# Rockstar/Popstar signature stage moves and sayings **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 28, 2017, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rockstar-popstar-signature-stage-moves-and-sayings/800046 "2017-10-28T04:08:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2017, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rockstar-popstar-signature-stage-moves-and-sayings/800046/1 "2017-10-28T04:08:05Z")
Many performers have something they say or do in concert that they’re known for. For example there’s David Lee Roth’s proclamation, _“Look at all the people here tonight!”_. Nils Lofgren did a “flip”. Roger Daltrey closes shows by wishing the audience _"Be Lucky!_" (his bandmate has a few signature moves of his own…) What other groups or artists have their own idiosyncratic bit of stagecraft? ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2017, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rockstar-popstar-signature-stage-moves-and-sayings/800046/2 "2017-10-28T04:23:16Z")
Michael Jackson’s moonwalk? Stevie Nicks’ [twirling](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDO8CreS-OY)? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2017, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rockstar-popstar-signature-stage-moves-and-sayings/800046/3 "2017-10-28T05:26:32Z")
Elvis the pelvis! ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2017, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rockstar-popstar-signature-stage-moves-and-sayings/800046/4 "2017-10-28T07:43:02Z")
Dio was responsible for introducing the sign of the horns to heavy metal audiences and used it for most of his career. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2017, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rockstar-popstar-signature-stage-moves-and-sayings/800046/5 "2017-10-28T07:57:24Z")
Angus Young “strutting” across the stage as if he’s race-walking. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2017, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rockstar-popstar-signature-stage-moves-and-sayings/800046/6 "2017-10-28T10:54:54Z")
One of the most famous is **James Brown’s** collapse on stage, replete with his hype man throwing a cape over his shoulders and helping the Godfather of Soul to his feet, shuffling off stage, only the be REVIVED by the Power of Funk to dash back to the mic, do a signature mic stand tip-and-grab, then scream his strangled Yeeeaaahhhhh!!! to a hungry audience. _Never_ follow James Brown on a bill. Oh, and Jimi set his guitar on fire. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2017, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rockstar-popstar-signature-stage-moves-and-sayings/800046/7 "2017-10-28T15:30:53Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > Angus Young “strutting” across the stage as if he’s race-walking. Which reminds me of Chuck Berry’s duck walk. ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2017, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rockstar-popstar-signature-stage-moves-and-sayings/800046/8 "2017-10-28T15:45:21Z")
Mick Jagger’s chicken strut. Not sure if that’s the right term, but you can picture it. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2017, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rockstar-popstar-signature-stage-moves-and-sayings/800046/9 "2017-10-28T17:16:47Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Michael Jackson’s moonwalk? Stevie Nicks’ [twirling](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDO8CreS-OY)? MJ’s crotch-grab was a bit more enevelope-pushing, or something, and yes, SN always seemed to like twirling a lot, with lots of black lace. Was always :rolleyes: by that sneering Billy Idol diptstick and his lame-ass boxing choreography. John Lennon enjoyed less pc times [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdnrFUHdYpg). ---
**Author:** ![jerez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c68b51/32.png) [@jerez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jerez)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2017, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rockstar-popstar-signature-stage-moves-and-sayings/800046/10 "2017-10-28T17:52:24Z")
Roger Waters’ shriek. Peter Townshend’s windmill. Jimmy Page’s doubleneck and bow. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2017, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rockstar-popstar-signature-stage-moves-and-sayings/800046/11 "2017-10-28T18:02:08Z")
Todd Rundgren does his “[spin jump](https://youtu.be/HY-fwTtD2PM?t=1m7s)” in just about every show. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2017, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rockstar-popstar-signature-stage-moves-and-sayings/800046/12 "2017-10-28T18:56:47Z")
Depeche Mode’s angular posturing. Mainly known as a stand-up, hoping Niel Hamburger can qualify as a popstar with his crossover into other shit, and his saying “That’s, myyyy, liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiife…” [best use of props ever, btw, (thread idea?) with his multi-drink-holding.] ---
