# Rock Stars who graduated from college? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 6, 2005, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-stars-who-graduated-from-college/329733 "2005-11-06T03:39:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![percypercy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8baadc/32.png) [@percypercy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/percypercy)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2005, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-stars-who-graduated-from-college/329733/21 "2005-11-06T16:05:58Z")
John Wesley Harding(Wesley Stace) graduated from Jesus College, Cambridge. He was working on a PhD in humanities when he dropped out to start singing fulltime. -Lil ---
**Author:** ![ErinPuff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dbc845/32.png) [@ErinPuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ErinPuff)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2005, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-stars-who-graduated-from-college/329733/22 "2005-11-06T17:01:57Z")
Not a rock star, I guess, but “Weird Al” Yankovic has an architecture degree from Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo. He got the name “Weird Al” working at the campus radio station. ---
**Author:** ![Anamorphic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/anamorphic/32/3057_2.png) [@Anamorphic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anamorphic)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2005, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-stars-who-graduated-from-college/329733/23 "2005-11-06T18:32:12Z")
Peter Wolf, lead singer of the J. Geils Band, attended the Museum School of Fine Arts in Boston. I have no idea if he graduated or not, but I love having the chance to bring up the piece of trivia that goes along with it: while there, his roommate was David Lynch. And, apparently, Lynch asked Peter to move out, because Peter was “too weird”. ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2005, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-stars-who-graduated-from-college/329733/24 "2005-11-06T19:46:03Z")
> [@liberty3701](#): > > Greg Graffin, lead singer of Bad Religion, which was formed when he was, like, 14, got his PhD in geology or some such from Cornell. From Graffin’s Wikipedia entry: “Graffin double majored in anthropology and geology as an undergraduate at UCLA. He then went on to earn a masters degree in geology from the University of California, Los Angeles and received his Ph.D. in evolutionary paleontology from Cornell University. However, according to a video clip originally from the Bad Religion official website and also available from The Cornell Evolution Project homepage, the PhD thesis was officially a Zoology PhD thesis, supervised by William B. Provine at Cornell University. The thesis was entitled “Monism, Atheism and the Naturalist Worldview: Perspectives from Evolutionary Biology”. It is described as being essentially an evolutionary biology PhD but having also relevance to history and philosophy of science.” ---
**Author:** ![Chairman\_Pow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@Chairman\_Pow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chairman_Pow)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2005, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-stars-who-graduated-from-college/329733/25 "2005-11-06T19:47:38Z")
Al Jourgenson from Ministry has a Masters in History. When he retires from music (likely never at the rate he’s going), he plans to become a professor. ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2005, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-stars-who-graduated-from-college/329733/26 "2005-11-06T19:48:14Z")
> [@liberty3701](#): > > Greg Graffin, lead singer of Bad Religion, which was formed when he was, like, 14, got his PhD in geology or some such from Cornell. Evolutionary biology. Huey Lewis attended Cornell as well. ---
**Author:** ![Subterraneanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Subterraneanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Subterraneanus)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2005, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-stars-who-graduated-from-college/329733/27 "2005-11-06T19:48:34Z")
> [@Digital Stimulus](#): > > I believe Bruce Dickinson (lead singer of Iron Maiden) got a history degree from Queen Mary’s College in London. I believe he wrote his thesis on the history of the cowbell. ---
**Author:** ![Chairman\_Pow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@Chairman\_Pow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chairman_Pow)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2005, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-stars-who-graduated-from-college/329733/28 "2005-11-06T19:49:57Z")
> [@Chairman Pow](#): > > Al Jourgenson from Ministry has a Masters in History. When he retires from music (likely never at the rate he’s going), he plans to become a professor. Actually, Al Jourgens **e** n of Ministry has a Masters in History. I have no idea what Al Jourgenson has. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2005, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-stars-who-graduated-from-college/329733/29 "2005-11-06T19:50:11Z")
> [@Hippy Hollow](#): > > Last, a friend into hardcore metal told me of a band that was composed of medical doctors. I’ve forgotten their name, but their songs often mention medical stuff… You thinking of Carcass? None of them were actually MDs, but you wouldn’t know that from listening to them. ---
**Author:** ![Subterraneanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Subterraneanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Subterraneanus)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2005, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-stars-who-graduated-from-college/329733/30 "2005-11-06T19:53:52Z")
Sterling Morrison of the Velvet Underground earned a Ph.D. in medieval studies from the University of Texas. He later became a tugboat captain. ---
