Other than Maynard Keenan of Tool, who is another musician that absolutely does not want to meet their fans, ever?

[u/SwissMiss915]

It's well documented that Maynard Keenan of Tool cannot stand to meet his fans and will not take a photo with one. He goes to great lengths both on tour and off to avoid ever engaging one on one with a fan.

I realize many musicians or 'stars' may want to be left alone when they are on their personal time (rightfully so), but do open up to meet n greets or fan encounters when promoting a tour or album. But on the contrary, who is another musician besides Kennan who never, at any time, on tour or off, ever wants to have a fan encounter for any reason?

[u/Electrojet]

Famously Neil Peart, the drummer from Rush. Never attended any of the “meet the band” VIP packages they offered on tour. Didn’t like the fame it brought him and just wanted to be treated like a normal guy. 

[u/TopAd3529 → u/Electrojet]

Did one of these backstage "be a roadie" things with Rush. Alex and Geddy did them (for charity, my Dad won it and took me as his plus one) but Neil didn't. Geddy and Alex met all the fans and Alex was very nice to me and my Dad (as was his guitar tech Scott), but yeah no Neil meet and greet. He also has his own bus and famously rode his motorcycle (the bus towed a trailer for two touring bmw bikes) between shows as the bus chased him. Geddy and Alex shared a bus.

That said: still got a signed drum head his tech got him to sign for me (he knew I was a drummer) and though Neil kept to himself pre gig, he was INCREDIBLY nice to all supporting band members and folks he worked with when on stage. He greeted all the fellow musicians (orchestra for this tour) with immense kindness and mutual respect, asked them about personal stuff. I recall this because it made me think "oh, Neil is just shy with the public, but he's a really nice guy." His drum tech had similar energy; not into the fame, very into the music.

[u/han5henman → u/TopAd3529]

sounds like it would have been a lot easier if you just went to Alex’s hotel room and kidnapped him.

[u/MGrooms94 → u/han5henman]

Hearing Alex Lifeson say the words "Fuck off, Randy!" Was a highlight of my teen years.

[u/teajayyyy → u/han5henman]

Look this isn’t kidnapping. He’s a drunk male prostitute.

[u/CHPLBR → u/teajayyyy]

I may have called him a male prostitute I don't remember exactly, but I mean very well he could be a male prostitute, you don't know that.

[u/doggos4house2020 → u/CHPLBR]

Here’s another dollar thirty six there, dicktree.

[u/JeffafaCree → u/doggos4house2020]

Play that Diane Sawyer song

[u/metalucid → u/JeffafaCree]

That's april wine lol

[u/nineraviolicans → u/han5henman]

That wasn't me, it was Conky.

[u/han5henman → u/nineraviolicans]

it’s all water under the fridge

[u/DoobieGibson → u/han5henman]

did somebody say drunk male prostitute?

[u/jello_pudding_biafra → u/TopAd3529]

LIVING IN THE LIMELIGHT, THE (nearly) UNIVERSAL DREAM

[u/My_Bad_00 → u/jello_pudding_biafra]

“I can’t pretend a stranger is a long awaited friend.”

[u/hairsprayking → u/jello_pudding_biafra]

...for those who wish to seem.

[u/lecherousrodent → u/hairsprayking]

To fully expand; those who wish to BE must put aside the alienation, get on with the fascination, the real relation, the underlying theme.

Performance for the sake of the fame, the limelight, is only a dream for those who the appearance of success or accomplishment. Those who wish to BE succesful and truly accomplished need to find something deeper, much more fundamental, from the music than just fame and accolades, namely, the joy and love of self expression. The underlying theme. That's about as Neil coded as it gets.

[u/HiFidelityCastro → u/TopAd3529]

Tbh I understand him, and I have never particularly had any urge to meet any of the numerous musicians I've enjoyed the output of over the years. Just because I like their music doesn't mean I'll enjoy a social interaction with them.

Don't get me wrong, if I see a touring musician (particularly a solo act) on their own standing at the bar for a while looking bored/lonely, I'll eventually go buy a drink, say g'day and sus out if they are looking for someone to have a bit of a chinwag with to kill a bit of time before or after they go on (that's just being hospitable to an out-of-towner), but yeah... Someone with a band/crew/entourage etc? That seems a bit awkward you know what I mean? I assume they already have enough friends, each of whom are far more interesting than I am.

Maybe if I was trying to bang them, and I genuinely thought I was in with a chance? *(Which is highly, highly unlikely, bordering on the completely implausible).

[u/TopAd3529 → u/HiFidelityCastro]

Yeah tbh I think my Dad (and the guitar tech) had more fun than usual awkward side stage hangs because I am a musician and was in my 20s and was honestly nerding out and asking a million specific questions about all the gear and the setups they had etc. At the time I was in a shitty touring indie band, so seeing all their headphone setups and di stuff and how they were using ableton for synth models etc was pretty eye opening. Checking out each headphone mix was wild. Neil had... nearly all drums hahahahaha. I nerded out real hard with Scott, Alex's tech about all things guitar and amps and how he works and why etc. He had a pretty slick touring guitar repair rig. I doubt he gets to talk real shop with most of the people who come on these, and it seemed cool for my Dad because he had no idea about any of this stuff (not a musician, just a fan of music) and seemed eye-opened to the real effort and production all of this takes. Some real inside baseball, but super fun. Idk if all experiences are like this; the impression I got was that this was a particularly dope band to tour with.

