Rock and roll has always been a playground for the ego, but some musicians have taken this to an entirely new level. While confidence is a crucial ingredient for any artist, there’s a fine line between self-assurance and outright arrogance. This line is often blurred by those who let their own hype consume them, transforming them into self-proclaimed musical deities.
From pompous pronouncements to condescending critiques, these individuals have crafted a unique brand of self-importance. They’ve convinced themselves that their art is not just music but a divine revelation, and anyone who dares to disagree is simply not enlightened enough to appreciate their genius.
It’s time to peel back the layers of manufactured mystique and expose the diva lurking beneath the rock star facade. Prepare to be entertained, appalled, and perhaps a little bit vindicated as we delve into the world of musicians who let their egos overshadow their talent.
10. Billy Corgan Overwriting His Own Band in Siamese Dream
Crafting a polished album is a collaborative journey that often requires compromise and trust. Billy Corgan, however, had a different approach when recording Smashing Pumpkins’ Siamese Dream. Instead of embracing the collective energy of the band, Corgan opted to take matters into his own hands.
Replacing his bandmates’ contributions with his own overdubs, Corgan transformed Siamese Dream into a solo project disguised as a band album. While D’Arcy Wretsky and James Iha laid down initial tracks, their efforts were ultimately overshadowed by Corgan’s relentless pursuit of perfection.
Jimmy Chamberlain, the band’s drummer, seemingly escaped Corgan’s overdubbing frenzy due to his meticulous approach to his instrument. However, the album’s production reveals a stark contrast between the collaborative spirit of a band and the controlling vision of a single individual.
9. Lou Reed and His Metal Machine Music
Rock and roll is renowned for its rebellious spirit and freedom of expression. Artists are granted the liberty to experiment and push boundaries without adhering to conventional norms. However, Lou Reed’s Metal Machine Music seems to defy even the most liberal interpretation of artistic license.
Instead of captivating listeners with poetic lyricism as he had done previously, Reed subjected them to a cacophony of feedback. This sonic assault felt like a deliberate provocation, as if Reed was challenging the very notion of music itself.
Despite its divisive nature, Metal Machine Music has garnered a dedicated fanbase. These individuals have undertaken the arduous task of dissecting the album’s sonic chaos, searching for hidden meaning within the noise.
8. Flaming Lips’ Ambitious Four-Disc Zaireeka
The Flaming Lips are renowned for their unconventional and psychedelic sound. Their music often defies categorization, leaving listeners perplexed yet intrigued. Zaireeka, however, takes their experimental approach to a whole new level.
Released as a four-disc set, Zaireeka is a perplexing sonic puzzle. The band intended for the discs to be played simultaneously, creating a multi-dimensional listening experience. However, the impracticality of this approach hindered the album’s accessibility.
Despite its unconventional format, Zaireeka offers a rewarding listening experience when properly executed. The album’s psychedelic soundscapes and intricate arrangements showcase the band’s musical prowess. However, the high price tag and technical challenges associated with playing the four discs simultaneously remain significant drawbacks.
7. Machine Gun Kelly Dissing Other Stars
Rock and roll has a history of artists proclaiming their music as exclusive and inaccessible to the masses. Machine Gun Kelly, however, takes this attitude to a new level of absurdity.
Before transitioning to rock, Kelly was soundly dismissed by Eminem in a high-profile rap battle. His subsequent success in the pop-punk genre emboldened him to make controversial statements about the true nature of rock stardom. Kelly’s insistence on appearance as a defining characteristic of a rock star is particularly laughable.
Kelly’s public feud with Slipknot’s Corey Taylor further solidified his reputation as a self-proclaimed rock icon. Taylor’s rebuttal, complete with evidence of Kelly’s initial interest in collaborating, exposed Kelly’s hypocrisy and inflated ego. As Kelly continues to make headlines for his erratic behavior, one can’t help but wonder what outrageous claims he will make next.
6. Guns N’ Roses Strange “Estranged” Music Video
The fast-paced world of rock stardom can often inflate egos and create a sense of entitlement. While occasional diva-like behavior is understandable, some artists take it to extreme levels. Guns N’ Roses, once the epitome of rebellious rock, showcased their transformation in the music video for “Estranged”.
