest names in rock history are up to today, and how they aged.
1/ Bruce Springsteen
Born: September 23, 1949.
Then
Springsteen, nicknamed “The Boss”, rose to stardom in the early 1970s. The rock star is an originator of heartland rock, a genre combining mainstream rock music with poetic and socially conscious lyrics.
He is known for his narratives lyrics primarily concerning working-class American life. And his energetic concerts, with performances that can last for more than four hours.
During a six decades career, he has released 21 studio albums, most of which feature his backing band, the E Street Band.
His first hit album 1975’s “Born to Run” was described as an “American masterpiece,”which earned him a large audience, worldwide popularity.
This was followed with several other critically acclaimed records, such as 1980’s “The River,” and 1984’s “Born In the USA.” which became his most commercially successful album and one of the best-selling albums of all time.
His 2002’s album “The Rising” alreally showcased his unrivaled storytelling abilities, translated in his often-times political lyrics.
now: (Age: 74)
The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer wrapped up his long running Broadway show with his E Street Band in 2018.
His Netflix special, “Springsteen on Broadway,” received an Emmy for outstanding variety special at the 2019 Creative Emmy Awards.
Even at 74 ‘the Boss’ is still performing, and considered one of the sexiest rock stars in the world. His last album was released in 2022, a solo cover album titled Only the Strong Survive.
2/ Mick Jagger
Born: July 26, 1943.
Then
Jagger is the lead singer and one of the founder members of the legendary British band the Rolling Stones. And considered one of the most influential front men in the history of rock music.
With a career that spans six decades, the Rolling Stones is considered one of the enduring bands ever.
Jagger and the lead guitarist Keith Richards wrote most of the band’s song. Theys till collaborate musically to this day. which make their songwriting partnership one of the most successful in history.
Some of The band’s most memorable hits are “Satisfaction,” “Paint It Black,” and “Sympathy for the Devil.”
During the 1960s, Jagger also established a solo career. While continuing to tour and work with his band. He released four solo albums, “She’s the Boss,” “Primitive Cool,” “Wandering Spirit” and “Goddess in the Doorway.”
now (Age: 80)
At age 80, The rock legend is still touring with the Rolling Stones. He still keeps himself busy, with tours, albums, songwriting, mvies, even launching his own line of harmonicas.
3/ Paul McCartney
Born: June 18, 1942.
Then
The musician gained worldwide fame with the Beatles, for whom he played bass guitar.
McCartney and the late John Lennon were the leads of the iconic British band. They shared primary songwriting and lead vocaling.
One of the most successful composers of all time, McCartney is considered on of the influential and successful composers of all time. Exploring genres ranging from pre-rock and roll pop to classical, ballads, and electronica.
The beattles has created immortial recorders that still stand today thanks to their iconic albums and songs, like “A Hard Day’s Night,” “Help!,” and “Yellow Submarine.”
After the band broke up in 1970, he debuted as a solo artist with the 1970 album McCartney.
He also formed the band Wings with his first wife, Linda, and Denny Laine. Due to his leadership skills and his unique songwriting style, Wings became one of the most successful bands of the 1970s.
With number one hits like ; “My Love”, “Band on the Run”, “Listen to What the Man Said”, “Silly Love Songs”, and “Mull of Kintyre”.
In 1980, he resumed his solo career, and has been touring since 1989. He also written or co-written a record 32 songs that have topped the Billboard Hot 100.
He collaborated with many artists like Michael Jackson, Kanye West, and Rihanna.
now (Age: 81)
at 81 years old, McCartney is still touring, performing some of his biggest hits and releasing new music.
In 2023, McCartney published the book 1964: Eyes of the Storm, a collection of photos he had taken at the height of Beatlemania.
He also one of the wealthiest musicians in the world, with an estimated fortune of £800 million.
4/ Joan Jett
Born: September 22, 1958.
Then
Jett began her music career in 1975 when she founded the all group band the Runaways, who recorded and released the hit song “Cherry Bomb”.
But she is mostly known for her work with post Runaways band Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. They went on to make the iconis song “I Love Rock ‘n Roll” which was number-one on the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks in 1982.
Jett always produced her own records, and in 1980, she founded the Blackheart Records company, producing for up and coming punk-rock bands like Bikini Kill and L7.
With three of her albums being certified platinum or gold. She’s been described as “the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll”.
Her band Joan Jett & the Blackhearts were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015.
now (Age: 65)
At the age of 65, The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer still tours with the Blackhearts, releases albums, and produces music for other upcoming bands.
In 2022, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts released Changeup, the first acoustic album ever recorded by the band, featuring “Bad Reputation” and “Crimson and Clover”.
5/ Jon Bon Jovi
Born: March 2, 1962.
Then
He is best known as the founder and frontman of the rock band Bon Jovi, which was formed in 1983. Releasing ’80s hits such as “You Give Love a Bad Name” and “Livin’ on a Prayer,” which came from their critically acclaimed record, “Slippery When Wet.”
