Keeping four or more individuals together in a high stress environment when a creative future is on the line is no easy feat. Even if a band hasn’t broken up, they likely have experienced a rift or two. Then, of course, there are the bands that are rife with rifts. Below, find three bands that can boast being some of rock’s most dysfunctional.
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3 of Rock’s Most Dysfunctional Bands
1. Van Halen
Van Halen had a plethora of lineup changes. The group couldn’t seem to keep a frontman employed. A chronology of their revolving vocalists–David Lee Roth, Sammy Hagar, and Gary Cherone–would be a tangled web of overlapping lines. While they may not have been dysfunctional in the way some of the later bands on this list were, they certainly didn’t have the most straightforward career.
Ah, can’t you see me standin’ here?
I’ve got my back against the record machine
I ain’t the worst that you’ve seen
Ah, can’t you see what I mean?
2. Pink Floyd
Bands often function better if they are a democracy, however that rarely ends up being the case. It certainly wasn’t the case for Pink Floyd. Roger Waters was their unelected king for many years. His word was law, which unsurprisingly didn’t play well with his creatively minded bandmates. In the wake of their breakup, Waters and the rest of the members found themselves opposed. It was a storied fight that has luckily since been resolved.
Did they get you to trade your heroes for ghosts?
Hot ashes for trees?
Hot air for a cool breeze?
Cold comfort for change?
Did you exchange a walk on part in the war
For a lead role in a cage?
3. Fleetwood Mac
When you read the headline about dysfunctional rock bands, odds are Fleetwood Mac came to mind. The ’70s staples made their fair share of top hits, but all of their greatness was underscored by a famed amount of in-fighting. The group broke each others’ hearts and creatively fought amongst other career-altering issues. Nevertheless, they became one of the biggest bands of their era and continue to be beloved by legions of fans.
You can go your own way
Go your own way
You can call it
Another lonely day
You can go your own way
Go your own way
(Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
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