**Author:** ![journeyman\_southpaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5e9695/32.png) [@journeyman\_southpaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/journeyman_southpaw)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2017, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rockstar-popstar-signature-stage-moves-and-sayings/800046/13 "2017-10-28T19:17:02Z")
Lemmy opening shows with “We are Motörhead… and we play rock and roll!” ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2017, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rockstar-popstar-signature-stage-moves-and-sayings/800046/14 "2017-10-28T19:50:47Z")
Jerry Lee Lewis and his antics. Johnny Cash, always turning his back and holding his guitar high on his chest. When the Beatles were playing in Hamburg before they really hit it big, there was another Beatle, Stuart Sutcliffe, he really couldn’t play the guitar (maybe bass guitar) well, so he turned his back on the audience. I always thought that clip of John Lennon was acting monkey-like. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2017, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rockstar-popstar-signature-stage-moves-and-sayings/800046/15 "2017-10-28T19:51:54Z")
> [@jerez](#): > > Peter Townshend’s windmill. Rhett Miller of Old 97s does a sort of mini-windmill while playing rhythm guitar – rotating at the elbow rather than the shoulder. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2017, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rockstar-popstar-signature-stage-moves-and-sayings/800046/16 "2017-10-28T20:43:49Z")
Ian Anderson standing on one leg while playing. Joe Cocker windmilling his arms. Roger Daltrey swinging the mic around over his head ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2017, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rockstar-popstar-signature-stage-moves-and-sayings/800046/17 "2017-10-28T21:28:10Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I always thought that clip of John Lennon was acting monkey-like. From a 1971 JL _Rolling Stone_ i-view reprinted in [_Crave_](http://www.craveonline.com/music/910319-remembering-john-lennon-everyone-forgets-beatles-domestic-violence-mocking-disabled): > [@](#): > > “Wherever we went on tour, like in Britain or wherever we went, there’s always a few seats laid aside for cripples and people in wheelchairs. Because we were famous, we were supposed to have people – sort of epileptics and whatever they are – in our dressing room all the time. We’re supposed to be good. But you wanted to be alone, and you don’t know what to say. > > “They’re usually saying, “I’ve got your record” or they can’t speak or something. And they just want to touch… and it’s always the mother or the nurse pushing them on you. They would just say hello and go away, they’re pushing them on at you like you’re Christ or something, or as if there’s some aura about you which will rub off on them. It just got to be like that. We got very callous about it. It was just dreadful. You’d open up every night, and instead of seeing kids there you’d just see a row full of cripples on the front. > > “When we were running through, it seemed like [we were] just surrounded by cripples and blind people all the time. And when we’d go through corridors, everybody would be – they’d be all touching us. It got horrifying.'” Ok not even remotely a pop star but this thread would be sorely remiss in neglecting to acknowledge the [Steve Ballmer Forearm Flail](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWpuVaRtvns). ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2017, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rockstar-popstar-signature-stage-moves-and-sayings/800046/18 "2017-10-28T22:33:12Z")
Axl’s snakedance Jerry Lee would go nuts, kick the stool out, start playing with different body parts, and light the piano on fire with lighter fluid. That having been said, in Nik Cohn’s book on rock and roll he describes JL at a show in England where he reached to pull a comb out and comb his long blonde lock back, and the crowd turned on him. It wasn’t rock and roll. It was during the trip where he got scandalized though so who knows. He probably did it in the states and it went over well. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2017, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rockstar-popstar-signature-stage-moves-and-sayings/800046/19 "2017-10-28T22:34:32Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Jerry Lee Lewis and his antics. Johnny Cash, always turning his back and holding his guitar high on his chest. When the Beatles were playing in Hamburg before they really hit it big, there was another Beatle, Stuart Sutcliffe, he really couldn’t play the guitar (maybe bass guitar) well, so he turned his back on the audience. > > I always thought that clip of John Lennon was acting monkey-like. Miles was known for turning his back to the audience and I saw him do it once. ---
**Author:** ![Peanuthead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peanuthead/32/360_2.png) [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2017, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rockstar-popstar-signature-stage-moves-and-sayings/800046/20 "2017-10-29T00:25:52Z")
[Arthur Brown](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=en1uwIzI3SE) used to perform with his head on fire in 1968. :eek: And I think he’s still doing it to this day. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rockstar-popstar-signature-stage-moves-and-sayings/800046.md?page=2)