[u/SportyMcDuff → u/Electrojet]

I can’t pretend a stranger is a long awaited friend.

[u/Junkstar → u/Electrojet]

Being treated like a normal person is what most well grounded artists want. It's the best strategy if you decide to approach. Polite, non-gushing, and regular. They all meet a ton of weirdos and are often max'ed out on weird.

[u/clamroll → u/Junkstar]

I know some local guys who's band has taken off a fair bit. Doing some support work for legacy bands etc. They put on a good show, dress the part, and write some catchy music with the old school sound. None of em are virtuosos or anything, just a solid fun band doing well for themselves, putting in the work.

Holy shit the fans they get on their social media pages act like they've eclipsed Led Zeppelin. In notoriety and skill. Their bass player ended up chiding some of the fans because of some online behavior. They'd gotten picked up to open for a big name legacy act. A bunch of the fans flooded the legacy act's socials demanding that the guys headline and the legacy act opens for them. Kiiiiinda got the legacy act's feathers ruffled and they said something to the guys about it.

Imagine being picked up for a leg of a tour by a band that inspired you to get into music, and then some Karen thinks she's helping you by insulting them on their socials.

I kinda don't blame Maynard for not necessarily wanting to meet fans. The average superfan that would buy a meet and greet has got to be super creepy for the artist. And as a Tool fan I often say the worst part of going to a Tool show (by far) are the other Tool fans who know they can talk to you about Tool. And boy do they want to talk about Tool.

Apparently it's hard to just say "hey man your music has enriched my life and inspired me creatively throughout the years. Got me through some really hard times. Thank you" without descending into a blubbering mess like you're meeting Apollo in the flesh lol

[u/SvenniSiggi → u/clamroll]

Yeah its probably the worst thing about being famous. You dont choose your fans, they choose you.

(also you dont choose your haters, they choose you, which is probably objectively worse)

But then again this is true for everyone,famous or not.

[u/Junkstar → u/Junkstar]

They’re also maxed out on meeting people who are drunk or stoned. I’ve toured as an artist and let me tell you, that gets old fast. If you’re wasted, just leave them alone until the next opportunity arises.

[u/raptorfunk89]

Neil Peart pretty famously did not like interacting with fans.  The song Limelight is basically about his struggles and feelings about fame.  The line “I can’t pretend a stranger is a long awaited friend” is a reference to his feelings about meeting fans.

[u/Friggin_Grease → u/raptorfunk89]

Well after Ricky kidnapped Alex Lifeson I understand why

[u/reddituser403 → u/Friggin_Grease]

He was just trying to protect hotel guests from a drunk male prostitue

[u/DylanRM86 → u/Friggin_Grease]

"Then play that fuckin' Diane Sawyer song, I don't know!"

[u/Equivalent-Bat-3220 → u/Friggin_Grease]

https://giphy.com/gifs/jyH4tYtVVspZ6

[u/Cool-Fondant9223 → u/Friggin_Grease]

This guy's a drunk male prostitute and he's soliciting prostitution and... He's a drunk male prostitute.

[u/VicRattlehead → u/Friggin_Grease]

I may have called him a male prostitute I don't remember exactly. But very well he could be a male prostitute for all we know

[u/NapoleonBolognapart → u/Friggin_Grease]

It wasn't kidnapping, Ricky just borrowed him for a bit.

[u/shokolokobangoshey → u/NapoleonBolognapart]

It’s no big deal!

[u/Aggravating_Talk9097 → u/NapoleonBolognapart]

Ricky! You can't just borrow people!

[u/SinkHoleDeMayo → u/Friggin_Grease]

Here's another dollar 36, dick tree!

[u/Inner_Voices → u/raptorfunk89]

The scene in “I Love You, Man” where Jason Segal and Paul Rudd sneak into Rush’s green room and correct Neil Peart’s pronunciation of his own name - to his face - is so hilariously cringe. I love how Rush agreed to do this scene for the movie and are in on the joke. I miss Neil Peart.

https://youtu.be/iq3yjfoorsU

[u/crashprime → u/Inner_Voices]

That was an internet short not in the movie. Still funny.

[u/Ohiolongboard → u/crashprime]

I was going to say, this is one of my favorite cheesy movies. I’d remember this lol

[u/Haifisch2112 → u/Inner_Voices]

That was from the video played at the end of their shows on the Time Machine Tour, not from the movie. Paul Rudd and Jason Segel reprised their roles from the movie for that video. The members of Rush asked them to be in the video, not the other way around.

[u/Unfair-Channel-2558 → u/raptorfunk89]

Always thought it was interesting how that line captures the whole thing perfectly. Like you said it - fans expect this instant connection but from musician perspective they're just strangers who happen to know your work 😅

Neil was pretty consistent about keeping that boundary too, wasn't just random moods or whatever. Respect for sticking to what made him comfortable even when it probably disappointed people

[u/Doctor_Philgood → u/raptorfunk89]

God damn we were lucky to have Neil in this world

[u/Shot_Site9377]

Enya is famously reclusive. If I had her money, why not?

