20 Iconic ‘Short Kings’ in Rock History
Rock and roll has taught the world many lessons. Perhaps one of its most underrated is this: You don’t have to be tall to be a giant rock star. In…
Rock and roll has taught the world many lessons. Perhaps one of its most underrated is this: You don't have to be tall to be a giant rock star.
In fact, some of the biggest names in rock history could be classified as "short kings."
What's a "short king" you may ask? First coined by comedian/writer Jaboukie Young-White, a short king is a slang term of endearment for a man who is under 5'9", according to Urban Dictionary.
Scroll through the gallery below to see some of rock's greatest short kings.
John Mellencamp
Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 19: A general view of atmosphere as singer/songwriter John Mellencamp performs at Radio City Music Hall on February 19, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
Ronnie James Dio
Robert Cianflone/Getty ImagesMELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA-AUGUST 10: Ronnie James Dio performs on stage with Heaven and Hell during their Heaven and Hell 2007 tour at Rod Laver Arena on August 10, 2007 in Melbourne, Australia. Heaven and Hell is a musical collaboration featuring Black Sabbath members Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler along with former members Ronnie James Dio and Vinny Appice. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Bruce Dickinson
Karl Walter/Getty ImagesSAN BERNANDINO, CA - AUGUST 20: Singer Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden performs at Ozzfest 2005 at the Hyundai Pavilion on August 20, 2005 in San Bernandino, California. (Photo by Karl Walter/Getty Images)
Iggy Pop
Neilson Barnard/Getty ImagesSAN BERNARDINO, CA - OCTOBER 06: Iggy Pop performs on stage during Cal Jam 18 at Glen Helen Regional Park on October 06, 2018 in San Bernardino, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
Billie Joe Armstrong
Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesLAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 20: Frontman Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day performs onstage during the 2019 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena on September 20, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Flea
Nicholas Hunt/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 17: Musician Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers performs onstage during the Meadows Music and Arts Festival - Day 3 at Citi Field on September 17, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images)
Axl Rose
Jeffrey A. Camarati/Getty ImagesGREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 27: Axl Rose performs with AC/DC during the Rock Or Bust Tour at the Greensboro Coliseum on August 27, 2016 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Jeffrey A. Camarati/Getty Images)
Angus and Malcolm Young
Newsmakers/Getty Images378457 14: Band members Angus Young, left, and brother Malcolm Young of the Australian rock band AC-DC pose September 15, 2000 at the Rock Walk handprint ceremony at the Guitar Center in Hollywood, Ca. (Photo /Newsmakers)
Prince
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 19: Musician Prince performs on stage at the 36th NAACP Image Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on March 19, 2005 in Los Angeles, California. Prince was honored with the Vanguard Award. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Eddie Vedder
Rick Diamond/Getty ImagesNEW ORLEANS - MAY 01: Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam) Performs at the 2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival - Day 6 Presented By Shell at the Fair Grounds Race Course on May 1, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
Roger Daltrey
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesINDIO, CA - OCTOBER 16: Musician Roger Daltrey of The Who perform during Desert Trip at the Empire Polo Field on October 16, 2016 in Indio, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Paul Simon
Ian Gavan/Getty ImagesGLASTONBURY, ENGLAND - JUNE 26: Paul Simon performs live on the pyramid stage during the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 26, 2011 in Glastonbury, England. The festival, which started in 1970 when several hundred hippies paid 1 GBP to attend, has grown into Europe's largest music festival attracting more than 175,000 people over five days. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)
Bob Marley
Evening Standard/Getty Images3rd June 1977: Singer, guitarist and composer of reggae music Bob Marley, (1945 - 1981), originally Robert Nesta Marley, in London. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)
Lou Reed
Keystone/Getty Imagescirca 1976: Singer-songwriter Lou Reed, formerly of cult ground-breaking rock 'n' roll noise group the Velvet Underground. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
Thom Yorke
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesINDIO, CA - APRIL 21: Musician Thom Yorke of Radiohead performs on the Coachella Stage during day 1 of the 2017 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival (Weekend 2) at the Empire Polo Club on April 21, 2017 in Indio, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella)
Bob Dylan
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesCULVER CITY, CA - JUNE 11: Musician Bob Dylan performs onstage during the AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Michael Douglas at Sony Pictures Studios on June 11, 2009 in Culver City, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for AFI)
Beck
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesINGLEWOOD, CA - JANUARY 19: Beck performs onstage during iHeartRadio ALTer Ego 2018 at The Forum on January 19, 2018 in Inglewood, United States. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartRadio)
Phil Collins
Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesLAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 27: Recording artist Phil Collins performs during a stop of his Not Dead Yet Tour at MGM Grand Garden Arena on October 27, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Bono
Theo Wargo/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 01: Co-Founder of ONE and (RED) singer Bono attends ONE And (RED)'s "It Always Seems Impossible Until It Is Done" 10th anniversary celebration at Carnegie Hall on December 1, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
