1970s Musicians That Fans Don’t Want To Meet In Real Life
via @92NY / YouTube
The 1970s delivered some of the most iconic figures in music history—artists whose influence can still be felt across genres and generations. Their songs filled stadiums, shaped cultural movements, and helped define what rock stardom looked and sounded like. For many fans, the records they spun in their bedrooms or blasted from their car stereos became lifelong soundtracks.
But beyond the music and the myth, there’s another side to some of these legendary names—one that’s harder to admire. Beneath the surface of fame and talent lie tales that clash with the public’s admiration. The era’s reputation for hedonism often served as a smokescreen for behavior that, in hindsight, crosses lines of morality, legality, and basic decency.
Whether it’s unchecked egos, dangerous indulgences, or outright criminal acts, some ’70s stars made headlines for reasons that had nothing to do with their artistry. The stories surrounding them are not just cautionary—they can be deeply disturbing. Here’s a look at a few musicians from that golden era whose actions have made fans think twice about ever wanting to meet their idols face to face.
1. Eric Clapton’s Racist Rant Left a Permanent Scar
Eric Clapton was one of the most celebrated guitarists of the 1970s, making waves with bands like Cream and Derek and the Dominos before launching a successful solo career. His music has stood the test of time, but not all aspects of his legacy have aged well. Behind the guitar wizardry lies a darker chapter that many fans wish had never happened.
In 1976, Clapton shocked audiences during a concert in Birmingham, England, by delivering a drunken and deeply racist tirade. Expressing support for far-right politician Enoch Powell, Clapton went on an offensive rant, calling for the deportation of non-white immigrants and declaring England a “white country.” His comments, filled with racist slurs, sparked outrage and remain one of the most infamous moments in rock history.
Years later, Clapton attempted to explain his behavior by blaming his substance abuse. In a 2018 press conference, he referred to himself as a “semi-racist” who was ashamed of his past actions. While he tried to reconcile the contradiction of loving Black music while espousing hate, the damage to his reputation lingers, making it difficult for some fans to separate the artist from the man.
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2. Don Henley’s Party Lifestyle Took a Dangerous Turn
Don Henley helped define the laid-back California sound with The Eagles, writing hits like “Hotel California” and “Desperado.” But offstage, his life wasn’t so mellow. Behind the band’s soft harmonies was a hard-partying culture that spiraled into deeply troubling territory—especially for Henley.
In 1980, authorities were called to Henley’s home after an underage sex worker overdosed on drugs he had allegedly provided. Two girls, one just 15 years old, were involved. Henley was arrested and charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and drug possession. While he claimed he didn’t know the girl’s age, the incident left a stain on his public image.
Henley later addressed the situation during a 2024 court appearance, reflecting on the despair he felt at the time. He admitted to self-medicating and making a decision that has haunted him for decades. Despite his efforts to move forward, the incident continues to follow him, complicating the legacy of a man whose music remains beloved.
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3. Gary Glitter’s Crimes Outweigh His Music Career
Gary Glitter became a glam rock staple thanks to “Rock and Roll Part 2,” a track that echoed in stadiums for decades. But behind the flashy outfits and catchy riffs was a man harboring disturbing secrets. Glitter, born Paul Gadd, would go on to become one of the most notorious figures in British pop history.
His downfall began in 1997 when a laptop he took in for repair was found to contain child pornography. The revelation led to a brief prison sentence, after which he attempted to rehabilitate his image. However, the damage was irreversible, and his status as a public pariah forced him to flee the UK and live abroad.
Things got even worse in 2006 when Glitter was convicted of sexually abusing two young girls in Vietnam. He served time and was later extradited to Britain, where further charges from the 1970s led to a 16-year sentence. As of 2025, he remains behind bars—his name forever synonymous with shame rather than stardom.
4. Johnny Paycheck’s Outlaw Persona Turned Criminal
Johnny Paycheck made a name for himself with the hit “Take This Job and Shove It,” embodying the defiant spirit of outlaw country. But Paycheck wasn’t just playing a character—his real-life behavior often matched the rough image he projected onstage. That image eventually collided with serious legal trouble.
In 1981, he was charged with sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl. Although he avoided prison by pleading no contest and receiving unsupervised probation, the incident remained a dark chapter in his story. A few years later, a barroom confrontation escalated into violence when Paycheck shot a man after a casual invitation was misinterpreted as an insult.
The bullet grazed the victim’s head, and Paycheck was sentenced to over nine years in prison. He served just two before being pardoned, but the events underscored his volatile nature. Though he continued performing afterward, his reputation was permanently altered, and he died in 2003 with a legacy clouded by controversy.
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5. Ozzy Osbourne’s Animal Cruelty Was No Rock ‘n’ Roll Myth
Ozzy Osbourne is remembered by many for his eccentric personality and metal anthems, but his 1970s lifestyle was more disturbing than endearing. Long before his reality TV days, Osbourne was living in a drug-fueled haze that led to acts of shocking cruelty—particularly toward animals.
One of the most unsettling stories involves Osbourne killing every chicken in his coop after they failed to lay eggs. Witnesses, including neighbors, recalled him casually walking in with a shotgun and massacring the birds. He later confessed to even worse behavior, including shooting his wife’s cats in a drug-induced frenzy.
These weren’t isolated incidents, either. In one infamous case, his wife accidentally served hash brownies to a visiting vicar, who passed out from the unexpected high. Osbourne thought the clergyman had died and dragged him across the street in a panic. While some of these tales are spun as dark humor, others reveal a deeply unstable and dangerous man at his lowest point.
