mental_floss magazine
SUBSCRIBE >
GIFT SUBSCRIPTIONS >
subscriber services >
Everyone knows rock and roll is about thrills and excess—we just didn’t realize that spirit was supposed to extend to the greenroom buffet. The following are seven very pampered acts that made sure their laundry list of demands got tacked onto their contracts.
1. Van Halen and the Whole M&M’s Thing
Van Halen first gained notoriety for their stipulation that, at every gig, their dressing room was to contain a large bowl of M&M’s, but with all the brown ones removed. And while this has often been cited as proof of the band members’ towering egos, it was actually included by tour promoters as an easy way of seeing if the concert venues had read the contract thoroughly (particularly the parts about technical requirements). But sneaky M&M tactics aside, Van Halen’s riders are also notorious for the sheer volume of alcohol they stipulate. One rider specified that their dressing room was to contain a case of beer, a pint of Jack Daniel’s, a pint of Absolut, a 750 ml bottle of Bacardi Añejo rum, three bottles of wine, small bottles of Cointreau and Grand Marnier, and a 750 ml bottle of one of five specific premium tequilas. Don’t forget six limes, margarita salt, shot glasses, ingredients for Bloody Marys, and a blender. Sure, there are only four dudes in the band, but shouldn’t you expect this sort of behavior from a group whose bassist plays a guitar shaped like a bottle of Jack?
2. J-Lo’s Trailer from the Park
There are divas, there are superdivas, and then there’s Jennifer Lopez. That’s right, the same sultry soulstress who preaches the “keep it real” street mantra also happens to require a trailer at least 40 feet in length, in which everything is white. That means drapes, couches, candles, tablecloths, lilies, and roses (she also requires yellow roses with red trim thrown in as well). And if you’re hoping to keep a prolonged smile on “Jenny from the Block’s” pretty mug, you can’t forget the selection of current CDs she requires, chosen from a list of 43 artists, or her three favorite scented candles from Diptyque—Tuberose, Figuier, and Heliotrope. And that’s just from her contract for a charity song benefiting AIDS victims in Africa! Oh, and did we mention Jenny was only at the event for a total of 90 minutes? It’s almost as if her ego’s as big as her . . . nope, too easy.
3. Guns N’ (Long-Stemmed) Roses
Cher’s wig room, Weird Al’s weird water demand and the star who needs 24-pieces of chicken and a pack of condoms before every show, all after the break.
They were one of the biggest bands of the 1980s and ’90s. Just ask them. And in a band of big egos, the very biggest was lead singer Axl Rose. He had his own dressing room, stocked with plenty of the things a vocal professional needs: hot water and honey (Sue Bee brand only); a rib-eye steak dinner; a large pepperoni pizza; a deli tray with a heavy emphasis on lean roast beef, ham, and turkey; and a bottle of Dom Perignon. His bandmates had much simpler tastes. Their dressing room was to contain lots of chips, nuts, exotic fruits, and cheese. Of course, they went a little less simple on the drinks. Aside from a few cases of soda, the band also required four cases of beer, two fifths of Jack Daniel’s, two fifths of Stolichnaya vodka, two bottles of Chardonnay, and a bottle of Jägermeister. Oh, and don’t forget to throw in a couple bottles of . . . carrot juice? Clearly, it’s the cornerstone behind every successful rock act. As are the four cartons of cigarettes and the assortment of adult magazines you’ll need to provide.
4. Meat Loaf (Just a Little Overdone)
Yes, that Meat Loaf. The man who brought us Bat Out of Hell obviously requires quite a bit in return. His rider states that the promoters are to recognize that they are dealing with an international “superstar” and therefore all provisions must be first class, as befits a “superstar.” And that’s two words: Meat. Loaf. Sheesh! His dressing room spread must include, among many other things, a loaf of 100% multigrain bread (preferably Vogel’s Flaxseed & Soy), two bags of potato chips, a package of low-fat chicken or turkey wieners, four Gala apples (specifically, hard and crunchy ones), four low-fat fresh-baked muffins from a bakery, steamed broccoli and green beans amandine (not too soggy), a sliced roast pork tenderloin, a sliced roast beef tenderloin, and two baked potatoes. And this is supposed to feed two people. We’re guessing they’re both for the Loaf.
5. Poison’s Poison
Pretty standard for a rock band, really. Deli trays, condiments, lots of booze, etc. But what
was Poison’s poison? Apparently, pyrotechnics. Their contract also required that all the venue’s smoke and fire detectors be switched off due to the band’s flair for flares. So how do we think the concertgoers would feel knowing that little tidbit? Also very odd, Poison’s rider stipulates that an American Sign Language interpreter must be made available on request for the band’s deaf fans. And the band will need 24 hours’ notice if the ASL interpreter needs the lyrics beforehand. Of course, some critics claim that most of the band’s fan base was deaf (records sold being proof).
