Jeremy Clarkson was once a punk rocker in a group called Bacon Sandwich. The former Top Gear star admits his “short-lived” pop career was none too successful. But he’s not the only celebrity who started out looking for musical success. Here Meg Jorsh reveals the stars you never knew were in bands.
Politicians and Comedians in Bands
Hopeless romantic: Ricky Gervais went heavy on the eyeliner as the singer of 1980s synth-pop duo Seona Dancing. The New Wave group never really caught on here in Britain – but their 1983 single More To Lose became a teen anthem in the Philippines.
Taking the Mick: Former Prime Minister Tony Blair got his first taste of fame at Oxford University, as the singer in rock band Ugly Rumours. Bandmate Mark Ellen said he was “very good” and a “massive admirer of Mick Jagger.”
Hollywood Stars with Musical Pasts
Glutton for punishment: Before he became a Hollywood star, Ben Stiller was the drummer in New York post-punk band Capital Punishment. They released album Roadkill in 1982 and split soon afterwards, reforming briefly in 2018.
Dogstars in his eyes: Keanu Reeves had already found fame in Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989) when he joined Dogstar in 1991. He’s still playing bass for the LA alt rockers, who released album All In Now in May.
Small wonder: Actor Peter Dinklage was the vocalist and trumpet player in New York “punk-funk-rap” group Whizzy in the 1990s. He got his distinctive scar when he was kneed in the face during a gig at famous venue CBGB.
More Celebrity Musicians
Haim from Haim: Scarlett Johansson was once a member of an all-female pop supergroup, with Este Haim from indie band Haim. They released song Candy as The Singles in 2015, then split amid a trademark dispute over the name.
Bone idols: He showed off his vocal chops in the Barbie movie (2023), but Ryan Gosling was also a multi-instrumentalist in spooky folk band Dead Men’s Bones. They released a self-titled album in 2009.
We don’t talk about Bruno: Die Hard legend Bruce Willis released a Motown album in 1987 as his fictional alter ego Bruno Radolini. Called The Return of Bruno, it featured him singing and playing harmonica on covers of Respect Yourself and Under The Boardwalk.
Cowboy blues: Clint Eastwood once dreamed of making it as a singer – and even released a country and western album in 1963. ‘Rawhide’s Clint Eastwood Sings Cowboy Favourites’ failed to set the charts alight.
Grunt work: Russell Crowe was an aspiring rock icon long before his silver screen debut. He is the frontman of Ordinary Fear of God, having played solo in the 80s as Russ le Roq before forming his previous band, 30 Odd Foot of Grunts.
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