Our recent discovery that Brian May from Queen is also an astrophysicist who writes songs for NASA literally blew our tiny minds, and sparked a thought that perhaps there are other superhuman rock stars who are more than they seem.
We've found a dozen that are equal parts fascinating and confusing.
Bruce Dickinson – Pilot
Another legend with his head in the clouds, literally, is Iron Maiden frontman and heavy metal pioneer Bruce Dickinson. He undertook a career as a commercial pilot for Astraeus Airlines, which led to a number of media-reported ventures such as captaining Iron Maiden's converted charter airplane, Ed Force One, during their world tours. Following Astraeus' closure, he created his own aircraft maintenance and pilot training company in 2012, Cardiff Aviation.
Billy Corgan – Wrestling Club Founder
Yep, you read it correctly. Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins set up the Chicago-based independent wrestling promotion called Resistance Pro in 2011, then in 2015 Corgan was announced as the new Senior Producer of Creative and Talent Development for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. He then purchased the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), including its name, rights, trademarks and championship belts, confirmed by NWA president Bruce Tharpe in 2017.
Alex James (Blur) – Cheese Farmer
Most notable as the bass player in Brit Rock icons, Blur, Alex James has become a strong name in the production of cheese. After his runaway success with Blur, he moved to the Cotswolds, purchasing a farmhouse and renovating it into a burgeoning 200-acre cheese farm that distributes award-winning cheeses including 'Alex James Presents' – a range of British artisan cheeses – 'Good Queen Maude', 'Blue Monday', 'Little Wallop', 'Farleigh Wallop', and most recently 'Goddess'.
Vanilla Ice – Home Restoration
The "Ice Ice Baby" rapper has been flipping houses for far longer than the reality TV show take-over. A skilled handyman and tradesman, he's made a name for himself in the real estate market - good on him!
Rod Stewart – Model Railroad Expert
Sir Rod has a passion for building model railroads and boasts ownership of two of the best sets in the world. His set up takes up the entire third floor of his home.
Dexter Holland (The Offspring) – AIDS Researcher
Correct! The 90s punk-rock dude with the plats also has a Doctorate in Molecular Biology and has contributed research into the prevention and cure of HIV. We are not even making this up!
Don Walker - Physicist
His original job in South Australia was at the Weapons Research Establishment, having completed a physics degree with honours in quantum mechanics. For the first few years of being in Cold Chisel he juggled his job – modeling airflows around the bomb-release pod of an F-111 - with playing shitty pub before Chisel took off.
Jamiroquai - Luxury Car Collector/Seller
The jazz-funk maestro Jay Kay has a collection of high-end and rare cars worth millions. He's put a few of them up for sale including one of only 500 McLaren's and a garage full of Porsche's, Ferarri's, BMW's and Mercedes Benz vehicles. Check out the list here.
Mark McEntee - Vintage Plane Specialist
As well as having recently reformed Aussie rock icons the Divinyls, McEntee also runs a small business called Macca's Vintage Aerodrome, that sells World War I and Pioneer radio-controlled model aircraft.
Krist Novoselic - Political and Social Activist
Apart from his musical endeavors as the founder and bassist for Grunge icons, Nirvana, Novoselic has been active politically, including the creation of the political action committee JAMPAC (Joint Artists and Musicians Political Action Committee). From 2007 to 2010 he wrote a weekly column on music and politics for Seattle Weekly's website and since 2008 has been board chair of the electoral reform organisation FairVote.
Ice T - TV Cop
Fans of crime TV will know that Ice T has been a regular cast member of the hit show Law & Order: Special Victims Unit for years, playing Odafin "Fin" Tutuola. He is a sergeant with the New York Police Department's Special Victims Unit.
Brian May – Astrophysicist
As reported here yesterday, the Queen guitarist and classic rock icon has a side hustle in science. With a PhD in Astrophysics under his belt, as well as three Queen albums back in the Top 10 ARIA Chart thanks to the success of the Bohemian Rhapsody film, Dr May is literally flying high right now.
