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Don't Call Me a Rock Star

duff22.jpg

I read John Roderick’s article ‘Sex, Rock, and Reality’ a couple weeks ago regarding the rock myths and lore that he so astutely dispelled. I’d like to take this opportunity to go one step further and discourse on my utter contempt for the much over-used term ‘rock star’. You may be now saying to yourself “yeah right, the dude from Guns N’ Roses has a beef with a term that probably spells him out to a T?” Let me tell you something, I cringe at this term whenever it is directed anywhere near me and here is why…

I was fortunate enough in my teens to see the Clash on their first U.S. theater tour. This was before the major recognition they received on the London Calling record, but they were still larger than life to me and truly exotic. If the term ‘rock star’ could have been used at any time in my youth-driven lingo, it would have been then and it would have described the true awe that I felt of being in the same room as these erstwhile trend setters.

About 200 people showed up at the Paramount in Seattle to see this gig and it was, simply put, mind-blowing. During the show, a big yellow-shirted security guy up front punched a fan and broke his nose. Blood was everywhere. The Clash stopped the show. Bassist Paul Simonen appeared from the wings of stage right wielding a firefighter’s axe that he must have plucked from the wall. He jumped down in the pit and proceeded to chop down the wooden barrier separating the fans from the band while guitarist Joe Strummer dressed down the security gorilla and went on further to say that there was no difference between the fans and the bands…"we are all in this together! There is no such thing as a Rock Star, just musicians and listeners!" That moment remains static in my mind to this day.

Now, when I was even younger, growing up here in Seattle, I was deeply enchanted and mesmerized by the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin. I do ‘get’ why the term is used and was myself easily smitten by ‘rock stars’- but I was under the age of 12 when these people appeared as gods in my classroom daydreams.

Let us look at the term ‘rock star’ in our current-day common vernacular. I think it was definitely used as noun up until sometime in the mid-90’s. Then, for some inexplicable reason, ‘rock star’ became a much over-used adjective. “Hey, he sure does have on some rock-star clothing”. Or, when it is used as a noun, it has become bland and quite ‘vanilla’ as in ‘party like a rock star’ (I once asked a mountain biker friend what he actually meant when he said that he had ‘partied like a rock star’ the night before, “well, I drank like a six-pack of beer!”). Or, in a popular pop song a couple of years ago ‘hey now, you’re a rock star, get your game on…”----please!

I also have a strong dislike for the term because I do actually know some people in ‘the biz’ that I have even worked with (no hints) who do refer to THEMSELVES as rock stars. It is my experience that a low self-esteem and need for skin-deep recognition perhaps spur these unfortunate few forward into actually thinking that they are indeed "rock n’ roll stars". It is my further experience that these people think that they indeed are BETTER than you and me and their fans, not unlike the popular cliques that we all had to deal with in junior high-school. I, for one, find that kind of behavior pretty damn shallow and frankly embarrassing to be around. Furthermore, I have had the distinct honor of meeting some of my boyhood idol’s over the last 15 or so years and have been pleasantly surprised at the regularness of these older rock musicians. I guess the assholes get weeded out and longevity only happens to those musicians who see themselves as ones who simply serve the music….I like that a LOT.

Roderick’s column also highlighted the amount of mind-numbing repetition a musician goes through on the road. What may be little known is the actual work ethic that the touring rock band has. Even if it is a band or artist that can afford to fly to their tour-dates, try going through airport security EVERY DAY and dealing with flight delays and the myriad other snafu’s that may beleaguer the weary traveler….EVERY DAY. On top of that is the fact that you are living out of a bag for months on end and eating whatever you might be able to grab, usually forgoing a warm meal for that same amount of time (my tour diet consists mostly of trail-mix and power bars). Yes, the stuff of the glamorous rock-star lifestyle (ya see, I even use the term as an adjective).

