Before they were making rock and roll classics or shredding their way to the top, the following three rock stars actually served in the United States military. And to be honest, a couple of these entries were news to me. We all know about musicians like Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson serving in the military, but the following three vets might just be news to you. Let’s take a look at a few rock musicians who served their country before becoming famous!

Ray Manzarek

The late great Ray Manzarek co-founded the legendary rock band The Doors in 1965 with Jim Morrison. He was an incredible talent on the keyboard, and his music is still influencing musicians today. And he was one of many rock stars that once joined the military.

Originally, Mazarek attempted to enlist in the U.S. Army Signal Corps as a camera operator. Instead, he was assigned to the Army Security Agency, as he was being eyed as a prospective intelligence analyst in Japan. Mazarek decided to go for it, as his Polish descent was a factor in his interest in the position to “visit the old country” someday.

B.B. King

He will always be known as the king of the blues, and B.B. King is also known as a U.S. Army veteran. Though, this blues rock star’s time in the military was pretty brief, to say the least. And it was through no fault of King’s. 

During World War II, King was enlisted to serve. However, he was soon released because his skills as a tractor driver were considered “essential to the war economy.” His driving skills were needed stateside, so his military career came to an end, and he was sent back home to Mississippi.

Maynard James Keenan

I’m not the biggest Tool fan, admittedly, so I was pretty shocked to learn that the band’s frontman qualified for our list of rock stars who were once in the military. Maynard James Keenan, known for his work in Tool, Puscifer, and A Perfect Circle, once served in the U.S. Army. Apparently, he was inspired by the 1981 movie Stripes to join, hoping the G.I. Bill could fund his higher education. He would serve in the Army before studying at West Point Prep School in the early 1980s.

Keenan served in the Army as a forward observer, where he first adopted the nickname “Maynard” that he would tack onto his name professionally after launching his music career.

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