20 Iconic ‘Short Kings’ in Rock History

Rock and roll has taught the world many lessons. Perhaps one of its most underrated is this: You don’t have to be tall to be a giant rock star. In…

Ronnie James Dio on a red carpet throwing horns
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Rock and roll has taught the world many lessons. Perhaps one of its most underrated is this: You don't have to be tall to be a giant rock star.

In fact, some of the biggest names in rock history could be classified as "short kings."

What's a "short king" you may ask? First coined by comedian/writer Jaboukie Young-White, a short king is a slang term of endearment for a man who is under 5'9", according to Urban Dictionary.

Scroll through the gallery below to see some of rock's greatest short kings.

John Mellencamp

GettyImages-109309079.jpgMike Coppola/Getty Images

5'7"


Ronnie James Dio

GettyImages-76047465.jpgRobert Cianflone/Getty Images

5'4"


Bruce Dickinson

GettyImages-53634054.jpgKarl Walter/Getty Images

5'6"


Iggy Pop

GettyImages-1050533430.jpgNeilson Barnard/Getty Images

5'6"


Billie Joe Armstrong

GettyImages-1186249348.jpgEthan Miller/Getty Images

5'7"


Flea

GettyImages-848674996.jpgNicholas Hunt/Getty Images

5'6"


Axl Rose

GettyImages-596732874.jpgJeffrey A. Camarati/Getty Images

5'8"


Angus and Malcolm Young

GettyImages-779720.jpgNewsmakers/Getty Images

5'2" and 5'3"


Prince

GettyImages-52457876.jpgKevin Winter/Getty Images

5'2"


Eddie Vedder

GettyImages-98788281.jpgRick Diamond/Getty Images

5'7"


Roger Daltrey

GettyImages-615067830.jpgKevin Winter/Getty Images

5'7"


Paul Simon

GettyImages-117369483.jpgIan Gavan/Getty Images

5'3"


Bob Marley

GettyImages-3259910.jpgEvening Standard/Getty Images

5'8"


Lou Reed

GettyImages-3295986.jpgKeystone/Getty Images

5'8"


Thom Yorke

GettyImages-671354538.jpgKevin Winter/Getty Images

5'5"


Bob Dylan

GettyImages-88440914.jpgKevin Winter/Getty Images

5'7"


Beck

GettyImages-907362536.jpgKevin Winter/Getty Images

5'7"


Phil Collins

GettyImages-1060389198.jpgEthan Miller/Getty Images

5'6"


Bono

GettyImages-499493530.jpgTheo Wargo/Getty Images

5'5 1/2"