Let us move on to the average rock guy with a family (like me for instance). The sheer amount of logistical arranging that one must do to even see his or her family on a regular basis is fierce. On top of that, the utter humility one feels when ordered to change a diaper right after coming off stage brings a wide smile to my face. Hookers and blow it is not, but I for one, wouldn’t have it any other way. Other touring families and their musician spouse can attest to the fact that it is just a job, really, one that affords, at times, for the clan to see some cool places together…all other times bring forth almost desperate loneliness for all. Those times aren’t very ‘rock star’.

A great humility moment for me came last year right after I played a huge stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I was in the midst of finishing an online course at the time and had a question for the professor of the course. I told my wife that I had to call him when we got back to the hotel (we were getting a police escort back because the fans there can get a little, um, overzealous). So we get back to the room and the fans had sort of surrounded the hotel, chanting soccer chants. I had timed my call to catch this professor during his office hours. When he picked up the phone, I said to him “Hi Professor Greene, this Duff McKagan in your Business 330 class and I want to ask you a question about this weeks assignment. I am calling from out of country so I was hoping to make this quick.” Remember, I just played a STADIUM, police escorts, people chanting my NAME! “Duff who?” he replied. I came back down to earth in a hurry. Joe Strummer was probably laughing his ass off.

Topics: Duff McKagan

Permalink | Comments (33)

Comments

"pleasantly surprised at the regularness" and "...longevity only happens to those musicians who see themselves as ones who simply serve the music….I like that a LOT."

You realize that you are in that category, correct? I know for a fact that there are many other people who will agree with me (including my mom who was surprised (I think)that you were so "normal.") :-)

I had no doubt that Duff was a normal guy in it for the music when I saw him after his GNR days playing his bass at the Lakepoint bar & grill in Kenmore! Had the chance to see your nephew play a show at Flights Pub in Everett, must say he has it too! Keep it up Duff, love your music!

"Joe Strummer was probably laughing his ass off."

Indeed.


I love that he is humble enough to tell that last story (the one where Joe Strummer would be laughing his ass off) and I love that he is so normal, but that normalness and humility are partly why I am as awed by him on stage as he was by the Clash. That and he has that larger than life thing about him on stage.

Thanks for remembering Joe Strummer in your missive about the term "Rock Star". Dick Rude's documentary on Joe Strummer is a must-see for anyone thinking of a career in any capacity of the arts. Handing out flyers to clueless teenagers on a NJ boardwalk, and asking a (in this case see definition of douchebag) radio station manager to play his current band The Mescaleros cd was his life post-Clash. A man that was truly about the music deserved so much more dignity, thanks for recognizing that.

These columns are great. Please keep ;m coming!

(Perhaps you could consider publishing them in bookform one day????)

These columns are great. Please keep ;m coming!

(Perhaps you could consider publishing them in bookform one day????)

Why is it so important to you to let everybody know you are not a "rockstar"

what is the deffinition of "rockstar" to you?

- post that critisize your bands on the official forums are immidiatly removed, why?
'cause you are a "rockstar"
- people all over the world kiss you ass, why?
'cause you are a "rockstar"
-people care about your opinion, why?
cause you are a "rockstar"
-you are married to a "supermodel" (who obviously wants the world to know she was a "supermodel" and is married to Duff mcKagan now), why?
'cause you can, 'cause you are a "rockstar".

tell me Duff, are you really this blind?

the only people who will ever see you for what you truly are will be your little girls and the family you was born into.

but that's the cross you have to bare for being a "rockstar"

so stop kidding yourself and get over it.

you ARE a rockstar, except you don't have your head stuck up you ass, or do you?

it's like me telling everyone i'm not fat, sure i might think i'm not fat but still everyone around seems to think differently.......go figure

oh and there is this big chance this reply won't be posted, why?.......
and even if it does get posted and you'll read it you won't give a damn, why?
'cause you are a "rockstar"

In response to 'nobody':

I'm not gonna work through the whole list but I will say you might want to double check whether those forums are in fact official.

