The 10 Most Iconic Bare Torsos in Music: A Taxonomy

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Today in news that sounds like a punchline, Iggy Pop has just launched his own T-shirt line with Barneys Co-Op. As Rebecca Mead of The New Yorker points out, “his is the most celebrated bare torso in rock and roll, those of Mick Jagger and Jim Morrison notwithstanding.” Her brief list got us thinking about the most iconic bare chests in music, from classic rock and punk to R&B and hip-hop. A taxonomy of 10 varieties of shirtless star is after jump. You’re welcome.

Mick Jagger: The classic-rock torso

Identifying characteristics: Lithe, wiry, and seductive with little muscle definitionSee also:Jim Morrison, Robert Plant

Iggy Pop: The proto-punk torso

Identifying characteristics: More dangerous than sexualSee also:Wayne Kramer, New York Dolls

Sid Vicious: The punk-rock torso

Identifying characteristics: Self-mutilatedSee also:Darby Crash, G.G. Allin, Richard Hell

Henry Rollins: The hardcore torso

Identifying characteristics: Beefy, tough, tattooed, unkemptSee also:Jello Biafra, Pink Eyes of Fucked Up, Ian MacKaye

D’Angelo: The R&B torso

Identifying characteristics: Muscular, oiled up, lady-pleasingSee also:Usher, Trey Songz

Chris Cornell: The alt-rock torso

Identifying characteristics: Track marks, tattoosSee also:Anthony Kiedis, Scott Weiland

LL Cool J: The hip-hop torso

Identifying characteristics: Muscular, tough, tattooed, perhaps bullet-scarredSee also:Akon, Eminem, DMX, Lil Wayne

Prince: The sexually ambiguous torso

Identifying characteristics: Androgyny, glitter, tendency to make feline movementsSee also:Freddie Mercury, David Bowie, Morrissey

Bon Scott: The hard rock torso

Identifying characteristics: Chest hairSee also:Axl Rose, David Lee Roth, Phil Anselmo

Wendy O. Williams: The lady torso

Identifying characteristics: Boobs, fearlessnessSee also:The Slits, Lynn Breedlove of Tribe 8 (NSFW)