5 Infamous Live Rock Concert Moments
Nine words from Axl Rose led to a full-on riot 27 years ago today (July 2.)
Of course, there are plenty of other concert moments that will live in infamy. Here are just five moments that have reached legend status.
Axl Rose & the Riverport Riot
Admittedly, the above description sounds like an amazing band name, but what wasn’t amazing was the riot that ensued at a Guns N’ Roses show in Maryland Heights, Mo. on July 2, 1991 when Axl Rose cut the set short after seeing a fan in the crowd with a camera. Cut to the infamous “Well, thanks to the lame-ass security, I’m going home!” line….and cue riot!
Ozzy & the Bat
Another classic! At a January 20, 1982 show in Des Moines, Iowa, a fan threw a dead bat onto the stage. Ozzy thought it was a toy bat. (Oops!) Of course, after the show was when he went to the hospital for a round of rabies shots. FUN!
L7 & the Tampon
L7 was on the bill at the 1992 Reading Festival. The band experienced some technical difficulties during their set, which led to the crowd to start throwing mud at the stage. So, how did frontwomen Donita Sparks respond? She reached into her pants, pulled out her tampon and threw it into the crowd while telling them to, “Eat my used tampon, f*ckers!” Never has a moment been both badass and revolting.
Billie Joe’s Breakdown
Green Day were booked to perform at the 2012 iHeart Radio Music Festival, and their set was reduced by 20 minutes so pop acts could have more stage time. Billie gave everyone an earful, however, things weren’t what they seemed. This incident shined a light on Billie’s substance abuse issues, and he shortly checked into rehab.
Rage Gets Naked
Rage Against the Machine made a big impression on fans attending the Philadelphia stop on the 1993 Lollapalooza tour. (Awww….remember when Lolla was a tour?) Anyway, Rage took to the stage naked and stood in protest of the Parents Music Resource Center while feedback played for their entire 15-minute set. If you wish to see a censored still photo of this incident, click here. (Side note: Can’t help but notice that Tim Commerford has the smallest pixelated area among his bandmates.)
Erica Banas is a rock/classic rock blogger that loves the smell of old vinyl in the morning.
