Nicest Men and Biggest Jerks in Rock

[Killik_13]

Liam Gallagher is a complete jerk, egotistical and untalented. Noel, however is a true artist and from what I've heard, a very down to Earth guy. He used to guest on Russell Brand's BBC radio show, and he sounded like one of those easy-going guy we all know.

Axl Rose is possibly my biggest hero (though it doesn't mean I can't be realistic about his behavior) and it's extremely difficult to categorise him. He turns up late, but that's a universally known risk with GnR shows, and besides, how Rock N' Roll is it to complain about your bedtime :P. Lots of people call him money-hungry like Gene Simmons, but if that were the case why would he spend 13 years and millions of dollars working on an album when he could pump out material every two years and get a juicy paycheck every time? He's been described many times by friends, colleagues, fans and journalists as far more sensitive, vulnerable than the image he projects, lending credence to the idea that the character of Axl is far different from the man. The guy's a perfectionist, an occasional recluse, tempramental, bi-polar, but he's not a jerk by any definition.

[Ultimatum]

IIRC, the producers actually had more say in Chinese Democracy and were the reason it took so long to release and not Axl.

[Killik_13]

IIRC, the producers actually had more say in Chinese Democracy and were the reason it took so long to release and not Axl.

I've heard it was part down producers, part down to Axl, just thought it should be addressed that his part in the delays was supposedly more down to perfectionism than just being lazy/arrogant. I've often read that he comes across as passionate to the point of obsession, which clearly has it's negative effects when unchecked/met with similar attitudes from producers.

[Killik_13]

Also, I can say that from personal experience Joey Tempest, John Norum and Brian Tatler are really nice guys. Met them after a Europe/Diamond Head gig last year and they were happy to sign anything, talked with us all for quite ages, very unpretentious/down to earth.

[exploder]

DMX a jerk? maybe a little bit
DMX the most terrifying dude ever? yes

jerk rappers:

Ja Rule
Canibus
P. Diddy

Fred Durst has gotten alot nicer recently,but I'd put him on Hit-and-miss

[starbucks95905]

Dave Matthews is about as nice as they come. I have heard nothing but great, great things about him from people that have met him (aside from that one obviously isolated incident that was posted earlier in this thread- that really is the only time I've heard of Dave being a jerk). He always seems to be very appreciative of his fans and very pleasant in interviews. I've believed this since before I became a fan of his.

Thom Yorke is also a very kind-hearted (though eccentric) person from what I've seen of him. The main reason people don't like him is because he's very shy, and people tend to misinterpret that as being a pretentious *****. I can honestly relate to him to a degree. He actually stopped a show once because someone in the audience had a seizure and he wanted to make sure he got proper medical attention. Colin Greenwood is also a very nice and down-to-earth guy from what I've seen of him. Don't know much about the rest of Radiohead.

I'm also not too surprised that the Pink Spiders are *******s.

Aside from major rebuttals to the established list, here's my list:

Nice:

O.A.R. (particularly the singer, Marc Roberge) - I saw these guys recently (a bit under a week ago), and they obviously put all they had into the show and just wanted everybody to have a good time. Marc seemed like a legitimately nice guy on stage, although it is easy to act that way on stage. However, I've heard nothing but good things from people that have met Marc Roberge and/or the rest of O.A.R.

Guster - Again, they all seem like legitimately down-to-earth, nice guys. Saw them in March. They put on a great show, clearly want everybody to have a good time, and actively keep in touch with their fanbase (if you email them, their drummer will reply). Heard great things from those that have met them too.

Wayne Coyne - Although I don't care for that Win Butler bull**** he pulled, he still strikes me as being a very nice guy (that is perhaps a little impulsive or 'tunnel-visioned' at times). I heard a story of a Lips fan that saw him waiting in line at Walmart and approached him. Wayne was very pleased to see him, and wound up hanging out with him for a while and even taking some pictures with the guy (one of which is his Wikipedia photo).

Win Butler - He has actually struck me as being a pretty nice and down-to-earth guy in general. I think he handled that Wayne Coyne bull**** pretty well.

Noel Gallagher - He does NOT deserve the **** that he regularly gets. In interviews (particularly more recent ones), he has actually struck me as being very laid-back and down-to-earth. He does his own grocery shopping, which is impressive for someone of his notability and wealth (sad but true). He tends to be very direct in his opinions, which has rubbed a lot of people the wrong way and led them to believe that he's a jerk. And he can be a bit of a dick at times (a lot of stuff in the 90's, Damon Albarn, etc.), but everyone can be and he's still a generally good guy. (Liam's a dick though.)

