4 Concerts Where Classic Rock Bands Were Booed Off

Even the biggest names in classic rock have had nights that went badly. Whether it was because of the audience’s mood, mismatched opening acts, or the band’s performance, these concerts ended with loud boos and frustration. Here are four real examples where famous acts didn’t get the response they expected.

1. The Rolling Stones at JFK Stadium

At a Philadelphia show in the early 1980s, the Rolling Stones were met with frustration from the crowd. Journey opened the show and had a strong response, which caused some tension. When the Stones finally took the stage, parts of the audience kept booing, possibly because of the long wait or the changing music styles between the bands.

According to posts on Quora, some attendees said the crowd grew restless before the Stones even appeared. Others felt the band didn’t connect with the audience that night. The reaction was unusual for a group as respected as the Stones, but it showed how crowd energy can shift quickly.

2. The Smiths at Portsmouth Guildhall

During a performance at Portsmouth Guildhall in the 1980s, The Smiths faced a disrespectful audience. Lead singer Morrissey stopped singing mid-show due to people spitting from the crowd. He told them clearly that if the behavior continued, he would leave. The spitting was enough to break the band’s flow and almost cancel the show.

This event became one of the more talked-about moments in The Smiths’ career. The tension between artist and audience was clear. According to Quora discussions, Morrissey’s patience wore thin quickly, and the show only continued after he gave a direct warning.

3. The Dead Boys at CBGB and Beyond

The Dead Boys had a loud, aggressive style that not every crowd welcomed. Their punk rock energy often drew a strong reaction, and at times, the crowd pushed back. Their sets at CBGB and other venues were sometimes met with yelling and boos, not just cheers. Some people didn’t know how to respond to their wild stage behavior.

The band seemed to expect this reaction and even encouraged it in some ways. Their attitude often made the shows unpredictable. While many fans loved the chaos, others walked out or made their feelings known loudly during the sets.

4. The Mothers (Frank Zappa) in the U.S. and Europe

Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention were known for pushing limits, and that didn’t always sit well with live audiences. In the 1970s, they were booed off stage in several cities. Some of their experimental songs didn’t match what fans expected from a rock concert.

In both the U.S. and Europe, there were times when crowds didn’t appreciate the style or the humor. Zappa often responded with sarcasm, which sometimes made things worse. The band wasn’t trying to be mainstream, and the mixed reactions were part of what made their concerts so unpredictable.