By Edtrader Oct. 4th, 2021
The wild stories of these musicians that had to literally fight the law and dictatorships for their music and their fans.
The wild stories of these musicians that had to literally fight the law and dictatorships for their music and their fans.
#5. The Police vs. The Police
It's 1983, and The Police were playing concerts in Argentina. Guitarist Andy Summers was growing more and more angry about how a military police officer was mistreating a girl in the front row. Striking her each time she started to move and sing. Just having a good time like you are supposed to at a concert. Things got out of hand, and Andy Kung Fu kicked the officer in the back of the head.
This was back when Argentina was under dictatorship, and actions like this meant the death penalty.
A few moments later, Sting's (singer/bass player) roadie told him that the police were waiting for Andy after the show. The band finished the show and went back to their dressing room. Sure enough, the officer with backup came knocking on their door.
Andy could have tried to run or hide, like most people would. But instead, he was brave about the whole thing. He went straight to the officer and shook his hand. responding, "Wow, wasn't it crazy out there". Finally, the officer let out a small grin and told him that you can't do stuff like this here.
Sting himself had a moment of standing up to the military police. The Police grew in popularity in 1980-1981 to the point that they toured the world. Capturing it in a video titled Around The World. With a fateful stop in Egypt
During the concert, a plain-clothes officer pulled a small kid down off another fan's shoulders. Sting told this guy to piss off. And told the audience to get him. Sting didn't know that he had said this about the chief of the real police. Miles Copeland talked the police out of charging him. As long as Sting would apologize to the cop.
Backstage, it's Sting, Miles, and the cops. But Sting made things unsettling by refusing to apologize. He stared at the officer, then took off.
It's 1983, and The Police were playing concerts in Argentina. Guitarist Andy Summers was growing more and more angry about how a military police officer was mistreating a girl in the front row. Striking her each time she started to move and sing. Just having a good time like you are supposed to at a concert. Things got out of hand, and Andy Kung Fu kicked the officer in the back of the head.
This was back when Argentina was under dictatorship, and actions like this meant the death penalty.
A few moments later, Sting's (singer/bass player) roadie told him that the police were waiting for Andy after the show. The band finished the show and went back to their dressing room. Sure enough, the officer with backup came knocking on their door.
Andy could have tried to run or hide, like most people would. But instead, he was brave about the whole thing. He went straight to the officer and shook his hand. responding, "Wow, wasn't it crazy out there". Finally, the officer let out a small grin and told him that you can't do stuff like this here.
Sting himself had a moment of standing up to the military police. The Police grew in popularity in 1980-1981 to the point that they toured the world. Capturing it in a video titled Around The World. With a fateful stop in Egypt
During the concert, a plain-clothes officer pulled a small kid down off another fan's shoulders. Sting told this guy to piss off. And told the audience to get him. Sting didn't know that he had said this about the chief of the real police. Miles Copeland talked the police out of charging him. As long as Sting would apologize to the cop.
Backstage, it's Sting, Miles, and the cops. But Sting made things unsettling by refusing to apologize. He stared at the officer, then took off.
#4. Ritchie Blackmore.
Bassist Bob Daisley says that famed guitarist Ritchie Blackmore almost missed a Rainbow concert and filming in Munich because he was in jail in Austria. Facing assault charges for kicking a concert manager. When the audience got a little too rowdy, the guy became pissed off. Literally pushing kids into their seats and calling the authorities over.
Which Ritchie in turn kicked at him. As luck would have it, the kick caught him square on the jaw. As the police were searching for Ritchie, he had the idea of hiding in some of the equipment cases. It might have worked except for the fact that dogs were on his scent. He was found and sent off to jail. Rainbow's lawyers worked desperately to get him out. So they could film this concert for the TV show Rockpalast. The show was pushed back a day, and Ritchie arrived a couple of hours after the concert's start time. But they did go on to play right before midnight. And did an incredible show. Ritchie was sentenced to pay the guy 5,000 bucks for his broken jaw.
