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10 famous (and surprising) ukulele players

By Rob Power
last updated 3 March 2021

Some strummers are stranger than others

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Dwayne Johnson
Can you smell what The Rock is cooking? It's a softly strummed solo, we reckon...
(Image credit: Corbis)

Dwayne Johnson

Don't forget that Play Guitar Now: Ukulele is available now from WHSmiths and all good newsagents, or you can order a copy online. Now get strumming!

  • Best beginner ukuleles: top entry-level ukes
Page 1 of 10
Page 1 of 10
Amanda Palmer
She's controversial as hell, but she knows how to wail on a uke.
(Image credit: Corbis)

Amanda Palmer

Don't forget that Play Guitar Now: Ukulele is available now from WHSmiths and all good newsagents, or you can order a copy online. Now get strumming!

Page 2 of 10
Page 2 of 10
Beirut
Zachary Condon has been indie-rocking the ukulele for some time now.
(Image credit: Corbis)

Beirut

Don't forget that Play Guitar Now: Ukulele is available now from WHSmiths and all good newsagents, or you can order a copy online. Now get strumming!

Page 3 of 10
Page 3 of 10
Eddie Vedder
Pearl Jam's main man is not averse to a bit of four-string lovin' and even made an album called Ukulele Songs.
(Image credit: Corbis)

Eddie Vedder

Don't forget that Play Guitar Now: Ukulele is available now from WHSmiths and all good newsagents, or you can order a copy online. Now get strumming!

Page 4 of 10
Page 4 of 10
Elvis Presley
Here's the King making a uke sing in Blue Hawaii.
(Image credit: Corbis)

Elvis Presley

Don't forget that Play Guitar Now: Ukulele is available now from WHSmiths and all good newsagents, or you can order a copy online. Now get strumming!

Page 5 of 10
Page 5 of 10
Roger Daltrey
The Who's front man has been known to indulge in a bit of uke-based strumming.
(Image credit: Corbis)

Roger Daltrey

Don't forget that Play Guitar Now: Ukulele is available now from WHSmiths and all good newsagents, or you can order a copy online. Now get strumming!

Page 6 of 10
Page 6 of 10
Rocky Marciano
Here's the only undefeated heavyweight boxing champion getting his giant hands round a tiny four-string.
(Image credit: Bettmann/CORBIS)

Rocky Marciano

Don't forget that Play Guitar Now: Ukulele is available now from WHSmiths and all good newsagents, or you can order a copy online. Now get strumming!

Page 7 of 10
Page 7 of 10
Elvis Costello
Costello is a dyed-in-the-wool uke fanatic.
(Image credit: Eleanor Bentall/Corbis)

Elvis Costello

Don't forget that Play Guitar Now: Ukulele is available now from WHSmiths and all good newsagents, or you can order a copy online. Now get strumming!

Page 8 of 10
Page 8 of 10
Will. I. Am
The Black Eyed Peas man with the terribly-spelt name isn't shy when it comes to strumming out a tune or two.
(Image credit: Lucas Jackson/Reuters/Corbis)

Will. I. Am

Don't forget that Play Guitar Now: Ukulele is available now from WHSmiths and all good newsagents, or you can order a copy online. Now get strumming!

Page 9 of 10
Page 9 of 10
Zooey Deschanel
The ultra-cutesy actress turned ultra-cutesy She & Him singer is, unsurprisingly, a fan of the ultra-cutesy ukulele.
(Image credit: Tim Mosenfelder/Corbis)

Zooey Deschanel

Don't forget that Play Guitar Now: Ukulele is available now from WHSmiths and all good newsagents, or you can order a copy online. Now get strumming!

Page 10 of 10
Page 10 of 10
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Rob Power
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