6. The Village People’s Payment Plan
You might think that a bunch of guys as past their prime as The Village People would just be glad to get a gig. Nope. They still draw a crowd, so therefore they still have demands in their rider. The front page of their rider contains one stipulation: that all balances to The Village People be paid in “CASH” (yes, it’s in all caps). It goes on to say that they can only be photographed in costume, that they won’t fly in prop planes, and that they prefer certain seats in the plane (as specific as “aisle, rear right side of plane” for the Navy guy) and certain airports of origin. Disco may be dead, but ego certainly seems to be staying alive.
7. Various Spoiled Artists
Oh, there are just so many. Celine Dion requires a children’s choir with 20 to 24 children of all races. Pavarotti used to demand that there be no noise backstage or distinct smells anywhere near him; but he did want a golf cart. Cher can’t perform without a wig room, cable TV that gets Turner Classic Movies, and a room for her massage therapist. “Weird Al” Yankovic is a strict vegan and forbids Dasani water. Elton John demands that his dressing room be kept at 60° in summer and 70° in winter. And Busta Rhymes insists that there be no pork or beef anywhere near his dressing room; but he does want a 24-piece bucket of KFC and a box of Rough Riders condoms (ribbed).
Ed. Note: This list was pulled from Forbidden Knowledge.
if you like reading this type of stuff…go check out “the smoking gun” website! is has hundreds of these in the “back stage” section I believe its called.
posted by chad on 11-16-2007 at 7:14 am
Is sad ,seem these people forget where they come from.
posted by Fiorella on 11-16-2007 at 7:31 am
I’ve picked up a few from a family member who is a security guard at the local arena:
Elton John - New white hand towels. To be discarded after single use, and replaced without his being in the room, apparently. Though in his defense, he performed a fourth encore in sweats when he heard the audience still screaming as he was going to his limo. And is more than a bit nuts.
Godsmack - they ask for lots of peanut butter, but I would hesitate to provide it. They filled every crevice in their dressing room with the stuff three or so years ago.
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill - this isn’t riders, but weirdness - First, he is followed around the country by a tractor trailer filled with a selection of motorcycles, in the event he wants to ride one. She is followed by a tractor trailer carrying her tricked out personal vehicle. There is a room dedicated to their kids, and nobody is to interact with said children unless accompanied and approved by Tim and/or Faith (not totally against this, but with the security guys on the door, it’s just a little spooky knowing these kids are in the presence of lots of people all summer, but are never spoken to by any of them. The one that really got me was the basketball hoop. They have an NBA style setup they pulled out and put in a parking lot adjacent to the arena - with eight to ten feet high fencing put up for privacy - in the event they want to shoot some hoops. This isn’t the kicker for me - the lot is also adjacent to the District Attorney’s office. And at the time Faith had released her homage to herself and the notion she’s still just a simple country girl, she asked that the windows on the DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, people who, I don’t know, MIGHT have better things to do, be blacked out so that IF Faith and her family wanted to use the basketball setup, nobody could watch them. Not sure whether the denial of that request had anyhting to do with it, but they never did use it here. SOmething like six eighteen wheelers follow this act around, and not all of it for performance equipment. Must be nice.
Hulk Hogan - champagne.
posted by Scott on 11-16-2007 at 8:33 am
With a morbid fascination I read the list of demands from these various celebrities. Now I’m severely nauseated. To be picky is one thing, to be fussy, is another, but to be so @$*^ing full of yourself is nausea inducing. Bile just doesn’t taste good.
posted by jen on 11-16-2007 at 9:19 am
I’m a musician myself, and I’ve often dreamed about what I would put on my rider, if I got my big break and went on a big tour. I can understand some of these musicians’ requests: tea and honey, plenty of food (to feed themselves and their buddies that come and party after the show), and the liquor, cuz come on. That’s the best part of being a rock star!
But honestly, this crap about color-coordinated trailers, extra trucks in the convoy carrying personal vehicles… either these people are seriously OCD and HAVE to have things a certain way, or they just have their egos inflated so high that they know they can get away with it.
I personally would request Throat Coat tea, local honey and fruits, some good beer and some cheap beer, and most important- a football helmet full of cottage cheese.
posted by Molly on 11-16-2007 at 9:42 am
jen: you took the words out of my mouth.