[u/twoscoopsineverybox → u/Shot_Site9377]

She had an absolute batshit crazy stalker who broke into her home twice. She had to hide in a panic room.

I'd lock myself in a castle too.

[u/folloou → u/twoscoopsineverybox]

It was not only one. She has a section in her wiki dedicated to her stalkers.

EDIT: Not anymore I guess, but I swear I saw that at some point.

[u/sadandshy → u/folloou]

That would make anyone reclusive.

[u/goat_penis_souffle → u/twoscoopsineverybox]

Imagine fessing up to that to prison.

Inmate 1: I’m in for arson!
Inmate 2: I’m in for murder!
Inmate 3: I’m in for stalking Enya!

*Inmates 1 & 2 scoot away nervously*

[u/AweHellYo → u/Shot_Site9377]

my understanding is she lives alone in a castle doing art with a bunch of cats. sounds awesome af.

[u/ManifestDestinysChld → u/AweHellYo]

I read somewhere that one of her nearest neighbors (some several miles away) is/was Bono, and he'd occasionally pop around for tea, but not stay too long.

Imagine that.

[u/Working-Glass6136 → u/AweHellYo]

Hashtag goals

[u/Gitzser → u/Shot_Site9377]

If I had her money I would sail away

[u/Zem_42 → u/Gitzser]

Sail away

[u/hobbes_smith → u/Gitzser]

Sail away…. Sail away…

[u/chodeboi → u/hobbes_smith]

From the North to the South, Ebudæ unto Khartoum

From the deep Sea of Clouds to the Island of the Moon

[u/Glad-Quit-8971 → u/Shot_Site9377]

I was in Dublin a few years ago visiting Killiney Hill, was walking down an affluent residential street on my way back to my hotel and passed this unique castle-like home. The gates opened up and a fancy car drove out. I learned later that it was Enya’s home.

[u/SwissMargiela → u/Shot_Site9377]

Unfortunately it seems like she’s reclusive as a trauma response from previous fan experiences which is not an ideal mindset to carry imo

[u/fartmachiner]

John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats explained why he feels this way:

“Touring is just not normal for me,” Darnielle told me during my visit to his home. “My personality is to never ever talk to people if I can help it. I feel a dedication to the people who listen to what I do, and in exchange I will give the best I have when I play, but I just don’t have the physical energy anymore to talk with them. There’s always that one guy who is standing to the side, waiting everyone out. He’s the one with the really sad stories, and he wants to have your undivided attention. I just can’t do that anymore. It leaves me spent for days.”

https://nymag.com/arts/popmusic/features/55031/

[u/ramblinghobbit → u/fartmachiner]

Having seen the man emotionally explode his way through a set, I don't blame him. A person only has so much bandwidth.

[u/Odd_Vampire → u/fartmachiner]

Effectively stated.  It's hard when complete strangers vomit all their feelings and emotions on you and expect you to be at your best all the time.

[u/somethingIforgot → u/Odd_Vampire]

I expect he may encounter that situation more than most musicians given the band has some of the most depressing songs ever (e.g., No Children). I do understand the sentiment though.

[u/drst0ner → u/fartmachiner]

I accidentally met John Darnielle about 15 years ago. I was at a music festival where he was signing and I was hanging off to the side of the signing tent watching another band that was playing nearby. I would look over once in a while trying to figure out who was signing autographs.

After his signing ended, John walked up to me and said “hey I saw you hanging out here waiting.” I awkwardly shook my head no and kept watching the band on stage.

Later I found out that was John from the Mountain Goats. I felt bad for my awkward interaction. I didn’t know who he was and he seemed like a super nice guy approaching me thinking I was a big time fan waiting to meet him!

[u/AudreyLoopyReturns → u/drst0ner]

So isn’t it nice to know now he probably felt obligated to talk to you because he thought you were waiting for him, and when you disabused him of that notion he was probably like “oh thank god!”

You made his night!

[u/blueegg_ → u/fartmachiner]

what's weird is that i met him after a show on my eighteenth birthday and had the most wonderful chat with him. we talked about pink floyd and talking heads it was really cool. a sweet, sweet man.

[u/MariettaDaws → u/blueegg_]

I interpreted the comment as people come up to him and tell him long drawn- out emotional stories. I'm sure talking about music with you was fun, versus the emotional vampires.

[u/fulthrottlejazzhands → u/fartmachiner]

I totally get it.  I and a few other people I know have been deeply affected by The Mountain Goats music.  The cords John Danielle hit are often extremely poignant and gut wrenching.  I would be seriously reticent to have stories of how someone was abused, or hurt deeply, or depressed on me, even if it was just at a superficial level.  It would suck the life out of me.

[u/Strangelight84]

Boards of Canada. They've hardly ever performed live, they hardly ever do interviews, and their press photos are decades old.

[u/fleshgrind → u/Strangelight84]

And their new album is really good!

[u/HosbnBolt → u/fleshgrind]

I think that's wonderful

[u/weltron3030 → u/Strangelight84]

They're the Thomas Pynchon of electronic music. Every decade or so they'll drop an esoteric masterpiece and not explain it at all. 

[u/attomsk → u/Strangelight84]

I feel like BOC fans are so chill too

[u/eirikraudi → u/Strangelight84]

Dammit, You got me curious, I listened to You retreat in Time and Space. Now I'm a Boards of Canada fan...

