10 Embarrassing Commercials from the ’90s and ’00s Featuring Rock Musicians

The 1990s saw rock musicians stepping into advertising, often with awkward results. Some ads felt out of place, while others made fans cringe. These commercials, featuring well-known rock artists, became infamous for their clumsy attempts at marketing.

1. Bob Dylan for Victoria’s Secret

In a surprising move, Bob Dylan appeared in a Victoria’s Secret ad. Known for his poetic lyrics and mysterious image, Dylan’s involvement in promoting lingerie confused fans. The ad featured him standing silently as a model walked through a grand setting.

The disconnect between Dylan’s persona and the product left viewers puzzled. Many felt it diminished his iconic status, turning a legend into a corporate spokesman for a luxury brand.

2. Aerosmith for Buick

Aerosmith’s collaboration with Buick to promote the Skylark was a head-scratcher. The band, known for their rebellious rock anthems, appeared in a tame car commercial. The ad featured Aerosmith performing snippets of their hits alongside shots of the vehicle.

Fans felt the pairing was forced, as Buick’s image clashed with Aerosmith’s edgy reputation. The attempt to connect rock music with car sales came off as awkward and insincere.

3. Iggy Pop for Swiftcover Insurance

Punk icon Iggy Pop shocked fans by endorsing car insurance for Swiftcover. The commercial showed him energetically promoting the service, complete with his signature wild antics. While his enthusiasm was evident, the ad’s message felt at odds with his rebellious image.

Critics argued that seeing a punk rock legend pushing insurance cheapened his legacy. The campaign drew mixed reactions, with some appreciating the humor while others found it cringe-worthy.

4. Eric Clapton for Michelob

Eric Clapton’s Michelob beer commercials raised eyebrows in the early ’90s. The ads featured Clapton performing and sipping the product, blending his musical talent with a marketing pitch. While the visuals were polished, the concept felt out of step with Clapton’s artistic integrity.

Fans questioned why the legendary guitarist would align himself with a beer brand. The ad’s attempt to link Clapton’s music with Michelob’s image felt forced and unconvincing.

5. Metallica for ESPN

Metallica’s ESPN commercials took an unexpected comedic turn. The ads showed the band working mundane office jobs at the network’s headquarters. While intended to be funny, the humor didn’t land for many viewers.

Fans of Metallica’s intense, serious music found the ads embarrassing. The attempt to humanize the band through comedy felt out of place and awkward.

6. Ozzy Osbourne for I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter

Ozzy Osbourne’s endorsement of I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter became an infamous example of mismatched advertising. The Prince of Darkness was shown in a bright, cheerful setting, promoting the margarine brand.

The absurdity of Ozzy’s involvement overshadowed the product itself. Fans couldn’t reconcile his wild image with a wholesome food commercial.

7. David Bowie for Pepsi

David Bowie’s Pepsi ad alongside Tina Turner felt overly theatrical. The commercial portrayed the two icons engaging in a dramatic, music-filled battle for a can of soda. While the production value was high, the concept came off as cheesy.

The ad failed to capture Bowie’s creativity and artistry. Instead, it turned him into a pop culture caricature, leaving fans unimpressed.

8. The Who for Nissan

The Who’s collaboration with Nissan used their classic song “Won’t Get Fooled Again” to promote the brand. While the music was iconic, the commercial’s visuals were bland, focusing on cars speeding through generic settings.

Fans felt the use of the song cheapened its message. The commercial lacked the energy and spirit that defined The Who’s music.

9. Slash for Guitar Hero

Slash’s Guitar Hero commercial saw him playing the game in an exaggerated manner. The ad featured over-the-top visuals and dramatic shots of Slash wielding a plastic guitar controller.

While the intent was to celebrate rock music, fans felt it bordered on self-parody. The commercial did little to enhance Slash’s legendary status.

10. Kiss for Dr. Pepper

Kiss teamed up with Dr. Pepper for a series of quirky commercials. The ads showed the band performing while promoting the soda’s “sweet” flavor. While lighthearted, the concept felt overly commercialized.

Fans of Kiss’s larger-than-life persona were disappointed. The ads lacked the boldness that defined their stage presence, leaving many underwhelmed.