The 5 Weirdest Rock Star Interviews

Numerous artists have carved a niche for themselves not only through their musical prowess but also for their penchant for delivering audacious and weird statements. These remarks, sometimes as noteworthy as their musical creations, have captivated audiences and critics alike, stirring a mix of thrill and outrage. Let’s delve deeper into some of these headline-making moments in the industry.

Ozzy Osbourne – Drugged Up Interview (1989)

Ozzy, could you please repeat that? In this interview, the rock legend delves into his journey of overcoming obstacles while battling speech struggles, possibly influenced by his thick Birmingham accent.

The scene is set in Helsinki, Finland during the 1989 No Rest for the Wicked world tour, where Ozzy Osbourne was jet-lagged and under the influence. Joining him in this interview are renowned guitarist Zakk Wylde, talented bassist Geezer Butler, and skilled drummer Randy Castillo.

John Lydon – The Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder (June 1980)

The interview between John Lydon, also known as Johnny Rotten, and Keith Levine on The Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder in June 1980 was infamous for its awkward and contentious nature right from the start. Tom Snyder, the host, began the conversation by asking questions that seemed to confuse the nature of the band, Public Image Ltd. (PiL).

Snyder’s initial inquiries about whether the band’s name was “Limited” or “Unlimited” and his questions regarding the band’s purpose and activities set the tone for a confrontational exchange. In response, John Lydon defiantly stated, “We ain’t no band. We’re a company. Simple. Nothing to do with rock ‘n’ roll. Doo-dah.”

Throughout the interview, both Lydon and Levine appeared disinterested, disheveled, and uncooperative, leading to a tense atmosphere. Despite Snyder’s attempts to delve deeper into the band’s identity and intentions, the members of PiL remained elusive and uncooperative, making the interview challenging and at times confrontational.

The exchange exemplified Lydon’s confrontational and rebellious persona, which was characteristic of his punk rock background and his desire to challenge and defy conventional norms and expectations within the music industry. The interview highlighted the band’s unconventional approach to their music and their desire to distance themselves from traditional rock ‘n’ roll stereotypes.

Overall, the interview between John Lydon, Keith Levine, and Tom Snyder showcased a clash of personalities and approaches, with Lydon’s declaration of PiL as a “company” rather than a band encapsulating the band’s unique and boundary-pushing ethos in the world of music.

The Sex Pistols – Thames’s Today with Bill Grundy (December 1976)

The appearance of the Sex Pistols on Thames’s Today with Bill Grundy in December 1976 is infamous for the band’s disruptive and foul-mouthed behavior, which scandalized the British TV audience at the time. The interview took a chaotic turn with the band members, including Johnny Rotten (John Lydon), Glen Matlock, Steve Jones, and hangers-on like Siouxsie Sioux, engaging in a profanity-laced free-for-all.

The interview began with Grundy introducing the Sex Pistols as “punk rockers” and making the provocative statement that they were as drunk as he was. The band’s disruptive reputation was emphasized by a clip of them performing a raucous version of the Stooges’ “No Fun” live. When Grundy questioned the band about their anti-materialistic stance in light of their significant advance, the exchange turned confrontational and filled with expletives.

Guitarist Steve Jones was the first to drop an F-bomb, followed by Johnny Rotten sarcastically referencing classical composers as the band’s heroes while using colorful language. As the interview progressed, Grundy goaded the band members to say something outrageous, leading to more profanity and confrontational remarks. The segment culminated with Grundy bidding the audience goodnight while expressing his hope that he would not have to encounter the Sex Pistols again.

The interview with the Sex Pistols on Thames’s Today with Bill Grundy in 1976 encapsulated the band’s rebellious and provocative nature, as well as the media’s shock and outrage at their disruptive behavior. The exchange became a defining moment in punk rock history, underscoring the band’s commitment to challenging societal norms and stirring up controversy wherever they went.

Keith Richards – Esquire (August 2015)

Keith Richards’ candid and controversial comments about the Beatles’ album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band in an interview with Esquire in August 2015 stirred up significant debate within the music community. Known for his unfiltered opinions, Richards did not shy away from expressing his views on the iconic album, labeling it as “a mishmash of rubbish” and “a load of s—.”

In the interview, Richards compared the Beatles’ experimental phase with albums like Sgt. Pepper’s to the Stones’ own music during that era. He suggested that while the Beatles sounded great as the Beatles, he believed that their music lacked roots and that they may have lost touch with their original intentions. Richards indicated that he felt the Beatles were carried away by their fame and success, leading to albums like Sgt. Pepper’s that he viewed as disjointed and lacking substance.

“The Beatles sounded great when they were the Beatles,” Richards said. “But there’s not a lot of roots in that music. I think they got carried away. Why not? If you’re the Beatles in the ’60s, you just get carried away — you forget what it is you wanted to do. You’re starting to do Sgt. Pepper. Some people think it’s a genius album, but I think it’s a mishmash of rubbish, kind of like Satanic Majesties — ‘Oh, if you can make a load of s—, so can we.’”

By criticizing such a revered and highly influential work like Sgt. Pepper’s, Richards sparked controversy and challenged conventional opinions about the Beatles’ musical legacy. His blunt assessment of the album as a “mishmash of rubbish” and drawing parallels to the Rolling Stones’ own experimental album, Their Satanic Majesties Request, showcased his candid and uncompromising attitude towards music and his disregard for popular consensus.

Richards’ provocative comments about Sgt. Pepper’s and his willingness to take shots at other revered rock acts like the Who and Led Zeppelin underscore his contrarian perspective and willingness to speak his mind, even at the risk of offending fans and fellow musicians.

John Lennon – London Evening Standard (March 1966)

In March 1966, John Lennon made a weird statement that stirred controversy and backlash. He stated in an interview with the London Evening Standard that the Beatles were “more popular than Jesus now.” At the time, this statement did not generate much outrage. However, five months later, the quote was published in an American teen magazine called Datebook, which sparked protests and anger primarily in the southern United States.

The controversy coincided with the Beatles’ American tour in August 1966. As a result, the band’s manager, Brian Epstein, arranged a series of press conferences to allow Lennon to clarify his statement. However, these efforts had mixed results, as some people continued to protest and picket the band’s tour stops, including the Ku Klux Klan.

The reaction to Lennon’s statement was severe, with Beatles records being burned and their songs being banned from radio playlists in some areas. The incident highlighted the cultural and religious divisions in society during that time and demonstrated the significant influence and impact that popular musicians, like Lennon and the Beatles, had on the public.