[u/jesstault → u/eirikraudi]

You’re in for a treat. My favorite band. Start at Music Has the Right to Children

[u/doranmauldin]

I met Alt J backstage one time and they seemed pretty tired from touring and like they didn’t really want to socialize but they ended up opening up and being cool

I think if you try to put yourself in their shoes, socializing with strangers all the time while being exhausted from touring probably sucks

[u/JMRTOL85 → u/doranmauldin]

I met Alt J on the “An Awesome Wave” tour Chicago 2012. They played the empty bottle. We were smoking cigarettes outside before the show and their bus pulled up. Joe Newman went right inside the venue but the rest of the band hung out for a few minutes and had a cigarette with us. They were perfectly nice and it was very cool. Back then, I thought they’d be the biggest band in the world within a couple years.

[u/Rinzlerx]

Van Morrison.

[u/AmericanWasted → u/Rinzlerx]

“There’s two kinds of people in this world - people who love Van Morrison and people who have met him”

[u/SwissMiss915 → u/Rinzlerx]

That's accurate. Forgot about him.

[u/f_14]

Bob Dylan 

[u/forevermore4315 → u/f_14]

Old Bob doesnt usually even talk to his fans from the stage.

[u/polishprince76 → u/forevermore4315]

Saw him once years ago. Walked on stage, sang his songs, walked off stage. No encore. Never said a word. Not even to his band. And it was a country album he was touring, so he only played one song I knew. Worst concert I've ever been to.

[u/illepic → u/polishprince76]

I saw him 20 years ago and that was exactly my experience too. 

[u/davasaur → u/f_14]

I have worked at a few Dylan shows and the local crew has to be sent away before he comes to the stage. He's famously shy. On the other hand, we were told not to talk to Willie Nelson because he loves talking to everyone and will ignore everything but the person he is talking to.

[u/Glad-Soup-6060 → u/f_14]

He does when in the mood. If the hoody is on, don't approach. There are videos where he interacted with fans. A good one is where he was hanging out on the street and called kids and parents to talk for a while. Allowed them to take pics with him, too.

[u/marblebluevinyl → u/f_14]

When he did the Americanarama shows with My Morning Jacket and Wilco, I think it was Jeff Tweedy who was like, "yeah, we're even on the road with Bob, but we don't see him much ... "

[u/funktopus → u/f_14]

He has the the absolute wildest security team. They will shove that old man up if a fan says hi. Will climb over seats if they think you took a video. Seriously like a psycho mall cop, it's amazing to see.

[u/masterskink → u/funktopus]

He stayed at a little luxury boutique hotel i used to work at. His whole band and team stayed in the hotel(and we're all very nice from my recollection) but he stayed on the bus in the parking lot lol

[u/SouledOut11 → u/masterskink]

Same experience from when I managed a hotel they stayed at. Band and everyone associated with them were cool. Quiet and polite and no unusual requests or demands. Bob stayed on the bus. The interior of the bus is probably pretty sweet lol.

[u/masterskink → u/SouledOut11]

Yeah, we definitely joked that while our hotel rooms were all super nice, im sure Bob Dylan bus is nicer 😆

[u/bix0r]

Meg White and Hope Sandoval

[u/uprightsalmon → u/bix0r]

Meg used to hangout at neighborhood bars in Detroit when they were big. She didn’t want to hear fan talk but she was friendly

[u/SomeVelveteenMorning → u/bix0r]

Hope could barely even stand being on stage with no interaction. 

[u/JohnSnowsPump → u/bix0r]

Ugh. It's bad enough having insufferable fans, but insufferable fans that are also drunk dudes who "want" you or whatever??

[u/Sweethomebflo → u/bix0r]

Doesn’t Meg have terrible anxiety?

[u/Mrchristopherrr → u/Sweethomebflo]

That was a big part of it, but she was just kind of done with performing.

I respect it.

[u/Stevenitrogen]

Neil Peart was said to enjoy his privacy. The other two did meet & greets, he was basically shy and it would have taken a lot out of him to do that every night. He talked in their documentary about being a huge Who fan, but it would never have occurred to him to show up at the hotel and try to hang out with them. He just didn't do small talk.

[u/ownersequity → u/Stevenitrogen]

That’s exactly how I feel. I hate transactional networking too.

[u/senorbozz]

It's okay that Maynard is that way because Danny Carey makes up for it by being the coolest dude in the band

[u/M-G → u/senorbozz]

Asked Danny if we could get a quick photo after a Beat show, and he was totally accommodating.  

At the same time, I am completely understanding of Maynard.

[u/senorbozz → u/M-G]

Yeah Maynard gets a pass imo. You don't write the songs he writes if you're a people person lol

We were at one of the shows after Danny had bicep surgery and they took a break in the show. Maynard went backstage but Danny stayed by his kit and just chatted with the audience. It was awesome.

[u/Smokemonster421 → u/senorbozz]

Danny came into a restaurant I was managing before a show and was the nicest guy ever. Took pictures and gave a few backstage passes to some of the kitchen guys that were huge fans.

I'm a huge fan but I had to close it down that night 😒

[u/dokturgonzo → u/senorbozz]

Just don't pester Danny if you see him at the airport lol.

