AOL reports that 46-year-old Rikki Rockett, drummer for big-haired ’80s glam-metal band Poison, has been arrested at a L.A. airport on sexual assault charges from Mississippi.
Poison? The lamest, least-threatening band ever? That’s messed up. We’d expect this sort of thing from, I dunno, Motley Crue or something, but Poison? Weird. Poison frontman Bret Michaels has shown some bad judgment by starring in a skank-a-thon reality/dating show (Rock of Love), but at least he’s not a criminal.
Of course, Rockett isn’t the worst character in the music world.
So, today we’re taking a look at some famous musical criminals.
Yes, bad music should be a crime, but today we’re sticking with actual lawbreakers.
First, watch Rockett and Poison rock the 1986 hit, “Talk Dirty to Me” (video).
Top Rock Crimes and Scandals
Lead Belly—“Bourgeoisie Blues”
One of the most important figures in American folk and blues music, singer/guitarist Lead Belly (AKA Huddie William Ledbetter), was convicted of murdering a relative in 1918, and was accused of attempted homicide in 1930. Pretty tough stuff for a guy who made such nice music.
Chuck Berry—“Johnny B. Goode”
One of the pioneers of rock guitar, Chuck Berry was convicted of armed robbery (car theft) in 1944 and faced another scandal, and 5 years in prison, in 1959 after being implicated in a prostitution business. Maybe he should run for mayor of NY?
Phil Spector
This legendary music producer created his signature “wall-of-sound” recording style in the ‘60s and worked with groups like the Ronettes, Ike & Tina and the Beatles. Legendary tales of his erratic behavior include stories that he brandished a gun in the studio while working with artists such as John Lennon, Leonard Cohen and the Ramones. In 2003, he faced trial for the murder of Lana Clarkson.
Mayhem
Artimus Pyle of Lynryd Skynyrd—“Free Bird”
Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, this creepy fella was arrested twice for failure to register as a sex offender, following his 1993 conviction on charges of sexual battery against two children ages 4 and 8.
And now, the scariest band ever:
Although not widely known in the U.S., this black metal outfit is probably the most feared band in its native Norway. Although many of the stories surrounding this band are merely urban legends, it is true that band members have been tangled up in a gruesome series of events including murder, suicide and possible cannibalism. In fact, one of the band’s album covers features a photo of the suicide scene. You can read the very gory details here and here, but you’ve been warned. They might be scary maniacs, but they do have a MySpace page with music. Then again, lots of people on myspace are probably scary…We’re just sayin’…
And…
Of course, this is only the tip of the iceberg. Rockstars have been getting into trouble since rock’n’roll first began. Leave a comment and let us know which crime or scandal you think is the most noteworthy.
