Four Musicians Who Are Also Scientists

People have always differentiated science and music: with one being rigid, procedural, and strictly facts-based while the other is flexible, free, and often open to interpretation. However, every once in a while, we see people who excel in both.

Here are some of the musicians who have made their name in the music industry and pursued a career in the health and sciences along the way:

1. Terry Chimes

The English musician Terrence "Terry" Chimes is perhaps best known as the drummer of punk rock pioneer "The Clash," as well as the post-punk and new wave scenes. He also played for the Finnish rock band "Hanoi Rocks" in 1985 before it disbanded later in the year. Terry Chimes also played drums for Black Sabbath and Billy Idol.

In a 2010 interview with The Guardian, Chimes said that after an incident at the bowling alley left his shoulder locked up, a chiropractor got him fixed. It made such an impression that he enrolled in the course. He now owns a chiropractic clinic and attends seminars on the subject. Also, Chimes still plays drums for English/ Swedish power-pop act "The Crunch" occasionally.

2. Tom Scholz

Born Donald Thomas Scholz, the Boston mainstay is both a rockstar and an engineer. His entry into the music industry was due to his Master's degree in mechanical engineering from MIT in 1970. He worked as a senior design engineer for Polaroid before founding the rock band Boston, best known for hits such as "Amanda," "Peace of Mind," and "More Than A Feeling."

An engineer by day and a session rocker by night, he started recording demos that would later get him a recording contract with Epic Records. Most of the tracks in their eponymous debut album were recorded in his basement studio, using equipment he designed and invented himself.

3. Brian May

(Photo : Wikimedia Commons)

The legendary band Queen was founded in 1970 by Freddie Mercury, Roger Taylor, and Brian May. Taylor and May have previously worked together in the band Smile. Brian May is best known as the lead guitarist, though he also wrote several songs for the band, including the rock anthem "We Will Rock You," "Who Wants To Live Forever," and "Fat Bottomed Girls."

Before Brian May the Queen lead guitarist was born, there was Brian May the Physics bachelor, having graduated from the Imperial College London with honors in 1968. As Queen started taking off, May was studying for a doctorate at the Imperial College. While he had to leave his studies for rock stardom, he co-authored two research papers on astrophysics, both peer-reviewed. In 2006, however, he returned to finish his Ph.D.

4. David Lee Roth

(Photo : Wikimedia Commons)

The American rock icon did lead vocals for Van Halen, co-writing and singing "Jump." Roth also had a successful solo career marked by gold and platinum albums before reuniting with Eddie Van Halen in 2006. Diamond Dave is best known for his highly energetic stage presence as well as his impressive vocal range.

In the late 1990s, however, David Lee Roth himself took training courses to become a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). In fact, in an interview, Roth said that he used to be a surgical orderly in LA. As an EMT, he has already gone on more than 200 ambulance rides.

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