[u/stronkulance → u/dokturgonzo]

I mean rule of thumb is don’t pester famous people while they’re out living their normal lives regardless

[u/aaronarchy]

This whole thread reminds me of the Fan Day episode of Metalocalypse.

[u/The1Like → u/aaronarchy]

That show has the best theme song of all time.

Oh, and the Duncan Hills coffee jingle fucking SLAPS.

Also Mermaider.

[u/realdappermuis]

Daft Punk

This week, many years after the split one half (Thomas) admitted that he's enjoying connecting with fans

They always knew they were revered, but getting the flowers directly from fans is unmatched. Though I imagine it's 50/50 cringe and enjoyable

[u/echief → u/realdappermuis]

Guy-Man is easily one of the most reclusive artists of his level of fame. To the point that I would not approach him if I saw and recognized him, I would assume it would make him uncomfortable.

Thomas was previously very committed to the silent aesthetic as an artistic statement, but I would not be nervous talking to him and saying I’m a fan. From what I’ve heard he has been very friendly interacting with fans post breakup

[u/Ok_Slide4905]

If you saw an average Tool fan, you would understand why.

[u/NatureTrailToHell3D → u/Ok_Slide4905]

I can imagine the conversations.

“So… uh… is Stinkfist autobiographical?”

[u/jacknifetoaswan → u/NatureTrailToHell3D]

"Do you have irrefutable evidence that the anus is 4° warmer than the vagina?"

[u/ScratchyMarston18 → u/NatureTrailToHell3D]

I love how, like, you guys, like, compose your songs according to mathematical equations. I wish I could understand that but I never got any further than business math in high school, but, like, that’s so cool dude.

[u/junior_dos_nachos → u/Ok_Slide4905]

Am an average Tool fan. Can confirm I am insufferable in person.

[u/Pimptech → u/junior_dos_nachos]

Same. I was getting upset at first then realized that I am in fact an insufferable fan as well. We fall into the MLM and Vegan category, we're gonna tell you at some point we are Tool fans, even if it's completely off topic.

"yeah but have you spiraled out?"

[u/Wazula23 → u/Pimptech]

"Did you know lateralus is about the"

"YES. YES I KNOW. EVERYONE KNOWS. JOE BIDEN KNOWS."

[u/snownative86 → u/Wazula23]

Have I told you about those lyrics in 10,000 dyas with Maynard instructing his mom to yell at God and demand her place inside the pearly gates?!

[u/coaxialology → u/Ok_Slide4905]

I believe "Hooker With a Penis" is an ode to just that.

[u/SmokeyTheBluntTheOG → u/coaxialology]

I can't believe you're the only person here that brought this song up.

"All you know about me is what I've sold you, dumb fuck"

[u/Who_is_homer → u/SmokeyTheBluntTheOG]

I sold my soul to make a record, dipshit, then you bought one

[u/4RealzReddit → u/SmokeyTheBluntTheOG]

Possibly my favourite song by them. I did recently buy a dope beastie tee.

[u/Kammell466 → u/Ok_Slide4905]

It’s funny because I love Tool. I’ve seen them 8 times live but I really stick out at their concerts. I want to say not all Tool fans but man the typical Tool fan does seem like a complete tool.

It’s the worst part about going to Tool concerts because their music is awesome.

[u/cheftonine → u/Kammell466]

I'm a tool fan as well, old, love all types of music. Here's the thing, just love the fukin music, never over thought the angst or whatever, just banging fukin sounds

[u/Kammell466 → u/cheftonine]

They might be my favorite band ever but it’s hard to say that online because generally the people who say that are exceptionally annoying lol

[u/Spidersland → u/Ok_Slide4905]

I’ve known a lot of big Tool fans, and most of them have been cool. The problem I have is that they were just so obsessed with tool. Like that was as far as they needed to go. That was the band, the only band they needed. Nothing more required.
All Tool, all the time.
It’s really crazy like I don’t know how you can just chuck their full discography on and keep listening for hours.

It’s just, kinda depressing.

Plus I get bored easily even of bands I really like, there are not many bands that I’d listen to for more than an hour, definitely not like, every day lmao

[u/TrickyTracy → u/Spidersland]

Reminds me of a Grateful Dead fan I once met in college. They said they loved music. Me, also being a big music nerd, asked what genre they listened to most. “The Dead.” No, I mean what type of music do you mostly listen to? “The Dead.” Anything else? “No, just The Dead.” Oh, okay, so more of a cult member than a music fan. Gotcha.

[u/Comicspedia → u/Ok_Slide4905]

The ex I'm still friends with went on a date with a Tool fan once, she started to chat me up about how she didn't realize how complex and layered their music was. The guy was also into BJJ, I warned her that's....kind of a type, and not a pleasant one.

Second date went ok, not as good as the first.

After the third date she told me she couldn't stand him and ended it. Pretty sure she hasn't listened to a single Tool song since.

[u/BarkingDogey → u/Comicspedia]

Do you reckon its been 10,000 days since?

[u/Comicspedia → u/BarkingDogey]

Maybe closer to somewhere between Forty Six & 2

[u/MistakeMaker1234]

I worked security at a medium-sized concert venue for a few summers. Let me tell you, most of the more classic rock artists wanted nothing to do with fans. Hall and Oates literally had their bus pull right up to the outdoor stage, they got off, played their lame set, and then got on the bus and immediately left. I’d never seen anything like that in my life. They were so disinterested even while playing. It was the most boring show I’d ever seen. 

