What's it like being a rockstar?

Tupac · #1 10-10-2011, 08:08 PM

I know there's a couple people here who make a living off of just playing, or close to it. If not, I'm sure you've fantasized about it before (hasn't everyone?). What's it like? The sterotype seems makes it seem like a big adventure. You get to go many different places and meet so many cool people, you're a chick magnetic, people respect and revere you, and the cost of it is that you have to go on stage and have fun once in every few days. Now, I'm sure this isn't true... but what is it REALLY like?

disasterline · #2 10-10-2011, 08:13 PM

I am not a rockstar, but I have had a few friends go on tour for only two months. They told me its a lot of driving, sleeping in a van, not showering everyday. Just plain terrible. Mind you these guys are not that big.

Im sure that its just a hard for the super stars going around in a tour bus. Being away from their families, always being on the road.

totallyfrozen · #3 10-10-2011, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tupac

I know there's a couple people here who make a living off of just playing, or close to it. If not, I'm sure you've fantasized about it before (hasn't everyone?). What's it like? The sterotype seems makes it seem like a big adventure. You get to go many different places and meet so many cool people, you're a chick magnetic, people respect and revere you, and the cost of it is that you have to go on stage and have fun once in every few days. Now, I'm sure this isn't true... but what is it REALLY like?

Well...lemme tell ya,

No, actually I'm not a rock star, but I stayed in a Holiday Inn Express last night...

Honestly, I imagine it being alot like being a slave. You have a whole network of people who are controlling various aspects of your life and they all have expectations that they push you to meet. You are a product for them to market and make money on so they work you like an ox in a grain mill. The pressure and the temptations to screw yourself up with drugs and alcohol are probably overwhelming. All the while, you just want to be happy like everybody else but instead you end up settling for a series of one-night-stands and gold diggers. The risk of getting AIDS and dying like Freddie Mercury or overdosing on drugs and alcohol like Jimi Hendrix becomes a daily threat. Unless you're a total wussy, then you commit suicide like Kurt Cobain.

...then you either DIE or give up "the life" and retire to Australia to herd sheep (like the Thompson Twins).

Man, I should stay at the Holiday Inn Express more often.

SactoBass · #4 10-10-2011, 08:22 PM

One big benefit is never having to schlep your gear. Just show up, play, and then walk off of the stage.

Ahhhhhhhh........nice!

Duckwater · #5 10-10-2011, 08:28 PM

Very unfulfilling and stressful

steveksux · #6 10-10-2011, 08:28 PM

A lot of time spent driving. A lot of cities that you never have a chance to explore. Lots of partying and girls.

Some really fun times playing to thousands with some really boring times in between.

I have a friend that made the big time.

Randy

Tupac · #7 10-10-2011, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by totallyfrozen

Well...lemme tell ya,

No, actually I'm not a rock star, but I stayed in a Holiday Inn Express last night...

Honestly, I imagine it being alot like being a slave. You have a whole network of people who are controlling various aspects of your life and they all have expectations that they push you to meet. You are a product for them to market and make money on so they work you like an ox in a grain mill. The pressure and the temptations to screw yourself up with drugs and alcohol are probably overwhelming. All the while, you just want to be happy like everybody else but instead you end up settling for a series of one-night-stands and gold diggers. The risk of getting AIDS and dying like Freddie Mercury or overdosing on drugs and alcohol like Jimi Hendrix becomes a daily threat. Unless you're a total wussy, then you commit suicide like Kurt Cobain.

...then you either DIE or give up "the life" and retire to Australia to herd sheep (like the Thompson Twins).

Man, I should stay at the Holiday Inn Express more often.

But what if you were on an independent label?

taiwright · #8 10-10-2011, 08:31 PM

lotta dirty clothes and no laundry. lotta sitting around and waiting. lotta punishers and a lot of struggles. its hard.

vans > buses > buses with slide outs.

atomicdog · #9 10-10-2011, 08:38 PM

I've worked as a stage manager in the past 9for a lot of big touring acts) and, more recently, worked as a music journalist for 30 years. The guys, and gals, who stay grounded and maintain a family and a real commitment to art do okay. Those that prosper delving into the shallow side (sex, drugs and rock n roll) are as shallow as the lifestyle they embrace. You'd be surprised how few of the rock stars you admire are really deserving of your loyalty. Sorry if that sounds cynical. On the other hand, I've met some great people as well. But those are the true artists, not the "stars."

punkinfantry · #10 10-10-2011, 08:40 PM

i dunno man, choking to death on your own vomit is a pretty metal way to go

totallyfrozen · #11 10-10-2011, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tupac

But what if you were on an independent label?

Then you probably won't attain stardom since that level of marketing is controlled by the big labels.

Bottom line is that the more money is involved, the more people try to control it (and you). I used to want to be a rock star when I was a highschooler but as an adult, I see it as voluntarily putting yourself in slavery. I say that because the level on control that others exert over professional musicians seems to be MORE than what people experience in most other careers. Instead of having 1 or 2 (or even 3) bosses like most people. Pro musicians seem to have dozens sometimes. It's common to hear stories of musicians losing (or being forced by contract to give up) artistic control of their music and their vision for the band.

You're no less a product than a bottle of Pepsi. Look at Beyonce doing those DirectTV commericals (I think that's the product she was doing). I'm mean, some corporate suit decided that he wanted to use her to sell his TV product. She's just a marketing tool to him. You see it all the time with these famous professionals. Not that it's bad...I just think being a rock star is not as much fun "as they make it look on TV" if you know what I mean.

DISCLAIMER: These are all just my opinions and guesses. I'm not nor have I been a rock star.

JohnMCA72 · #12 10-10-2011, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by punkinfantry

i dunno man, choking to death on your own vomit is a pretty metal way to go

But is it the best way to die for metal???

KeithPas · #13 10-10-2011, 08:56 PM

In response to the OP,
"You get your money for nothin and your chicks for free"

Tampabass · #14 10-10-2011, 09:06 PM

darn it, KeithPas, you stole my joke.

i'm a legend in my own mind

Etchbass · #15 10-10-2011, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnMCA72

But is it the best way to die for metal???

No, this is....

Per "Dead" Ohlin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

klejst · #16 10-10-2011, 09:27 PM

I don't know, but I'll let you know when I start selling out arenas and amphitheaters around the World.

I don't really try to come off as a rockstar, I more so try to just be myself.

fingerbun · #17 10-10-2011, 09:36 PM

Making a living and being a star are not the same thing.

I did the former for a large chunk of the 1980s, I have friends who have done the latter (ie have played on hit records and toured with major acts).

Basically if you want to make it the life is all-consuming. You live, breathe, eat, sleep music. I hear stories of musicians prioritising gear money over food money, and based on some people I know I can believe those stories. You get to know musicians and over time a lot of them exit the industry (either by choice or because they were screwed) or end up dead.

I'm not that driven, and I think being part time allows more creative freedom. You want to make money, you have to choose alternatives that make money, not what you want to do. It's also hard to balance music and family. I chose family and twenty years later I have no doubt it was the right decision.

But I do miss having the time to play for hours and hours every day, and I do miss how good my fingers were when I could practice that much.

chuck norriss · #18 10-10-2011, 09:49 PM

I hear it's a lot of waiting.

depalm · #19 10-10-2011, 10:02 PM

If you think that being a rock star is living in parties everyday, limousines, girls, brand new gear for free, drugs, glamour, money etc…

I'll tell you the truth:

It's exactly like that

chuck norriss · #20 10-10-2011, 10:04 PM

No it isn't; don't lie.