Daily Humors

11 Yearbook Photos That Musicians Wish We'd Never Seen

Posted: 04 Dec 2009 06:06 AM PST

Avril Lavigne. We always knew we were being sold something with Avril... the whole suburban Canadian punk rock badass image all felt so corporate. Well... here's what she looked like before a record company slapped a few spiked bracelets and heavy eye makeup on her.

Gene Simmons. His yearbook photo shows him back when he was Chaim Witz, a nice, well-groomed Jewish mensch. That was long before he put on face makeup, stuck his tongue out, and saved Santa.

Eminem. I'm not sure if it's the mullet or the goofy, googly facial expression... but his yearbook photo completely belies his "I'm a giant dick" public persona. Somehow, though, you can still tell he was legit white trash.

Tina Turner. Back when she was Annie Mae Bullock. It's not that she's necessarily unattractive... but she's frumpy to the point where no one could've predicted she'd have the face and body that launched a thousand drag queens.

Benji Madden. Everything that Good Charlotte's ever done has been contrived. I intentionally chose a picture of modern Benji, with his strategic tattoos and piercings, standing in front of a Nickelodeon logo.

Steven Tyler. Why... so... serious?

Marilyn Manson. Marilyn Manson wasn't a strategically-calculated freakshow growing up. In fact... he wasn't even close.

Madonna. Madonna in high school looks completely ready to be a seamstress or receptionist or housewife with a drinking problem. So it took some serious twists to quickly transition her into the Madonna on the right.

Jim Morrison. How much does his yearbook photo scream, "Go to the local state university for four years, get a degree in architecture and eventually become a middle manager?"