**Author:** ![Subterraneanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Subterraneanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Subterraneanus)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2005, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-stars-who-graduated-from-college/329733/31 "2005-11-06T19:57:39Z")
I almost forgot: Ry Cooder and Barret Hansen—AKA “Dr. Demento”—graduated from my alma mater, Reed College. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2005, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-stars-who-graduated-from-college/329733/32 "2005-11-06T20:16:22Z")
> [@Hippy Hollow](#): > > I seem to recall that Brian May of Queen is quite well educated. In fact, he was working on a Ph.D. in astrophysics, I think, and left when the band took off. Presumably he already had a degree or two. I came in here specifically to mention Queen. An overeducated bunch. Freddie Mercury went to Ealing Art College for Art and Graphic Design Brian May, as mentioned, was in the PhD program at Imperial College of London in Astronomy. Roger Taylor studied dentistry at the London Hospital Medical College before switching to North London Polytechnic and getting his BS in biology. John Deacon studied electronics at Chelsea College. My dad used to think they were a good influence on me. ---
**Author:** ![bryanmaguire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d07c76/32.png) [@bryanmaguire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bryanmaguire)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2005, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-stars-who-graduated-from-college/329733/33 "2005-11-06T20:16:26Z")
> [@Little Nemo](#): > > Bob Dylan went to the University of Minnesota but only for one year > > Art Garfunkel went to Columbia University > > Bob Geldof went to Blackrock College > > David Gilmour went to the Cambridgeshire College of Arts and Technology > > Chrissie Hynde went to Kent State University > > Janis Joplin went to the University of Texas but didn’t graduate > > Lou Reed went to Syracuse University > > Paul Simon got a degree in English Literature from Queens College > > Grace Slick went to Finch College and the University of Miami > > Pete Townsend went to Ealing Art College Blackrock College is not a third level instituition. It is the irish equivalent of an american high school. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2005, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-stars-who-graduated-from-college/329733/34 "2005-11-07T01:27:04Z")
> [@Chairman Pow](#): > > Actually, Al Jourgens **e** n of Ministry has a Masters in History. I have no idea what Al Jourgenson has. Don’t be a twit. Do you feel better? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2005, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-stars-who-graduated-from-college/329733/35 "2005-11-07T03:03:57Z")
> [@](#): > > Blackrock College is not a third level instituition. It is the irish equivalent of an american high school. Fair enough. I’ll admit I’m ignorant of the subtle distinctions of the Irish educational system. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2005, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-stars-who-graduated-from-college/329733/36 "2005-11-07T03:05:31Z")
Rivers Cuomo, of Weezer, is still working on his education - he is three credits short of getting his degree in English literature from Harvard. ---
**Author:** ![Ins\_Outs\_What-have-yous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8797f3/32.png) [@Ins\_Outs\_What-have-yous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ins_Outs_What-have-yous)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2005, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-stars-who-graduated-from-college/329733/37 "2005-11-07T03:10:52Z")
I’m surprised no one has already mentioned Boston’s guitarist Tom Scholz who has obtained bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from MIT. He also worked for Polaroid and has 34 patented inventions to his name. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2005, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-stars-who-graduated-from-college/329733/38 "2005-11-07T03:12:03Z")
Peter Garrett of Midnight Oil has degrees in Arts (from the Australian National University) and Law (from the University of New South Wales). He’s now a member of federal Parliament. ---
**Author:** ![Caricci](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@Caricci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caricci)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2005, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-stars-who-graduated-from-college/329733/39 "2005-11-07T03:21:58Z")
> [@bienville](#): > > The Talking Heads- Rhode Island School of Design (I don’t know how to spell RIZ-dee) Yep, here’s the RISD (that’s how you spell RIZ-dee) scoop on David Byrne et al: [rock stars go to art school???](http://www.risd.edu/alumni_profiles.cfm). RISD’s also got Martin Mull as a two-time alum, and I’m told his first foray into the performing arts was in the field of rock and roll. However, he proved to be better at comedic acting. ---
**Author:** ![jackelope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@jackelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackelope)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2005, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-stars-who-graduated-from-college/329733/40 "2005-11-07T03:56:03Z")
Ron Jeremy has a BA in theater arts and a Master’s in something or other. ([Cite.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_jeremy)) He’s not technically a rock star, but he did sing on-stage with Kid Rock at least once. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-stars-who-graduated-from-college/329733.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-stars-who-graduated-from-college/329733.md?page=3)