Which artists' cover songs didn't succeed?
Most of the time, a concert is a joyous experience for both the musicians and the fans. Performing live is where an artist lives out their creativity and passion, and experiencing this in the flesh is sometimes a dream come true for a big fan. Unfortunately, the reality is not always so joyful. There have been more than a few A-list music stars who, for various reasons, lost their cool on stage and resorted to violence with members of the audience.
Rihanna, 50 Cent, and Axl Rose are just a few other performers who have found themselves in such tense situations. Click on the following gallery to find out more about when musicians lost the plot mid-gig!
Atlanta rock band The Black Crowes were performing in Melbourne, Australia, on Nov. 20 2022, when a stage invader threw the theater into chaos. Fan videos show a large man sprinting across the stage, evading security like a pro running back. He managed to cross the entire stage, ending up close to guitarist Rich Robinson who decided to step in. As security close in on the rogue fan, Robinson tries to push him off the stage by shoving him in the throat with his guitar. His brother, frontman Chris Robinson then joined in the tussle, using his mic stand to push him. The invader eventually gave up and jumped back into the booing crowd where he was escorted from the venue.
Despite hitting the woman in the chest, he later invited her up on stage to make amends and she was seen dancing while he performed.
In 2007, Akon brought a 15-year-old fan up on stage after he allegedly threw something at the singer. Akon then proceeded to lift the teenager onto his shoulders before tossing him into the crowd. He reportedly injured another fan in the process.
Akon later claimed that the whole thing was a stunt to promote his album, but he pled guilty to harassment after charges were pressed. He was given 65 hours of community service and a US$250 fine.
The victim was pleased to have an interesting story to tell after the incident, telling the BBC, “Not everyone can say they have been hit by Amy Winehouse."
The Mob got angrier as the concertgoers continued to pelt them with beer, until finally they dived into the crowd and started fighting. Security had to break them up and the police shut down the event.
Black Flag vocalist Henry Rollins got physical with a fan in the crowd who grabbed the mic from him. At first it seemed like they were playing a game, with the fan repeatedly trying to reach for the mic as Rollins moved it just beyond his grasp.
Things took a turn when the fan actually managed to take the microphone, and Rollins instantly leaned into the crowd and started raining down blows onto the man's head.
Axl Rose has a reputation for his lack of patience and his habit of aggravating his fans. In 1991, the Guns N' Roses front man attacked a fan at a gig for taking photos without his permission. True to form, the singer then stormed off stage.
He briefly returned to the stage to say “Thanks to the lame security, I’m going home,” before smashing his microphone and walking off again. This incited a riot in the crowd that resulted in more than 60 injuries and US$1 million in damage to the venue.
In 1981, the Rolling Stones were playing a chaotic concert where balloons rained down all over the stage. Amidst the madness, Keith Richards clocked a man who seemed to have escaped security running across the stage.
Without breaking a sweat, Richards took off his guitar and began to hit the invader with it until security caught up to him and dragged him off the stage. Mick Jagger looked on in wonder and continued to sing as the scene unfolded. Apparently, Richards paid the man's bail that night!
Ken Casey of the Dropkick Murphys saw a fan doing a Nazi salute at one of his gigs while the band were singing a cover of 'TNT' by AC/DC. Casey walked over to the fan, punched him, hit him with his bass guitar, and had him thrown out.
He then returned to the mic to say "Nazis are not welcome at a Dropkick Murphys show!" and was met with cheers from the crowd.
Queens of the Stone Age played a festival in Norway in 2011 when lead singer Josh Hommes was ill. He claimed to have a high fever and had been vomiting, but pushed through the concert anyway. Needless to say, his patience was thin when a concertgoer threw a bottle at him.
Hommes confronted the culprit from the stage and started to hurl insults at him, and the guy threw something else at the singer. As security hauled the unruly fan out of the crowd, Hommes picked up a bottle and threw it at the fan while continuing a vulgar tirade.
A fan once threw a glass of beer at AC/DC guitarist Angus Young during a show in Arizona. Another drink drenched him while he was pointing out the man to security, which sent him over the edge.
Young jumped into the crowd to confront the offender, but instead of starting a fist fight, he simply pinched him on the nose and told him off.
Liam wasn't quite as fast to react and security already had the stage invader by the time he started throwing some poorly aimed swings. It's unclear whether he actually got a punch in or not, but he was certainly posturing for one!
Sources: (Rolling Stone) (Tone Deaf)
Fighting with fans mid-concert? These musicians have done it!
Click on the photo gallery to find out what happens when music stars lose patience
MUSIC Fights
Most of the time, a concert is a joyous experience for both the musicians and the fans. Performing live is where an artist lives out their creativity and passion, and experiencing this in the flesh is sometimes a dream come true for a big fan. Unfortunately, the reality is not always so joyful. There have been more than a few A-list music stars who, for various reasons, lost their cool on stage and resorted to violence with members of the audience.
Rihanna, 50 Cent, and Axl Rose are just a few other performers who have found themselves in such tense situations. Click on the following gallery to find out more about when musicians lost the plot mid-gig!