Top 11 ‘What If?’ Moments in Classic Rock History

Rock history is full of pivotal moments that shaped the sound, culture, and careers of countless artists. But for every moment that did happen, there’s a tantalising "what if" that could have changed everything. Here are 11 "what if" scenarios that could have completely altered the rock landscape as we know it.

1. What if Syd Barrett had stayed with Pink Floyd?: Pink Floyd’s psychedelic beginnings were driven by Barrett’s innovative mind. But as his mental health deteriorated, the band transitioned into the spacey prog-rock legends we know today. Would Dark Side of the Moon or The Wall even exist if Barrett had remained at the helm?

2. What if Jimi Hendrix hadn’t died in 1970?: Jimi Hendrix’s death at 27 robbed the world of a musician just hitting his creative stride. He was experimenting with new sounds and styles. What could Hendrix have done with the funk movement in the 70s, or with new recording technology in the 80s?

3. What if The Beatles had stayed together?: The Fab Four broke up in 1970, but had they stayed together, would we have seen them embrace glam rock, disco, or punk in the 70s? Imagine a Beatles response to Ziggy Stardust or the rise of synthesised music.

1. What if Keith Moon had lived?: The Who’s explosive drummer defined their sound, but his untimely death in 1978 marked the end of the band's raw energy. What direction might The Who have taken in the 80s with Moon still behind the kit?

2. What if Stevie Ray Vaughan had survived his helicopter crash?: Vaughan was at the peak of his career when he tragically died in 1990. His influence on blues rock is undeniable, but he was also leaning into more experimental jazz and rock styles. Where could he have taken the genre?

3. What if Led Zeppelin had continued after John Bonham’s death?: Led Zeppelin called it quits after Bonham’s death in 1980, but what if they had carried on with another drummer? Would they have maintained their iconic status, or would the magic have faded?

4. What if Nirvana had stayed together after Kurt Cobain’s death?: Nirvana’s short but influential career reshaped the 90s music scene. Would they have continued to evolve, perhaps into something more experimental, or would they have self-destructed under the pressure of fame?

5. What if The Rolling Stones had broken up in the 80s?: The tension between Mick Jagger and Keith Richards almost ended the band during the 1980s. If the Stones had split, would we still see them as the legends they are today, or would solo careers have diluted their legacy?

6. What if Bob Dylan hadn’t gone electric?: Dylan’s decision to plug in at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival shocked the folk community but paved the way for folk rock and his influential albums like Highway 61 Revisited. Staying acoustic could have altered the course of his career and the development of rock.

1. What if Eric Clapton had joined The Beatles?: Clapton’s close friendship with George Harrison led to rumours that he might replace Harrison during tense moments in the Beatles’ history. Clapton’s blues influence could have taken the Beatles’ sound in a wildly different direction.

2. What if David Bowie hadn’t retired Ziggy Stardust?: Bowie’s decision to retire his Ziggy Stardust persona in 1973 shocked fans, but what if he had kept it going? Would the glam-rock scene have lasted longer, or would Bowie have been confined to the character, never experimenting with soul, electronic, and industrial music?

Curious about these alternate realities? Embrace the "what ifs" of rock history with our unique T-shirts inspired by pivotal moments, available now at BathroomWall.