I used to work in a store with Brendan Canty, the drummer of Fugazi. He is one of the most straight forward cool guys you will meet. Completely unpretentious and kind. If you get a chance, check out his new band, The Messthetics. It’s very different, and he’s exploring his talents in a way he couldn’t with his old band.
Came in to say this. As I posted a few weeks/months ago, I came in to the middle of a broadcast interview on NPR with some musician whose name wasn’t restated, so I didn’t know who it was. The guy was funny, self-effacing, charming, witty, and generally delightful. All I could think was, “who is this guy? I want to hear his music, he’s an awesome human being.”
Turns out it was Bruce. I’ve never been a huge fan of his music, but damn, he seems like an extraordinarily decent person.
From the Graham Norton Show (which I know is broadcast in the US) - specifically one of the Big Red Chair interviews with the public. An Irish guy told the story of how he took his girlfriend out to a very expensive restaurant in Dublin and found himself a couple of tables away from Bono, his hero. When Bono went to the washroom, our awestruck diner went over to Bono’s table to ask the man that Bono was dining with if saying hello and a photo with Bono might be possible? To which Bono’s pal said, well, wait til the end of the meal and then come over, OK?
When Bono and his pal had finished eating, they did the photo and had a little chat, and then Bono and pal left. When our awestruck diner and his girlfriend had finished and it was time to pay, he was told by the waiter that the bill had already been settled.
What, he asked the waiter, *Bono paid for us?
*
No, said the waiter, Mr Springsteen did.
OK, the story is funny because our guy was so overawed that he didn’t recognise that Bono’s pal was Brucie, even though he talked to him. But IMHO that just makes it reflect even better on Springsteen.
j
Of course I’ve never met him in person, and I’ve never even saw him on stage, but from all I’ve heard I think that Tom Petty was a real nice guy. At least that has always been my personal impression.
I know a guy (blind) who went to school with Stevie Wonder. He had a story where Stevie Wonder was the asshole. But, this was back when he was in high school. Also, maybe the guy that I know had some bias.
I had a beer with Willie!
Brian May for sure
Bruce Dickinson
Brian May “storms” out of interview.
Along with Bruce, I’d nominated the rest of the E Street Band. I got to hang out with them once after a concert, and they were all sweet guys. Clarence Clemmons in particular was extremely nice.
Everything is on the internet. I got most of the details right.
Here it is, if anyone is interested. Story starts at 4.58.
j
Bonnie Raitt has the reputation of being nice to everyone: band members, stagehands, fans, security people, ticket takers. . . She also will invite local musicians up on stage to perform with her.
I worked at his kids’ school several years back. I agree with you.
I had a conversation with LL Cool J during which he impressed me with how genuine and caring he was. There were no cameras or microphones in sight.
Definitely not rock, but for jazz nobody I know was nicer than Dave Brubeck. A consummate gentleman.
By all accounts Bob Seger is a Nice Guy.
If we’re including country music, then Charlie Daniels certainly has a reputation as being an all around nice guy.
Drums: Charlie Watts.
No specific stories, just an impression I’ve gotten from folllowing the Stones since 1964.
Now, while Pete certainly wouldn’t make this list, from the times I’ve met and briefly talked to his brother, Simon Townshend seems like a genuinely nice guy.
Oh…Ritchie Blackmore was solidly on my “asshole” list, until I saw Blackmore’s Night and witnessed him actually smiling as he passed out beers to folks in the front roll. I guess living with Candace Night could change one’s temperament like that.
Are you kidding? Any story I hear of DLR is an asshole story. Even before the internet, I heard DLR asshole stories. He would be a great front-man candidate for the previous thread.
I love his work with Van Halen, though. Speaking of, I think Eddie is an asshole as well, though not necessarily to everyone he meets, which is nice.
I tried thinking of good candidates for this thread, but all the ones I thought of are taken. I’ll nominate Dave Grohl again, because he deserves it.
You mean the Dave Grohl whose wife divorced him after a well-publicized string of marital infidelities? The Dave Grohl whose drummer accused him of bullying, plagiarism, and denial of songwriting royalties?
Yep. That Dave Grohl.