Rock stars are like children: They say the darndest things!
From the funny to the thought-provoking and everywhere in between, here are 71 memorable quotes from rock stars in 2021
Jon Bon Jovi on possibly entering politics
Share”Hell no. It’s a s--- existence – selling yourself and your soul."
Arnel Pineda on Journey’s ‘Don’t Stop Believin”’”
Share"Honestly, I was not a big fan of the song at first."
Wes Borland on Marilyn Manson
Share“He’s not a great guy. Every single thing that people have said about him is f---ing true.”
Phoebe Bridgers to David Crosby on Twitter for criticizing her for breaking a guitar on ‘SNL’
Share”Little bitch.”
Brian Johnson on recording ‘Through the Mists of Time’
Share"The hairs on my arm were standing up. It was tears, you know. I wasn't crying; there was just this water coming out of my eyes. It had nothing to do with me, because I could see Malcolm and all the fun times we had all those years ago. The happy times in the early '80s and those tough times, when he got sick and back again, what we'd been through and what the band stood for."
Corey Taylor on most of new rock acts (and maybe Machine Gun Kelly)
Share”I look at some of these bands that sound like this or sound like that or sound like the other guy, and it’s just, like, well, they obviously listened to two albums that have been out for a minute. But the ones that really frustrate me are the ones that they take something that’s been around forever and then just basically rework it and call it new – even though it’s completely derivative. You know the band they’re ripping off – they’re not even trying to rip off a bunch of bands; they’re ripping off one band."
Dee Snider on the Rock Hall via Twitter
Share"The RnR Hall committee members are arrogant elitist a--holes who look down on metal & other bands that sell millions because we’re not their definition of cool. The fan vote is their 'throwing a bone' to the peasants. I want to say FU, but I want them to have to deal with us!"
Angus Young on Coming up with ‘Highway to Hell’
Share"I went to the toilet, and then I was in the toilet and I was there and I’m sitting and thinking. And I’m just sitting on the throne more or less. And then I go, 'I think I’ve got it. I’ve got it. I’ve got it. I’ve got the idea in my head.'"
Tina Turner in ‘Tina’
Share"I’m a girl from a cotton field that pulled myself above the destruction and the mistakes. And I’m here for you."
Bruce Springsteen to Magistrate Judge Anthony R. Mautone after being fined $540 for pleading guilty to a charge of consuming alcohol in a closed area.
Share"I think I can pay that immediately your honor."
Dublin man Daniel Filip to cops asking him who he was after being arrested on public intoxication charges.
Share“Jon Bon Jovi.”
Trent Reznor during his Golden Globes speechfor Best Original Score for his work on the Pixar film ‘Soul.’
Share"I think this is the first piece of art I've ever made in my life that I can actually show to my kids. So, thank you, Pixar."
Alice Cooper on Gene Simmons’ “Rock is Dead” quote.
Share"Gene Simmons – I would like him to do my taxes because he’s a businessman and that’s valid, but I guarantee you right now that in London somewhere, in garages, they’re learning Aerosmith and Guns ‘N’ Roses. There’s a bunch of 18-year-kids in there with guitars and drums and they’re learning hard rock. It’s the same with the United States: there’s all these young bands that want to resurge that whole area of hard rock."
Paul Stanley on Gene Simmons’ “Rock is Dead” quote.
Share”I think that life, rock, whatever it is, is never a constant, " said Stanley. "Let's say, for example, if you take somebody's pulse and it's weak, it doesn't mean they're dead. It means that the pulse is weak. And it doesn't mean it won't come back stronger."
Wolfgang Van Halen on the Grammy tribute to Eddie Van Halen
Share"The GRAMMYs asked me to play 'Eruption' for the 'In Memoriam' section and I declined. I don't think anyone could have lived up to what my father did for music but himself.”
Julian Casablancas
Share”There’s room for so many genres of music; not necessarily blues rock, please no more of that."
Belinda Carlisle on the Rock Hall.
Share”I think there was a lot of misogyny within the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for a long, long time. Just by the ratio of men to women in it, that really says it all.”
David Lee Roth on what “WAP” means to him
Share”Nothin' but W.A.P. for David Lee. He thinks it means 'Wings and Pizza.'”
Tony Iommi
Share"I don’t think rock is going to die. That’s been said for years. I mean, how many times I’ve heard that statement over the past 50-odd years? It’s quite a lot, really."
Ted Nugent
Share"You know, I guess I would ask you, because I'm addicted to truth, logic and common sense, and my common sense meter would demand the answer to, why weren't we shut down for COVID-1 through -18? There was a COVID-1, and there was a COVID-2, -3, -4, -5, -6, -7, -8, -9, -10, -11, -12, -13, -14, -15, -16, -17, -18. COVID-1 through -18 didn't shut anything down, but woah, COVID-19 [did], even though it's 99.8 percent survivable. Why didn't we shut down for the AIDS epidemic or the flu or the Spanish Flu or the bird flu or the West Nile flu or influenza every year?"