The vast majority of forums for Duff's bands are not, but are usually mistaken for official forums (Here Today Gone To Hell, MyGNR and V-R.com being some common examples).

In fact I can only think of two official forums and at least one of those allows virtually anything to be posted. I think you may find you're complaining to the wrong person.

In response to 'nobody':

I'm not gonna work through the whole list but I will say you might want to double check whether those forums are in fact official.

The vast majority of forums for Duff's bands are not, but are usually mistaken for official forums (Here Today Gone To Hell, MyGNR and V-R.com being some common examples).

In fact I can only think of two official forums and at least one of those allows virtually anything to be posted. I think you may find you're complaining to the wrong person.

in response to 'katy'

If you can't be bothered to read my complete post you shouldn't be bothered to response to it either, if you would have read it correctly you would've seen

1. i'm not complaining about the forums. (i was giving an example about how people treat "rockstars" differently)

2.the forums i'm talking about ARE the official forums. but thanks for pointing it out. (i'm talking about he official VR forum and Duff's loaded forum)

and i'm pretty sure they are official since i used to be a mod on the VR forum, thank you


In response to nobody:

I will bite and address your "comments"

Why is it so important to you to let everybody know you are not a "rockstar"


- post that critisize your bands on the official forums are immidiatly removed, why?
'cause you are a "rockstar"

~~First of all there are other individuals (by definition) in the "bands." Second there are moderating teams that (by definition) moderate the boards. Third I've seen plenty of posts that criticize/blast/bitch, etc on lots of forums.

- people all over the world kiss you ass, why?
'cause you are a "rockstar"
~Sure, some might, but there are others that see him for the down-to-earth person that he is, don't lump everyone into a big group of ass kissers if you don't know their motivations.

-people care about your opinion, why?
cause you are a "rockstar"
~Again, some might, but others appreciate his intellect and insight as well as his humble normalcy.

-you are married to a "supermodel" (who obviously wants the world to know she was a "supermodel" and is married to Duff mcKagan now), why?
'cause you can, 'cause you are a "rockstar".
~Doesn't have anything to do with love, right? Just arm candy? What's that old saying? "The heart wants what the heart wants."

Is it rockstar to carry your own gear into a gig?

Is it rockstar to wait at baggage claim to collect your own bags?

Is it rockstar to be thankful that someone traveled a significant distance to come to one of your shows?

Duff is a talented, gracious, humble, down to earth, intelligent, engaging, and charming man who just happens to one of the ones lucky enough to live his dream and worked extremely hard to get there.

Dear nobody.
I knew when I wrote this particular blog that I would indeed be opening myself up to some perhaps negative responses. I am sorry that you feel the way that you do and your viewpoint seems to be stemming from a place I know nothing about. To bring my wife into this however, is simply NOT okay. Take any stab you want to at me...please leave my loved ones out. Other than that, I respect your opinions.

Kindest Regards
Duff

In response to "nobody":

Im wondering how much you know about his life. I dont know Duff personally, but do know about the trials and tribulations that he has gone through in his life. Music is a passion that some people have in their soul, not just because they think they can use it to make millions of dollars.

Are you bitter because you auditioned for American Idol and Simon told you that your singing voice was that of a frog with laryngitis? Thats sad. Well whatever your reasoning for your crass observation on Duff is, I don't understand why. WHy don't you think about how there are other "musicians" in this world who tend to blow their fans off and can't be bothered by certain things in their oh-so-important lives. At least there are musicians out there who are grateful for the fans who listen to their music and want to see them perform.

In response to "nobody":

Im wondering how much you know about his life. I dont know Duff personally, but do know about the trials and tribulations that he has gone through in his life. Music is a passion that some people have in their soul, not just because they think they can use it to make millions of dollars.

Are you bitter because you auditioned for American Idol and Simon told you that your singing voice was that of a frog with laryngitis? Thats sad. Well whatever your reasoning for your crass observation on Duff is, I don't understand why. WHy don't you think about how there are other "musicians" in this world who tend to blow their fans off and can't be bothered by certain things in their oh-so-important lives. At least there are musicians out there who are grateful for the fans who listen to their music and want to see them perform.

rockstars don't exist any more. it's all about whining about having too much money, and saying I really didn't want to become this big.

