The Biggest Music Industry Feuds of All Time
Music is often said to bring people together, but ironically speaking, it doesn’t in the music industry. As it turns out, fame isn’t always smooth sailing. For many artists, success means gaining an opponent or two.
Over the years, we’ve witnessed some of the most famous musicians get involved in a squabble with a fellow musician. Whether it be in rock ‘n’ roll, hip-hop, or even in the pop scene, these feuds have made history either due to their severity or their downright silliness.
Read on as we round up some of the most unforgettable fights in the history of the music industry.
John Lennon vs. Paul McCartney
While the relationship of The Beatles was pretty strong, it doesn’t mean they didn’t have any misunderstandings throughout the time they spent together.
Toward the split of the band, Paul McCartney and John Lennon, two of the band’s most popular members, had an argument which was addressed with a war of songs, taking a jab at one another through the lyrics. Eventually, McCartney reached out to Lennon, but to no avail.
The group then had a permanent reunion upon the passing of Lennon.
Brian Wilson vs. Mike Love
They say that blood is thicker than water, but it isn’t always true, at least not for cousins Brian Wilson and Mike Love who also happen to be band members of the Beach Boys.
We all know that as a group, each member of the band should have a say on how things should go, but in this case, and according to Love, his cousin took over the decision-making himself, enforcing a new image for the group that would alienate them to their fans.
In the Beach Boys’ case, decisions were made and lawsuits were filed, creating a far from happy ending for the band.
Don Felder vs. Don Henley and Glenn Frey
At this point, it might be safe to assume that although bands look as if they’re doing well during tours and concerts, it’s far from what’s happening behind the scenes. Another band whose members didn’t seem to get along is the Eagles, particularly Don Felder, Don Henley, and Glenn Frey.
The two latter members showed plenty of resentment for the former, and vice versa, just because Felder wanted to sing. While Frey praised Felder for being a great guitarist, the rest of the band agreed that he wasn’t too talented in singing.
Because of this, they wiped out Felder’s voice recordings and replaced it with Henley’s. Naturally, Felder didn’t take too well to this. More altercations occurred among the three, and Felder was eventually kicked out of the group.
Roger Waters vs. David Gilmour
In most arguments, you really don’t know who started the fight. As in the case of Pink Floyd band members, Roger Waters and David Gilmour, their feud became a constant scene of pointing fingers.
According to Gilmour, and the rest of the band, Waters wanted the spotlight, while Waters claimed that the group pushed him aside due to the alleged insecurity of his other bandmates with his songwriting skills.
The band wouldn’t resolve their issues and put their past aside for more than a decade when they finally reunited in 2005 for the Live 8 global charity event.