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…
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
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 Images5'7"
Ronnie James Dio
Robert Cianflone/Getty Images5'4"
Bruce Dickinson
Karl Walter/Getty Images5'6"
Iggy Pop
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images5'6"
Billie Joe Armstrong
Ethan Miller/Getty Images5'7"
Flea
Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images5'6"
Axl Rose
Jeffrey A. Camarati/Getty Images5'8"
Angus and Malcolm Young
Newsmakers/Getty Images5'2" and 5'3"
Prince
Kevin Winter/Getty Images5'2"
Eddie Vedder
Rick Diamond/Getty Images5'7"
Roger Daltrey
Kevin Winter/Getty Images5'7"
Paul Simon
Ian Gavan/Getty Images5'3"
Bob Marley
Evening Standard/Getty Images5'8"
Lou Reed
Keystone/Getty Images5'8"
Thom Yorke
Kevin Winter/Getty Images5'5"
Bob Dylan
Kevin Winter/Getty Images5'7"
Beck
Kevin Winter/Getty Images5'7"
Phil Collins
Ethan Miller/Getty Images5'6"
Bono
Theo Wargo/Getty Images5'5 1/2"
Erica Banas is a news blogger who's been covering the rock/classic rock world since 2014. The coolest event she's ever covered in person was the 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. (Sir Paul McCartney inducting Foo Fighters? C'mon now!) She's also well-versed in etiquette and extraordinarily nice. #TransRightsAreHumanRights