Duff is out there kicking ass and making good music not whining and acting "axl-ish" like that puss Weiland is. give guys like Duff the respect they deserve, nobody.

rockstars don't exist any more. it's all about whining about having too much money, and saying I really didn't want to become this big.

Duff is out there kicking ass and making good music not whining and acting "axl-ish" like that puss Weiland is. give guys like Duff the respect they deserve, nobody.

I've been mulling nobody's venomous response for awhile, so I'm jumping back in. You've been discussing some variation of this blog post for as long as I can remember, Duff. Good to see that some old habits do die hard.

That said, don’t assume that the term “rock star” (esp. as a noun) necessarily suggests that folks don’t recognize that the life of a professional musician of any stature is often anything but glamorous. It may be that the phrase is used heedlessly, but no harm is meant in it. In fact, I think that more often than not (some of the song examples you mention notwithstanding—those really are about the glamour), it simply is a generic replacement for “really famous professional rock musician,” which is a bit of a mouthful.

So, while I don't necessarily buy the claims of "normal-guyness" (I mean, you clearly know that we're willing to watch you wander through a grocery story, something most of us are not willing to do for the average Everyman), I find them to be one of your greatest charms. Here’s why: your recollection of the Clash show exemplifies what is appealing to me about you as a writer and musician (though I was also fond of the professor-as-humble-pie-maker story), because when a professional musician of any level of fame recognizes and, more significantly, celebrates that there needs be no inherent divide between musician and the listener—that the relationship is necessarily reciprocal—he or she tends to present, as MB noted, as fairly down-to-earth, approachable, and, in your case, all the more awe-inspiring (“you mean after all that, he still thinks…wow…”) . You appear to possess an absolutely bullish opposition to being treated as anything inherently “better or more worthy than thou,” and it’s that desire to be treated as “just one of the guys” that tends to make the difference between “rock star” (adj.) personalities and your own.

Best wishes while you are in Europe.

Peace,
k

Duff's the man, and well, i was at the show at chile (before you released VR's Libertad) and i think people are not overzealous, just really, really excited to see their favorite musician, someone they can relate, like you and show their apreciation, wich i guess can be a little scary when hundreds are doing the same thing.

Suerte Duff!

I've been blessed with the opportunity to meet many of my idols over the years - (my first love) Debbie Harry, Syl Sylvain, Mike Watt, Graham Parker, Pete Shelley, Exene Cervenka and the other members of X, and Richard Butler; I've sat at the bar drinking with (or buying drinks for...musicians are frequently poor) Peter Zaremba, Dave Falkner, the guys from Mooney Suzuki, and most of the members of the Strawberry Alarm Clock. What I found in each case was a fellow music fanatic who was just as happy at being allowed to play music for a living as I was happy to see them play.

Great blog, Duff!
I really like both the Clash story and the professor story.
have a good week!
-sarah

Duff
I don’t know who has better stories, you or Kim W. But I know I could sit back and listen to them all day long.
Thanks for sharing. I really enjoy sitting down to read your words.

TROY

Thanks for the blogs Duff, their a great read. Was killer to meet you in Glasgow earlier this year, I'm sure Loaded will be just as much a blast as VR was. Peace out.

In response to Duff:

hi again,
thank you for being as polite to me as you are, after re-reading my post it occured to me i should've chosen a different example.

It was NOT my intention to disrespect your wife in anyway and i'm terribly sorry if that is what you thought.

it was just that you said, you hate to be around people who portrait you as a "rockstar"
and since you both contributed to the show ROCKSTAR WIVES it was one of the first things that came to mind. (it could've been anybody really)

So again sorry, i just tried to explain that some of the things you wrote, i don't completely understand. (or agree with)

like thousants of other fans i will never ever know the real you, so i'm just responding to the Duff i know.

anyway i still think you're a kick ass musician though hahahaha

Best of luck with everything.


