I was trying to think of successful (and TALENTED) pops stars/musicians who were genuinely from working class backgrounds and...

[said]

...couldn't think of many.

Bruce Springsteen's dad was a bus driver so he qualifies

Who can we name?

The Beatles (bar Ringo) were all pretty middle-class

Ditto the Stones (not sure about Keith?)

Dylan was from an affluent background.

The TALENTED proviso is to exclude the likes of Cheryl Cole etc

Tricky grew up in care

The Smiths' parents all worked with FIL digging the roads in Manchester, or so he says

Sharbie

I believe Ian Curtis was on a scholarship at public school

I thought we were doing working class, which is very different to poor/deprived imo

Bono but not the rest of U2 - but obv debateable as to talent!

Phil Lynott (I think)

Wet, Wet Wet and Paolo Nutini

working class DOES NOT equal poor deprived background
there is a lot of prejudice and snobbery on this thread

I agree. Not sure what your definitions are. Both Leona Lewis and Craig David from comfortable, educated backgrounds iirc.

I think it's fairly subjective, as people I find talented perhaps are not found talented by others.

Came to this thread late but what about the Manics, VERY working class, remember Design For Life?

I was about to suggest the Manics, but you beat me to it!

Matt Bellamy (Muse). His dad was in The Tornadoes way back but was a painter and decorator when Matt was growing up. I think that counts as working class doesn't it?

Elvis Costello was brought up in Twickenham, not exactly a working class area, & his father was a successful musician...

Paul Weller deffo working class...father a taxi driver and mother a cleaner..(I think ?)

Most of the British metal bands

Black Sabbath (their scuzzy guitar sound was the result of an accident in a sheet metal factory)
Def Lepard

Dr Feelgood

Shaun Ryder and most of the Madchester massive were not exactly middle class.

Dizzy Rascal (who I can claim to actually met, taught him a few times)

Daftpunk, there are working class people in Twickenham. Just like in every other area.

Slug, what did you teach Dizzee Rascal?

I covered his English class once or twice when he was in College.

LS;

I know, but Twickenham has always been associated with people who are doing pretty ok thank you....iykwim.

This story reminded me of this thread