Bassist Bob Daisley says that famed guitarist Ritchie Blackmore almost missed a Rainbow concert and filming in Munich because he was in jail in Austria. Facing assault charges for kicking a concert manager. When the audience got a little too rowdy, the guy became pissed off. Literally pushing kids into their seats and calling the authorities over.
Which Ritchie in turn kicked at him. As luck would have it, the kick caught him square on the jaw. As the police were searching for Ritchie, he had the idea of hiding in some of the equipment cases. It might have worked except for the fact that dogs were on his scent. He was found and sent off to jail. Rainbow's lawyers worked desperately to get him out. So they could film this concert for the TV show Rockpalast. The show was pushed back a day, and Ritchie arrived a couple of hours after the concert's start time. But they did go on to play right before midnight. And did an incredible show. Ritchie was sentenced to pay the guy 5,000 bucks for his broken jaw.
#3. No cussing in Trinidad.
When it comes to rap music it's common knowledge that a lot of rappers use foul language. Rapper DMX and his use of 4 letter words got him in trouble in 1999. He was performing in Trinidad at the Port Of Spain when he was charged with Obscenity. As cursing in public is actually illegal. The police stopped and arrested him on stage. As he was escorted off stage the fans started to throw bottles at the officer. Who in turn had to fire shots to get them to calm down.
The COO of his record company said that they didn't realize the strict profanity laws before booking the rapper. Hello, He's a gansta rapper! A few months earlier singer Foxy Brown was stopped mid-song for cursing. But she wasn't arrested nor charged.
When it comes to rap music it's common knowledge that a lot of rappers use foul language. Rapper DMX and his use of 4 letter words got him in trouble in 1999. He was performing in Trinidad at the Port Of Spain when he was charged with Obscenity. As cursing in public is actually illegal. The police stopped and arrested him on stage. As he was escorted off stage the fans started to throw bottles at the officer. Who in turn had to fire shots to get them to calm down.
The COO of his record company said that they didn't realize the strict profanity laws before booking the rapper. Hello, He's a gansta rapper! A few months earlier singer Foxy Brown was stopped mid-song for cursing. But she wasn't arrested nor charged.
#2. Fela Kuti.
Fela Kuti was a Nigerian music that was a master of afrobeat style music. But he is a survivor of the Rambo style life. Fela was born of semi-wealthy family and studied music in London and the United States. While in the U.S. He saw the rise of liberties and empowerment of American black people.
Nigeria had just come out from under oppressive British rule. Forging its own independence. So, it seemed like the right time for the free performing of his funk and African infused jazz music. However, the independent and black ran new government of Nigeria was just as oppressive as the previous rulers.
His lyrical content was very political heavy. And he sang about the abusive ways of the British. And standing up against strict government. When the new regime ruled with an iron fist his music was going against them now.
He was told to stop his music or else. Other artist has been threatened about their music. Most end up being just spent breath. But in Fela's case it was true. First the Nigerian army burnt down his home and musical compound. His own mother was thrown out a high window and killed.
That didn't stop him, he continued to play his music. But it didn't stop the military either - Fela was arrested then tortured on a daily basis. Fortunately, the regime changed, and Fela saw his freedom. He also continued to play music until his death of AIDS some years later.
Fela Kuti was a Nigerian music that was a master of afrobeat style music. But he is a survivor of the Rambo style life. Fela was born of semi-wealthy family and studied music in London and the United States. While in the U.S. He saw the rise of liberties and empowerment of American black people.
Nigeria had just come out from under oppressive British rule. Forging its own independence. So, it seemed like the right time for the free performing of his funk and African infused jazz music. However, the independent and black ran new government of Nigeria was just as oppressive as the previous rulers.
His lyrical content was very political heavy. And he sang about the abusive ways of the British. And standing up against strict government. When the new regime ruled with an iron fist his music was going against them now.
He was told to stop his music or else. Other artist has been threatened about their music. Most end up being just spent breath. But in Fela's case it was true. First the Nigerian army burnt down his home and musical compound. His own mother was thrown out a high window and killed.
