25 Iconic Musicians Whose Early Acts Only True Music Buffs Remember
Before they became household names, many of today’s biggest music stars started in bands, TV shows, or side projects that barely anyone remembers. These early acts shaped their talents and gave them the experience they needed to skyrocket to fame.
If you think you know everything about your favorite artists, prepare to discover some seriously surprising beginnings that only true music buffs can recall!
1. Beyoncé – Destiny’s Child
Before Queen Bey ruled the world solo, she performed with Destiny’s Child in Houston talent shows and even appeared on “Star Search.” Elektra Records signed them but quickly dropped the group, leaving them scrambling.
However, Sony gave them a shot to record a debut album, and Columbia Records eventually picked them up in 1996. Hits like “Bills, Bills, Bills” and “Say My Name” turned them into chart-topping superstars, setting the stage for Beyoncé’s legendary solo career.
2. Madonna – The Breakfast Club
With just $35 in her pocket, Madonna arrived in New York City during the late 1970s and quickly befriended artists like Keith Haring and Andy Warhol. She toured with disco musician Patrick Hernandez in 1979, sparking her musical ambitions.
Madonna joined Dan Gilroy’s band, the Breakfast Club, where she played drums, guitar, and sang backup. She later led a band called Emmy (her nickname at the time) before launching her iconic solo career that changed pop music forever.
3. Justin Timberlake – Mickey Mouse Club
Long before *NSYNC made teenage hearts melt, Justin Timberlake was a Mouseketeer on “The All-New Mickey Mouse Club” in 1993 alongside future stars like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. As a kid, he performed gospel and country music under the name Justin Randall.
He even competed on “Star Search,” showing off his vocal chops early on. Those Mickey Mouse ears were just the beginning of a career that would dominate pop, R&B, and even film!
4. Drake – Degrassi: The Next Generation
Born Aubrey Drake Graham, the Canadian rapper started as a child actor on the teen drama “Degrassi,” playing basketball star Jimmy Brooks. He spent years on the show before pivoting to music full-time.
Drake isn’t shy about his acting past—he even held a cast reunion in his “I’m Upset” music video! His Toronto roots still shine through in tracks like “2 Mazza,” packed with local slang and accents that honor where he came from.
5. Mariah Carey – Columbia Records Demo
Mariah Carey started singing and writing songs as a child, dreaming of stardom long before her five-octave range became legendary. At just 19, she handed a demo tape to a Columbia Records executive at a party—talk about perfect timing!
Columbia signed her immediately, and her 1990 self-titled debut album stayed at #1 for 11 weeks on the Billboard 200. Songs like “Vision of Love” launched her into the stratosphere, paving the way for holiday classics like “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”
6. Gwen Stefani – No Doubt
Going solo and launching a fashion empire, Gwen Stefani was the lead singer of ska-punk band No Doubt, formed in 1986 in Anaheim, California. The band struggled for years, playing small clubs and barely scraping by financially.
Their 1995 album “Tragic Kingdom” finally broke through with hits like “Just a Girl” and “Don’t Speak,” selling over 16 million copies worldwide. Gwen’s unique voice and style made her a 90s icon before she even thought about going solo!
7. Harry Styles – One Direction
Harry Styles auditioned for “The X Factor” UK in 2010 as a solo artist but didn’t make it through. However, judges saw potential and grouped him with four other contestants to form One Direction.
Though they finished third on the show, One Direction became a global phenomenon with hits like “What Makes You Beautiful” and “Story of My Life.” Harry’s solo career now showcases his artistic evolution, but Directioners will never forget where it all started!
8. Fergie – Kids Incorporated
Long before the Black Eyed Peas and “Fergalicious,” Stacy Ann Ferguson was a child star on the TV show “Kids Incorporated” from 1984 to 1989. She performed covers of popular songs and gained valuable stage experience as a young performer.
After leaving the show, Fergie joined the girl group Wild Orchid in the 1990s, releasing three albums before the group disbanded. Her powerhouse vocals eventually caught the attention of the Black Eyed Peas, transforming her into a hip-hop and pop superstar!
