5 Songwriters Who Found Unexpected Second Careers in Music

If you’re an aspiring songwriter or musician and feeling down on your luck, consider this list a source of inspiration. These five pop and rock songwriters originally started out doing wildly different work before finding second careers as songwriters, musicians, and superstars.

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1. Bruno Mars

One of the most loved crooners in popular music, “Die With A Smile” hitmaker Bruno Mars had quite humble beginnings before making it as a musician. 

Before becoming a certified Grammy Award-winner, Mars made ends meet in a pretty unconventional way. He worked as an Elvis Presley impersonator for some time. He would sing “Jailhouse Rock” to tourists as a youth in Hawaii to help his family.

2. Jack White

Jack White is best known as one of the most recognizable songwriters in rock. He’s also known as one half of the garage rock duo The White Stripes, and he’s also also one of many musicians who got into music as second careers. 

As a teenager, White worked as an apprentice in an upholstery store. He even owned his own business called Third Man Upholstery, which he had to leave behind when The White Stripes blew up. He even named his record label after that very upholstery store.

3. Eddie Vedder

Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder just seems like someone who was meant to be a rock star. Those rich, deep vocals and his commanding stage presence are incomparable. Surprisingly enough, Vedder worked as a security guard before Pearl Jam got famous, namely to buy music equipment.

4. P!nk

This pop star and award-winner is known for songs like “So What” and “Raise Your Glass”, as well as her wild aerial antics during live performances. Before she became the pop star we all know and love, P!nk had humble beginnings as a worker at McDonald’s. According to the singer herself, her family wanted her to make her own money and have a sense of independence.

5. Ryan Lewis

Ryan Lewis is a songwriter and record producer best known for his work with rapper Macklemore. With as much talent as Lewis possesses, the idea of him starting out as a photographer seems a bit odd. However, that career is what landed Lewis on our list of songwriters who got into music as second careers. Lewis actually worked as Macklemore’s promo photographer before the two became friends and later collaborators.

Photo via ABC

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