Number 11 Tommy Lee
Thomas Lee Bass, better known as Tommy Lee, is one of the founding members of popular American
heavy metal band Motley Crue. Throughout his career, Tommy has been the subject of numerous
controversial issues, most involving drugs and alcohol. Stories have emerged of him setting trees
on fire for fun, urinating into police cars and even allegedly pouring sake over train passengers
during a tour of Japan. On one occasion, Tommy almost got into a fight with actor Nicholas
Cage’s son. This reportedly occurred after he had attempted to enter Cage’s dressing room,
but was denied entry by security. Tommy has also been arrested for domestic abuse against
his former wife Pamela Anderson, with whom he has two children. He pleaded no-contest.
Tommy was sentenced to six months in prison with mandatory community service and counseling. In
March of 2018, Tommy even got into a brutal fight with his own son, Brandon, who was 21
at the time. The fight allegedly started from a tweet posted by Tommy. During the fight Tommy
was reported to have been knocked unconscious, and he suffered an injured lip. According to Brandon,
Tommy’s alcohol abuse was a major contribution to the fight, in which he’d acted in self-defense.
Number 10 Courtney Love
Courtney Love has been making headlines for decades as a singer-songwriter of rock band
The Hole as well as for her marriage to the late Kurt Cobain, of Nirvana fame. After the rock world
was shook by Kurt’s death, in 1994, conspiracy theories emerged that Courtney had been involved.
This theory however is flawed and unlikely, as Cobain’s death was officially ruled a suicide, and
there is no concrete evidence to suggest Courtney was responsible. On many occasions Courtney’s
antics have been public, including incidents on live television. In 1995, she threw a shoe at
Madonna during her interview at the VMAs, before she proceeded to hijack the interview itself.
In 2004, in what was to become another defining moment for the rockstar, she appeared on CBS’ The
Late Show. Just seconds after walking on stage, she climbed onto host David Letterman’s desk and
flashed him. Throughout the interview she was manic, unable to compose herself and respond to
Letterman’s questions. Later she confessed that during this time period she had been
dealing with substance abuse, a recurring issue throughout her life. Nowadays, Courtney is said
to be doing better. At the 2020 NME Awards, she proudly announced that she was 18 months sober.
Number 9 Mayhem
During the 1990s, Norwegian black metal band Mayhem was surrounded in controversy.
In 1991, their vocalist, known as Dead, killed himself at just 22 years old.
He had shot himself in the head, after first slitting his wrists. Mayhem’s guitarist,
Euronymous, discovered the body. Before calling police, however, he purchased a disposable camera
to take photos. He also collected fragments of Dead’s skull, which he turned into necklaces,
and gifted to artists he deemed worthy. Euronymous had founded a record shop called Helvete,
the Norwegian word for hell. A dangerous group of people from the black metal scene had formed and
they met at the shop regularly. They called themselves The Black Metal Inner Circle,
and found purpose in bringing fear to Norway. Drawing inspiration from Satanism,
they became militant, and were involved in arson, assault and murder. In 1993, Euronymous himself
was murdered in his apartment. He was stabbed a total of 23 times by Varg Vikernes, another fellow
black metal artist and former band mate. Attacks linked to the black metal scene continued across
Norway for years. Most notably, arson attacks on churches. Nowadays, the black metal scene is more
established - and has been able to shift away from its previous association with extremists.
Number 8 Liam Gallagher
Liam Gallagher was the iconic frontman of Oasis, a Manchester-born rock band which
he’d formed in 1991, with his brother, Noel. Throughout their time as Oasis,
both Liam and Noel embraced the hedonistic side of the rock scene, though Liam arguably
took it to the extreme. Witty, charismatic, and always living life on his own terms,
he was revered by fans. Controversy however, was never far away. In his younger years, Liam
frequently fell out with people who challenged his behavior. This included other artists, reporters,
fans, and, often, even his own brother. Many of these altercations turned violent, amplified by
alcohol and other substances. Anyone who dared challenge Liam’s behavior risked getting involved
in a brawl with the rockstar. On one occasion, in 1998, Liam was arrested for assaulting a male fan
during a tour of Australia. During the incident, Liam reportedly punched and headbutted the man,
breaking his nose. According to police, the fan was a 19-year old tourist who had just asked Liam
for a photo. A decade later, after huge commercial success, Oasis officially split up in 2009.
Number 7 Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne rose to fame as the lead vocalist of Black Sabbath. Nicknamed “The Prince of Darkness”,
he’s had his share of controversies. He once bit into the head of a bat that was thrown on stage,
thinking it was just a toy replica. It may or may not have been alive at the time. On another
occasion, he reportedly bit the heads off two live doves during an argument with CBS Records,
just to silence the room. Osbourne was also arrested once for public urination.
He had urinated on a monument near The Alamo commemorating fallen soldiers.
This also earned him a 10 year ban from performing in San Antonio.
Number 6 Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson has been responsible for some of the most shocking moments seen in rockstar
history. Many of his controversies are too graphic to mention in detail.
Manson once told a journalist that he went grave digging in New Orleans. While there,
he collected human bones from the ground. He then brought them to a hotel room where he smoked them
through a pipe with his friends. Manson has also intentionally injured himself during performances.
During a San Francisco concert, he cut his chest from side-to-side with a broken beer bottle.
Number 5 Axl Rose
Axl Rose, lead vocalist for Guns N’ Roses, has a reputation for becoming aggressive.
On many occasions he has lost his temper, both with fellow artists and fans. Axl once challenged
Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain to a fight, whilst Cobain held his baby daughter in his arms. In 2006, the
band Eagles of Death Metal was selected by Tommy Stinson to open for Guns N’ Roses. Axl arrived to
the show 30 minutes late, and then insulted the Eagles. Axl threw a bass guitar at Tommy after
he expressed his frustration at Axl’s behavior. On another occasion, Axl jumped into the crowd during
a Guns N’ Roses performance. He attacked a fan holding an unauthorized camera, before leaving
the performance early. Fans rioted and Axl was arrested and charged for inciting the riot.
Number 4 Keith Moon
Keith Moon, drummer for The Who, had more than a few controversies associated with him. In 1967, on
his 21st birthday, Keith reportedly drove a Rolls Royce into the swimming pool of a Holiday Inn in
Michigan. This led to the band being barred from every Holiday Inn hotel in the world. Three years
later however, Keith was to be involved in a much more tragic story. On the night of January the 4th
of 1970, Keith accidentally killed Neil Boland whilst intoxicated. Reportedly, Keith was sitting
inside his Bentley, enduring an attack from local skinheads who were damaging his vehicle. Neil,
his chauffeur and bodyguard, had exited the car to deal with the attackers. Keith then took position
in the driving seat, despite not having a license or insurance. In the chaos, the impaired Keith
did not realize Neil was in front of the hood of the Bentley. He accelerated, pinning Neil under
the vehicle and dragging him down the road. Neil died instantly. Keith was initially charged with
Boland’s death, as well as drunk driving charges. A few weeks later the death was ruled an accident,
and Keith escaped serious charges. He did, however, plead guilty to the driving related
charges. In 1973, Keith was set to perform at a concert in California. Before the performance,
he consumed large quantities of brandy and horse tranquilizer, causing him to pass out.
An audience member was invited up by the band to finish the set in his place.
Number 3 Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine have been prominent in the rock world for over 20 years.
Throughout the band’s career, they’ve frequently drawn public attention. They’ve
been known to burn American flags during their live performances. The band even shut down the
New York Stock Exchange for a day whilst recording a music video, prompting a riot police response.
Number 2 Billy Idol
In 1989, whilst in Thailand, Billy Idol spent three weeks hosting raging parties
in his hotel penthouse. During this time, Billy caused $149,000 in damage and room fees. Hotel
management attempted to calmly remove Billy, but he refused. The military had to be called in,
and Billy was shot with a tranquilizer dart before being escorted out on a stretcher.
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Number 1 Slash
Slash, who rose to fame as the lead guitarist of Guns N’ Roses,
brought even more controversy to the band’s name. According to his memoir,
in 1989 he was once so intoxicated from substance abuse that he believed
he was being hunted by an Alien from the Predator film series. Whilst in this state,
he punched through a glass door at a golf course hotel in Arizona, whilst completely naked. He
then grabbed a hotel maid and held her as a human shield as protection against his hallucination.
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