When you think of rock and metal artists, the image that usually pops up is one of guitars, screaming vocals, and massive stadium shows. Yet, the reality for many of these performers is far more multifaceted. In fact, there are 10 musicians who have built thriving second careers alongside—or after—their time in the spotlight, proving that a love for music can coexist with equally compelling passions in other fields.
10 Eric Stefani
You might recognize Eric simply by his surname. Yes, he is the brother of pop icon Gwen Stefani and a founding member of the ska‑punk outfit No Doubt. Eric helped launch the band back in 1986, but in 1994—just as the group was polishing their third studio effort, Tragic Kingdom—he made the startling decision to step away. The question on everyone’s mind was why a founding member would abandon a band on the brink of massive fame. The answer? He wanted to return to his first true love: animation.
Calling it a “pursuit” might even be an understatement, because Eric had already carved out a solid career in animation starting in 1989 when he contributed to the very first episode of The Simpsons. While No Doubt’s momentum surged, he paused his animation work, only to dive back in once the band’s schedule calmed. Since 1994 he’s been involved with several beloved animated series, including Ren and Stimpy and Rugrats, and even helped animate the opening sequence for the family film Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.
Leaving a band that would later become a global sensation might look, at first glance, like a gamble gone wrong. However, Eric’s parallel path turned out to be just as rewarding. Contributing to one of television’s most iconic animated shows is no small feat, and his continued support for No Doubt—often spotted cheering them on at concerts—shows he harbors no regrets about the road he chose.
9 Vanilla Ice
Rewinding to the early 1990s, Vanilla Ice was the very definition of cool—his name plastered across magazines, radio playlists, and even the silver screen. Yet, as musical tides shifted, his star began to dim, and a battle with hard‑drug addiction in 1994 nearly ended his life. While many assumed his story would end there, the rapper’s real name, Robert Van Winkle, reveals a man who was always thinking ahead.
Before fame, Robert was deeply immersed in motorsports, and by 1995 he had earned the impressive ranking of sixth‑best jet‑ski racer in the world. His knack for competition didn’t stop at the water’s edge. Simultaneously, he began dabbling in real‑estate, buying, renovating, and flipping houses. His sharp eye for property turned into a lucrative side hustle that eventually earned him a television deal on the DIY Network.
The resulting series, The Vanilla Ice Project, ran for nine seasons from 2010 to 2019, chronicling his transformation from rap star to home‑renovation guru. He also penned several books offering step‑by‑step guides on how to buy and flip houses, and how to achieve a celebrity‑style home on a regular budget—solidifying his reputation as a savvy entrepreneur beyond the mic.
8 32
“I don’t want to waste my time, become another casualty of society.” Those words echo from Sum 41’s breakout anthem “Fat Lip,” a track that captures youthful rebellion. Yet, the song’s message rings differently when you hear it from the band’s former drummer, Stevo‑32, whose real name is Steve Jocz.
After a decade of nonstop touring—often clocking up to 300 shows a year—and racking up multiple platinum records, Steve decided to step away from the drum kit to focus on family life. In a candid interview he explained that burnout and a yearning to be present for his newborn and wife drove his departure.
What shocked fans most was his next career move: real‑estate. Transitioning from a rock star to a licensed real‑estate agent seemed like a plot twist straight out of a Sum 41 lyric, but Steve embraced the new role with gusto. A viral video showcases his skillful negotiation tactics, proving he’s just as effective in closing property deals as he was in closing shows.
Today, Steve runs a YouTube channel where he shares behind‑the‑scenes stories from his Sum 41 days, all while drumming in his basement for fun. The channel blends humor with nostalgia, offering fans a fresh perspective on his life after the limelight.
7 Dan Spitz
Anthrax, one of the legendary “Big Four” of thrash metal, may sometimes be eclipsed by its peers, but the band’s influence—especially its crossover with Public Enemy on “Bring the Noise”—cannot be overstated. While the track helped fuse rap and metal, it also sparked an unexpected fascination for one of Anthrax’s guitarists, Dan Spitz.
In 1995, after years of relentless touring, Dan hung up his guitar, gave away his gear, and turned his attention to an old family passion: watchmaking. Growing up, he spent countless hours in his grandfather’s antique jewelry shop, absorbing the intricacies of timepieces.
Dan pursued formal education, earning multiple degrees in horology from institutions around the globe. Today, he’s recognized as a premier watchmaker, crafting bespoke timepieces that can cost upwards of $128,000. Those interested in owning a Dan‑Spitz watch should be prepared for a two‑year waiting list, reflecting the meticulous craftsmanship that goes into each piece.
6 Tom DeLonge
“Aliens Exist”—the third track on Blink‑182’s breakout album Enema of the State—might have seemed like a tongue‑in‑cheek nod to sci‑fi, but for co‑frontman Tom DeLonge, the fascination with the unknown was anything but a joke. While his bandmates were busy crafting pop‑punk anthems, Tom was already laying the groundwork for a serious foray into the extraterrestrial realm.
In 2014, Tom launched a new musical project, Angels & Airwaves, under the umbrella of a newly formed entertainment company called To The Stars*. Initially a media outlet for space‑themed content, the venture quickly evolved into a research hub, recruiting former government officials and scientists to investigate UFO phenomena.
The organization rebranded as To the Stars Academy of Arts and Sciences (TTSAAS), signaling a shift toward academic rigor. Their efforts bore fruit in 2023 when a congressional subcommittee convened to discuss leaked videos confirming unidentified aerial phenomena, a milestone largely credited to TTSAAS’s persistent advocacy.
