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.
Jimmi Bleacher of Salty Dogs. Who?
Slaughter, staying up all night and sleeping all day
Bret Michaels, pre bandanna.
Katmandu group shot. Who?
The birth of Megadeth’s Vic Rattlehead
Iron Maiden, wondering what they’re doing in this collection.
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.
Cinderella rookie card?
How many people got this card and correctly identified the bass player for thrash veterans Exodus?
Katmandu singer Dave King. Formerly of Castaway, he would swear off rock after this and form celtic punk outfit Flogging Molly.
Vince Neil mugshot?
Rod Morgenstein of Winger. Ultra talented musicians who decided to do pop metal for $$$.
Are you sure that’s Adrian Vandenberg and not Tawny Kitaen?
Junkyard could have been big but they came in way too late. And weren’t pretty like the other hair bands.
One of the least talented guitarist to grace a successful record.
Winger’s career tanked so fast they couldn’t afford shirts anymore.
John Lodge, bass player for the Moody Blues. Smile John!
Rikki Rockett. We’ll give him props for the name.
Diamond Dave, looking glamorous.
Jerry Garcia sticks out like a sore thumb in this collection.
The heart and soul of AC/DC, Malcolm Young.
The heart and soul of AC/DC, Malcolm Young.
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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