It seems like this thread was started so that someone could mention Eddie Van Halen, I’m quite surprised no one has done so as of yet.
Also, one of my favorite artists to discuss on this board, Ronnie James Dio, also qualifies. Not only did he name the band after himself, but all of the group’s videos are thoroughly centered on him, despite the fact that he may be the ugliest human being ever.
I’ve got to nominate Eminem also. He’s good at what he does, and (this is the hard part to admit) he actually seems reasonably intelligent and observant. I don’t know when he’s being sincere and when he’s not, but he’s at least interesting.
Also: James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich from Metallica. I’m into some of their stuff, but they both strike me as jerks. Especially over the Napster thing. You’ve gotta have some nerve to sue your own fans, especially when you’re as super-rich as they are.
Erykah Badu comes to mind. Beatiful voice. Bitchy demeanor.
Personally, I don’t like ANY celebrities for their personality. Usually, famous person = attention whore.
I’ve gotta go with Miles Davis. Eminem’s my second choice.
I just think he was a whiney, over-hyped, under-talented junkie coward. Just an opinion and nothing you taunt your friend with. You may want to point out to your pal that heroin will not have any positive effect on his life.
Never kiss an animal that can lick its own butt.
Oxymoron?
[runs and hides]
Ritchie Blackmoor from Deep Purple. Guy’s suppossed to be a real prick.
Anyone from R.E.M., Michael Stipe in particular. They’ve made several of my favorite songs, but every one of them is a pretentious, self-indulgent twat. I can still vividly remember Peter Buck on some MTV interview show being all pompous that “Losing My Religion” was “the only top 10 hit with a mandolin as the main instrument,” as if desperate to assert that they were Much More Meaningful Than Your Average Pop Band. (I’m sure my going to school in Athens and having to see them constantly deified didn’t help.)
On the flip side of the OP, I don’t like Marilyn Manson’s music at all, much less his stage persona, and think his whole bit is an obvious grab at attention. But I have to say that a couple of times I’ve read things he’s written (like a reaction to the Columbine shootings printed in Rolling Stone) and not only did I agree with everything he was saying, but he said it pretty well, too.
Eminem is merely a talented lyricist, nothing more.
And now, for some hits below the radar:
I’ve heard that Mitch Mitchell (drummer for Jimi Hendrix Experience) was pompous to the point of Chas Chandler regretting that he was hired.
Bernard “Pretty” Purdie is a fantastic drummer with a fantastic ego. He purdie much lies about who he has played with, claiming sessions that are documented otherwise by union contracts and such. He even claimed (claims?) to have replaced Ringo Starr in the studio throughout the Beatles’ early years.
Jim Gordon was one of the drummers in L.A. during the 1970’s, rivaling only Hal Blaine at times. I do believe he was credited as being a nice guy by most accounts, but he also had serious mental issues that became increasingly apparent through the late 70’s, ending in 1983 with his brutal murdering of his mother upon being convinced that she was the Devil. He’s currently institutionalized, most possibly for life.
Eh, I didn’t know that they sued their own fans (I certainly wasn’t listed in the suit). They wanted people to buy their music instead of stealing it. Lars is an a**hole (a loveable one at that), but let’s keep the reasoning for that clear.
Ulrich definitely seems like a jackass but Hetfield lives in the same town as my parents (Novato, California) and I met him once at the farmer’s market. I basically just met him cold: “Hey! You’re James Hetfield, aren’t cha?” We carried on about a 10-15 min conversation. Seemed like a really down-to-earth, friendly, intelligent, cool guy. I was quite surprised, especially considering how HUGE Metallica is (worldwide) and how many random fans he’s probably met.
YMMV, of course.
Bruce Springsteen. I may be oversimplifying things, but he’s married…he suddenly brings a woman to play TAMBORINES into his all-guy band, and then Gosh! Surprise! He’s involved with her romantically and divorcing his wife…
Scumbag.
I think Lars Ulrich is an excellent drummer but he talks too damn much.
Well, there aren’t many bigger Led Zeppelin fans than your truly, but Jimmy Page is a pedophilic cokehead… which means that he probably took the money he’s gotten from me over the years and either shoved it up his nose, or spent it on a Barbie’s Dream House for his latest girlfriend.
Sadly <b>Andrew Eldritch</b> love his music, think he is a complete twat
mouthbreather asked:
He was formally cautioned by the police and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for 5 years, so not really. However, since the case was not brought to trial, it may well be the case that they accepted his claim that he viewed the material so that he would be better informed, and thus better able to combat child abuse in future.
Here’s where I admit that I like Courtney Love’s music, no matter how contemptible she may be as a human being.
RikWriter: Wasn’t Patty Scialfa (sp?) in Springsteen’s band long before he got married to his first wife? This seems more like a case of two old friends (Springsteen and Scialfa) discovering a spark between them late in the game.
Buddy Rich is such an well known asshole that he spawned a short play… My Buddy - A Four Act Passion Play
Really? I never sensed this.
Christina Aguilera & Mariah Carey:
Blessed with a great voice, but totally thrashed it with bad songs, personal “style” and antics.