When they’re not smashing out riffs or melting faces on stage, some of rock and metal’s biggest names are busy doing things you’d probably never guess.
No, really, some of these are really going to surprise you…
Lemmy Kilmister
The legendary frontman of Motörhead wasn’t just about loud music and louder drinks. Lemmy loved, yes, loved, of all things, slot machines. Anyone who ever stepped into the Rainbow Bar & Grill on the Sunset Strip probably saw him there, parked at the same machine with a Jack and Coke in hand. Lemmy never made a big song and dance about winning or losing. As Ace of Spades goes, “you win some, lose some, all the same to me / the pleasure is to play”.
For fans looking to echo that spirit, gambling online is bigger and better than ever, and slots are in abundance. It’s also more secure, there are fewer lengthy sign-ups, more freedom, and fewer restrictions (source: ukgamblingsitesnotongamstop.com). Whether it’s a few hands of blackjack or trying your luck with roulette, the key is to do it Lemmy-style. That means keep it fun, casual, and always have a drink nearby – just maybe swap the Jack for something a bit easier on the liver.
Bruce Dickinson
Bruce Dickinson’s a big fan of, well, fencing. Yes, you read that right. The frontman of Iron Maiden isn’t just one of metal’s most iconic voices ever; he’s also a competitive fencer. Bruce has been known to compete at a national level and once ranked among the top ten fencers in the UK. He’s even joked that wielding a sword is great practice for dealing with unruly fans.
But in all seriousness, Bruce approaches fencing with the same sheer intensity and discipline he brings to everything else. It’s physical, it’s tactical, it’s absorbing. And when you consider the demands of being in one of the world’s biggest metal bands, when you think about it, it’s probably no surprise that a sport requiring such laser focus appeals to him.
James Hetfield
The idea of Metallica’s growling rhythm guitarist tending to bees might sound like a joke, but it’s true. James Hetfield is into beekeeping, and by all accounts, he’s pretty damn serious about it. He even wears the full kit and keeps hives on his property. In his world, a world where touring is hectic and the industry rarely slows down, apparently Hetfield finds calm and purpose in looking after his buzzing colonies.
Beekeeping might not have the same adrenaline as playing Master of Puppets in front of 50,000 die-hard fans, but it possibly offers something else to Hetfield: A reminder that nature still knows how to make you feel small in the best possible way.
Dave Mustaine
Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine has swapped the thrash of guitars for the quiet power of horses. A passionate rider and breeder, Mustaine has spent years raising horses on his Tennessee ranch. It’s a far cry from the chaos of the early Megadeth years, but it fits. Horses demand respect, presence, and trust, and for Mustaine, riding is therapeutic. He owns several horses, including a miniature horse named Rocky, and two Friesian horses named Gerrit and Tiedeman. And after years of battling personal struggles, he’s spoken about how working with animals has helped him rebuild parts of his life. It’s a different kind of rhythm, a slower one that’s about connection.
Tom Araya
When Slayer’s frontman isn’t screaming his lungs out, he’s often found doing something far more grounded: Ranching. Araya owns and runs a cattle ranch with his family, and he’s known for getting stuck in with the day-to-day graft. Feeding, herding, and maintaining the land isn’t just for show, he lives it. And there’s a certain poetry in it, we think. Slayer’s music may have been apocalyptic and brutal, but Araya’s private life is earthy and rooted. It’s a nice little reminder that even the most intense lives sometimes need something solid to come home to.
Serj Tankian
System of a Down’s Serj Tankian isn’t just a world-class musician. He’s also an accomplished visual artist. His works have been exhibited around the world and blend bold colours with political and emotional themes. Serj approaches painting like he does songwriting, with purpose and protest. Art gives him another voice. And in his hands, paint becomes something just as powerful as a protest song.
In Closing
Rock and metal legends are larger than life on stage, but off it, they’re often chasing passions that are as unexpected as they are authentic. Whether it’s Lemmy’s love for gambling or Hetfield’s quiet time with bees, these hobbies show the human side of the people behind the noise. They remind us that creativity isn’t limited to chords and choruses. Sometimes it takes the shape of a sword, a horse, a poker machine, or a hive full of bees.
Header photo by Bianca Ackermann on Unsplash
