The 1960s and ’70s were a wild time for rock and roll. Leather pants, wild hair, and rebellious attitudes defined the era. But behind the scenes, even the biggest rock stars had parents who loved them, worried about them, and maybe even packed them a lunch for the road.
In 1971, LIFE magazine sent photographer John Olson on a unique mission: to capture these rock icons at home with their parents. The resulting photos are a fascinating glimpse into the private lives of legends, revealing a softer, more relatable side of these larger-than-life figures.
Olson’s journey took him from the suburbs of London to the heart of Brooklyn, and even to the sunny Bay Area. He photographed a diverse group of rock stars, each with their own unique family dynamic.
There’s Eric Clapton, the guitar god, sitting in his living room with his grandmother, Rose Clapp. She’s beaming with pride, her hands resting gently on his shoulders. It’s a tender moment that reminds us that even rock stars need a loving touch from grandma.
Across the pond, we find Grace Slick, the fiery lead singer of Jefferson Airplane, standing with her parents in their modest San Francisco home. Her mother, Virginia Wing, is dressed to the nines, while her father, Ivan Wing, looks dapper in a suit. They seem a bit reserved, perhaps a bit bewildered by their daughter’s wild lifestyle, but there’s no doubt that they love her.
In these photos, we see the rock stars not as untouchable idols, but as sons and daughters. They’re laughing with their parents, sharing a meal, or simply relaxing in their childhood homes.
