7 Times Rock Bands Made the Weirdest TV Commercials

Rock bands have always found unique ways to connect with fans, but sometimes their ventures into TV commercials left people scratching their heads. Whether it was strange concepts, mismatched themes, or unusual collaborations, these ads became memorable for all the wrong reasons. Here are seven examples.

1. The Rolling Stones for Rice Krispies (1964)

In 1964, The Rolling Stones surprised fans by promoting Kellogg’s Rice Krispies in a UK commercial. The ad featured a jingle written and performed by Brian Jones, with Mick Jagger singing playful lyrics about the cereal’s signature “snap, crackle, and pop.” It was a lighthearted move for a band associated with rebellion. Despite the band’s edgy image, the ad was well-received but remains an odd chapter in their history. Fans were amused to see their favorite rockers championing a breakfast staple.

2. Alice Cooper for Staples (2004)

Alice Cooper, known for his dark and theatrical stage persona, appeared in a Staples back-to-school commercial. The ad featured Cooper shopping for school supplies with a young girl who asked why he was so enthusiastic about the task. Cooper quipped, “School’s out forever!” referencing his hit song. The humor came from the contrast between his rock persona and the mundane chore. While unexpected, it showed Cooper’s ability to poke fun at himself.

3. Iggy Pop for Swiftcover Insurance (2009)

In 2009, punk icon Iggy Pop appeared in commercials for Swiftcover Insurance. The ads showed Pop enthusiastically promoting car insurance while dancing and chatting about its benefits. Fans criticized the campaign for being inconsistent with Pop’s rebellious image. It was later revealed that the company did not insure musicians, leading to further backlash. The controversy made the ads more infamous than effective.

4. Kiss for Dr Pepper (2010)

Kiss partnered with Dr Pepper in 2010 for a commercial featuring the band in full makeup promoting “Dr Pepper Cherry.” The ad played on the slogan “Dr Pepper, always one of a kind,” aligning with Kiss’s unique image. Despite their larger-than-life personas, some fans found the pairing strange. The commercial showcased the band’s willingness to embrace their brand but left others questioning the connection to soda.

5. Metallica for ESPN SportsCenter (2014)

In a 2014 SportsCenter ad, Metallica joked about their limited opportunities after their music was deemed too heavy for sports programming. The commercial showed the band hilariously pitching new ideas to athletes. Fans loved seeing Metallica’s lighter side, but the concept of a metal band in a corporate setting felt surreal. It was a humorous look at how even rock legends can be self-deprecating.

6. Queen for Dairy Queen (1980s)

During the 1980s, Dairy Queen used Queen’s iconic song “We Will Rock You” in an ad campaign to promote their ice cream treats. The commercial altered the lyrics to fit the brand’s message, which upset some fans who felt the song’s powerful anthem didn’t belong in a fast-food ad. While it brought attention to the brand, it highlighted the unusual pairing of a legendary rock band and soft-serve desserts.

7. Ozzy Osbourne for World of Warcraft (2008)

Ozzy Osbourne appeared in a 2008 commercial for the video game World of Warcraft. In the ad, he proclaimed himself the “Prince of Darkness” and challenged the game’s characters. The dramatic theme fit Osbourne’s persona, but seeing a rock icon in a gaming ad surprised many fans. The blend of metal and fantasy gaming became a memorable, if unusual, combination.