Which mainstream artists were once accused of some creepy extremist views (rightly or wrongly) but then managed to get past it so it never affected their overall legacy? I’m not counting artists into things like hardcore rap or death metal (where the controversy is the whole point) or Michael Richards types whose reputation may have never recovered.
The ones I can think of (all musicians) are:
Guns 'n Roses for “One in a Million”
Rush, for “The Trees”, which does sound like it was written by William F. Buckley
David Bowie had some kind of fascist phase in the 1970s, and I think Morrissey was accused of something or other about skinheads and British nationalism
Elvis Costello for using the n-word in an interview
Once upon a time there was a Satanic rock band named Coven. Their first album was called Witchcraft Destroys Minds & Reaps Souls. Another album featured a 13-minute cut of chanting and prayers to Satan.
Of course, if anyone remembers Coven at all these days, it’s fortheir one hit.
Plenty of artists have been branded with the scarlet letter of homosexuality, back when that was a socially acceptable or even expected form of bigotry.
A: I’m a Bowie fan.
Except that Bowie’s bisexuality was actively promoted by the time Hunky Dory came out. He based much of his act on it, and it was very accepted by the rock world at the time.
Ozzy Ozbourne was once seen as one of the madmen of rock and roll, a possible satanist who had puppies killed before he would perform (yeah that was a real rumour at my Jr high school). Worries of his drug use and debauchery were legendary. Now, he’s heavy metal’s whacky godfather, with a goofy family and a travel show on History Channel.
This makes the rounds and I wonder about it, like Elvis Costello’s arrogant, racist use of the N word in describing Ray Charles (and getting punched for it by Delaney Bramlett).
In both cases they get skated past. In his Autobio-Drunkalogue, Clapton points to his substance abuse as the cause of his racist behavior, IIRC. I think same with Costello, young, drink and stupid - hey I was more arrogant than racist.
I have no dog in either hunt - neither needs or deserves an apologist. With Clapton, man - you read his book and there is such a thick layer of 12-step programming that you can barely get a sense of the man. But, in general, there is a sense of a deep anger in him - towards his family (given his hidden-mom upbringing; his brother accidentally breaking his guitar) people controlling him in bands, etc. I can see that anger broken loose by drinking too much, but there’s something in there. I’m not a fan of blaming what you chose to put into your body.
As for Elvis Costello, he is one of the best songwriters around, but to use the British term, he really is a cunt.
[QUOTE=People Magazine]
Bramlett, a longtime paladin of rhythm-and-blues whose backup bands once included heavies like Leon Russell, Duane Allman and Rita Coolidge, kept cool until, she says, Costello “called James Brown a jive-ass nigger.” Next, according to an onlooker, “Bonnie said, ‘All right, you son of a bitch, what do you think of Ray Charles?’ He said, ‘Screw Ray Charles, he’s nothing but a blind nigger.’ That did it. Bonnie backhanded him, slapped him pretty hard, because she’s a healthy chick.”
The ensuing scene erupted like a bench-clearing but punchless hockey brawl. Stills’ road manager, Jim Lindersmith, was grabbed by two of Costello’s roadies but he threw them to the floor. The spindly Costello then brandished an empty beer bottle but was hurled into a wall. It took a bartender named Eddie to stop the fracas.
[/QUOTE]
Yep, if you hear whooshing, some of it is me still breathing.
The OP asks who’s a creepy extremist. Most any artist who says racist bullshit like that, even if being young, stupidly arrogant and drunk is part of it, aren’t going to look that great up close.