Unsurprisingly, there are many bands and musicians, in the great scheme of things, who have music as their sole career. With album sales strangled by poorly-paying streaming services and live opportunities sporadically available to the majority, a careful balancing act has to be managed to keep the bills paid and the muse to perform strong. Here are ten examples of musicians mingling with the mortals.
- Jonathan Cilia Faro
Not content starting out in Italy’s Special Forces and making the Herculean leap to classical music, Jonathan balances his rapidly rising status in the opera world as a chef and restaurateur of some renown. https://www.jonathancf.com/
2. Mark Arm
Mudhoney’s long-time vocalist might be a garage superstar but he still works a day job…as head of Sub Pop, Mudhoney’s label’s warehouse!
3. Michael Gerald
Noise barons Killdozer might be on an extended hiatus but that’s at least partly because head ‘Dozer, Mr Gerald is also one of Hollywood’s top tax attorneys. True!
4. Peter Garrett
Omnipresent on MTV for what felt like years with his band, Midnight Oil’s huge hit, Beds are Burning, Garrett wasn’t using his political and environmental statements for a gimmick – he’s now in Australia’s House of Representatives.
5. Charles Ives
Considered by many as the Father of American Classical Music, Ives received little respect for his music in his lifetime, though plenty for his work as an insurance salesman, a job he never quit.
6. Allanah Currie
The voluminously-coiffeured Thompson Twin still performs music occasionally, whenever her life as an upholsterer allows
7. David Lovering
Now back in The Pixies, David spent the hibernation years for the band as a scientist-magician. Takes all sorts.
8. Bryan Adams
A musician who really has found the ideal balance – Bryan is much in demand for his celebrated photography skills
9. Bruce Dickinson
No matter how much your brain tells you otherwise, Iron Maiden’s frontman really does fly enormous planes
10. Brian May
You probably wouldn’t trust Bri with your appendix but as a doctor (or astrophysics) you could drop his guitar at the drop of a hat if he so chose