Hannah Fitzpatrick
Music has the power to bring people together, touch our hearts, and create memories that last a lifetime. Behind every song and album are talented musicians who have dedicated their lives to their craft. However, they are also human, just like us, and they have remarkable stories and interesting facts that make them even more fascinating and relatable. Here are 20 fun facts about 20 different musicians that you may not have known before.
Taylor Swift’s First Job
Before Taylor Swift became a 13-time Grammy Award winner and one of the most highly-streamed artists of all-time, her first job was at her family’s Christmas tree farm in Pennsylvania, where she knocked praying mantis pods out of Christmas trees.
Travis Barker of Blink-182’s Left Hand is Partially Numb
Travis Barker is probably one of the most recognizable drummers today. Not only is he one of the members of Blink-182, an iconic pop-punk band with notable tracks like “All the Small Things” and “What’s My Age Again?”, he has also collaborates with artists like Avril Lavigne, Machine Gun Kelly and Trippie Red. Being such an excellent drummer, you would never think that Barker’s left hand is partially numb, but it is!
P!nk’s Gymnastic Skills
Have you ever wondered why pop singer P!nk is frequently seen flying on trapezes, aerial hoops and aerial silks during her concerts and award show performances? That is because she was trained as a competitive gymnast between the ages of 4 and 12, and frequently incorporates acrobatics into her performances to honor that part of her background. How cool is that?
Katy Perry and Actress Kate Hudson Have the Same Name
Some artists change their real name to a stage name in order to sound more cool and rememberable to their audience, but for multi-platinum singer Katy Perry, she has a legitimate reason for why she chose her name. Her real name is Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson – almost identical to Oscar-nominated actress Kate Hudson. To make sure no one got her mixed up with the actress, she adopted the stage name Katy Perry from her mother’s maiden name, Perry.
Corey Taylor of Slipknot is a Broadway Fanatic
Part of heavy metal band Slipknot’s reputation is not only due to their music and their songwriting skills, but also to their theatricality. This can be noticed through their masks, which every member, including lead singer Corey Taylor, has their own one-of-a-kind, custom made mask. However, Taylor’s appreciation for theatre doesn’t end there. Outside of metal, Taylor is an outspoken fan of Broadway musicals, and his favorite musical is “Les Misérables.”
Justin Timberlake is the Voice Behind the Iconic McDonald’s Jingle
You may recognize this multi-faceted artist from his time in 90’s boyband ‘NSYNC or from hit songs from his solo career like “Cry Me a River” and “Mirrors,” but there’s one more place you’ll be surprised to recognize Justin Timberlake’s voice from – McDonald’s commercials! Timberlake is the voice behind the fast-food chain’s “I’m Lovin’ It” jingle, which is still used in their commercials today.
Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance and Podcast Host Joe Rogan are Related
Gerard Way is best known as the co-founder and lead singer of rock band My Chemical Romance, whose songs like “I’m Not Okay” and “Welcome to the Black Parade” heavily influenced the “emo” culture of the early 2000’s. He is also known as the creator of the comic book series “The Umbrella Academy,” which has been adapted to one of Netflix’s top TV series. However, there is one additional thing that he is known for. Way is related to Joe Rogan, host of the “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast. They are first cousins once removed.
Madonna Used to Work at Dunkin’ Donuts
Every musician has to start from somewhere, even the Queen of Pop herself! Before Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” and “Material Girl” hit the airwaves, she used to work at Dunkin’ Donuts in New York City. However, she got fired after only one day for squirting jelly on a customer.
Jennifer Lopez is the Reason Google Images Exists
We all know Bronx-native singer and actress Jennifer Lopez as “Jenny from the block,” but one thing she is also known for is for the iconic green dress she wore to the 2000 Grammys. In fact, it was so popular that it sparked the creation of Google Images. Because so many people went on the internet to find pictures of it after the fact and couldn’t find a consistent source, Google decided to design its own database.
Justin Bieber’s Hockey Skills
Justin Bieber may have been one of the biggest pop stars on the planet for more than a decade, but singing isn’t his only skill. He also is an incredible hockey player. Bieber grew up playing hockey in his hometown of Stratford in Canada, and was even offered a spot on the Bakersfield Condors’ AA minor league team. The team also reserved Bieber’s favorite number – six – for him in case he took their offer.
