Rock of ages: The world's biggest music stars, then and now

Rock of ages: The world's biggest music stars, then and now - No one is immune to the passage of time, even the greatest and most legendary of rock stars. But while some have aged badly, perhaps taking the maxim 'sex, drugs, and rock and roll' to extremes, others appear to have defied the advancing years and remain charming and youthful well into their later life.

Here's a gallery of remarkable 'before and after' photographs of some of the world's top rock stars.

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Mick Jagger - In his youth, the Rolling Stones front man was one of rock's greatest heartthrobs.

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Mick Jagger - Now 79, and having been in the business for more than five decades, Jagger may not be as pretty, but a healthy diet and plenty of exercise has left him lithe, supple, and still full of energy.

2 / 31 Fotos

Paul McCartney - A contemporary of Jagger, the Beatles' bassist and co-vocalist also made millions of fans around the world sigh and swoon.

3 / 31 Fotos

Paul McCartney - Less vain than Jagger, the ex-Beatle has nonetheless maintained an equally healthy lifestyle, keeping in shape and following a strict vegetarian diet.

4 / 31 Fotos

Sting - As the bassist and lead vocalist of The Police, the Englishman's considerable charm and charisma was winning the band a legion of fans.

5 / 31 Fotos

Sting - Now 71, the star is another rock musician who has not neglected his health, and today remains attractive.

6 / 31 Fotos

Robert Plant - With his powerful and unique voice, stage presence and obvious sex appeal, Led Zeppelin's front man was irresistible to many of the band's admirers.

7 / 31 Fotos

Robert Plant -

Now 74, the singer has produced a respected body of solo work, but age has not been so kind to his looks.

8 / 31 Fotos

Bruce Springsteen - The American singer has always considered himself a regular guy. Talented, easygoing, and good-looking, how could he not appreciate his good fortune?

9 / 31 Fotos

Bruce Springsteen -

Even at 73 'The Boss' is still up there with the rest of them, and considered one of the sexiest rock stars in the world.

10 / 31 Fotos

Debbie Harry - In her '70s heyday, the Blondie vocalist was one of the most coveted women in rock.

11 / 31 Fotos

Debbie Harry -

Today, even at over 70, the singer's looks have survived maturity.

12 / 31 Fotos

Bob Dylan - A living legend from the folk-rock era, the musician is responsible for influencing a generation of singer-songwriters.

13 / 31 Fotos

Bob Dylan -

Hugely successful, the 82-year-old has been awarded every major prize in the industry. In 2016 he won the Nobel Prize in Literature.

14 / 31 Fotos

Axl Rose -

The Guns N' Roses leader was at the height of his beauty throughout the 1990s. His Afro braids look appeared in the early 2000s.

15 / 31 Fotos

Axl Rose - Unfortunately after years of alcohol and drug abuse, the rocker looks older than his 60 years.

16 / 31 Fotos

Ringo Starr - The Beatles' drummer was always the respectable face of rock, even if he was never the most handsome out there on stage.

17 / 31 Fotos

Ringo Starr -

Sir Ringo is in great shape for his 82 years.

18 / 31 Fotos

Keith Richards - The Rolling Stones guitarist was another rocker better appreciated for his music rather than for the way he looked.

19 / 31 Fotos

Keith Richards - Many wonder how he ever survived to reach 79, given his worrying habit for drink and drugs. Today though, he is highly respected for his musical and physical vitality.

20 / 31 Fotos

Jon Bon Jovi - Bon Jovi's front man was always a handsome dude, even allowing for those 1980's big hair days.

21 / 31 Fotos

Jon Bon Jovi -

The singer today sets an example for every other aged rocker on the planet: At 61, the American singer is one of the most handsome artists of his generation.

22 / 31 Fotos

Ozzy Osbourne - The controversial Black Sabbath front man has always displayed a quirky sense of humor.

23 / 31 Fotos

Ozzy Osbourne -

But decades of substance abuse and hard liquor episodes have resulted in age not being so kind as it might have been to the 74-year-old vocalist.

24 / 31 Fotos

Eddie Vedder - The years have been kinder to Pearl Jam's front man.

25 / 31 Fotos

Eddie Vedder -

The 58-year-old singer still radiates stylish and sophisticated charm.

26 / 31 Fotos

Rod Stewart - Few people recall the singer's lion mane hair in the years when he fronted '60s rock band The Faces.

27 / 31 Fotos

Rod Stewart -

These days the hair is less conspicuous but, over 70 the musician still enjoys a high profile.

28 / 31 Fotos

Bono - The U2 front man, conscious of his appearance on and off stage, has kept himself fit and healthy through the years.

29 / 31 Fotos

Bono -

In fact, his lean frame and clean- cut image belies his 63 years.

30 / 31 Fotos

0 / 31 Fotos

Mick Jagger - In his youth, the Rolling Stones front man was one of rock's greatest heartthrobs.