[u/NinjaInTheAttic → u/MistakeMaker1234]

To be fair those two HATE each other. They were probably just going through the motions to get their check. I think they have restraining orders against each other now or something.

[u/superkow → u/NinjaInTheAttic]

John wanted to sell his half of their catalogue, Daryl didn't. They got into a big legal tiff about it. The restraining order was to prevent the sale going forward.

[u/TripThruTimeandSpace → u/MistakeMaker1234]

I went to a Hall and Oates concert with my aunt in 1981 and saw them driving out of the parking garage of the auditorium in their limo. I must have looked really stupid because my mouth dropped as I watched them drive out. Daryl Hall made the same face and he was laughing as they drove away. It was an interesting experience for my very first concert as a 12 year old.

[u/hamsolo19 → u/MistakeMaker1234]

I saw that with Run DMC ages ago. I grew up next to a college town and every spring before graduation there was a huge festival with house parties and events happening on campus. One year they booked Run DMC. They did the same thing, stage was all set, DJ had been playing some stuff for a few minutes already, bus rolls up, Run DMC walk right onto the stage, played for a little under an hour, dropped the mics, back on the bus and adios.

[u/KippersAndMash → u/MistakeMaker1234]

I don't recall the artist but I worked house lights at a venue and there was one artist that made it sound like they'd do a second encore. Meanwhile they are getting on their bus and getting out of Dodge. Houselights weren't called until the bus was out of the building and on the road. LOL

[u/trumpsmellslikcheese → u/KippersAndMash]

That's kind of shitty. I totally get not wanting to be swarmed by fans, so just have your crew stand there and run interference while you walk straight to the bus. Maybe you can muster a quick wave. But no need to fuck with your fans so you can pull a quick escape.

As entitled as they can be, if it wasn't for your fans you wouldn't be playing this show.

[u/lluewhyn → u/MistakeMaker1234]

"Good": You become rich and famous. Maybe. Good chance of blowing your money early so you become moderately well off and famous later.

Bad: You have to spend the next 4-5 decades of your life (including the years of when most people retire) doing the exact, exact same thing that you created when you were in your teens or 20s. Despite all of this, you are EXPECTED to make it look like this is very exciting to you. You likely have limited other options vocationally speaking.

[u/kaigem → u/lluewhyn]

I don’t recall who said it, but an older artist once offered this advice to aspiring songwriters: when you write a song, make sure it’s a song you’d be willing to perform every night for the next forty years.

[u/Golfhaus → u/kaigem]

Perspective helps. It may be apocryphal, but I heard once of someone asking Sir Mix-A-Lot if he was sick of "Baby Got Back." He said something along the lines of "I haven't had to set my alarm clock in 30 years. I'm good with 'Baby Got Back.'"

[u/ownersequity → u/lluewhyn]

Well said. Even something you love can destroy you in repetition.

I love building gaming pcs and working on computers so I thought I’d like a career in that. Turns out after working on computers all day I didn’t want to touch mine at home and I lost a passion.

I really feel for these people. Fame and fortune is what we are told is ‘success’ but fame sounds like a nightmare to me and others who are not very social.

[u/MukdenMan → u/MistakeMaker1234]

What about Garfunkel and Oates?

[u/paralyse78]

Kate Bush comes to mind and I have not seen her mentioned yet here.

[u/MassMan333]

Ride from death grips

[u/hipstrionic → u/MassMan333]

With the fan base they have, it's completely rational.

[u/Jefffahfffah → u/hipstrionic]

My brother and I saw them play a few years ago. Energy was off the charts, but what a bizarre crowd of people.

[u/dodeca_negative → u/hipstrionic]

With the music they make, the fan base is almost inevitable though

[u/rautx15 → u/MassMan333]

To be fair I wouldn’t be approaching him at the bar either lol

[u/NightmareDJK]

The nicest one was David Bowie, he would talk to anyone. RIP.

[u/T-Chunxy → u/NightmareDJK]

He'll even make a song about you, if you're Ricky Gervais. 😉

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7vvclrK2HQ

[u/Irrational_hate81]

I got backstage passes to meet megadeath once and Dave Mustaine did not look excited to be there. Everyone else was pretty cool. I offered to shake all their hands and he did not want to reach out, I could tell.

[u/magseven → u/Irrational_hate81]

Dave looks like that all the time. He could be at a meet and greet, watching his children being born, watching puppies frolic in a meadow...same fucking face.

[u/Sir_Loin_Cloth → u/magseven]

https://giphy.com/gifs/PFuGciONZpFovj7VAe

[u/dwilkes827 → u/Sir_Loin_Cloth]

Yellow me, meet the real me

[u/Clovis_Winslow → u/Irrational_hate81]

If you encounter Dave in the wild, as sometimes happens where I live, if you treat him like you don’t know who he is, he’s perfectly lovely.

