Heartbreaking tales of these fleeting stars
The following list shows numerous examples of bandmates who hated each other while making some of the best music of their generations. Click through the gallery to learn about the bandmates who couldn't stand each other.
The infamous sibling rivalry between Liam and Noel Gallagher reached new heights of hostility as their constant arguments persisted both on and off stage, ultimately leading to the dissolution of Oasis.
In 1996, the renowned English punk rock band regrouped after nearly twenty years since Johnny Rotten's departure from the band. However, the longstanding animosity between the band members persisted. "We still hate each other with a vengeance, but we've found a common cause, and that's your money," he said in a press conference.
The lead singer of The Pistols didn't hesitate to criticize the deceased band member Sid Vicious. "Sid was nothing more than an empty coat hanger to fill an empty spot on stage," he said.
The alternative rock band has experienced various challenges, including the passing of a keyboard player, overdoses, and band members leaving and coming back again.
Frontman Billy Corgan asserts that guitarist James Iha is responsible for the breakup of the Smashing Pumpkins. "The truth of the matter is that guitarist James Iha broke up the Smashing Pumpkins. Not me, not drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, but James. Did it help that bassist D'arcy Wretzky was fired for being a mean-spirited drug addict, who refused to get help? No, that didn't help keep the band together, not at all."
In May 2022, Liam Payne made an appearance on Logan Paul's podcast and openly shared his sentiments towards his former bandmate, Zayn Malik. Back in 2015, Malik made the decision to depart from One Direction shortly before the group took a break to pursue individual careers. In 2022, Malik's long-term relationship with Gigi Hadid had ended after an incident where he allegedly pushed her mother into a dresser. Payne told Logan that there are "many reasons why I dislike Zayn," adding, "I don't agree with any of his actions. I can't commend some of the things that he's done." However, Payne also expressed his support for the troubled singer, saying, "I'll always, always be on his side." He explained that Malik had a difficult upbringing and seemed to be struggling. "Your only hope is that at some point in their life, the person at the other end of the phone wants to receive the help that you're willing to give them," he finished.
Payne additionally disclosed that a fellow band member, who remains unnamed, once provoked a physical altercation behind the scenes and forcefully pressed him against a wall. Payne asserted that this was not the sole incident where the boys nearly resorted to violence.
Joe Perry and Steven Tyler, also known as the "Toxic Twins," possess exceptional musical synergy. However, due to their contrasting personalities, their relationship has oscillated between affection and animosity throughout the years.
Ray and Dave Davies, like many siblings, have their disagreements. Dave expressed his frustration, stating, "Ray sucks me dry of ideas, emotions, and creativity."
Growing tensions between band members David Gilmour and Roger Waters led to the disbandment, along with ensuing legal disputes.
There was a lack of harmony within the band, particularly between Brian Wilson and Mike Love. They were devoid of "good vibrations."
In the words of bassist Peter Hook, "Anyone watching it would think, 'Oh my god look at them, they've got everything. They've got success, they're feted, what a wonderful world' and yet really we hated each other."
Hook, who left the band, went as far as filing a lawsuit against New Order due to a financial disagreement.
Pete Doherty and Carl Barât, both electric front men, had a complex relationship of both affection and discord. In fact, Doherty resorted to burgling Barât's apartment after being expelled from the band!
Singer Steve Perry departed, but Journey still had difficulties in determining their musical path. Perry was there in 2017 for the band's induction into the Hall of Fame, however, they performed without him. Ouch!
Ace Frehley and Peter Criss departed from the band in the '80s, citing disagreements with Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. There has been a notable exchange of nasty words, and Stanley went as far as accusing them of racism.
Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth had an ongoing tension, which lasted for many years. The guitarist accused the singer of immaturity, even long after their heyday. "Roth's perception of himself is different than who he is in reality. We're not in our 20s anymore. We're in our 60s. Act like you're 60," the late guitarist said.
Guitarist Tom DeLonge appeared to have a strained relationship with Travis Barker and Mark Hoppus. He departed in 2005 and came back in 2009, but their relationship was ultimately ruined. In 2015, the band carried on without DeLonge. Years passed and to the surprise of fans, the band announced that DeLonge was back in 2023 and announced a new tour and a single called "One More Time..."