1 / 31 Fotos

2 / 31 Fotos

Paul McCartney - A contemporary of Jagger, the Beatles' bassist and co-vocalist also made millions of fans around the world sigh and swoon.

3 / 31 Fotos

Paul McCartney - Less vain than Jagger, the ex-Beatle has nonetheless maintained an equally healthy lifestyle, keeping in shape and following a strict vegetarian diet.

4 / 31 Fotos

Sting - As the bassist and lead vocalist of The Police, the Englishman's considerable charm and charisma was winning the band a legion of fans.

5 / 31 Fotos

Sting - Now 71, the star is another rock musician who has not neglected his health, and today remains attractive.

6 / 31 Fotos

Robert Plant - With his powerful and unique voice, stage presence and obvious sex appeal, Led Zeppelin's front man was irresistible to many of the band's admirers.

7 / 31 Fotos

Robert Plant -

Now 74, the singer has produced a respected body of solo work, but age has not been so kind to his looks.

Getty Images

8 / 31 Fotos

Bruce Springsteen - The American singer has always considered himself a regular guy. Talented, easygoing, and good-looking, how could he not appreciate his good fortune?

9 / 31 Fotos

Bruce Springsteen -

Even at 73 'The Boss' is still up there with the rest of them, and considered one of the sexiest rock stars in the world.

Getty Images

10 / 31 Fotos

Debbie Harry - In her '70s heyday, the Blondie vocalist was one of the most coveted women in rock.

11 / 31 Fotos

Debbie Harry -

Today, even at over 70, the singer's looks have survived maturity.

Getty Images

12 / 31 Fotos

Bob Dylan - A living legend from the folk-rock era, the musician is responsible for influencing a generation of singer-songwriters.

13 / 31 Fotos

Bob Dylan -

Hugely successful, the 82-year-old has been awarded every major prize in the industry. In 2016 he won the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Getty Images

14 / 31 Fotos

Axl Rose -

The Guns N' Roses leader was at the height of his beauty throughout the 1990s. His Afro braids look appeared in the early 2000s.

Getty Images

15 / 31 Fotos

Axl Rose - Unfortunately after years of alcohol and drug abuse, the rocker looks older than his 60 years.

16 / 31 Fotos

Ringo Starr - The Beatles' drummer was always the respectable face of rock, even if he was never the most handsome out there on stage.

17 / 31 Fotos

Ringo Starr -

Sir Ringo is in great shape for his 82 years.

Getty Images

18 / 31 Fotos

Keith Richards - The Rolling Stones guitarist was another rocker better appreciated for his music rather than for the way he looked.

19 / 31 Fotos

Keith Richards - Many wonder how he ever survived to reach 79, given his worrying habit for drink and drugs. Today though, he is highly respected for his musical and physical vitality.

20 / 31 Fotos

Jon Bon Jovi - Bon Jovi's front man was always a handsome dude, even allowing for those 1980's big hair days.

21 / 31 Fotos

Jon Bon Jovi -

The singer today sets an example for every other aged rocker on the planet: At 61, the American singer is one of the most handsome artists of his generation.

Getty Images

22 / 31 Fotos

Ozzy Osbourne - The controversial Black Sabbath front man has always displayed a quirky sense of humor.

23 / 31 Fotos

Ozzy Osbourne -

But decades of substance abuse and hard liquor episodes have resulted in age not being so kind as it might have been to the 74-year-old vocalist.

Getty Images

24 / 31 Fotos

Eddie Vedder - The years have been kinder to Pearl Jam's front man.

25 / 31 Fotos

Eddie Vedder -

The 58-year-old singer still radiates stylish and sophisticated charm.

Getty Images

26 / 31 Fotos

Rod Stewart - Few people recall the singer's lion mane hair in the years when he fronted '60s rock band The Faces.

27 / 31 Fotos

Rod Stewart -

These days the hair is less conspicuous but, over 70 the musician still enjoys a high profile.

Getty Images

28 / 31 Fotos

Bono - The U2 front man, conscious of his appearance on and off stage, has kept himself fit and healthy through the years.

29 / 31 Fotos

Bono -

In fact, his lean frame and clean- cut image belies his 63 years.

Getty Images

30 / 31 Fotos

Rock of ages: The world's biggest music stars, then and now

Famous aging rockers, and how they used to look in their younger years

26/12/23 | StarsInsider

CELEBRITY Before

Age catches up with everyone, including rock stars! For the musicians who took the maxim 'sex, drugs, and rock' n 'roll' too literally, the passage of time has taken no prisoners. But while some have aged miserably, others have bothered to take care of themselves. In fact, there are those who have managed to maintain charm and sex appeal well into their maturity.

Browse the gallery for a nostalgic look at some rock stars in their youth, and find out what they look like today!