8 Rock Legends with Epic Fights on Stage

Rock bands are known for their intense energy and dynamic stage presence. Sometimes, however, this intensity can lead to major conflicts right in front of fans. Here are eight legendary rock bands that famously fought each other during their live performances.

Motörhead

Motörhead’s frontman, Lemmy Kilmister, is legendary both for his music and his determination. In 2011, the band was scheduled to play at the Bloodstock music festival, but Lemmy was very sick. Despite his condition, he insisted on performing. During the show, Lemmy had trouble keeping up with the pace and repeatedly told drummer Mikkey Dee to slow down.

Frustration boiled over, and Dee started throwing things at Lemmy in the middle of the concert. The tension was palpable as fans watched the band almost fall apart on stage. Thankfully, after a break, they managed to pull it together and finish the show. Dee later recalled this as the worst performance he ever had with Motörhead. It was a rare glimpse of the struggles even rock legends face.

The Who

The Who were infamous for their chaotic early performances, and their 1966 concert in Berkshire was no exception. This particular show is remembered for the conflict between bassist John Entwistle and drummer Keith Moon. Both musicians were in no condition to perform after spending the afternoon partying with members of The Beach Boys. They arrived late and had to jump in mid-song, which only added to the confusion.

The situation escalated during the concert’s explosive closing act. Guitarist Pete Townshend ended up getting hurt, and a full-blown melee broke out. Entwistle and Moon were so upset that they considered leaving the band altogether. Thankfully, they changed their minds, but the incident was a wake-up call for them to reign in their wild behavior on stage.

Poison

Poison is known for their hard-partying lifestyle, and this behavior sometimes led to conflicts. One of the most memorable fights occurred in 2006 in Atlanta. The band was preparing for an encore when things went wrong between lead singer Bret Michaels and bassist Bobby Dall. Words were exchanged, things got heated, and Dall ended up swinging his bass at Michaels.

The fight was intense enough that roadies had to step in and break it up before it got worse. The conflict was so severe that Michaels even announced that the show might be their last. Despite this, the band managed to continue, showing that they could withstand even the most heated arguments.

The Jesus and Mary Chain

The Jesus and Mary Chain have a reputation for both their music and their internal conflicts, especially between brothers Jim and William Reid. Their most famous fight happened in 1998 at the House of Blues in Los Angeles. Jim came to the show drunk and started acting belligerently, knocking over equipment.

William tried to control the situation, but it quickly escalated into a physical altercation. The performance ended after just 15 minutes, and William left the tour shortly after. The tension was so high that the band eventually split the following year. They did reunite in 2007 and have been performing ever since, but the incident remains a vivid memory for fans.

The Beatles

The Beatles, one of the most famous bands in history, also had their share of conflicts. One notorious incident involved bassist Stuart Sutcliffe during their early days in Hamburg, Germany. Sutcliffe had gotten engaged to a local girl, Astrid Kirchherr, which became a source of tension within the band, especially with Paul McCartney.

This tension finally erupted in an onstage fight between Sutcliffe and McCartney. The altercation was severe enough that it influenced Sutcliffe’s decision to leave the band and pursue a career in art. Sutcliffe’s departure marked a turning point for The Beatles, who then went on to achieve unprecedented success.

Marilyn Manson

Marilyn Manson’s concerts are known for their shocking moments, but nothing quite compares to the incident at the 2003 Rock Am Ring festival. During the show, Manson accidentally kicked guitarist John 5 in the head. The situation escalated quickly, with John 5 throwing down his guitar in frustration and nearly coming to blows with Manson on stage.

The incident left fans in shock and sparked rumors for years that John 5 had left the band on bad terms. However, in 2022, John 5 revealed that he had just learned of his sister’s sudden passing before the concert, which contributed to his emotional state. The onstage clash was a stark reminder of the personal challenges musicians often face.

The Kinks

The Kinks were no strangers to internal conflicts, especially between brothers Ray and Dave Davies. However, one of their most dramatic fights involved drummer Mick Avory during a 1965 gig at Cardiff’s Capitol Theatre. Dave Davies had been taunting Avory throughout the show, which finally led to a physical confrontation.

When Dave kicked Avory’s drum kit, Avory retaliated by hitting him with a hi-hat stand, knocking Dave unconscious. The incident was so severe that Avory fled the scene, fearing he had killed his bandmate. This fight, along with other issues, even led to The Kinks being banned from performing in the United States for a period during the British Invasion era.

Eagles

The Eagles’ inner conflicts reached a boiling point during a 1980 charity concert in Long Beach. Guitarists Don Felder and Glenn Frey had already been at odds during the recording of “The Long Run,” and this tension carried over to their live performance. Throughout the show, they exchanged threats and insults, sometimes even into the microphone.

By the end of the concert, Felder was so frustrated that he smashed his guitar backstage and quit the band. The rest of the band quickly followed suit, leading to a long hiatus. Although the Eagles would eventually reunite, the very public breakup remains one of the most infamous in rock history.