Halsey is Allergic to Pretty Much Everything
Allergies and food intolerances are a common ailment that many people experience, but for New Jersey alt-pop singer Ashley Frangipane, who goes by the stage name Halsey, her list of allergies are extensive. In a TikTok video posted in 2022, Halsey confirmed that she is allergic to coffee, potatoes, corn, spinach, ginger, garlic, milk, wheat, crab, peppers, nuts. grapes, onions, turkey, mustard, mackerel, lemons, coconuts, bananas, soy, and more. She also has a gluten intolerance. Talk about a doozy!
Ariana Grande is Great at Vocal Impressions
Regarded as one of the most influential figures in pop culture today, Ariana Grande is well-known for her four-octave vocal range and her signature use of the whistle register. However, one thing you may not know about her is that she is incredible at vocal impressions. On late night TV shows like “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” and “Saturday Night Live,” you can see her do spot-on impressions of Céline Dion, Brtiney Spears, and even Jennifer Coolidge!
Chris Martin of Coldplay Has a Passion for the Classics
Before Chris Martin of the English rock band Coldplay created tracks like “Yellow” and “Viva La Vida” that still have us dancing (and crying) today, he studied at University College London, where he graduated with a degree in Ancient World Studies, with first-class honors in Greek and Latin. He includes Greek and Latin references in Coldplay’s lyrics, such as the story of Achilles and Heracles in their hit song “Something Just Like This.”
Kendrick Lamar’s First Stage Name
Considered as one of the most prominent musicians of the 2010s, rapper Kendrick Lamar has challenge the status quo by using his music to encourage people to reexamine social institutions and advocate for racial equality. But before winning over 17 Grammys and even the Pulitzer Prize for Music for his 2017 album “Damn,” he first started releasing music under the name K.Dot while he was attending high school in Compton, California.
Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy’s Connection to President Joe Biden
If you’re a hardcore fan of the emo rock band Fall Out Boy, there is one person you can surprisingly thank for their existence – our current president, Joe Biden. The parents of the band’s bassist, Pete Wentz, first met in the 1970s while campaigning for Joe Biden’s senatorial run. There is also a photo of Wentz as a baby with Joe Biden, which Wentz posted after Joe Biden won the presidential election in 2020.
Metallica’s World Record
Metallica, one of the most recognizable names in the metal community since the 1980s, has had an incredible run this past year. Not only did they win their 10th Grammy this year for their song “72 Seasons,” they are also in the middle of one of their highest-selling world tours to date. Speaking of tours, they have played shows pretty much everywhere – literally. The band holds a Guinness World Record for playing shows on all seven continents in just one year. That includes a special show they played for scientists in Antartica in 2013.
Childish Gambino’s Stage Name Came From an Internet Name Generator
Donald Glover, also known as Childish Gambino, can be found not only on streaming platforms and the radio, but also in numerous TV shows and movies, such as “Community,” “Atlanta,” and the live action remake of “The Lion King.” If you’re starting out in the music industry and can’t come up with a stage name, just do what Glover did — use an internet name generator.
Ed Sheeran’s Strange Talent
British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran may be known for catchy tunes like “Shape of You” and “Shivers,” and for working with artists like One Direction and Taylor Swift, but there is one additional talent he has – although it’s a bit unconventional. He can fit up to 55 Maltesers (a chocolate malt candy popular in the UK) in his mouth. That’s a lot of chocolate!
Shakira Can Speak Four Languages
We all know that Latin music icon Shakira’s hips don’t lie, but you probably didn’t know that the Colombian singer is a polyglot. Though her songs are primarily in Spanish, Shakira is also fluent in three other languages: English, Portuguese and Italian.
Dolly Parton Lost a Dolly Parton Look-Alike Contest
Legendary country singer Dolly Parton is known not only for her music, but for her big hair and bold makeup. Her iconic look is copied by celebrity impersonators and drag queens often. In her memoir “Dream More,” she mentions a story where one time, she entered a Dolly Parton look-alike contest – and lost! Oh, the irony.
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