Ted Nugent on dealing with COVID
Share”I've got an announcement to make. Everybody told me that I should not announce this. I have had flu symptoms for the last ten days. I thought I was dying. Just a clusterf---. I was tested positive today. I got the Chinese s---. I've got a stuffed up head, body aches. My God, what a pain in the a--. I literally could hardly crawl out of bed the last few days… So I was officially tested positive for COVID-19 today."
Roger Daltrey on getting sick from ‘Who Sell Out’ photoshoot
Share"I ended up with a week in bed with either the flu or probably the worst cold that I’ve had in my lifetime and I put it down to the baked beans because they’d just come out of the fridge. They were freezing cold! I sat in them for twenty minutes until they had the great idea of putting electric fire round the back of the bathtub I was sitting in, which worked for a while.”
Michael Anthony on Warner Brothers wanting Van Halen to change their name after David Lee Roth left the band.
Share"We had everybody - Warner Brothers, our management, our lawyers - going, 'Oh, my god. David Lee Roth's gone.' They thought that that was such a strong identity. Warner Brothers wanted us to change the name of the band. I remember Eddie and Alex [Van Halen], we were at Warner Brothers, and they were yelling, 'Hey, hey, this is our last name. This is our careers, and we're Van Halen.'"
David Crosby on how to try edibles
Share”Find one that you like. Either a commercial one that somebody makes or that you make yourself, and take a little bit. It’s called ‘titrating.’ You take just a little bit first and see how strong it is. If it’s not strong enough, you take a little more and wait. Once you establish what your dosage is, you take that dose whenever you want. You know what will happen."
Mike Shinoda on why computers are musical instruments
Share”Yes. Is the keyboard an instrument, first of all? Most people would say yes. The keyboard is just a MIDI interface, series of MIDI input receptors feeding information to an internal computer."
Alice Cooper on he and his wife dealing with COVID-19
Share”We were wiped out. We didn't have to go to the hospital or anything like that. But I lost 15 pounds. I couldn't sleep. I couldn't eat. Now, I'm feeling pretty good. I'm feeling like I'm at least 95%.”
Paul Stanley on Iron Maiden not being in the Rock Hall, via Twitter.
Share"Regardless of whether it matters to them, Maiden not being in the @rockhall of Fame is INSANITY. Regardless of who is writing in or not, the Committee must induct them. They have helped spawn an entire genre of music. What else do you need to do??"
Taylor Momsen on discovering reaction videos during quarantine.
Share”I'm trying to become a tech-type person. I'm still really bad at it, if I'm being honest. But I've now discovered these things called 'reaction videos' online, where you can watch people videotape themselves listening to a song, or your song, for the first time. And it's not even what they say, but watching their face as they listen to it, I find very enjoyable."
Foo Fighters reaction to being part of the 2021 class of the Rock Hall. (Guitarist Pat Smear is a former member of the Germs.)
Share"Holy s---! The guitar player from The Germs is in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame!!"
Ozzy Osbourne on Randy Rhoads being inducted into the Rock Hall.
Share”I’m so happy that Randy’s genius, which we all saw from the beginning, is finally being recognized and that he is getting his due. I only wish he was here in person to get this award and that we could all celebrate together. It’s really great that Randy’s family, friends and fans get to see him honored this way.”
Eric Clapton on his experience with the side effects from the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine.
Share”Needless to say the reactions were disastrous, my hands and feet were either frozen, numb or burning, and pretty much useless for two weeks, I feared I would never play again, (I suffer with peripheral neuropathy and should never have gone near the needle.) But the propaganda said the vaccine was safe for everyone…”
Rock Hall President and CEO Greg Harris
Share”Rock ’n’ roll was never just four skinny guys with long hair and guitars. It's always been diverse...It frequently gets to the hip-hop question because some people are not fans. Well, the fact of the matter is that ship has sailed. We've inducted quite a few artists in that canon. It's a big tent and everybody fits under it. It's an attitude, it's a spirit, and that's rock ’n’ roll.”
Elton John
Share”When I came out as gay and met [my manager] John Reid, he had so many gay friends and employees it felt natural to give each other drag names…I became ‘Sharon,’ because I was so common. Rod Stewart was always ‘Phyllis.’ Freddie Mercury became ‘Melina’ after Melina Mercouri, the Greek actress and singer. He was a real Melina, I can assure you. John Lennon became ‘Carol Dakota’ after his New York building, the Dakota."
