Several years ago musician John Doe toured with Wilco, who were taking ...
"No toy robots, television evangelists ... No plastic seahorses, no bailiwicks, crepescules (sic) or kooks." --Iggy Pop
"The Rock Iguana's" hilarious 18 pages of perplexing, meticulously detailed requests undoubtedly left venues around the world with dictionaries in hand and minds completely blown.Posted by Spinner Staff
Filed under: Concerts and Tours, The Hit List
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Reader Comments(1 of 4)
bkwormsjvat 10-26-2007
Wow. I can see that some of them are at least semi-necessary for the performance or the health of the artist (cornstarch and germophobia warnings, respectively). But some... make me wonder about stardom. I wonder if we all have that capacity to be demanding as long as we're a desired commodity. I'd like to think that, in a similar situation, I'd keep any requests to essentials and handle the extras myself. But I haven't been there, so I guess I can't make any judgment claims.
beautifulat 6-24-2008
Seriously, I worked as a concierge in a 5 Star hotel for 6 years and TRUST ME....these riders are TAME. We had nearly every musician known to man at one time or another and you just wouldn't believe the requests. Many of these people are sincerely disturbed. Much better to watch them perform than experience them up close.
dannyat 10-26-2007
hEY GRANDPA WEAR A BRA!!
Keitherat 10-26-2007
Hey Danny - Grandpa Iggy can probably still kick your butt. Check your "Caps Lock".
SMat 10-26-2007
I really saw nothing outrageous. As a presenter and stage manager (SM) that has worked with many national acts over the years these are noise level. The true purpose of "outrageous" requests to make sure the rider has been read. As one of my mentors taught me, "stupid requests are why they make sharpies." As part of the contract negotiations you just say, "not gonna happen," but there are times when there is no flexability. The B-52's require all organic fruit and produce and brand new in the box fruit juicers. Ever try to find an organic watermelon out of season?
Hon2724at 10-26-2007
As ticket seller for college rock and roll concerts.....the riders were the first thing we looked at. Some outrageous, some humurous, some plain rediculous. I remember that Barbara Mandrell only included soft drinks, warm wet towels. She took her money to the bank. Some other however required $1000 worth of Kentucky Fried Chicken. Just to name a few. It is a curious business. But fun.
Chrisat 10-08-2008
whats so REDICULOUS about your story?? you work at wal mart!
Mikeat 10-27-2007
Ahhhh...the LIVING dead are still among us !!!
Aprilat 10-27-2007
I remember watching VH1 and they showed that Whitney has somebody to go to her hotel room before she even steps foot in the place to see if the bath water is warm enough....dude, I don't know if I could handle all that
and Mariah has somebody to tie her shoes if they get untied that is just shows ya that some of these famous people have WAY too much money and they have to think of dumb stuff like this!!! I think these people should give that money to people that really need it not saying they don't but, if they still have all this money still, give it away because thats what they are doing for these people they hire to do stuff that they are more than able to do themselves!!! some get big headed and forget where they came from
Egyptat 10-27-2007
ok going back to the conrstarch,,,if cornstarch thickens gravey in the pot cooking on the stove,,what exactly do yu think it does inside them hot vynal or leather pants,,ewww sweat gravey? THATS and image i coulda done without!!
mariaat 10-27-2007
they are all old news,, all of them,,,,,god who does this crap,,michal bolton has to be the wotst,,,,,,,,,go into retirement lol
DASat 10-27-2007
no "kooks" ??? look in a mirror
kookicarrieat 10-27-2007
When Booking ZZ Top at a Fair I worked at...They required 2 cases of dosposable razors
Pepsilauat 10-27-2007
I spent 15 years catering bands; many of them are on this list. Yes, they have some odd requests, but there are a few things to remember:
The rider is developed at the beginning of the tour, for the entire tour. The artists have to compile a list of everything they might want/need at any given time in the coming months. That doesn't mean that they will consume/use every item at every venue.
Many changes are made the morning of the show when the caterer meets with the tour manager. He may tell you the artist doesn't need something on the rider...fine, except that any caterer worth his salt would already have combed the earth looking for the out-of-season organic watermelons (previously mentioned) on the rider!
Some artists aren't concerned with their own needs, but with those of celebrity guests who just might "stop by" (case in point: Frank Sinatra, who never once glanced into his very elaborate dressing room, but had it completely stocked with top-shelf liquors and gourmet foods).
Easiest artists to get along with (in my own experience): Reba McIntyre, Meatloaf, Billy Joel, Mary-Chapin Carpenter, Paul Simon, Bonnie Raitt, Vince Gill (the man is a prince!)
Most difficult (and by difficult I mean they were completely self-absorbed and egotistic): Guns 'n Roses, Whitney Houston, Michael Bolton, Aeorsmith, and the KING OF DIFFICULT, Luther Vandross (the first time I catered him I actually prayed for him to be struck dead...two songs into his show he collapsed on stage and the concert was cancelled. I wasn't sorry!)
The other 75 or so bands I had dealings with were just regular Joes, playing music because that's what they liked to do and people enjoyed it.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, most of the artists out there are really nice people on what is usually a long, lonely tour. Give 'em a break if they occasionally ask for some zany stuff.
cedjessat 10-08-2008
I bet as a cater you have fulfilled a lot of zany request yourself
Stevenat 10-27-2007
No more praying for people to be struck dead. Your prayer was literally answered a couple years ago.
Joeat 10-27-2007
Okay, I'd have to say Iggy Pop's is definately the most bizarre on this list. All the others I can in some way grasp an understanding to. However, what the heck is a "crepescules"? I guess I'll have to look it up tonight!
...Joe...
Salsasharkat 10-28-2007
Self absorbed or no...I'd like to be on the receiving end of the baby oil and roses from LL...and from what I understand, he's a nice guy in person.
Rockyat 10-28-2007
Best musican ever to work for! Rick James, He let everybody party and eat with No disticntons! And the best part even if you were a low life valet parking cars, he'd help you out by getting you a girl by saying he knew of you.
Wow, that went a long way in getting ladies at his shows!
Claraat 10-28-2007
#12 I am glad you mentioned Luther Vandross because when he was on tour with En Vogue the girls refered to him as Lucifer. Janet Jackson is a sweetheart and Pink is the coolest chick ever. The worst I have come across is Madonna! A real freak of nature, control freak. She puts Lucifer to shame.