It’s not easy to make it to rock star status in the music industry. Even some of the world’s best musicians had to play countless shows at tiny venues before they could rock house on some of music’s biggest stages. Fortunately for us, there were people smart enough to bring video cameras to those performances.

early off ramp

Nirvana at a Radio Shack (1988)

http://youtu.be/7mQy1hxdxW8

Pearl Jam’s first show at the Off Ramp Cafe in Seattle (1990)

Rage Against The Machine’s first ever show at Cal State Northridge (1991)

http://youtu.be/tbMejtcOZbQ

The Beastie Boys as a punk band (1983)

The Ramones (1974)

http://youtu.be/RdyEEk5WrrI

Green Day at a high school recess (1990)

Pink Floyd at a London nightclub (1966)

http://youtu.be/zsrQi3ZB0Nc

The Beatles at a small Liverpool club (1962)

http://youtu.be/vpIBwXsrsMQ

The Who at a hotel bar (1964)

http://youtu.be/hflF6YCsqbs

Guns n’ Roses acoustic performance in Hollywood (1986)

http://youtu.be/sfHuiBOjCTo

A 17-year old LL Cool J at Colby College in Maine (1985)

Soundgaren at a small Seattle tavern (1986)

The Strokes at a grocery store (2000)

U2 on Irish TV as teenagers (1978)

Notorious B.I.G. and Puff Daddy at Howard University’s homecoming (1995)

Eminem at a high school talent show (1991)

http://youtu.be/ketu8Q1atPM

50 Cent early freestyle (1999)

http://youtu.be/jND4j88vo0E

Rihanna performs as 15-year old (1998)

Oasis rehearsal (1992)

http://youtu.be/Sr_JNN1LtwI

Destiny’s Child performs in a backyard as 11-year olds

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