10 Classic Rock Artists That NEVER Sold Out

10. John Lennon

It's almost impossible to overstate the amount of influence John Lennon has had over the rock community. Even if you don't really care for the man's music, the amount of classic tunes he has had some hand in is seemingly endless, from his solo work to his time with the Beatles. Whereas most people wouldn't want to leave the top of the charts, Lennon ended up following his musical vision wherever it would take him.

For a man who was one of the most recognizable rock stars of his time, it's staggering to consider how much Lennon didn't care about the mainstream. How little care you might ask? Well, around the time he was still in the Beatles, his collaboration with Yoko Ono resulted in an album with a cover of him completely naked on the front. After his take on the avant garde, Lennon even went so far as to be even more transparent as the years went on, with Imagine and Plastic Ono Band detailing his time in primal therapy.

Even when not focusing on his own projects, Lennon still seemed to keep his ear to the ground in rock circles, collaborating with everyone from Elton John to David Bowie. Eventually settling into his domestic life in New York City before his death, Lennon never let his star power limit his ability to live life to the fullest extent.