To Duff:
As a teenager I too was awed by "rock stars". Duff McKagan in particular, who inspired me to learn to play bass and helped inspire a passion for music that persists 20 yrs later. I am proud to see that someone I so idolized as a kid turned out to be someone I could respect as an adult. Well done. ;-)


I saw The Clash and I agree with you about their ability to be inclusive. God bless ‘em!

I guess at times situations surrounding hugely popular musicians can become “Rock Star” excessive. When you are in your teens and early 20’s, any thing worth doing is worth overdoing, and you do it because you bloody well can!!!
However, I really admire the musicians who inspite of the circus, can still deliver, mind their manners and respect the people who support them.

I took my young children to see The Rolling Stones. They were enthralled and that weekend they formed a band.
Thanks to their awesome, crazy guitar/bass tutor, they feel part of the music fraternity, sharing tunes, discussing the rich history of music - Rock n Roll in particular, analysing their favourite players, grappling with lyrics and how to construct songs.
For them, playing rock n roll is all about making a grand sound that has moments of genius, shared with like minded mates. Not a “rock star” amongst them.
It’s that simple. Love your work.
Kia Ora, Kia Kaha Duff!

Very interestin read. While your distain for the term 'rock star' is obvious you cannot disagree that you do have a level of fame and being in the public eye you are a 'star' to many people. Havin met you once I can say you are a star to me. Why? Because you DIDN'T act like one. In a world of posers and people who even, as you said, call themselves 'rock stars' it is good to meet someone you admire and doesn't act like a rock star. You didn't look down upon us and you spent time with us. If it hadn't been after a gig and you were on the way back to your hotel I'd of happily asked if you wanted to come for a beer!(Do you still drink? I can't recall.) You were just one of the 'lads'. Unlike Scott W...who did act like a 'rock star!' And can I just say here that the term 'star' where I come from simply means someone who stands out and is simply a 'good guy (or girl)!' See you at your upcomin Loaded gig in Wolverhampton.

Wow, a nice surprise to find this blog. Keep them coming, Duff! :)

I see "rockstar" as nothing more than a job title of a musician, the main prerequisite for which, hopefully, is talent that makes a person shine and stand out in the crowd and work ethic that puts that talent to good use. However, it seems that in the PR-ruled world the term has been grossly overused, becoming an adjective for attitude and glamorous lifestyle, with the "talent and work ethic" part getting lost completely. So I understand why this term can become annoying, especially if it comes together with someone always trying to get a piece of you JUST BECAUSE you're a well-known rock musician. Someone somewhere smartly put - everybody's shit stinks, so ultimately, it is all in the eye of the beholder. As corny as it may sound, it's the actions, not the adjectives, that speak for the person, and I'm glad to know that there's one Rock Star The Adjective less and one Rock Star The Noun more in this business.

This was a great, smart and fun read to stumble across—and I didn't even know he blogged on this site. I'll definitely be back to read more from Duff!

hi Duff,

first of all, i want to apilogize for my english (i'm italian. I think you can imagine the scene: i'm here sitting in front of my pc with an english dictionary on my knees...)

I like what you wrote, even if i didn't understand it all, and i think you don't have to worry about how the word rockstar is used. I mean, yeah, you're a "rockstar" cause you're a rock bassist and you had success, but that doesn't mean you think you're better than me or everyone else.
Personally i think you are a really modest person, i've read many interviews of people who call themselves "rockstars", lots of them think they are superior 'cause they're nice, famous, important, ecc.
I think we can differentiate two groups of people:

1) there are people like you, who are "rockstars", because they play rock and are great musician, but who feel like other citizens and don't want to be different (or that someone think they're more important or something like that)

2) there are people who are "rockstars" (or not), who tell that they do what they do because their fans want them to do that and that they haven't chosen to be famous. This is stupid and so vain!