And please (please!!) finish the J-Lo statement. I really dont like her…
posted by GTT on 11-16-2007 at 2:40 pm
One of the radio stations where I grew up would read all of the strange requests for every act that came through town. I seem to remember the Smashing Pumpkins requiring buffets and other items be made available to the entire crew, not just the band.
Still, you do have to wonder about the people that let all of these bands think it was ok to make the demands in the first place…
posted by Kevin on 11-16-2007 at 3:25 pm
Not to excuse these excesses, but in the 60’s, I heard either Totie Fields or Joan Rivers saying that one reason these stars do this is to make up for all the bullying, power-tripping people who pulled crap on them when they were starting out.
posted by karen on 11-17-2007 at 4:21 am
Yikes, I just feel sorry for the peons who are running after the stars with personal hand wipes, trailers, m & m’s, peanut butter….can you imagine the tolerance and mental flossing they have to deal with??!!
posted by health supplements on 11-17-2007 at 11:19 pm
I work in the music industry and for MANY of the odd things, there are legitimate reasons.
The thing about Van Halen is real and true, it was all about if the promoters actually read the rider…it tells them what kind of day they are going to have.
J-LO…Its partially ego, but all white shows that its clean and un-stained..(hundreds of other musicians havent used it previously)
Tim & Faith, its a privacy and “homey” thing, they are trying to have the normalcy of home on the road, it is a bit excessive, but keep in mind that its their money they are pissing away, so who cares. The truck, trailer, driver and person to set all that shit up prob costs them $3 - 4,000 a week whether they use it or not.
Lastly, alot of the sh** they ask for is based on ONE promoter giving them a leather couch instead of a normal couch. so then they think “hey, this is pretty nice, we should just ask for one everywhere” this goes for most request. the strangest i was witness to was an artist i worked for that asked for a penis mold kit. he did it as a joke to see if anyone would actually find and buy one…..he didnt get it till we got to Vegas. it was comical for the whole crew.
posted by Mikey on 11-18-2007 at 12:44 am
I once was in a musical where the director had once worked at an arena where Paul McCartney once performed. No meat was allowed in the arena. Some workers (who were on the arena’s staff, not the McCartney tour’s) brought in some McDonald’s, and were promptly fired. It’s one thing to enforce your vegetarianism on your staff, but on every single worker on your tour wherever you go? Come on…
posted by Liz on 11-18-2007 at 1:13 pm
If you want to read the most hilarious concert rider ever, Iggy Pop’s is on The Smoking Gun (and probably various other sites now). It’s not funny because he asks for ridiculous stuff, but because of how his tour manager wrote it.
posted by lp on 11-18-2007 at 1:46 pm
Mm, I don’t think Weird Al’s demands are so severe or silly; at least not so much as some of the others listed here, like the one about the children’s choir.
posted by Rebekah on 11-18-2007 at 6:21 pm
I know some artist, even at a lower level they still have to have stuff written into riders. The reason is that promoters sometimes try to cut corners and don’t provide some simple things. I imagine getting dirty used towels at a venue that’s used for sporting events. You could be using that towel they used to wipe the floor the night before. Or specifying bottled water and getting the cheapest crappiest brand possible. Ends up tasting like plastic. Lots of the the other things are because once you get to that level you have friends and family at events all the time, nothing is worse then hanging out backstage with no drinks or booze.
posted by Bryan on 11-19-2007 at 12:27 pm
Another funny rider is the Foo Fighters. It’s written cleverly.
Also, Morrissey recently banned the sale of any meat products when he played the Fillmore in San Francisco. The SFist held a contest to see if anyone could get a picture of themselves eating a Slim Jim with Morrissey.
posted by hifidigitalboy on 11-19-2007 at 3:23 pm
i met someone who interned at sesame street. the day j-lo arrived, he got the honor of announcing her arrival…into every room. before she entered the room he had to announce her, throw rose petals, and spray her perfume. and then she would stroll into the room. beautiful.
posted by josh on 11-19-2007 at 3:58 pm
It’s true that the tractor trailers Tim & Faith tow around are thier own, and paid for by them (or their label or whoever, not the venue/promoter). That said, the excess is a bit nmuch for me, and the blacking out of the windows so you’re not looke dat, uh uh. No pass there.
The Weird Al thing with Dasani is likely due to the fact it’s local tapwater. Wherever it is bottled, it is done from a tap.
