We’ve cracked open the rock music vaults to see what some of our favorite acts like Radiohead, Chance the Rapper, and The National were like before they reached festival headliner status. In much the same way, we also dug up some mighty interesting tidbits on their unusual hobbies.
This week, we get up close and personal once more with some renowned rock stars — **very** up close and personal. Specifically, we get to see pictures of ’em in their, uhh, undergarments.
The intimate photo collection — which include snapshots of Paul McCartney, David Bowie, Debbie Harry, Lemmy Kilmister, David Lee Roth, Rod Stewart, and Elton John — come from the simply titled Rock Stars in their Underpants, a 1980 book by Welsh music journalist Paula Yates. It’s a curious project, but, after all, Yates had become notorious for her show The Big Breakfast, which saw her interview guests from the comfort of her bed.
As Dangerous Minds points out, Andy Warhol had once, perhaps cheekily, described the Underpants book as “the greatest work of art in the last decade.” Check out a few of these pictures below and see for yourself.
Lemmy:
David Bowie:
Debbie Harry:
Rod Stewart:
Elton John:
David Lee Roth:
Paul McCartney:
Angus Young:
Frank Zappa:
Chrissie Hynde:
