12 Rock Legends Who Openly Dislike Each Other
via Somewheremaybe / YouTube
In bands, sometimes the people making music together don’t get along. They end up fighting and not being friends. This has happened to many famous bands like Pink Floyd, the Gallagher brothers, and more.
Feuds between bandmates are unfortunately not uncommon in music history. While some bands have managed to reconcile and continue making music, others remain divided, leaving fans longing for a reunion that may never happen.
The Beach Boys: Cousins Mike Love and Brian Wilson
View this post on Instagram
These former bandmates have been feuding for decades over creative and personal differences. The tensions arose primarily from Wilson’s desire to explore more experimental and artistic directions, which clashed with Love’s preference for maintaining the band’s traditional surf rock sound. Wilson has publicly criticized Love’s singing abilities, leading to resentment and animosity between the two. Love even filed a lawsuit against the band in the 1990s, claiming songwriting credits and royalties. Despite occasional reunions, the feud remains unresolved.
The Everly Brothers: Don and Phil Everly
View this post on Instagram
These iconic rock ‘n’ roll siblings had a turbulent relationship both on and off stage. Despite their harmonious singing, deep-rooted animosity plagued their personal interactions. During a 1973 concert, tensions reached a breaking point when Phil smashed his guitar and stormed off stage, leading to the duo’s temporary breakup. While they later reconciled and continued to perform together, the challenges of their relationship persisted until their final separation in 2005.
Hall & Oates: Daryl Hall and John Oates
View this post on Instagram
The successful pop duo experienced a bitter falling out that led to legal action. In November 2023, Daryl Hall obtained a restraining order against John Oates and filed a lawsuit, the details of which remain confidential. Hall claimed that Oates was his business partner, not his creative partner, highlighting the strained nature of their collaboration. Despite the legal disputes, they have occasionally reunited for performances, leaving fans hopeful for a resolution.
The Kinks: Ray and Dave Davies
View this post on Instagram
The British rock band, known for hits like “You Really Got Me” and “Lola,” had a volatile relationship between the Davies brothers. While they had a brilliant creative partnership, conflicts arose due to their contrasting personalities and musical visions. Dave accused Ray of being a “control freak” who stifled his input and drained him of creative energy. The tensions ultimately led to the band’s breakup in 1996, with intermittent attempts at reconciliation since then.
Kiss: Ace Frehley and Peter Criss
View this post on Instagram
This legendary rock band has faced internal conflicts throughout its history. Original members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss clashed with Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, causing ongoing tensions within the group. In his biography, Stanley accused Frehley and Criss of harboring antisemitic sentiments, an allegation that Frehley vehemently denied. Despite occasional reunions and lineup changes, the animosity between the band members has hindered a stable and lasting collaboration.
Journey: Steve Perry and Neal Schon/Jonathan Cain
View this post on Instagram
The American rock band Journey experienced inner turmoil involving lead singer Steve Perry and bandmates Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain. Perry’s departure from the group in 1998, driven by personal differences and a feeling of disconnection, signaled a fracture within the band. Additionally, disagreements between guitarist Neal Schon and keyboardist Jonathan Cain over the band’s artistic direction further strained relationships. Although Journey continues to perform with new lineup additions, the original members’ discord remains unresolved.
Oasis: Liam and Noel Gallagher
View this post on Instagram
The highly publicized feud between brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher defined the tumultuous history of the British rock band Oasis. Their ongoing conflicts, marked by public jabs and barbs, eventually led to the band’s breakup in 2009. The root causes of their disagreements included personal and creative differences, with Noel often claiming that Liam’s behavior and attitude were the main sources of tension. Despite occasional hints at reconciliation, a full-fledged reunion seems unlikely for now.
Guns N’ Roses: Axl Rose and Slash
View this post on Instagram
Guns N’ Roses, a powerhouse band of the ’80s, burst onto the music scene with a debut album that is considered one of the greatest of all time. Unfortunately, their success was overshadowed by the tumultuous dynamics surrounding frontman Axl Rose. His notorious egomania and controlling behavior drove a wedge between him and the rest of the band, with iconic guitarist Slash being particularly affected by the rift. The feud persisted for years, creating a sense of uncertainty among fans. However, in a surprising turn of events, Rose and Slash managed to reconcile their differences in 2016. The much-awaited reunion marked a new chapter for the band and was aptly named the ‘Not In This Lifetime’ tour, symbolizing the resolve to move forward despite the previous animosity.
Pink Floyd: Roger Waters and David Gilmour
View this post on Instagram
The history of Pink Floyd is riddled with conflict between Roger Waters and David Gilmour, two key members of the band. Waters’ departure in 1985 resulted in legal battles over the use of the Pink Floyd name. Waters often attributed the tensions to his desire for artistic control and Gilmour’s opposing stance. Despite a brief reunion for Live 8 in 2005, the animosity and differences between them have proven difficult to overcome.
Simon and Garfunkel: Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel
View this post on Instagram
This influential folk-rock duo, known for timeless hits like “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” experienced a complicated relationship throughout their career. Their creative partnership unraveled due to clashes in artistic visions, personality conflicts, and issues with communication. Their most recent reunion in 2010 was marred by tensions as Simon accused Garfunkel of not informing him about vocal issues, highlighting the ongoing challenges that prevent a sustained collaboration.
The Smiths: Morrissey and Johnny Marr
View this post on Instagram
The Smiths, an iconic indie rock band of the 1980s, had a tumultuous history driven by the strained relationship between singer Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr. Despite their musical brilliance and critical acclaim, personal differences and disagreements led to their breakup in 1987. The ensuing years saw public disputes and contrasting viewpoints between the two bandmates, making a reunion highly unlikely.
Yes: Jon Anderson and former bandmates
View this post on Instagram
After lead singer Jon Anderson’s health issues in 2008, prog rock band Yes recruited a new singer, which led Anderson to form a new group with other former Yes members. This resulted in two versions of Yes touring simultaneously, further fueling rifts within the band’s history. While occasional collaborations have occurred, the divided nature of the band has taken precedence over a unified reunion.