My favorite may have been Mariah Carey’s beverag epositioner. Someone captured a sequence of Mimi behind a table during a publicity thingy, she leaned back slighly, and the young lady over her right shoulder leaned forward to perfectly position the cup and straw in her hands so that Mimi could take advantage without bending her neck or whatever benefit was imagined. Probably well compensated, though perhaps not so well as Lewis Black’s personal assistant would be, if he was wealthy.
posted by Scott on 11-20-2007 at 8:46 am
Though some demands are just excessive and arrogant, most of the demands made by touring bands are because they live on the road. The things provided at the venues are pretty necessary. They don’t know where grocery stores and liquor stores and such are in each tour stop and would be greatly inconvenienced to have to hunt around in an unfamiliar city (or even unfamiliar country) to find things that a local could find much more easily and quickly. It’s not like rockstars just want someone else to be inconvenienced. They just want a few comforts that are hard to find in a strange place while on a rushed schedule. Also, it’s one of those things where the bands may have had bad experiences with certain things at venues in the past, so have gotten REALLY specific to prevent future errors. Like just saying you would like for dinner to be provided may have once resulted in venues not providing nearly enough food for the band or nearly the quality that it should be. It’s not necessarily that only a specific brand of food or water or beer is sufficient, but more to prevent blatently cheaply substandard practices. It’s not that only Starkist tuna is okay, just that cat food grade generic tuna is not. It’s not that the deli tray really needs those specific meats and cheeses and fruits. It’s that bologne and store brand “cheese product” slices and an apple is going to cut it.
As for brown m&m type “just checking” riders, it’s not that they are checking to see if the contract is being followed out of vanity or pickiness, but that if they are aren’t following the back stage food and drink stuff to the letter, they’re likely to not be following the important safety stuff to the letter either. If they ignored the m&m’s they might have ignored things about security people, about lighting riggings, pyrotechnic stuff, general on and off stage safety stuff for themselves and their fans.
posted by Melissa on 11-20-2007 at 3:40 pm
A friend of mine was a PA on a Kid’s Choice awards show, or something of the sort. He informed me that host Rosie O’Donnell required HoHos be in every room she would be in.
posted by Stuart on 11-21-2007 at 8:28 pm
Just browsing the internet. You have a very, very interesting blog.
posted by Freddie Sirmans on 11-21-2007 at 9:25 pm
I thought I’d point out that Axel Rose only agreed for the interview in the Rolling Stone seen above if they let one of his friends take the pictures.
posted by Axel's Photo on 11-29-2007 at 9:36 am
Some of the demands (cough J Lo cough) are pretty ridiculous, but I can understand the logic behind a lot of these. Bands are on the road a lot, they just want to make sure they have something edible, something to entertain them while they’re in some city they probably won’t even get a chance to see.
That being said, this topic can only make me think of Nigel Tufnel complaining about the lack of pimentos and unfoldable miniature bread backstage…and Ian hoping that it won’t affect his performance.
posted by Muffy on 12-1-2007 at 3:51 am
As a joke to a local venue, my friend (whose band was playing) and I decided to make up a list of demands including 3 football helmets full of cottage cheese, a blow up doll, and band aids, among other things.
Needless to say, there were no cottage cheese helmets, but I guess that’s what you’d expect when booking a band called Panama Birth Canal (they were a joke band).
posted by Heather on 12-8-2007 at 1:00 pm
Heather, you’ve just inspired me.
I know the singer for a local band, and I should tell them to do something like that. Haha.
posted by Hayley on 12-26-2007 at 12:45 pm
I suspect the request regarding Dasani water relates to the fact that not only is it tap water, it’s slightly less pure than tap water, and is also produced by Coca-Cola. They tried to introduce it in Britain, and they had to recall it within weeks.
posted by Some Guy on 1-2-2008 at 3:26 am
C’mon. With the exception of J’Lo, none of these requests are unreasonable. Think of the way any of you stock a party at your home, or would if you had the money, and there’s not much difference. I think anyone who believes these are unreasonable demands has either never had a life outside their minimum wage job - or you’re jealous. I guarantee most of you would ask for any of this and more in their place. Who wants to come into a strange town into some concrete cinder block room and eat McDonalds 250 nights of the year? And trust me - the groupies, hanger’ons, fans and entourage that shows up - including security guys wanting an autograph for their girlfriend, the volunteer staff - everyone wanting to hang out with the band, crew members, cops - you name it - they find a way in and most bands want to be good hosts - so they share. I’ve photographed them. I know. So don’t knock it. If you ever get backstage to meet them - trust me, you’ll tell your friends about the ham sandwich and Jack Daniels you shared for a looooong time.
posted by Band photographer on 1-27-2008 at 5:19 am
As far as the Axl rose rider is concerned you should try and find the audio of James Hetfield reading Axl Roses’s dressing room requirements. It is on I believe A Year and a Half dvd from Metallica. Anyhow it is hilarious. He makes fun of how Axl has to have his ham cubed, so he goes on and says how he doesn’t look like he eats meat and he must have it cubed so it can fit down his scrawny neck. Its very funny.
posted by metfuel on 2-22-2008 at 7:40 am
My father was the food service director at a concert venue for a number of years. Most celebrities were fairly easy - Frank Sinatra just requested chicken soup cooked in his own pot. But Diana Ross was, far and away, the worst. Her rider stipulated that employees of the venue were not permitted to look at her.
posted by Tim on 3-4-2008 at 4:01 pm
Some of those aren’t too bad, I mean Busta Rymes is probably Muslim or Jewish or something - and maybe the absence of pork is a religious observance type thing.
