Small but mighty Classic Rock stars
7 June 2025, 13:00
To celebrate what would have been Prince's 67th birthday, we look at some of the most diminutive stars in rock.
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Prince Rogers Nelson sadly left this mortal coil on 21st April 2016, aged just 54 years old.
The Purple One was known for many things, including his iconic music and songwriting, his incredible guitar playing and of course his outlandish sartorial style.
But, the Purple Rain singer was also known for his small stature, standing at 1.57m or just 5'2" tall.
To mark what would have been his 67th Birthday today (7th June 2025) we take a look at some of the shortest stars in Classic Rock!
Feast your eyes on some of the most small but mighty stars of Classic Rock here.
Who are the shortest rock stars?
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Prince: 5"2
The pint-sized icon once said about his choice to wear heels: "I don't wear them 'cause I'm short, I wear them 'cause the women love them." You might even say they went crazy about them!
Prince & The Revolution - Let's Go Crazy (Official Music Video)
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Rainbow's Ronnie James Dio: 5'3
Ronnie James Dio - whose real name was Ronald James Padavona - may have only been 5'3, but he made a BIG impact. Long Live Rock N Roll and long live the legacy of Rainbow!
Rainbow - Long Live Rock N Roll (From "Live In Munich 1977")
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AC/DC's Angus Young 5'2"
Standing at 5'2" - Angus Young is as much known for his school boy stage outfit as he is his height, but he's not the only member of AC/DC who boasts a small frame. His late brother Malcolm was 5'3" and frontman Brian Johnson stands at just 5'5".
AC/DC - Hells Bells (Official 4K Video)
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Scorpions' Klaus Meine: 5’5”
The Scorpions longtime frontman and primary lyricist is believed to stand at 5'5" or 1.68 m.
Scorpions - Wind Of Change (Official Music Video)
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The Who's Roger Daltrey: 5’5”
What he lacked in height, he made up for with that belter of a voice, his luscious locks and his trademark mic-swinging. The singer of The Who stands at just 5'5" tall.
The Who - Won't Get Fooled Again (Shepperton Studios / 1978)
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Iggy Pop: 5’6”
On the taller end of our short rock star collection is the indubitable Iggy Pop at 5'6".
Iggy Pop - Lust For Life
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Phil Collins: 5’6”
The British musician may have spent much of his time sitting down as the drummer of Genesis, but did you know he was 5'6"?
Phil Collins - In The Air Tonight (Official Music Video)
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John Mellencamp 5’7”
John J. Mellencamp used all 5'7" inches to bring his brand of heartland rock to the masses.
R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. - John Mellencamp 1986
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U2's Bono: 5’5”
Bono might be on the shorter side, but he's always made up for it in charisma. That being said, the One singer has always been partial to a Cuban heel.
U2 - Mysterious Ways (Official Music Video)
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Stevie Nicks: 5’1”
The famous Fleetwood Mac singer previously admitted she felt "a little ridiculous" standing next to bandmate Mick Fleetwood, who is 6'6". For this reason, she regularly wore platforms in the band.
Stevie Nicks - Edge of Seventeen (Official Music Video)
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Paul Simon: 5'3"
The American singer-songwriter and one half of Simon & Garfunkel stands at approximately 5'3, but his career reached pretty stratospheric heights.
Paul Simon - 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover (Official Audio)
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Journey's Steve Perry: 5'6"
The founding Journey singer stands at a respectable 1.71 metres, but we'd measure his vocals at about 10 feet tall!
Journey - Don't Stop Believin' (Live 1981: Escape Tour - 2022 HD Remaster)
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John Oates: 5'4"
The American singer-songwriter, best known as one half of Hall and Oates is said to stand at 1.64m tall, which is almost 5'4"
Daryl Hall & John Oates - Maneater (Official Video)
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