I mean, it's not important how people call you, it's important how you feel. If you feel like every other person in the world, it's ok, it's great and it's wise.

Here in Italy, people think that all that's important is to be famous, rich, shake your ass on tv ecc. you know? I'm glad to see that you're not that kind of "diva".

Sorry again for my english.
Bye

post scriptum: I saw you on 13 september at Rock Of Ages fest. great show man, you kicked ass.

Oh please, if it was all about music, u guys be up there in suits n ties like wes or django — not wearing leotard tatoos and cucumbers —it all image — that 's what make it Rock Star — guns and posers — Go up there in a suit and tie and we'll believe you — otherwise enjoy teen orgies

Duff,

I’m not wishing to use this is an opportunity to have a go personally, I just though I’d take the opportunity to give a little bit of feedback on the Loaded gig in London a couple of weeks ago and in particular the aftershow ‘meet and greet’.

Having been a GN’R fan since God knows when but one who never got to see the ‘proper’ band live, I look forward to any opportunity of seeing and supporting you guys in what ever you are doing. Also, having been reading your blogs on seattleweekly.com with interest and listening to the Loaded tracks I had managed to get hold of, I was particularly looking forward to both the Loaded gig and the fact that I may get the chance to meet you.

However, as much as I enjoyed the gig - I thought the selection of Loaded, GN’R, solo and cover songs was well thought out and was pleased that I had managed to get the chance of meeting the band - I left the venue with a feeling that I wasn’t expecting, as having just met one of my favourite musicians of all time and the excitement that that obviously brought, it was clear that he didn’t really wanna meet me!

Now I know that may sound stupid, coz, after all, who am I?..cartainly not a ‘Rock Star’!!! What I am though, is someone who is was dedicated enough (or stupid enough depending on which way you look at it!) to pay an extra £29 for a t-shirt and poster that I didn’t want (I didn’t mind buying the EP as would have got that anyway!) for the opportunity to meet someone who has made a lot of music that means a lot to me. Unfortunately though, this was not the case and based on what I saw, I would say it was clear that it was all a bit of a hassle for you! This (maybe unfortunate) impression plus the extra cost, the fact we were being rushed by the promoter guy and the fact we were limited to getting just one thing signed (because we happened to be at the back of the line) left me with a sense of being a little ripped off and a tad let down by the whole experience as the initial excitement began to wear off during my journey home.

As I said right at the beginning, this is not meant as a personal attack by any means and I will undoubtedly continue to support you in future projects! I am just interested to know your thoughts on my experience and thought a comment in reply to your ‘Don't Call Me a Rock Star’ blog was maybe the best way of achieving this given the similar sort of areas you cover!

Anyhow, I loving the ‘Wasted Heart EP’ and wish you all the best for the future.

P.S. you can also put me down on the list of people who would love to see a GN’R reunion if such a list exists!!!

Nick

DUFF'S INTERPRETATION OF ROCK STAR IS HIS OWN.I THINK HES RIGHT,WHAT MAKES HIM A "STAR",SURE HES GOT THE MONEY,THE MODEL WIFE.ANYONE IN A SUCCESFULL BAND HAVE THE MONEY,EVEN SHITTY BANDS GET THE MONEY,SO DO FOOTBALL PLAYERS,THEY GET WELL OVER PAID,N YET THEY ARE "FOOTBALL STARS".ITS A TREM IN THIS DAY IN AGE THAT IS USED ALL THE TIME BUT EVERYONE IS THE SAME,EVEN BRUCE LEE HATED THE WORD "FILM SUPERSTAR",INSTEAD SUPER ACTOR BUT THIS MAY SOUND SILLY BUT WEN U WERE IN SCHOOL N U DO WELL U GET A STAR FOR BEING THAT LITTLE BIT BETTER THAN OTHER PEOPLE,A NO WHY PEOPLE USE IT N WHY PEOPLE HATE IT

DUFFS THE MAN!!!


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