The JLo one seem to be the worst, because she’s demanding it from charity - but then again a lot of charitys operate like a business and have huge administration fee..
posted by TV SPY on 3-18-2008 at 4:27 am
I used to work at a concert venue and I have a lot of stories but a couple of highlights are Barry Manilow will not let anybody make eye contact with him before a show. Snoop dogg has a bullet proof bus that he used to take to shows. Boston used to have their own private chef who travelled with them to cook vegetarian meals. Not really weird but everywhere Santana goes the rider has an astonomical amount of food because of all the friends and fans and famous people that go to see him. He hosts them after the show like he is having a party with his friends…I love that man…when he got off the bus the first thing he requested was his guitar because it had been one day since he had played…talk about dedication…let’s see oh yea one more someone mentioned Iggy Pop…if anybody has had the pleasure of meeting his son you know what’s what….
posted by shagadelliac on 3-18-2008 at 4:30 pm
to be fair for the busta rhymes one, muslims do not eat pork nor can they eat beef unless the cow has been slaughtered in a certain way.
sounds legitimate to me. the chicken and condoms i think are obvious. who doesn’t like fried chicken and sex?
posted by Defektiv on 3-18-2008 at 4:51 pm
As a former stage hand, I can attest to the absurdity of some of these riders. The Van Halen M&M thing is true, and boy did they wreck our facility.
The weirdest thing that I saw was with Barry Manilow. All back stage personnel had to look away as he approached the stage. A person could be fired just for looking at him before he went on stage.
posted by Chris on 3-18-2008 at 5:12 pm
OMG The Village People are a “CASH” only gig, eh? Well, maybe they got “stiffed” at some point. LOL
Just kidding! No really, we love ‘em at Bearotic!
posted by Bearotic.com on 3-18-2008 at 6:00 pm
I don’t see how Yankovic being a strict vegan and not drinking Dasani is such a big deal.
posted by anonymous on 3-18-2008 at 6:00 pm
Besides demanding that her complete dressing room had to be painted pink, Mariah Carey demanded three puppies of a specific breed. The production company actually procured these puppies but they turned out to be too lively for Diva Carey. So she demanded that the puppies should be sedated. The production company, however, declinded to do that.
posted by Steff on 3-18-2008 at 6:20 pm
Don’t be fooled by the rocks that she’s got, she’s just Jenny from the block.
posted by Tyler on 3-19-2008 at 8:37 am
While I cannot speak for the rest of the groups, I can comment on Meat Loaf. I actually happen to be a pizza cook at a local restaurant in Hampton Beach. In the early 90s (when Meat Loaf was not as big as his early years), he had about a dozen pizzas ordered on a busy Saturday night. The following night (my night off), the rookie pizza man was on and my boss asked me to come in and make double the order for Meat Loaf. I was fortunate to be able to help deliver the pizzas to him and his staff me and catch the end of his show.
He was pleasant and did not have the the aforementioned requirements or demands. (i.e., four low-fat fresh-baked muffins from a bakery, steamed broccoli and green beans amandine, pork tenderloin, roast beef tenderloin, and two baked potatoes.)
Again, this was some time after his bigger days.
posted by Mark on 3-19-2008 at 8:39 pm
Say what you will about J-Lo, but leave her ass alone.
posted by John on 3-19-2008 at 9:14 pm
Instead of J-Lo spending so much money on her ass, why not just employ me to take care of it and pamper it all day? Much cheaper and comes with a smile!
posted by Telkom on 3-24-2008 at 10:29 am
J.Lo better keep her ass with her only and not bother us.
Tina
posted by Tina on 3-31-2008 at 12:57 pm
These are all funny guys picture they all guys is very greated performance all the best.
posted by Sanjay on 4-17-2008 at 2:21 am
I had the pleasure of waiting on Sean Lennon a few years ago when his then band was on tour. He ordered straight from the menu (no changes) and showed courtesy and grace. His parents would have been proud.
posted by elizabutt on 4-22-2008 at 2:39 pm