Zebra - My dad met them and said that they were all pretty nice guys.

Dave Grohl - He's just Dave Grohl.

Ted Nugent - People just don't like him because he's an outspoken Republican. He's actually a pretty good guy though

P!nk - Everything I've seen and everything I've heard has given me nothing but a good impression. She seems really cool and down to earth, especially for a very popular mainstream pop star. I also appreciate the fact that she is not afraid to go against the norm and experiment- she doesn't let anyone get in the way of her artistic ability.

Ben Folds - He's about as nice and down to earth as you'd think he is, if not more so. If you're a fan of his, you damn well know this.

Andrew McMahon - I've, once again, heard nothing but good things about him. He has a very fangirlish fanbase, so that's saying something.

Pearl Jam - They used to routinely sneak their fans into shows. I've also heard great things about Eddie Vedder, he's always struck me as being a very nice guy.

Lady GaGa - Despite some of the things she's done, I've heard that she's a very nice person that appreciates her fans.

Jerks:

Liam Gallagher - See above. Noel has said in interviews that he only really acts this way in public though and that he's not all bad.

Gene Simmons - I don't think I need to elaborate.

Axl Rose - see Gene Simmons

Jon Bon Jovi - He's done some pretty ****ty things. What makes it worse is that he acts like such a nice guy.

Sharon Osbourne - First of all, **** reality TV. Second of all, look at what she did to Iron Maiden. She has pulled so much other **** in the past. Now it seems to be a matter of Ozzy having to put up with her, because I've actually heard pretty decent things about Ozzy lately.

Dr. Dre - Have you read some of his lyrics? Heard that he's a dick too.

Kanye West - see Gene Simmons & Axl Rose

Michael Stipe - He's never really given me that vibe, but I've heard some horror stories about him.

Fed Durst - Heard somewhere that he's actually gotten better lately, but I haven't heard much more than ******* stories about him.

Mixed:

David Cassidy - I applaud him for dealing with some of the bull**** he had to deal with in the 70's without shooting himself. I've heard he can be a bit of a dick at times though.

Bono - Has a reputation for being a dick, but a complete dick doesn't quietly donate millions of dollars to charity (not sure of who to specifically, but I know he has at least once).

Wes Scantlin - He's done some things that would suggest that he's an *******, but I've heard from people that have met him that he's a pretty nice guy. Probably leans a bit more toward nice.

Jared Leto- From what I've heard, it's normal for him to be a dick to his fans. I've heard some good stories about him though.

[exploder]

Dre? really? maybe when he was in N.W.A.,but lyrics don't make someone a jerk and in interviews and stories I've heard about him from others he's a really nice guy.as for the lyrics: you think DRE's bad? listen to Bizarre

[Gowienczyk]

What about the whole business with Eazy E that lasted post-NWA? I don't even think E was the only one who thought Dr. Dre was a bit of a *****, though I admit I don't know much of other accounts truthfully.

[longgone62]

Biggest Jerks- Based on people I have had the misfortune of meeting.

1. Johnny Cash- a 24 karat gold jerk

2. Johnny Mathis- pompous jerk

3. Jeff "Skunk" Baxter- An opinionated know-it-all

4. Iris Dement- Another opinionated know-it-all

5. Paul Anka- Another jerk who only acts that way because he's got mob connections.

6. Bill Graham- And though I respect what the man did in his lifetime and his tireless work ethic, he didn't have to be such an jerk to those around him

7. David Lee Roth- A real jerk. Not impressed with this guy at all. Seemed kinda fruity (if you ask me).

8. Neal Schon- A real jerk. And one of the dumbest SOBs I have ever encountered. God, what an moron.

9. Tony Williams- Jazz / Fusion Drummer. Met him at a drum clinic. What a jerk. Died a few months after I met him.

Coolest people- Based those I have had the great fortune of meeting.

1. Jim Nabors- I am not kidding - probably the nicest person I have ever met in show business.

2. All four Members of Lucious Jackson (drummer Kate Schellenbach being the nicest).

3. Tyran Porter- former bassist for the Doobie Brothers. Great guy. Monster player

4. Butch Vig & Duke Erikson of Garbage- They are pros. They know it. They just don't act like it.

5. Gary Hoey- Guitarist extraordinaire. Down to earth. Approachable.

6. Chris Cain- Blues Guitarist from San Jose, California- Another nice guy.

7. Greg Bissonette- Great guy.

8. Adrian Legg- Another genius musician.

9. Joe Walsh- Down to earth. Nice guy.

[longgone62]

I heard Rivers interviewed on NPRs Fresh Air several years ago. What a dork.