5 Jeff “Skunk” Baxter
Before becoming a household name in rock circles, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter earned his stripes as an original member of Steely Dan and later as a guitarist for the Doobie Brothers. His eclectic playing style—spanning rock, funk, and avant‑garde—laid the foundation for a surprising second career in missile defense consulting.
Baxter’s curiosity about cutting‑edge technology led him to explore military advancements in data compression and storage. A fortuitous encounter with a retired engineer neighbor—who had contributed to the Sidewinder missile program—sparked his interest. The neighbor gifted Baxter a subscription to Aviation Weekly, setting him on a path toward self‑education in missile defense.
Armed with newfound knowledge, Baxter authored a groundbreaking paper proposing the conversion of the Navy’s Aegis anti‑aircraft missile system into a missile‑defense platform. The paper caught the attention of Congressman Dana Rohrbacher, propelling Baxter into the role of chair for the Congressional Advisory Board on Missile Defense. His unique blend of musical creativity and technical insight earned him the nickname of “the Doobie Brothers guy who can redesign missiles.”
4 Billy Corgan
During the 1990s, The Smashing Pumpkins, fronted by the mercurial Billy Corgan, dominated the alternative rock scene with anthems like “Cherub Rock,” “1979,” and the angsty “Zero.” Their hit “Bullet with Butterfly Wings” featured the memorable line, “Despite all my rage, I’m still just a rat in a cage,” which many interpreted as a critique of modern life’s rat race.
Unbeknownst to many fans, Corgan harbored a long‑standing passion for professional wrestling—a blend of drama, athleticism, and spectacle that mirrored his own stage presence. In 2017, he took the plunge and acquired the National Wrestling Association, merging his two worlds by incorporating live wrestling matches into his concert tours.
Beyond the ring, Corgan also ventured into television, starring in the reality series Adventures in Carnyland. The show documents his balancing act between leading one of rock’s most iconic bands and steering a professional wrestling enterprise, highlighting his uncanny ability to thrive in both arenas.
3 Adam Jones
Tool’s music is renowned for its intricate rhythms and philosophical depth, but the band’s visual identity owes a great deal to guitarist Adam Jones, who brings a filmmaker’s eye to every project. Before earning his place in the progressive metal pantheon, Jones built an impressive résumé in special effects and set design.
His credits include work on blockbuster films such as Jurassic Park, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and Predator 2. In these productions, he contributed to everything from set construction to makeup artistry and sculpting, showcasing a versatile talent that would later shape Tool’s iconic music videos.
2 Bruce Dickinson
While many assume that frontman Bruce Dickinson’s primary claim to fame is his soaring vocals for Iron Maiden, the British rocker has also carved out a remarkable career in aviation. In 1990, he took his first flying lesson in Florida, turning a lifelong fascination with aircraft into a professional pursuit.
After earning his pilot’s license, Dickinson flew chartered missions for the airline Astraeus. When the carrier folded in 2010, he founded his own aviation maintenance firm, Cardiff Aviation Ltd., providing services ranging from aircraft repair to pilot training. Over the years, he’s piloted everything from RAF jets to civilian flights out of conflict zones like Lebanon, and even shuttled the Rangers and Liverpool football clubs.
Beyond the cockpit, Dickinson has penned several novels, hosted a BBC radio program, and co‑created a craft beer with Robinson’s Brewery. His multifaceted achievements have earned him the label of “Renaissance Man” by Intelligent Life magazine, underscoring his status as a true polymath.
1 Christian Jacobs
While many recognize Christian Jacobs as the charismatic frontman of The Aquabats—performing under the moniker MC Bat Commander—few know that his creative pursuits extend well beyond music. The Aquabats, a costumed superhero band, blend high‑energy ska‑punk tunes with elaborate stage antics, even recruiting Travis Barker of Blink‑182 for a stint.
Jacobs leveraged the band’s whimsical spirit to co‑create the beloved children’s series Yo Gabba Gabba! Airing on Nickelodeon, the show featured a rotating roster of guests, from Mark Mothersbaugh’s artistic sketches to Elijah Wood’s dance numbers and Biz Markie’s beat‑boxing lessons. Its playful, colorful aesthetic mirrors the band’s own ethos.
Reflecting on the show’s success, Jacobs explained, “We wanted to watch something cooler, and that definitely became the design of the show, something that we would want to watch with our kids.” The series’ enduring popularity proves his vision was spot‑on.
1 Bonus Tim Lambesis
As I Lay Dying rose to prominence in the metalcore scene—landing at number eight on the Billboard 200 with An Ocean Between Us—frontman Tim Lambesis seemed destined for continued success. However, his career took a dark turn when he was arrested in California for attempting to hire a hitman to kill his estranged wife.
The shocking revelation came after Lambesis sent an email to his wife during a tour, declaring he no longer loved her, had abandoned his Christian faith, and was involved in an extramarital affair. His defense tried to attribute his erratic behavior to rampant steroid abuse, but the court sentenced him to six years in prison.
Although I Lay Dying eventually re‑formed with Lambesis at the helm, recent reports suggest that all other members have exited the band under mysterious circumstances. Speculation abounds that Lambesis may be plotting new, perhaps illicit, ventures, but only time will reveal his next move.
Conclusion
These ten (plus one bonus) musicians prove that fame doesn’t have to confine creativity to a single arena. Whether it’s animating beloved cartoons, crafting luxury watches, piloting aircraft, or even dabbling in UFO research, each artist showcases a remarkable ability to reinvent themselves. The next time you see a favorite band on stage, remember there’s likely a whole other world of hidden talents waiting behind the music.