9. Bruno Mars – The School Boys
Born Peter Gene Hernandez in Honolulu, Bruno Mars performed as an Elvis Presley impersonator when he was just four years old! His family’s band, The Love Notes, included young Bruno as the world’s youngest Elvis act.
He later formed a doo-wop group called The School Boys in high school, performing 1950s-style music around Hawaii. Those early performances taught him showmanship and stage presence that would eventually make him one of the smoothest entertainers in modern pop and R&B.
10. Lady Gaga – Stefani Germanotta Band
Mother Monster wasn’t yet born when Stefani Germanotta performed in rock bands on New York’s Lower East Side, playing dive bars and small venues. She formed the Stefani Germanotta Band (SGBand) with friends from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.
The band played Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd covers mixed with original songs, showcasing Gaga’s early piano skills and powerful voice. Though the band never made it big, those gritty performances helped shape the theatrical, boundary-pushing artist we know today as Lady Gaga.
11. Sting – The Police
Prior to his legendary solo career, Gordon Sumner (aka Sting) was the bassist and lead vocalist for the British rock band The Police, formed in 1977. The band blended rock, reggae, and punk influences to create a distinctive sound.
Hits like “Roxanne,” “Every Breath You Take,” and “Message in a Bottle” made them one of the biggest bands of the early 1980s. After The Police disbanded in 1986, Sting launched a solo career that proved he was just as powerful on his own!
12. Lionel Richie – The Commodores
“Hello” and “All Night Long” came after Lionel Richie served as co-lead singer and saxophonist for The Commodores, a funk and soul band formed at Tuskegee University in Alabama in 1968. The group signed with Motown Records in 1972.
They scored massive hits like “Brick House,” “Easy,” and “Three Times a Lady,” becoming one of Motown’s most successful acts. Lionel’s smooth vocals and songwriting skills eventually propelled him into a solo career that defined 1980s pop and R&B!
13. Phil Collins – Genesis
Phil Collins started as the drummer for progressive rock band Genesis in 1970, playing behind lead singer Peter Gabriel. When Gabriel left in 1975, Phil reluctantly stepped up to become the lead vocalist while still drumming.
Genesis transformed from complex prog-rock into more accessible pop-rock with hits like “Invisible Touch” and “Land of Confusion.” Phil’s dual role showcased his incredible talent, and his solo career in the 1980s proved he could dominate both drums and vocals simultaneously!
14. Diana Ross – The Supremes
Before becoming a solo icon, Diana Ross was the lead singer of Motown’s most successful female group, The Supremes, formed in Detroit in 1959. Originally called The Primettes, they signed with Motown Records in 1961.
The Supremes dominated the 1960s with 12 number-one hits, including “Stop! In the Name of Love” and “You Can’t Hurry Love.” Diana’s glamorous style and powerful voice made her a star, but going solo in 1970 proved she could shine even brighter on her own!
15. Michael Jackson – The Jackson 5
The King of Pop started performing with his brothers in The Jackson 5, formed in Gary, Indiana, in 1964 when Michael was just six years old. Their Motown audition impressed Berry Gordy so much that he signed them immediately.
Hits like “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” and “I’ll Be There” made them superstars, with young Michael’s incredible voice and dance moves stealing the spotlight. Though the group was wildly successful, Michael’s solo career would redefine pop music and cement his legendary status forever!
16. Stevie Nicks – Buckingham Nicks
Joining Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks had formed the folk-rock duo Buckingham Nicks with guitarist Lindsey Buckingham in the early 1970s. They released one self-titled album in 1973 that barely made a ripple commercially.
Despite the album’s poor sales, it caught the attention of Fleetwood Mac’s Mick Fleetwood, who invited both Stevie and Lindsey to join his band in 1975. That decision changed rock history, leading to the creation of the legendary “Rumours” album and launching Stevie’s mystical, witchy rock goddess persona!
17. Ozzy Osbourne – Black Sabbath
Becoming the Prince of Darkness as a solo artist, Ozzy Osbourne was the lead vocalist for heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath, formed in Birmingham, England, in 1968. Their dark, heavy sound revolutionized rock music.
