Concepts That I Love: Part 2

Current Mood: bored?
Current Music: "Aladdin Sane" by David Bowie

This is the continuation of a series of blog posts about concepts that I love. Here we go.

I like rock fans getting a chance. Every once in a while, a major band hits a snag and needs a little bit of help, be it on stage for a few songs or for a temporary lead singer (see below). Is this based almost entirely on my musical preferences and rock star fantasies? Yes. Are these unusual situations and unlikely to ever happen again? Probably. Especially considering most of my bands are dead or broken up.

Examples of rock fans getting a chance (admittedly, I've only got two):

Scott Halpin

Before the show, fans dare legendary The Who drummer Keith Moon to consume a small amount of animal tranquilizers. Defiantly, he ate four times as much, washed it down with some brandy and told them "Of course I can take it, I'm Keith fucking Moon". Fourteen songs later, nearly through their performance of "Won't Get Fooled Again" of the rock-opera Quadrophenia, Keith collapses onto his drum set. Roadies take him backstage and put him into a shower. Frontman Pete Townshend asks the audience if there is a drummer in the audience and young Scott (who'd traveled to San Fransisco from Iowa and gotten to the concert 13 hours early) was pulled onstage to finish the show.

Tim "The Ripper" Owens

By the late 80's, Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford needed a break (his vocal abilities were waning and the press were relentlessly hounding him about his sexual life). The band eventually found Tim Owens, timid salesman by day, Judas Priest tribute band frontman by night who spent his spare time emulating Halford's dress and vocals. He became the band's new lead singer for two studio albums and two live tours before starting his own metal band. (Also the inspiration behind the film Rock Star).


Now, the reason these define a concept that I love is because these bands are huge. It's one thing to go to your favorite dive and obsess over a local act until they record a demo with you. I'm talking about bands that have gone platinum multiple times, had major radio airplay, multiple tours and greatest hits albums. To even be backstage with these musicians is a dream for most fans. But to be onstage with them? To sing their hits?

Can you, lovely reader, share any more?