With social media these days, we know so much about rock and pop musicians that a lot of the mystique has disappeared. But there used to be a time when being a rock star was something romantic and mysterious. You’d see their faces on album covers, you’d see them in music videos, in magazines, and live if you were lucky, but these carefully controlled appearances never went beyond the image.
So it’s not surprising that in the early 1990’s, a series of collectible cards featured the rockers of the day: mostly hair bands with a few classic rockers and a handful of metal bands. The two biggest rock bands of the time, Guns ‘n Roses and Metallica, are conspicuously absent. The likeness rights were probably cost prohibitive.
I found a few of these in a box in my basement; I’d totally forgotten about them. And as much as we can make fun of their looks now, at the time, they were the epitome of cool. Enjoy these relics from a bygone era.
Diamond Dave, looking glamorous.
Slaughter, staying up all night and sleeping all day
Rikki Rockett. We’ll give him props for the name.
Iron Maiden, wondering what they’re doing in this collection.
The heart and soul of AC/DC, Malcolm Young.
Bret Michaels, pre bandanna.
Katmandu singer Dave King. Formerly of Castaway, he would swear off rock after this and form celtic punk outfit Flogging Molly.
Katmandu group shot. Who?
How many people got this card and correctly identified the bass player for thrash veterans Exodus?
Vince Neil mugshot?
Junkyard could have been big but they came in way too late. And weren’t pretty like the other hair bands.
Cinderella rookie card?
The birth of Megadeth’s Vic Rattlehead
Jimmi Bleacher of Salty Dogs. Who?
Jerry Garcia sticks out like a sore thumb in this collection.
The heart and soul of AC/DC, Malcolm Young.
Rod Morgenstein of Winger. Ultra talented musicians who decided to do pop metal for $$$.
One of the least talented guitarist to grace a successful record.
John Lodge, bass player for the Moody Blues. Smile John!
Are you sure that’s Adrian Vandenberg and not Tawny Kitaen?
Not part of the set, but I kept it with the others. The King did rock cards before anyone else. No idea where that one came from.
Winger’s career tanked so fast they couldn’t afford shirts anymore.
By day, Jean-Frédéric is Head of Development Services at videogame developer Behaviour Interactive. Rock journalist by night, Jean-Frédéric fills every waking moment of his life with music. Diary of a Music Addict is the little corner of the Internet he's claimed for himself to share his passion with the world.
He's also a regular contributor at the excellent news site
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