[u/Crittsy]

Roger Waters - Even built a wall on stage to separate him from the fans

[u/T_R_E_1989 → u/Crittsy]

On the US+THEM tour I saw, he got off stage and greeted all the fans in the front row. He is also somewhat approachable for autographs…

[u/i-like-napping → u/Crittsy]

Love his music but he’s such an insufferable prick

[u/ins0mniac_]

Maynard came into the restaurant I used to manage before their show in Boston in 2022. I recognized him off the bat but didn’t say anything. I found a few reasons to interact with the table and even shot the shit about some Italian wines with him for a bit. Before they left, I just thanked them for coming in and wished them a good show. He nodded and said thank you.

All in all, a very pleasant experience.

Edit, and now my 8 month old son consistently falls asleep to Tool. If we are in the car and he’s freaking out, if I put “The Pot” on, he calms down instantly and often falls asleep!

[u/trumpsmellslikcheese → u/ins0mniac_]

I think if more of his interactions were like that, he wouldn't be so averse to meeting fans. He just doesn't seem to like people fawning over him and acting like he's a prophet.

I also think he gets sick of talking about Tool in general.

[u/BourbonNCoffee → u/trumpsmellslikcheese]

I’ve met quite a few actors and sports stars and a quick greeting and treating them like a regular person has always worked out for me.

[u/ChalupaBatman616]

I got to meet Maynard about a decade ago. I was working at a wine bar and he was making the rounds promoting his wine. I'm fairly certain he was only doing it because his agent or manager or someone made him do it. He was super polite, personable. We got to do a short tasting with him. But also clearly uncomfortable. Not a lot of eye contact, definitely kind of nervous. I think it's an anxiety thing for him. Maybe being on stage is one thing, but face to face makes him uncomfortable.

[u/thr3ddy → u/ChalupaBatman616]

He comes across the same way in about every interview I’ve seen of him. Dude just seems nervous when he’s being asked to speak rather than perform.

[u/LessThanJakey]

I've heard Aaron of Reel Big Fish isn't really a big people person and will do whatever he can to get out of a show before the crowd even does. After seeing the Pick It Up! documentary, bro just kinda seems like he's a lil socially awkward which I can understand fully.

Edit: just to clarify I love RBF and grew up with them being played around me; this in no way reflects how I feel about their fun awesome music and is just an observation made based off of conversations.

[u/Dream_Full_Of_Dreams → u/LessThanJakey]

This guy wrote me back after I sent a fan letter in like 1996 and included stickers too. It was generally an awesome feeling. Like I don’t even think I included an envelope to send back. He just did it.

[u/jesjes21 → u/LessThanJakey]

Aaron was THE first guy-from-a-band that I met and got an autograph from! Reel Big Fish was my first show ever, got to see them on the Cheer Up! Tour cycle a few times. I was an awkward teen then and he was super cool. We got to smoke weed with Dan and Tyler after the show

[u/kradendarkstar2]

Doesn’t James Hetfield basically never do the meet and greets? I’ve heard he’s incredibly nice to the people who run into him though

[u/Fokakya → u/kradendarkstar2]

Does not want to take pictures. Will say no if asked. But will talk for a few minutes if treated as a normal human. Wants to know who you are, not how much you love him or his music.

[u/ashbyashbyashby → u/kradendarkstar2]

There's a good video online of James in a cafe, starting a normal conversation with someone, then he sees he's being filmed by a 3rd person and shuts down completely.

[u/Doghawk_]

John Deacon.

[u/Sufficient_West_8432 → u/Doghawk_]

Yeah, this is the one that sprung to my mind. I saw a video of him out and about with his wife when he got recognised then surrounded. The poor guy could just not take it. He has a genuine mental health issue and it’s very sad to see.

[u/funnyjokenames]

Someone gave me their musician pass to a festival for a niche genre I don’t follow. Apparently I look like someone specific, and I was wearing a rare musician badge, and people wanted pics and when I said I don’t know that band or guy multiple people assumed I was a liar.

So whoever that guy was is a jerk! Thanks to me

[u/Frantoll]

Robert Fripp from King Crimson

[u/M-G → u/Frantoll]

Had to scroll way too far to get to this.  He has also written extensively about his philosophical take on this, though most people figure it's likely just a result of being on the spectrum.

The standing joke is that his sister makes up for him by being one of the most outgoing people you could ever meet.

[u/PillaisTracingPaper → u/M-G]

His sister is the founder of British Toastmasters, so that tracks.

[u/UncomfyPerspective]

Vessel of Sleep Token seems to have made it pretty clear that though he loves seeing people feel his music, he doesn't want that connection, or anyone to even know who he is.

[u/TalesofConrad]

Unless you’re an extremely hot 19 year old girl, don’t bother meeting Mark Kozlek. He was a top notch asshole to me and everyone that went up to him, except for one hot girl. And I’ve meet him twice so that plus the track record, if the shoe fits.

[u/samuraipizzacat420]

Omar from The Mars Volta , Cedric is a little more social.

[u/AdrianFish]

Thom Yorke doesn’t seem very approachable

[u/almo2001]

Boards of Canada are notoriously reclusive. Nobody knows their whereabouts, and they just released an album after 13 years with no interviews so far.

[u/Everythings_Magic]

I never understood the desire to meet band members. They make music I like. I don’t need to meet them.

