It’s hard to imagine some of rock’s biggest icons before they became, well, icons. They’ve been a part of our lives for so long, etched in our minds with their trademark looks, whether it’s long hair, leather jackets, or wild stage antics. But they all started somewhere, often with unpolished styles that would eventually evolve into something unforgettable. Here’s a look at rock and roll legends in their early days, before they embraced the bold, rebellious styles that would define them.
1. Elvis Presley
Before he became “The King,” Elvis was just a soft-spoken kid from Tupelo, Mississippi. With a shy smile and slicked-back hair, young Elvis sang gospel songs in church and performed on a local radio show. It was a long way from the glitzy, hip-swiveling heartthrob in bejeweled jumpsuits we came to know. In those early days, Elvis’s style was simple—button-down shirts and high-waisted pants—before his love for showmanship and flashy suits took over.
2. Jimi Hendrix
Before the headbands, psychedelic clothes, and flaming guitars, Jimi Hendrix was just another young guitarist trying to make a name for himself. He played backup for acts like Little Richard and the Isley Brothers, keeping a relatively conservative look compared to the flamboyant style he’d later adopt. His clothes may have been simpler, but even then, his playing had a spark. By the late ‘60s, Jimi would go all out with colorful outfits and his signature guitar pyrotechnics, solidifying his status as a rock icon.
3. Janis Joplin
Janis Joplin’s early days didn’t yet hint at the bohemian, feathered, and bead-laden look she’d become known for. Growing up in Texas, Janis struggled to fit in, often dressing more conservatively in the small-town way that was expected of her. It wasn’t until her move to San Francisco and her rise with Big Brother and the Holding Company that she adopted her wild, free-spirited style, mixing secondhand clothes with beads, bangles, and her famous round sunglasses.
4. David Bowie
David Bowie’s early career is almost unrecognizable compared to his later Ziggy Stardust days. In his teens, he sported a short, clean-cut hairstyle and dressed in classic mod style as he dabbled in acting and music. Early singles like “Love You Till Tuesday” had a pop feel, with Bowie looking more like a well-dressed Brit than the cosmic figure he’d become. It wasn’t until the early ‘70s that Bowie reinvented himself, embracing glitter, vibrant makeup, and outlandish costumes to create his alien alter-ego.
5. Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury started off much more reserved than the glittering, energetic frontman we remember. In his early days with the band Smile (the precursor to Queen), Freddie had long, wavy hair but dressed in a way that was simple and understated. It wasn’t until Queen began to soar that he brought in the spandex, the dramatic mustache, and the larger-than-life stage presence that defined his iconic look.
6. Stevie Nicks
Before the flowy shawls and the witchy, bohemian vibe she brought to Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks was a clean-cut kid with a folk-rock heart. She started singing with her boyfriend Lindsey Buckingham in the late ‘60s, and their duo, Buckingham Nicks, didn’t yet have the mystical aura Stevie would later embody. Her outfits were straightforward and earthy, often just jeans and tops, before she embraced her inner goddess and found her signature look of velvet, lace, and layers.
7. John Lennon
In the very early days of The Beatles, John Lennon was still figuring out his style. His looks leaned more toward rockabilly, with slicked-back hair and leather jackets, especially during their days in Hamburg. This rougher style would eventually transform, moving through the Beatles’ matching suits and mop tops to John’s more individualistic look of long hair, round glasses, and military jackets. His “peace and love” look would become his most defining, but early Lennon was a lot scrappier.
8. Bob Dylan
Before he became the tousled-haired folk hero of the ‘60s, Bob Dylan’s look was surprisingly clean-cut. As a young man from Hibbing, Minnesota, Dylan dressed in regular button-down shirts and jeans. When he arrived in Greenwich Village, he was still in a transitional phase, both musically and stylistically, wearing plain work jackets and simple clothes. As his fame grew, so did his image—by the mid-‘60s, he had transformed into the cool, enigmatic icon with dark sunglasses and a carefree style.
9. Mick Jagger
Early Mick Jagger wore tight suits and had a polished look that fit the early ‘60s mod scene. Before The Rolling Stones’ raw energy and rebellious image took over, Mick sported a short haircut and sharp attire, giving him more of a clean-cut look. By the late ‘60s, he fully embraced his wild side, ditching the suits for psychedelic patterns, bell-bottoms, and flamboyant stage attire that embodied the rebellious spirit of the Stones.
10. Patti Smith
Patti Smith’s early style was more influenced by her background in art and poetry than rock. She dressed in thrifted menswear pieces, often wearing loose white shirts and simple blazers. Her look was understated but unique, hinting at the bold figure she’d become. Patti’s androgynous style grew naturally from her personality, and as she moved into the punk rock scene, she continued to own her look without following trends, cementing her status as a style icon.
11. Jimmy Page
Before he donned the flowing shirts and embroidered vests of Led Zeppelin fame, Jimmy Page was just another young British guitarist. His early days in The Yardbirds saw him dressed in the typical mid-‘60s British style—suits and ties, short hair, and a clean-cut appearance. But as Zeppelin took off, Jimmy embraced the eccentric style that fit the band’s larger-than-life presence, bringing in velvet jackets, embroidery, and his iconic dragon suit.
12. Grace Slick
In her early days, Grace Slick’s style was far from the bold, psychedelic look she brought to Jefferson Airplane. Starting out in a band called The Great Society, Grace dressed much more conservatively, often in turtlenecks and simple dresses. But as she found her voice in the counterculture scene, her look shifted into something more avant-garde, with flowing dresses, fringe, and colors that captured the spirit of the psychedelic era.
13. Iggy Pop
Before he became known as the “Godfather of Punk,” Iggy Pop’s style was more conventional. Growing up in Michigan, he experimented with music in a handful of bands, dressing like any other kid from the Midwest. But once he formed The Stooges, he fully embraced his chaotic persona, often performing shirtless and experimenting with bold, gritty looks that matched his raw music style. His transformation was one of the most radical in rock, and it set the stage for the punk movement.
These rock legends each went through their own style evolutions, starting as regular kids with dreams and a whole lot of talent. Watching them morph into the icons we know today is part of what makes rock history so fascinating. From leather jackets to psychedelic patterns, these transformations weren’t just about clothes—they were about embracing who they were and pushing the boundaries of what rock and roll could be.
