The Memorable Bust-Ups In Music And Why They Happened
It's not easy being in a band. You have to record songs, go on tour, do a ton of interviews and a bunch of stuff behind the scenes. Of course, there are other factors like having drunken mishaps on tour or just deciding to kill your bandmate.
No matter what happened to bands like The Clash and The Smiths, they were some memorable bust-ups in music.
Two Members Of The Kinks Had Beef Over A Drunken Act
The worst incident came between Dave Davies and drummer Mick Avory. In 1965, while onstage at a show, Avory belted his bandmate with his drum kit as an act of revenge for losing a drunken fight with Mick.
Unfortunately, the pair never reconciled, and Avory would finally quit the band in 1984.
Crosby Stills Nash & Young Explosive Relationships Led To Three Decades Of Spluttered History
All of the members had different permutations of the foursome, and the whole thing was charged by drugs, guns, and medical trauma. But, the end of all of that came in 1999.
That's when the album Looking Forward brought the band back together again, and led to their first full tour since 1974.
The Verve Shouldn't Have Brought Back Nick McCabe
At Richard Ashcroft's request, Nick McCabe re-joined The Verve in 1997. One year later, the drug-fuelled tensions returned. Following a show in June 1998, McCabe broke his hand after his fist collided with Ashcroft's face.
McCabe later told an interviewer that the frontman has "no respect for anyone."
Frank Black And Kim Deal Had A Feud In Pixies
The two creative forces clashed during the recordings of Doolittle. However, it was a show in Stuttgart that saw tensions spilled in front of everyone. Black launched his guitar in the bassist's direction. While on tour with U2, the band traveled from shows in separate vehicles.
Black would go on to announce the band's break-up in a BBC radio interview.
Steven Tyler Caused Problems For Aerosmith
In the bands later years, Tyler's addiction to painkillers and becoming a judge on American Idol caused problems. After breaking his collarbone falling off the stage in 2010, Joe Perry spoke up about getting a new singer.
But, Tyler fell offstage at a show in Toronto, and it was speculated that Perry back into him on purpose.
Blur Had The Perfect Recipe For A Relationship Breakdown
Two good friends battled with alcohol, drugs, money, fame, and egos. Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon finally came head-to-head. Graham felt he was "ganged up on" and started mission sessions. Eventually, he was asked to leave. That would follow with six years of ignored phone messages and internet sniping.
But, Albarn went on to form Gorillaz.
It Was The Use Your Illusion Tour That Busted Up Guns N' Roses
The show in Buenos Aires in July 1993 was the last time Slash and Duff McKagan would play live with Axl. With his substance issues finally coming to a head, the Buenos Aires show marked the last time Slash would play with the band.
It wouldn't be until 2016 where he could play with the group again.
Death From Above 1979 Thought One Album Was Enough, But Not So Much
Toronto's Sebastien Grainger and Jesse F Keeler were magnificent on one album before splitting ways. Keeler announced their split in 2006, writing: "We decided to stop doing the band almost a year ago." However, that would turn around for the better.
The duo would return to make The Physical World and Outrage! Is Now.
Three Members Of The Clash Had Bitterness Between Them
Joe Strummer, Paul Simonon and Mick Jones had bitterness that led to their demise. A year after Topper Headon was ousted for his heroin use, Jones was fired.
His problems with punctuality and playing the ego rock star, and the way he had fallen out with the group, are all contributing factors.
The Eagles Were Uncomfortable Playing In Front Of A Politician
The band didn't want to play for Senator Alan Cranston, but Glenn Frey insisted. Before the gig, Don Felder commented on the Senator's wife, infuriating Frey. Between songs, the singer hissed at Felder about the beating he was going to give him.
After the show, Felder would escape in a separate limo.
Dave Simpson From The Fall Struck A Nerve On Everyone
Dave Simpson was legendary for keeping his band on their toes. He even went as far as tracking down over 40 ex-members and interviewed them for his book. One notable incident came in 1977 when three members walked out on Simpson during a set.
The honeymoon period for the new lineup lasted only a few hours.
The Rockumentary Some Kind Of Monster Proved Metallica Was A Dysfunctional Bunch
During one band discussion, ex-member Dave Mustaine poured beer on Ron McGoveney's bass, and the electric shock blasted him.
He even had pitbulls to protect his interests as a drug dealer, but that led to a three-way fight between Ron, Dave, and James Hetfield.
Tensions Boiled Over Between Members Of Razorlight
There have been a few bad experiences in the group. Ex-drummer Andy Burrows left after a punch-out in the Hawley Arms, and other members were quoted as saying they'd follow suit. Tensions went through the roof at a show in Lyon, France.
An argument broke out during a set, leading to the band storming offstage.
The Libertines Somehow Bounced Back In 2003
Pete Doherty, who was estranged from the band for drug consumption, broke into Carl Barât's flat. He stole a guitar, laptop, an NME Award, and cash. Seven years of nonsense later, everything was forgiven.
The band resumed with awkward glances and puppy-dog eyes at Reading and Leeds.
D'arcy Wretzky Was Fired From The Smashing Pumpkins
In Billy Corgan's blog, the bassist was fired for being a mean-spirited drug addict. Guitarist James Iha was blamed for the band's break up. The pair hasn't spoken to each other in years. Even drummer Jimmy Chamberlin was fired after overdosing on heroin.
For everyone's safety, they had to part ways.
Jay Reatard Was One Weird Dude
The musician broke the news on Twitter that he had enough of his band. But, drummer Billy Hayes was quick to say that Jay attacked him numerous times.
If you want actual evidence of this, there's a video on YouTube of Jay at Goner Fest 6 doing some unexplainable things.
Mayhem's Guitarist Turned Dark, Real Quick
There didn't seem to be much bad blood between Oystein 'Euronymour' Aarseth and Varg 'Count Grisnackh' Vikernes. But on one night, Vikernes and a friend went to Euronymous' flat. The guitarist would be stabbed 23 times in the neck and back.
In 1994, Vikernes was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 21 years in prison.
NWA
Dr. Dre invited Eazy-E around to the studio, but instead of Dre greeting him, goons were waiting for him. They put Eazy in a dark room and threatened to kidnap his manager and mother if he didn't give them a signature.
He would sign, but the hostilities between the members ended after Eazy's death.
The Smiths Was Destroyed By Mike Joyce
Only Morrissey and Johnny Marr's names were on the band's contract. Both claimed that Joyce and Andy Rourke would receive 10% each. The singer and guitarist received larger shares as the songwriters for the group.
Rourke and Joyce assumed earnings were split in four ways, so Joyce took it to the high court in which he won.
A Bout Between The Gallaghers Pretty Much Ended Oasis
The Gallagher brothers always cause a stir. One night, Liam turned up to a show complaining he wasn't feeling well. It was before being taken to task by Noel for acting unprofessionally. That already caused the band to pull an appearance at V2009.
Liam would turn violent and smash one of Noel's guitars.