Vince Neil after cutting his first solo show in nearly two years short.
Share”Hey guys. I’m sorry, you guys. It’s been a long time playin’. My f---in’ voice is gone. We love you and we uhh… hope to see you next time, man. Thank you.”
Eric Clapton following expressing his covid views.
Share”I’ve tried to reach out to fellow musicians. I just don’t hear from them anymore. My phone doesn’t ring very often. I don’t get that many texts and emails anymore. It’s quite noticeable…I was ostracized, and I could feel that everywhere. I could feel alienation because I held a different view.”
Bob Seger on after the death of friend/saxophonist Alto Reed.
Share”I listened really hard to him, and he said 'how grateful I am for my wonderful life.' ... I thought that was so beautiful, and I thought he was so brave. I don't think I could go out (on tour) without him.”
James Hetfield on writing “Nothing Else Matters”
Share"What was it about not wanting to write a love song? That’s pretty easy. It’s a huge sign of weakness. You’re in Metallica. This is hardcore. What the f— are you doing?”
Sammy Hagar on David Lee Roth
Share"Well, the first thing I'd say is I look at him and I think, 'Wow. He's a strange person. He's a strange character.' He's not what he's saying he is; he's pretending. He's totally bulls---. Everything he does is thought up and it's an image.”
Cyndi Lauper
Share"Most people didn’t get what 'She Bop' was about until much later, when I went on Dr. Ruth’s radio show. I was playing along with her, making believe I was in a psychiatrist’s office, but then everything I said was blown up later by the press…I was so mad, because I had made sure that I never mentioned certain things so that little kids would never know. And then I was found out because of my big mouth. Now every kid knew what it was about, and it wasn’t supposed to be that way. Oh, c’est la vie. That’s French for 'whatever.' Anyway, happy 37 to my #scandalous song!”
Jamie Lee Curtis on her Greta Van Fleet fandom
Share“I mean, look, I’m a happily married 62-year-old woman, who, by the way, married Nigel Tufnel [Christopher Guest] from Spinal Tap. I get plenty of guitar in my home, but Josh [Kiszka]’s voice absolutely slays me!"
Elijah Hewson, son of U2’s Bono, on people seeing his band, Inhaler.
Share"It’s now nice seeing a young crowd down the front who maybe don’t even know who U2 are.”
Valerie Bertinelli on Eric Clapton refusing to play venues that require proof of vaccination (Clapton was reportedly dismissive of Bertinelli’s late ex-husband, Eddie Van Halen)
Share"Once a dick, always a dick.”
Billy Gibbons on ZZ Top going on after the death of Dusty Hill
Share"As Dusty said upon his departure, 'Let the show go on!' And ... with respect, we'll do well to get beyond this and honor his wishes...Dusty emphatically grabbed my arm and said, 'Give Elwood the bottom end and take it to the Top.' He meant it, amigo. He really did."
Paul McCartney sharing a photo of him getting the Covid vaccine.
Share"Be cool. Get vax'd.”
Dave Grohl confronting Westboro Baptist Church members picketing at a Foo Fighters show.
Share"Ladies and gentlemen, I got something to say. Because you know what? I love you! I do. The way I look at it, I love everybody. Isn't that what you’re supposed to do? Can't you just love everybody? 'Cause I think it's about love. That's what I think. I think we're all about love. And you shouldn't be hatin'! You know what y'all should be doin'? You should be dancing!”
Brian May on Eric Clapton
Share"I love Eric Clapton, he’s my hero, but he has very different views from me in many ways. He's a person who thinks it’s OK to shoot animals for fun, so we have our disagreements, but I would never stop respecting the man. Anti-vax people, I’m sorry, I think they’re fruitcakes.”
Gene Simmons
Share"I’m not worried -- and it’s unkind to say this -- I’m not worried if an idiot gets COVID and dies. I’m worried he takes other people with him. Who didn’t have a choice. It doesn’t have to be death. Being in a hospital is horrific. There are so many cases of people who were deniers and who are begging in the hospital to get the vaccine. But it’s too late.”
Slipknot’s Shawn Crahan
Share" I’m not ever going to stop wearing a mask, COVID or not, I’ve been in this business 25 years, and people are filthy all over the world. So when I had to be in the studio and I was asked to put on a mask, it didn’t bother me, it was business as usual.”
Gene Simmons on David Lee Roth
Share"...it bears noting that during Dave’s heyday, nobody did what he did. He was the ultimate frontman. Not Plant, not Rod Stewart, nobody. He took being a frontman way beyond anything. And then, I don’t know what happened to him… something. And you get modern-day Dave. I prefer to remember Elvis Presley in his prime. Sneering lips, back in Memphis, you know, doing all that. I don’t want to think of bloated naked Elvis on the bathroom floor.”
