15 Famous Musicians That Are Hard To Work With

While some artists are famous for their hits, others are recognized for being headaches. So, we’re counting down the most infamously challenging figures in music history. At one time or another, these celebrities have irritated everyone by arguing with bandmates, making outrageous demands backstage, and arriving late or not at all. Their brilliance is indisputable, whether they are hip-hop rebels, pop divas, or rock icons, but so is the drama. Should you have assumed that backstage life was all glamour and flash, these tales may convert you.

15. Morrissey
Let’s be real—Morrissey isn’t exactly known for being easy to work with. Even back in The Smiths’ early days, he was already stirring things up, reportedly banning the use of his real name as early as 1983. Things only got more intense from there—he famously forbade his bandmates from eating meat in his presence and struggled to compromise creatively. His jealousy over others collaborating outside the band played a big part in The Smiths breaking up in 1987, with no reunion ever in sight. These days, he’s still making waves, from insisting venues serve only vegan food to former managers calling him a nightmare to handle. Some things don’t change.

14. David Ruffin
David Ruffin helped shape The Temptations’ signature sound, but his ego nearly tore the group apart. After singing lead on some of their biggest hits, fame went straight to his head. He started missing rehearsals and shows, struggled with a cocaine addiction, and demanded to travel separately—in his own custom limo, of course. At one point, he even wanted to rename the group to feature himself. The band had enough and fired him in 1968, though Ruffin still popped up uninvited at their gigs. Even when they gave him a second chance, he blew it by showing up late. As talented as he was, his attitude made him tough to keep around.

13. Bobby Brown
Bobby Brown has admitted that his younger self wasn’t exactly easy to deal with. As a founding member of New Edition, he quickly clashed with the spotlight, especially when fellow member Ralph Tresvant started getting more attention. To stand out, Brown began acting out on stage, adding provocative moves that made the group’s management sweat. He also had a habit of showing up late—or not at all—which didn’t help his case. Eventually, his behavior became too much, and he left the group. But time has a way of changing things. When New Edition reunited for a tour in 2022, Brown looked back on those years and owned up, saying he now realizes he was out of line.

12. Jennifer Lopez
Some stars surprise us with their diva behavior—and others, not so much. Jennifer Lopez has long faced rumors about being tough to work for. Reports claim she has strict rules for her staff, including no eye contact and no speaking to her directly unless spoken to. She’s also allegedly made assistants do the talking when dealing with service workers. Even more bizarre? She’s been rumored to fire people over things like their zodiac signs or asking for an autograph. While she may still sing about being “Jenny from the Block,” insiders suggest the superstar lifestyle may have taken her pretty far from her humble roots.

11. Justin Bieber
Getting famous young can definitely mess with your sense of reality—just ask Justin Bieber. Over the years, he’s built a rep for making some pretty wild demands while on tour. For his 2017 show in Mumbai, a leaked tour rider supposedly revealed over-the-top requests, including avoiding local roads, keeping a private jet on standby, and even flying in a ping-pong table. If true, that’s some serious rockstar behavior. But Bieber’s diva moments didn’t stop at luxury perks—his early 20s were full of headline-making troubles, from run-ins with the law to personal drama that slowed down his career. Thankfully, after a few years, he seemed to have turned things around.

10. Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne has always been a wild card—and not the easiest guy to work with. During his time in Black Sabbath, his drug use caused constant tension until the band finally let him go in 1979. But his solo career started off just as chaotic. In 1981, after landing his first solo deal, Ozzy celebrated by biting the head off a dove during a meeting. That same year, he allegedly peed in a wine glass… at a label exec’s office. Things didn’t improve much—he once drunkenly fired his band because they refused to play Black Sabbath songs. There’s no denying Ozzy’s talent, but sobriety has never really been part of his brand.

9. Nicki Minaj
When it comes to drama, Nicki Minaj is no stranger—and that fiery reputation doesn’t stop with her music. Since the 2010s, she’s made headlines for clashes with co-stars and staff alike. Her most famous feud? A tense season of American Idol where things got so bad, Mariah Carey reportedly beefed up her security. Behind the scenes, things haven’t been much calmer. In 2011, Minaj allegedly yelled at a facialist over a botched brow job. More recently, in 2024, a crew member on her Pink Friday 2 tour filed a lawsuit claiming she physically assaulted him. While not all the details are confirmed, stories like these have followed her for over a decade—and they just keep stacking up.

