Some rock stars are iconic beyond their music. They’re stylish as all get-out. And the distinctive eyewear they select becomes fused to their brands.
Think John Lennon and his world-famous skinny round frames. It’s almost hard to think of the latter-day Elvis—white jumpsuit and all—without including a loud pair of aviator sunglasses in the image.
Let’s look at the famous eyewear of Lennon, Presley and four more music legends of rock and roll.
Elvis Presley
One of the most iconic musical figures in history, Elvis Presley always rocked a distinct look.
We often think of the King’s “Vegas era” image including a white jumpsuit, a pompadour, and ostentatious gold aviator-style glasses. Unlike earlier versions of the sunglasses, Elvis went with thicker, more eye-catching frames.
Shop aviators frames
Buddy Holly
In 1959, after a show at The Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, Holly’s private plane went down killing him while also taking the lives of Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper. The heartbreaking story was recounted in the song American Pie, by Don McLean, with a lyric nearly everyone knows… “The day the music died.
Though Buddy Holly’s career in music was short, his mark on contemporary music is undeniable—as is his signature eyewear. His thick-framed glasses are so iconic they are even a part of the monument erected at the site of the crash.
Shop Wayfarer style frames
John Lennon
John Lennon became known for his barely-there round frames. It’s interesting to learn Lennon was intensely near-sighted, so much so that he was considered legally blind.
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Janis Joplin
When people say you’re looking at life through rose-colored glasses, they may be envisioning Janis Joplin’s iconic frames.
Joplin was as one of the most popular and distinctive feminist music figures in the ‘60s. She was also the first prominent female to join the infamous 27 Club after her passing in 1970. Of course, her legend lives on, as do her pink-tinted glasses.
Shop pink frames (and lenses)
Miu Miu MU 59US CORE COLLECTION
Elton John
Elton John is known for his elaborate stage costumes and eclectic glasses. Never one to blend in, he enjoys taking risks in different color combinations and often, outrageous frames. If you’re looking to take a risk with your eyewear, think Rocket Man.
Shop glam frames
Versace VE2182 GLAM MEDUSA SHIELD
Bono
Trademark glasses have always been a part of the look for U2’s frontman—but not for fashion only.
Bono has revealed the reason he always wears dark glasses is because he suffers from glaucoma.
Bono is known to sport colorful, Y2K-inspired glasses—often with shield lenses—in line with the frontman’s larger than life image.
Shop millennium-inspired frames