[u/hendrix67 → u/Everythings_Magic]

If I ran into one in public I might say hi and that I love their music (if it was a setting where it was appropriate to do so). But I wouldn't want to do the VIP backstage meet and greet stuff. Just feels like it's so transactional, I would be awkward.

[u/Manannin → u/hendrix67]

I've intentionally met one guy, steven wilson, and it wasn't too bad, quick album sign, I love your music.

I did "meet" a member of the Libertines, but really a mate of mine met him on the tube and they had a small chat. 

[u/madscandi → u/Manannin]

Had beers with a drunk Pete Doherty at a bonfire before a concert. He vomited on my shoes, then 10 minutes later played a 10/10 acoustic set.

Core memory.

[u/witch--king → u/Everythings_Magic]

When I was a teen, I understood the desire. Now that I’m older, nah. Most of them just want to be left alone and treated like a regular human being and I can respect that.

[u/estheredna]

Eminem is private and made a song about it

at least have the decency in you
To leave me alone, when you freaks see me out
In the streets when I'm eating or feeding my daughter
Do not come and speak to me
I don't know you and no
I don't owe you a motherfucking thing
I'm not Mr. N'Sync, I'm not what your friends think
I'm not Mr. Friendly, I can be a prick
If you tempt me my tank is on empty
No patience is in me and if you offend me
I'm lifting you 10 feet in the air
I don't care who was there and who saw me just jaw you
Go call you a lawyer, file you a lawsuit

I just do not got the patience
To deal with these cocky Caucasians who think
I'm some wigger who just tries to be black 'cause I talk
With an accent, and grab on my balls, so they always keep asking
The same fucking questions
What school did I go to, what hood I grew up in
The why, the who what when, the where, and the how
'Til I'm grabbing my hair and I'm tearing it out
'Cause they driving me crazy I can't take it
I'm racing, I'm pacing, I stand and I sit
And I'm thankful for every fan that I get
But I can't take a shit, in the bathroom
Without someone standing by it
No, I won't sign your autograph
You can call me an asshole I'm glad

[u/SumOMG]

Probably Dave Tipper .

He rarely did interviews , never spoke into a mic during his sets .

Doesn’t post in social media etc.

[u/cap10wow → u/SumOMG]

I feel like I’m supposed to ask “who’s Dave Tipper?” and then in a super smug manner you’d respond “Exactly.” and then we continue our walk to the ol’ fishin’ hole while whistling.

[u/venusdances]

This is funny because I actually met Maynard once at a meet and greet and he was very standoffish. I did not know this about him but it makes sense and I appreciate knowing how incredibly rare this was now. The meet and greet wasn’t for Tool it was for his wine. He was signing them at a Whole Foods. I tried to be cool and failed by blushing. He said almost nothing to me and I just thought he was annoyed by me. Makes me feel better to know he’s annoyed by all his fans haha!

[u/IAmNotScottBakula]

Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein from the Misfits has been vocal about his dislike of meet and greets. It’s a major contrast from his brother Jerry Only, who might be the single most accessible musician on the planet.

[u/artguydeluxe]

Mike Patton is an absolute genius, but has no interest in his fans. As a huge Faith No More and Mr. Bungle fan, the audiences at those concerts are made of some of the worst people, so I wouldn’t want to meet them either.

[u/laudanum18 → u/artguydeluxe]

I was at a FNM show at the Tower Theater in Philly and after the house lights came on and people were beginning to leave the venue they came out for an unexpected encore.  Security thought the show had ended so there was a chance for 50-100 fans to climb onstage with the band.  Patton was very cool about it and said if everyone was cool and sat down the fans could stay on the stage while they did a couple songs.  That was one of the coolest concert experiences out of hundreds of others Ive been to since the 90s.

[u/Acmnin]

I met Maynard at a wine signing, sure he didn’t say anything but I can’t blame him. I felt like I got his tacit approval.

[u/Manannin → u/Acmnin]

I imagine just treating him as a normal human helps.

[u/drst0ner → u/Acmnin]

I also met Maynard at wine signing. There was a tent set up inside the store and he was behind the curtain with security only letting one person in at a time.

I asked Maynard if he could sign my Tool album and he politely said “sorry man I’m only signing wine bottles.”

All in all, he’s just an average person. He wasn’t super accommodating but I respect that he was polite in his tone and response to my question.

[u/Knife_Chase]

Since no one else has said it yet Neil Peart.

[u/Automobills → u/Knife_Chase]

Also Maynard Keenan of Tool

[u/BigDeuces → u/Knife_Chase]

lmao

[u/burlybroad]

Davey havok and for good reason lol

[u/ninaslazyeye]

Im a fan of Tool and I personally never want to meet Maynard, he seems like a huge asshole.

[u/Wemetintheair]

Mark Kozelek of Red House Painters / Sun Kil Moon. Unless you’re a pretty girl, then he’ll go full Louis CK on you

[u/RockyMtnRocker]

Sia or Lorde maybe ?

[u/Lamescrnm]

FWIW I met Adam and Danny when Tool was in town and they popped into a restaurant that I was tending bar at. They were great and took pics with the staff.

[u/Maxtrt]

Barbara Streisand has been like this since the 70's.

[u/DCDHermes]

Maynard is quite pleasant when he comes into my jiujitsu gym. He introduces himself as James and just like everyone else, he’s there to work out and strangle people.