In the ’90s, he began a solo career. His first solo album was recordered for the movie, “Young Guns II,” and featured the title track, “Blaze of Glory,” giving him an Oscar and a Grammy award nomination in 1991.
He also pursued an acting career in the 90s, starring in the films Moonlight and Valentino, The Leading Man, Little City, Homegrown, Pay It Forward, U-517, New Year’s Eve, Cry Wolf. As well as appearing in popular TV shows like,Sex and the City, 30 Rock, Ally McBeal, and The West Wing.
Now (Age: 61)
Bon Jovi concluded “This House Is Not For Sale” world tour in 2019, and is currently not on tour.
In 2020, Bon Jovi released a Christmas single called A Jon Bon Jovi Christmas, with three new holiday songs.
6/ Bob Dylan
Born: May 24, 1941.
Then
A truly living legend from the folk-rock era. The man not only is one of the greatest songwriters that ever lived, but he’s also a major figure in popular culture for more than 60 years.
Dylan made waves with his folk songs, in which he used poetic and politically conscious lyrics, such as in his 1964 classic, “The Times They Are A-Changin.'”
His style was characterized by using poetic and politically, socially, and even philosophicaly conscious lyrics. Which made songs like “Blowin’ in the Wind” (1963), and “The Times They Are a-Changin'” (1964) an anthems for the civil rights and antiwar movements.
He’s also a visual artist who published several books of drawings and paintings that have been exhibited in many art galleries.
Now (Age: 82)
Dylan’s creativity has no limits. To this day he continues to release music, write books, create visual art, write poetry and the list goes on.
The 82 has won every major prize in the industry, he even won a Nobel Prize for literature in 2016.
7/ Debbie Harry
Born: July 1, 1945.
Then
She is best known as the lead vocalist of the band Blondie, who she co-formed in 1974. Four of the band’s songs reached No. 1 on the US charts between 1979 and 1981.
Debbie was a stunner, in her ’70s heyday, the Blondie vocalist was one of the most desired women in rock.
In the early 80s, Harry started her solo career with her debut album, KooKoo. And an acting career appearing in lead roles in the neo-noir Union City (1980), Videodrome (1983), Hairspray (1988), and Body Bags (1993).
She continued acting appearing in independent films throughout the 2000s.
Now (Age: 78)
Today, even at almost 80, the singer still releases music, performe, and even releasd a memoir, titled Face It in 2019.
In 2017, Blondie released their eleventh studio album, Pollinator, which debuted at No. 4 in the UK.
8/ Ozzy Osbourne
Born: December 3, 1948.
Then
Nicknamed “Prince of Darkness” rose to fame during the 1970s as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Black Sabbath.
The band was known for her highly influential heavy music style. It specially shows in their critically acclaimed releases Paranoid, Master of Reality and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.
In 1979, Osbourne was fired from the band due to his out of control alcohol and drug abuse. The following year, he started his successful solo career with Blizzard of Ozz and has since released 13 studio albums, the first seven of which received multi-platinum certifications in the US.
Now (Age : 74)
In January 2023, Osbourne announced he is retiring from touring due to health reasons.
He still, however, produces music his latest album titled Patient Number 9 was released in September 2022. And he announced that he is currently working on a new album to be released in 2024.
9/ Steven Tyler
Born: March 26, 1948.
Then
In the 1970s, Tyler rose to fame as the lead singer of Aerosmith, releasing hard rock albums like Toys in the Attic and Rocks, and hit singles, including “Dream On”, “Sweet Emotion” and “Walk This Way”.
The frontman of the band Aerosmith, is known for his high screams and powerful wide vocal range, for which he was giving the name “Demon of Screamin’.
Since the late 1980s, Tyler has started his solo journey, guest appearing with other musicians including Alice Cooper, Mötley Crüe, Santana, Pink and Keith Anderson, acting in film and TV, writing a book, and releasing solo music, including the single “(It) Feels So Good”
Now (Age : 75)
Now at 75, the musician is still going strong, touring solo, as well as with Aerosmith, releasing solo albums, and even appearing in TV shows.
10/ Axl Rose
Born: February 6, 1962.
Then
Not only known as the lead vocalist and lyricist of the hard rock band Guns N’ Roses, but also the band’s sole constant member since he co-founded in 1985.
With a distinctive and powerful wide-ranging voice, Rose has been named as one of the greatest singers of all time.
Their first album, Appetite for Destruction (1987), was criticaly acclaimed and commercial successful selling 30 million copies worldwide. Making it the best-selling debut album of all time in the U.S. with 18 million units sold.
During the 90s, The band started to fall apart due to multiple reasons including : Rose’s controversy allegations of abuse, and personal and musical differences, primarily between Rose and lead guitarist Slash.
By 2001, Rose was the only remaining original member of the band.
Now (Age : 61)
Rose still tours and releases music with the band Guns N’ Roses, most recently the 2021 two singles “Absurd” and “Hard Skool”.