Albums like “Paranoid” and “Master of Reality” featured Ozzy’s haunting vocals on classics like “Iron Man” and “War Pigs.” After being fired from the band in 1979 due to substance issues, Ozzy launched a wildly successful solo career that proved he was a legend with or without Sabbath!
18. Sheryl Crow – Michael Jackson Backup Singer
Launching her own Grammy-winning career, Sheryl Crow was a backup singer on Michael Jackson’s “Bad” world tour from 1987 to 1989. She sang behind the King of Pop himself, learning stagecraft from the absolute best in the business.
Sheryl also sang backup for artists like Don Henley and Stevie Wonder before releasing her debut album “Tuesday Night Music Club” in 1993. Hits like “All I Wanna Do” proved she had the talent to step out of the shadows and become a rock star in her own right!
19. David Bowie – Davie Jones and the King Bees
Long before Ziggy Stardust descended to Earth, David Bowie was known as Davie Jones, performing with various bands in London during the early 1960s. His first band, Davie Jones and the King Bees, released the single “Liza Jane” in 1964.
He changed his stage name to David Bowie in 1966 to avoid confusion with Davy Jones of The Monkees. Those early years of experimentation with different sounds and personas laid the groundwork for the shape-shifting, genre-defying icon who would change music forever!
20. Tina Turner – Ike & Tina Turner Revue
Her incredible solo comeback followed years performing with her then-husband Ike Turner in the Ike & Tina Turner Revue from 1960 to 1976. Their explosive live shows and hits like “Proud Mary” made them R&B royalty.
However, Ike’s abuse led Tina to leave the partnership with just 36 cents and a gas station credit card to her name. Her triumphant solo career in the 1980s with hits like “What’s Love Got to Do with It” proved she was always the true star!
21. Eric Clapton – The Yardbirds
Becoming “Slowhand,” Eric Clapton was the lead guitarist for British rock band The Yardbirds from 1963 to 1965. He joined the band as a blues purist, helping them gain recognition in London’s blues scene.
However, when The Yardbirds moved toward more commercial pop-oriented rock, Eric left to pursue his blues roots with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. His subsequent work with Cream and as a solo artist established him as one of the greatest guitarists in rock history!
22. Aretha Franklin – Gospel Singer
Becoming the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin sang gospel music in her father’s church in Detroit, starting when she was just a child. Her father, Reverend C.L.
Franklin, was a famous Baptist minister and civil rights activist.
Aretha recorded her first gospel album at age 14 and toured with her father’s gospel caravan. Though she transitioned to secular music in the 1960s with hits like “Respect” and “Chain of Fools,” her gospel roots always remained the foundation of her powerful, soul-stirring voice!
23. Rod Stewart – The Jeff Beck Group
His raspy voice later made him a solo superstar, but Rod Stewart was the lead vocalist for The Jeff Beck Group from 1967 to 1969. The band’s blues-rock sound showcased both Jeff’s innovative guitar work and Rod’s distinctive vocals.
Their albums “Truth” and “Beck-Ola” influenced countless rock bands but never achieved massive commercial success. Rod later joined Faces before going solo with hits like “Maggie May” and “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?” proving his voice was the real star all along!
24. Britney Spears – Mickey Mouse Club
Just like her future ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears was a Mouseketeer on “The All-New Mickey Mouse Club” from 1993 to 1994. She performed alongside Christina Aguilera, Justin, and Ryan Gosling in the show’s final seasons.
After the show ended, Britney returned to Louisiana before auditioning for record labels in New York. Her 1999 debut single “…Baby One More Time” launched her into stratospheric pop stardom, but those Mickey Mouse ears were where the magic truly began!
25. Whitney Houston – Church Choir Singer
Her powerhouse voice later dominated pop and R&B, but Whitney Houston sang in the gospel choir at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey, where her mother Cissy Houston was the choir director. She started singing solos at age 11.
Whitney also performed backup vocals for artists like Chaka Khan and Lou Rawls as a teenager. When Clive Davis discovered her at age 19, he knew her voice was destined for greatness, leading to record-breaking hits like “I Will Always Love You!”