Mixing family and alcohol should be reserved for special occasions. However, when it becomes a regular occurrence within a band setting, things quickly take a turn for the worse. Caleb Followill, the band's frontman, upset his brothers and cousin with his drinking habit.
They persevered for roughly two decades until things took an unexpected turn for the worse. According to reports, Don appeared intoxicated during a performance and, after screwing up the lyrics, Phil (who passed away in 2014) ruthlessly shattered a guitar over his head before leaving the stage. They briefly reconciled in the 1980s but mostly remained distant from each other.
Two ex-members of Metallica were estranged and somewhat excluded by the remaining band members. Guitarist Dave Mustaine was fired from the group, but this led him to establish Megadeth, so perhaps it turned out to be a good thing in the long run.
The second member was Jason Newsted, who faced the challenging task of filling the shoes of the late bassist Cliff Burton. After the tragic death of bassist Cliff Burton, Newsted had big shoes to fill. The band was grieving and he inadvertently paid for it.
The song 'The KKK Took My Baby Away' by guitarist Johnny Ramone is about him taking singer Joey Ramone's girlfriend. It certainly reflects an interesting dynamic between the two...
Art Garfunkel continues to hold Paul Simon responsible for the duo's split. They were unable to reach a consensus on the selection of songs for the 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' album. Any subsequent attempts to reunite were short-lived.
The alternative rock band had two members who were constantly at odds with each other: frontman Black Francis and bassist Kim Deal. They performed together, but their relationship didn't exist off-stage.
In 2000, lead vocalist Zack de la Rocha left the band expressing his dissatisfaction. The band's "decision-making process has completely failed," he claimed. "It is no longer meeting the aspirations of all four of us collectively as a band, and from my perspective, has undermined our artistic and political ideal."
RATM reuinted and embarked on a global tour in 2022. Regrettably, their journey beyond the US was thwarted due to Zack de la Rocha's leg injury sustained during a performance in Chicago.
GNR has had its fair share of drama, from dismissing drummer Steven Adler to the departure of core member Izzy Stradlin. However, it was the ongoing feud between Axl Rose and Slash that ultimately led to the band's demise.
Guns N' Roses gained popularity in the late 1980s and experienced immense success in the 1990s. Axl's mischievous behavior, like recklessly arriving late for performances, further amplified the band's fame. However, inter-band conflicts escalated, ultimately leading to their downfall. Slash left the band in 1996. Against all odds, however, Guns N' Roses surprised everyone by reuniting in 2016.
Toward the end of their career, the English musicians faced difficulty in determining a musical path as each member gravitated towards a different genre. When the band split up, Mick Jones and Joe Strummer (who passed away in 2002) hardly spoke to each other.
The band's lineup change showcased the toxicity within their dynamic. During their last performance, band members resorted to threatening one another over the microphone.
Sting's bandmates have suggested that he may be somewhat of a control freak. He eventually quit the band in 1984.
"It wasn't my intention to punish Stewart and Andy in any way. I was following my instincts," said Sting about pulling the plug.
Per lead singer Geoff Tate, the band informed his wife that she would no longer serve as their manager. "We went to do the show, Scott [Rockenfield] looks at me and he smirks and says, 'We just fired your whole family, and you're next.' I just lost it. I tried to punch him. I don't think I landed a punch before somebody grabbed me and hauled me to the side," he told Rolling Stone.
The band refutes Tate's account of events and claims the frontman's attack was unprovoked.
Sources: (Rolling Stone) (Grunge) (Tone Deaf)
See also: Bands who reunited—for better or worse
Bandmates who didn't get along
A number of these grudges are still holding strong
MUSIC Bands
Bands often contain a mix of strong creative personalities and a variety of issues like drug and alcohol addiction. It's not surprising that this can lead to clashes. Although being in a band involves creating and playing music together, it is also about relationships, and sometimes these relationships don't work out. As Aerosmith's Joe Perry once told Steven Tyler: "Just because we're in a band together doesn't mean we have to be friends." Maybe he was right!
The following list shows numerous examples of bandmates who hated each other while making some of the best music of their generations. Click through the gallery to learn about the bandmates who couldn't stand each other.