That didn't stop him, he continued to play his music. But it didn't stop the military either - Fela was arrested then tortured on a daily basis. Fortunately, the regime changed, and Fela saw his freedom. He also continued to play music until his death of AIDS some years later.
#1. Randy Blythe of Lamb Of God.
Lamb Of God were touring in the Czech Republic when singer Randy Blythe was charged with Manslaughter. A concert in Prague saw 19-year-old Daniel Nosek die after receiving head injuries. The fan was trying to climb on stage when Randy pushed him back. Thinking that the crowd would catch him.
Unfortunately, he hit the back of his head and died a few weeks later. The Czech police conducted an investigation after the kid's death. And even asked the U.S. Government for help. Which they turned down that request. And Randy's attorney states that neither he nor the band were told of the investigation.
Two years later, when the band returned, Randy was arrested, citing that he was morally responsible for the death. Facing 5-10 years for the Czech equivalent of manslaughter. Randy was held on a bail amount of 200,000 US dollars. However, nine days later, Randy was still in jail. As the State Attorney could challenge the bail. He had three working days in which to do this. Which it just so happened that a holiday came in the middle and gave him nine. Randy was finally free on bail. On November 20th, 2013, Randy Blythe was officially charged. His trial was set for February 4, 2013.
The U.S. State Department denied the Czech's request to have Randy arrested and forced to go to trial. And advised him that he shouldn't go. As it could be a fixed trial with a staked jury. That, and he could be imprisoned for life or given the death penalty, whether he was found innocent or not. So he didn't have to go or worry about anything. 99.9 percent of people wouldn't have gone.
But he decided he had to stand up and face these charges. So he faced a possible life in prison in Prague.
Randy appeared in person in order to clear his name. He testified that the venue was small, with very little room between the stage and the fan area. And that the security did such a poor job. Randy's defense team showed live videos shot at the show. Trying to show that metal concerts are energetic and that fans climbing on stage and throwing themselves into the crowd is normal.
Randy was found not to be criminally responsible for the death. But conceded that he did in fact throw the fan offstage. That he was morally responsible. He was set free, and his bail money was returned.
Lamb Of God were touring in the Czech Republic when singer Randy Blythe was charged with Manslaughter. A concert in Prague saw 19-year-old Daniel Nosek die after receiving head injuries. The fan was trying to climb on stage when Randy pushed him back. Thinking that the crowd would catch him.
Unfortunately, he hit the back of his head and died a few weeks later. The Czech police conducted an investigation after the kid's death. And even asked the U.S. Government for help. Which they turned down that request. And Randy's attorney states that neither he nor the band were told of the investigation.
Two years later, when the band returned, Randy was arrested, citing that he was morally responsible for the death. Facing 5-10 years for the Czech equivalent of manslaughter. Randy was held on a bail amount of 200,000 US dollars. However, nine days later, Randy was still in jail. As the State Attorney could challenge the bail. He had three working days in which to do this. Which it just so happened that a holiday came in the middle and gave him nine. Randy was finally free on bail. On November 20th, 2013, Randy Blythe was officially charged. His trial was set for February 4, 2013.
The U.S. State Department denied the Czech's request to have Randy arrested and forced to go to trial. And advised him that he shouldn't go. As it could be a fixed trial with a staked jury. That, and he could be imprisoned for life or given the death penalty, whether he was found innocent or not. So he didn't have to go or worry about anything. 99.9 percent of people wouldn't have gone.
But he decided he had to stand up and face these charges. So he faced a possible life in prison in Prague.
Randy appeared in person in order to clear his name. He testified that the venue was small, with very little room between the stage and the fan area. And that the security did such a poor job. Randy's defense team showed live videos shot at the show. Trying to show that metal concerts are energetic and that fans climbing on stage and throwing themselves into the crowd is normal.
Randy was found not to be criminally responsible for the death. But conceded that he did in fact throw the fan offstage. That he was morally responsible. He was set free, and his bail money was returned.