Following the grandiose spectacle of “November Rain,” “Estranged” takes things to a new level of absurdity. The video alternates between live performance footage and scripted scenes featuring Axl Rose. However, the climax of the video involves Rose’s dramatic leap from a cruise ship and subsequent swimming with dolphins.
This bizarre sequence raises questions about the intended message of the video. Is it suggesting that the natural progression for a rock star is from rebellious frontman to dolphin enthusiast? Regardless of the intent, “Estranged” remains a perplexing and unforgettable moment in music video history.
5. Morrissey’s Anti-Meat Crusade During His Tour
Morrissey has a long history of controversial statements and self-aggrandizing behavior. His outspoken personality and penchant for controversy have often overshadowed his musical talent. One particularly infamous incident involved his vegan tour.
While promoting a vegan lifestyle is commendable, Morrissey’s approach to this issue was excessive and divisive. By demanding that venues completely eliminate meat products, he alienated many fans and created unnecessary conflict.
The irony of a musician who wrote a song condemning the meat industry becoming a vocal and uncompromising vegan activist is not lost on many. Morrissey’s aggressive stance on the issue has only served to alienate potential supporters and reinforce negative stereotypes about vegans.
4. KISS Selling Coffins as Merch
KISS has built a dedicated and passionate fanbase over the decades. Their business acumen has been as impressive as their musical talent, with merchandise ranging from albums and toys to the truly bizarre.
The band’s entrepreneurial spirit reached a new low with the introduction of the Kiss Kasket. Designed to provide fans with a stylish afterlife, the coffin is a macabre testament to Kiss’s ability to capitalize on any opportunity. While some may view this as a genuine tribute to their fans, others find it tasteless and exploitative.
The fact that several Kiss Kaskets have been purchased, including one for the late Dimebag Darrell, highlights the morbid fascination with Kiss merchandise. As Gene Simmons continues to seek out new ways to monetize the Kiss brand, it’s difficult to predict what outrageous product will be unveiled next.
3. U2’s Rattle and Hum Album and Movie
U2’s early career was marked by a sense of self-importance that often overshadowed their musical talent. While albums like War and The Joshua Tree showcased their songwriting abilities, the band’s growing ego became increasingly apparent.
Rattle and Hum, both the album and the accompanying film, exemplified U2’s self-aggrandizing tendencies. The movie, in particular, was a cringe-worthy display of rock star excess. Bono’s attempts to reclaim “Helter Skelter” from Charles Manson and improve upon Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower” were among the film’s most embarrassing moments.
The juxtaposition of Bono’s image with footage of Martin Luther King Jr. during the performance of “MLK” revealed the band’s misguided attempt to align themselves with iconic figures of social change. U2’s transformation from a talented rock band into a self-proclaimed messianic group reached its peak with Rattle and Hum.
2. Roger Waters Releasing an Unwanted Dark Side of the Moon Remake
Revisiting classic albums is a risky endeavor for any artist. Fans often cherish these recordings and resist attempts to reimagine them. Roger Waters, however, has demonstrated a disregard for his own legacy by remaking Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon.
Waters’ decision to recreate Dark Side of the Moon is particularly egregious given his previous attempts to claim sole ownership of the Pink Floyd name. The remade tracks pale in comparison to the originals, and the absence of iconic elements like the vocal solo in “The Great Gig in the Sky” is a significant disappointment.
Waters’ spoken-word interludes on the remade album are pretentious and self-indulgent. Instead of creating a sense of foreboding, they come across as desperate attempts to maintain relevance. It’s clear that Waters is struggling to come to terms with his place in rock history, and his efforts to recontextualize his work are ultimately futile.
1. Lars Ulrich and the Infamous Napster Fiasco
Lars Ulrich has long been a polarizing figure in the music industry. His role as the driving force behind Metallica, combined with his perceived arrogance and disdain for fans, made him an easy target for criticism. However, his battle against Napster brought his flaws into sharp focus.
While Ulrich was justified in his concerns about the impact of file-sharing on musicians’ livelihoods, his aggressive approach alienated fans. Instead of being seen as a champion for artists’ rights, he was portrayed as a greedy corporate executive.
Ironically, the music industry’s current reliance on streaming has exacerbated the problems that Ulrich was trying to address. The devaluation of music has created a challenging environment for artists, and Ulrich’s failed crusade against file-sharing serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of the digital age.