David Lee Roth
ShareNEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 12: David Lee Roth attends the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center on September 12, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Dee Snider
Share"Your chance of making me sick is an invasion of my privacy, so f--- you. If you don’t like it, find your own band. Ted Nugent is out there somewhere. Kid Rock is welcoming you. … You don’t have a right to infect me."
ABBA
Share"It’s been a while since we made music together. Almost 40 years, actually. We took a break in the spring of 1982 and now we’ve decided it’s time to end it. They say it’s foolhardy to wait more than 40 years between albums, so we’ve recorded a follow-up to 'The Visitors.' We simply call it 'Voyage' and we’re truly sailing in uncharted waters."
Lindsey Buckingham on Stevie Nicks
Share"There were a number of years where I wasn't over her. It is possible that she has never been completely over me either."
Courtney Love wishing another Seattle musician would have become a major star before Kurt Cobain
Share"Life would have turned out simpler and better had I been heard. I’m not really a fan of the idea that it all ‘could have’ been that different, but ‘In Bloom’ might have shifted things. He might have survived had somebody else [gone first]. Like Eddie Vedder, somebody who had good infrastructure.”
Mark Hoppus
Share"Just saw my oncologist and I'm cancer free!! Thank you God and universe and friends and family and everyone who sent support and kindness and love."
Ozzy Osbourne on Covid
Share"My wife had the virus; my daughter had the virus and I never got it. Being a devil worshipper does have its good points!"
Paul McCartney on Beatles vs. Stones
Share"I’m not sure I should say it, but they’re a blues cover band, that’s sort of what the Stones are. I think our net was cast a bit wider than theirs.”
Dave Grohl on Nandi Bushell
Share"To watch her play the drums and see her passion and belief in this music … if that doesn’t inspire you, I don’t know what will. So, the fact that we got to share a moment with her onstage makes all of this worthwhile. And the funniest thing is, after jamming with Nandi, 'Everlong' went back on the charts."
Ivan Moody on Tommy Vext
Share"Am I still friendly with Tommy Vext? Friendly? Yes... Yes. Friends? I'm not sure if we ever were anymore. Listen, I'm not going to get too far into it, but I don't understand people that believe half what they say and say half what they believe."
Paul McCartney on why he doesn’t sign autographs anymore.
Share“It always struck me as a bit strange. ‘Here, can I write your name down on the back of this till receipt please?’ Why? We both know who I am.”
Carmine Appice on The Go-Go’s in the Rock Hall
Share"I thought it was supposed to be by influence. I think The Go-Go’s are going in. I mean, c’mon, what’s their influence?"
Drew Barrymore inducting the Go-Go’s in the Rock Hall.
Share“‘Beauty and the Beat’ blew the doors of my life off...It was always a party for guys for so long, but these girls were crashing it."
Billy Joel on “We Didn’t Start the Fire”
Share“Some people hate that song. It’s one of the most hated things I ever wrote! And I don’t get the hate."
Paul McCartney
Share"I think the biggest misconception at the end of The Beatles was that I broke The Beatles up, and I lived with that for quite a while. Once a headline’s out there, it sticks. That was a big one – and I’ve only finally just gotten over it."
Lzzy Hale
Share"Both Amy [Lee] and I have been absolutely ecstatic over the past couple of years to really see this genre that we love so much be represented by so many women. I remember just a few short years ago, I was usually the only girl on tour."
Roger Daltrey
Share"You’ve got to take your hat off to [Mick Jagger.] He’s the number one rock ‘n’ roll performer. But as a band, if you were outside a pub and you heard that music coming out of a pub some night, you’d think, ‘Well, that’s a mediocre pub band!'"
Richie Sambora on being in Bon Jovi
Share"That was part of my deal, to shut the f--- up. If I had a coffee place, the sign would say, 'Have a hot steaming cup of shut the f--- up.' That would be my coffee place. And you know what? Guess what? I did it. And it worked out because that's what [Jon Bon Jovi] needed for whatever reason. And I was working with him and he needed that kind of thing."
Iman
Share"I still feel married. Someone a few years ago referred to David as my late husband and I said 'No, he's not my late husband. He's my husband.'"
Tom Morello
Share"Watching even the slightest bit of the American Music Awards makes one consider that there is likely very little hope for either America, or music."
Pat Benatar on whether she’s bothered about not being in the Rock Hall.
Share"No. Listen, when you win things, it's really fun. But the point is, does this validate, not validate what we've done? No. It would be nice to have it for our children, for the fans, everything else. Do I need someone to acknowledge? No.”
Yoko Ono
Share"Over 1.5 million people have been killed by guns in the U.S.A. since John Lennon was shot and killed on December 8, 1980."