8. Van Morrison
Being a musical genius doesn’t always mean you’re easy to work with—just ask anyone who’s spent time around Van Morrison. His place in music history is rock solid, but his attitude toward fame and the people around him? Not so much. Known for being grumpy and guarded, he’s often clashed with interviewers—giving curt answers or cutting them off to question their credentials. And it’s not just the media he’s tough on. Former bandmates have shared stories of being suddenly fired with zero warning, making every gig feel like walking on eggshells. Behind the soulful voice is a boss who’s anything but mellow.

7. Madonna
Let’s be honest—if there’s one pop star known for doing things her way, it’s Madonna. But being the Queen of Pop apparently came with some diva-level drama behind the scenes. Over the years, she’s been accused of charging her performers $100 for every minute they were late and even allegedly skipping out on full payments. The biggest blow-up came after the release of Madonna: Truth or Dare, when three dancers sued her, claiming they were exploited and their privacy was violated. Her reported response? Telling them to “get over it.” The lawsuit was settled in 1994, but her comments since have made it clear—Madonna rarely apologizes, even when she probably should.

6. Eagles
By the late ’70s, the Eagles were known just as much for their behind-the-scenes drama as for their laid-back hits. Most of the control rested with Glenn Frey and Don Henley, which didn’t sit well with guitarist Don Felder—especially Frey. Things hit a boiling point at a July 1980 concert when Frey took offense to something Felder said backstage. The tension spilled onto the stage, with Frey threatening him throughout the show. Not long after, the band split. When they reunited in the ’90s, those old wounds reopened—this time over money and contracts. It all led to Felder’s dismissal, proving that not even timeless harmonies could keep the peace.

5. Eddie Van Halen
Van Halen’s sound wasn’t the only thing full of tension—so were the relationships within the band. Eddie Van Halen, known for his jaw-dropping guitar skills, also had a reputation for clashing with bandmates. David Lee Roth often said their creative styles just didn’t mix—Roth leaned pop, while Eddie wanted something heavier. That divide got so deep, Eddie even built his own studio to have more control and limit input from others. Sammy Hagar, who replaced Roth for a while, also spoke openly about their rocky dynamic. And while bassist Michael Anthony hasn’t said much, his quiet exit speaks volumes. Great music, sure—but working with Eddie wasn’t always a smooth ride.

4. Gene Simmons
They don’t call Gene Simmons “The Demon” for nothing—and it’s not just about the makeup. As the bassist and part-time frontman of KISS, he’s famous for his stage presence, but offstage, it’s a different story. Simmons has built a reputation for his loud opinions, controversial remarks, and massive ego. Even those closest to him, like his wife Shannon Tweed, have had enough—she’s walked out of interviews just to avoid hearing him talk. NPR’s Terry Gross once flat-out called him obnoxious. Whether he’s stirring things up with his political views or bragging about his love life, one thing’s for sure: Gene Simmons isn’t exactly everyone’s favorite company.

3. Roger Waters
After Syd Barrett’s exit from Pink Floyd, Roger Waters stepped in and took the reins—creatively and otherwise. He steered the band away from their psychedelic roots and into darker, more political territory, gradually taking over as the main creative force. But with that control came clashes. Tensions with the other members kept growing until Waters eventually left the band. Even then, he wasn’t ready to let go—he dragged his former bandmates to court, trying to stop them from performing under the Pink Floyd name. While he’s since admitted he handled things poorly, his power struggles nearly tore apart one of the most legendary bands in rock history.

2. Syd Barrett
Syd Barrett was the original creative force behind Pink Floyd, but his genius came with chaos. Struggling with mental health issues, likely schizophrenia, and heavy drug use, Barrett quickly became unpredictable and tough to work with. He’d forget how to play songs mid-performance, zone out under stage lights, or detune his guitar while the rest of the band tried to keep things together. In one infamous rehearsal, he kept changing a song called “Have You Got It Yet?” just to mess with the band—spoiler alert: they never got it. Eventually, David Gilmour was brought in to support Syd, but he soon took over entirely, becoming Barrett’s full-time replacement.

1. Axl Rose
If anyone’s earned a spot on the “difficult rockstars” list, it’s Axl Rose. The Guns N’ Roses frontman has sparked more than one riot—literally. From clashing with fans to falling out with bandmates like Slash and Steven Adler, Axl’s reputation is built on chaos. He once showed up late to a concert because he was busy watching Ninja Turtles II, and his no-shows and delays helped trigger the infamous 1992 Montreal riot. During the long, messy rollout of Chinese Democracy, he ghosted his record label, skipped all the promo work, and ended up getting sued by his ex-manager, Irving Azoff, for unpaid fees. Rockstar? Yes. Easy to work with? Not even close.