Any time a rock star steps into a room, they are the automatically coolest person there. Rock stars are just inherently smoother, better-looking, and generally more hip than the rest of us. That's just a scientific fact. They may not have classic features or perfect bodies, but their stage presence an musical abilities put them in a class of their own. Of course, it's not the only class the celebrities have ever known. Not all rock stars were born cool.
In fact, there are plenty of rock stars who were nerds growing up, and only found their coolness when they hit it big. This list of musicians who were nerds (and some who still are) may surprise you, but don't get too cocky. These famous rock stars who were nerdy kids are still cooler than you'll ever be.
There's almost nothing nerdier than being your high school's freshmen class vice president. You have to make announcements, hang out with teachers and administrators, and pretend to make school rules that won't actually matter. Well, that's exactly what rock star Dave Grohl did when he was a freshman at Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria, Virginia.
One of the most brooding and interesting rock stars of all time was very much the same as a child. Growing up Jim Morrison was always a dedicated reader, and showed an interest in advanced philosophical works early on. As a high school graduation present, he even asked his parents for the complete works of Nietzche!
Even Adam Levine wasn't always the cool, good-looking guy he is today. In 2012, the Maroon 5 frontman toldAccess Hollywood: "I was very uncool, had disgusting long hair, and shorts down to [to my knees], cut off shorts -- I desperately wanted to be Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam really badly, and I was just a nerdy, awkward kid and I was obsessed with music."
Manson was a nerdy kid and a fan of fantasy when he was young. He wrote in his autobiography, The Long Hard Road Out of Hell, "Most of my education took place after class, when I escaped into a fantasy world immersed in role-playing games." Manson also stated in an interview that he was constantly bullied while growing up.
Despite being known for his audacious style, Flea (whose incredibly nerdy real name is Michael Balzary) likes to relax with a game of chess in his down time. In fact, while in Rio on tour a few years ago, Flea took on a chess master. The results were what you'd expect, but those who saw it claimed he performed pretty well.
Jack White said he spent most of his childhood at home "watching The Godfather and listening to Hank Williams and reading about the Second World War." The fact that Jack White defied expectations as a musician is no surprise, considering he's been doing it all his life.
