Behind The Song: Classic Rock Chronicles

Episode: Beyond the Stage: The Weirdest Side Gigs of Rock Stars
Host: Janda Lane
Date: November 12, 2025
Podcast Network: Gamut Podcast Network

Episode Overview

In this special bonus episode, host Janda Lane dives into the fascinating and often surprising side gigs and second careers of some of classic rock’s most iconic musicians. The episode explores how legendary artists have reinvented themselves, abandoned the limelight, or found fulfillment in unexpected places, showing that creativity and curiosity often drive these stars long after—or between—their music careers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jeff "Skunk" Baxter: From Rock Guitarist to Missile Defense Consultant

• Career Recap: Co-founder of Steely Dan, later joined The Doobie Brothers, prolific session guitarist.
• The Pivot: Fascinated by recording technology, Baxter developed an interest in military hardware (01:41).
• Unlikely Transition: After teaching himself about missile defense systems, he wrote a paper proposing military tech innovations, which caught the attention of Congress. He became a Pentagon consultant and chaired Congressional advisory boards (02:30).
• Baxter’s Philosophy:

  "His big thing was to look at existing technologies and try to see other ways that they can be used, which happens in music all the time."
  — Janda on Baxter [03:16]

• Notable Moment: Referred to as "a respected counter terrorism expert consulting the Department of Defense. Definitely one of the most unexpected vocational pivots for sure." [03:25]

2. Bill Berry: R.E.M. Drummer Turned Hay Farmer

• Background: Co-founded R.E.M.; massive critical and commercial success.
• Turning Point: Berry suffered a brain aneurysm onstage in 1995, recovered, and then left R.E.M. in 1997, telling the band he wanted a quieter life (04:05).
• Life After Music: Bought land in Georgia and became a hay farmer, occasionally dabbling in music but mostly enjoying rural life (05:23).
• Berry’s Reasoning:

  "The aneurysm caused his energy level to dip and that he wanted to sit back and reflect and not be a pop star anymore."
  — Janda on Berry [05:00]

• Memorable Quote:

  "From the drum kit to the tractor he went. Surely that has to be the only example of drummer turned hay farmer in all of rock and roll." [05:28]

3. Bruce Dickinson: Heavy Metal Frontman and Aviation Entrepreneur

• Who He Is: Lead singer of Iron Maiden.
• Unusual Second Act: Earned his pilot's license in the 1990s and became a commercial airline captain for Astraeus Airlines (06:05).
• Business Ventures: Owns Cardiff Aviation, flew military personnel and football clubs, and famously pilots “Ed Force One,” Iron Maiden’s tour plane.
• Other Pursuits: TV host, author, screenwriter, international fencer.
• Janda on Dickinson:

  "Truly a Renaissance man." [07:03]

4. Billy Corgan: Smashing Pumpkins Frontman & Wrestling Mogul

• Unexpected Passion: Lifelong wrestling fan who bought the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) in 2017 and became a full-time wrestling promoter (07:38).
• Achievements: Received the Excelsior Award from the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2025.
• Personal Branding: Stars in the reality show "Adventures in Carnyland," which documents his dual life as a rock star and wrestling executive.
• Added Quirk: Owns Madame Zuzu's Emporium, a tea shop in Highland Park, Chicago.
• Janda on Corgan:

  "I can list on one finger the rock stars who started pro wrestling businesses. That would be Billy Corgan..." [07:32]

5. Other Notable Side Gigs

• Brian May (Queen): Holds a PhD in astrophysics and is an animal welfare activist [09:06].
• James Williamson (The Stooges): Became a microchip engineer, ascended to VP of Technology Standards at Sony [09:15].
• Terry Chimes (The Clash): Left after the first album and became a chiropractor [09:23].
• Ron Blair (Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers): Opened a bikini shop during a 20-year break from music, never joined another band [09:31].

  "He never joined another band, just was over the music business. He said." [09:33]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Just goes to show you that life can be rich with multiple areas of success and fulfillment if you just follow your heart where it leads, do the work and put in the time."
  — Janda Lane [10:08]

• "So what other artists decided to walk down a different path after spending some time in the limelight? And have you ever switched gears entirely in your career to go on to do something you always wanted to try?"
  — Janda Lane, engaging the audience [10:21]

Key Segment Timestamps

• [01:29] — Janda's introduction and episode premise
• [01:41] — Jeff Baxter’s journey from guitarist to defense consultant
• [04:00] — Bill Berry’s health scare and transition to farming
• [06:05] — Bruce Dickinson becomes a pilot and aviation entrepreneur
• [07:32] — Billy Corgan’s wrestling business and reality show
• [09:06] — Quick hits: Brian May, James Williamson, Terry Chimes, Ron Blair
• [10:08] — Janda’s closing reflections

Episode Tone & Style

Janda’s narration is conversational, sincere, and clearly awed by the oddness and creativity of these rock star side hustles. She moves fluidly between entertaining facts and thoughtful reflection, peppering the episode with dry humor (“Surely that has to be the only example of drummer turned hay farmer in all of rock and roll”) and inviting listeners to consider their own vocational journeys.

Conclusion

This episode is a tribute to the curiosity and drive that fuels rock legends beyond the stage. From stealth technology and hay farming to charter jets, wrestling arenas, science, healthcare, and retail, the reinvention stories spotlighted remind listeners that a life in music doesn’t mean staying in the same lane—and some zigzags are downright inspiring.