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6. Ted Nugent’s Underage Exploits and Draft Dodging Haunt Him
Ted Nugent was a guitar hero in the ’70s, known for loud riffs and louder opinions. But behind his energetic stage presence was a man whose actions and views stirred controversy then—and even more so now. While his music continues to have fans, his personal choices raise serious ethical concerns.
In a 1977 interview, Nugent admitted to faking mental instability and hygiene neglect to dodge the Vietnam draft. He described avoiding the bathroom for a week and showing up for his physical exam high on crystal meth and covered in filth. While some laughed it off back then, others saw it as a slap in the face to those who served.
Even more troubling are his relationships with underage girls. Nugent once legally adopted his 17-year-old girlfriend so she could join him on tour, a move that sparked widespread condemnation. Combined with his song “Jailbait,” which disturbingly reflects his real-life behavior, it’s clear why many view Nugent as a figure best admired from a distance—if at all.
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7. Sid Vicious Was More Than Just a Punk Villain
As bassist for The Sex Pistols, Sid Vicious epitomized the chaos and rebellion of ’70s punk. But his offstage behavior often crossed the line from edgy to outright dangerous. Known for self-harm and animal cruelty, Vicious was described by a friend as someone who would strangle cats and slash himself with tin can lids. He even attacked journalist Nick Kent with a bicycle chain over a negative review.
Things spiraled into tragedy in 1978 when his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, was found stabbed to death in their hotel room at the Chelsea Hotel in New York. Vicious initially confessed to the murder but later recanted, claiming he’d been asleep during the incident. Still, the image of him as a volatile and destructive force only solidified.
Before the case could go to trial, Vicious died of a heroin overdose at just 21 years old. His death became another tragic chapter in rock’s long list of self-destructive stars. For many, he remains a symbol of punk’s darker extremes—far removed from someone fans would dream of meeting in person.
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8. Jim Gordon’s Talent Was Overshadowed by Tragedy
Jim Gordon was once a top-tier session drummer, playing with legends like Joe Cocker and Eric Clapton’s Derek and the Dominos. But behind his rhythmic precision was a man silently battling schizophrenia, a condition made worse by heavy drug and alcohol use throughout the 1970s. At the time, his condition went undiagnosed, and his behavior grew increasingly erratic.
The first major red flag came in 1973 when he assaulted his wife so violently that she suffered cracked ribs. Friends and colleagues noticed his downward spiral, but few understood the severity of what he was facing. As his mental health deteriorated, so did his career, and by the end of the decade, he was considered unreliable for professional work.
In 1983, Gordon’s struggles culminated in an unthinkable act—he murdered his own mother, claiming voices in his head told him to do it. He spent the rest of his life in prison, where he was finally diagnosed and treated for schizophrenia. Though his musical contributions were substantial, they now serve as a haunting backdrop to one of rock’s most tragic stories.
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9. Lou Reed’s Genius Came with a Cruel Streak
Lou Reed helped define art rock through his work with The Velvet Underground and as a solo artist, blending poetry with raw urban grit. Yet those who worked with or even casually encountered him often had a very different experience. Reed was known for his bitterness, cruelty, and general disdain for others, traits that were impossible to ignore.
His first wife, Bettye Kronstad, revealed that he was abusive, recalling a time when he punched her and gave her a black eye. Biographer Howard Sounes described him as “a drunkard and a drug addict” who habitually mistreated those closest to him. From record execs to bandmates, no one was immune to his combative nature.
Despite the adoration he received after his death in 2013, many felt the tributes conveniently glossed over his darker qualities. He alienated people throughout his life, and as brilliant as his music was, Reed’s reputation as a toxic presence continues to complicate how he’s remembered.
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10. Ginger Baker’s Drumming Was Matched Only by His Temper
Ginger Baker revolutionized rock drumming with his work in Cream, but outside the studio, he was known more for his temper and arrogance than his rhythm. Though he helped shape psychedelic rock and jazz fusion, his volatile personality often made him difficult to work with—even for his own family.
His son, Kofi Baker, spoke candidly about the emotional and physical abuse he endured while learning drums from his father. He described Baker as cruel and indifferent, recounting that he was regularly smacked and berated for the slightest mistakes. Their estranged relationship reflected what many others had experienced with the notoriously irascible drummer.
The 2012 documentary Beware of Mr. Baker captured the full range of Baker’s hostility. While he described Eric Clapton as his “best friend,” Clapton admitted he kept his distance due to Baker’s intense and unpredictable moods. Even among fellow musicians, Baker was often seen as more trouble than he was worth—an unforgettable talent but an even more unforgettable tyrant.
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11. John Phillips Left Behind a Disturbing Legacy
John Phillips, the visionary behind The Mamas and the Papas, was admired for his songwriting and vocal arrangements. With hits like “California Dreamin’,” he helped define the folk-rock sound of the 1960s and early ’70s. However, his personal life eventually eclipsed his musical legacy in the most horrifying way.
Phillips descended into heavy drug use in the 1970s, becoming addicted to heroin and cocaine. But the most shocking revelation came after his death, when his daughter, actress Mackenzie Phillips, alleged that she and her father had a long-term sexual relationship while they were both using drugs. She made the claim in her memoir High on Arrival, sparking widespread outrage and disbelief.
According to Mackenzie, the abuse stopped only after she became pregnant and feared her father might be the father of the child. While her stepmother denied the allegations, Mackenzie has stood by her story. Regardless of where one stands, the disturbing nature of the claim has deeply stained Phillips’ reputation and raised difficult questions about the private horrors behind his public success.
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