Musicians can’t always get along personally or creatively, which leads to breakups that can alter the music of the band forever and shake up the entire music industry, but which were the worst band breakups of all time? Crushed fans, wallowing critics, and disgruntled managers are only some of the consequences of these epic separations. While some members left their band amicably, due to a change of heart, time consumption, or family matters, many of the worst band breakups of all time resulted from in-band tensions, ego battles and substance abuse issues.
Like the 8 most promiscuous rock stars, which we covered in an article published last week, these artists either got dumped or left in a fury, leaving a trail of devastated fans behind them. Some band members split in order to pursue solo careers or form rival bands, while others drifted into oblivion and away from the music scene. So, let’s check out the worst band breakups of all time and see who we pined over the most.
8. Guns N’ Roses
You can’t really expect smooth sailing when your band is full of drug-addicts and the lead singer’s ego needs a separate backstage room. When Guns N’ Roses took flight in 1987 with the album Appetite for Destruction, it was all sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll. But these fellas took the drug part a little too seriously, and drummer Steven Adler had to leave the band because of his addiction. As their success increased, so did Axl Rose’s ego. What followed were temper tantrums, missed rehearsals, and constant fights with Slash. In 1993 the band completed their last tour together and split.
Don’t stop reading now, the bands (and the drama that went along with them) only get bigger from here as we countdown the worst band breakups of all time.
7. Oasis
The sibling rivalry between Noel Gallagher and his brother, Oasis front man Liam, always had fans in a state of panic. Cancelled concerts, public bickering and backstage punches were all common threads of this infamous 90’s Brit rock-band. But everything escalated in 2009, when the Manchester-natives got in a fight before a gig in Paris, which Liam resolved by smashing Noel’s guitar. That was the last string, and the older brother pulled the plug on the band, as well as cutting off communication with Liam.
6. The Clash
One of the less feisty breakups, the punk rockers of the Clash split due to increasing creative differences. When they hit the big screen in 1982 with their hit “Rock the Casbah” and opened for The Who, they realized that big money wasn’t very punk. As each band member became more consumed with their new musical direction, the band started drifting apart, and they threw in the towel in 1985.
5. N.W.A
While this band was only around for two years, starting in 1988, its impact on the hip-hop scene was enormous. The rap group composed of Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Eazy-E, MC Ren and DJ Yella released several hit singles, but only managed to complete one full tour before things fell apart. Lawsuits, settlements, and lyrical disses were all part of the program, causing Ice Cube and Dr. Dre to walk their own path.
4. The Smiths
What started out great in 1982 took a very sour turn when tensions between guitarist Johnny Marr and lead singer Morrissey increased to the point of Marr leaving the band. What followed were business problems and bickering, with the band finally calling it quits in 1987. What went on behind closed backstage doors was never revealed, but Morrissey hates his ex-band mates so much he would rather eat his own testicles than reunite with The Smiths for a gig.
3. The Police
When drummer Stewart Copeland decided to form the Police in 1977, calling in Gordon “Sting” Sumner and Andy Summers, he wasn’t expecting to be a background figure. But unfortunately, as the band gained fame and Sting began to take control of the creative direction, tensions started flaring. A heated fight that took place during the 1981 recording of Ghost in the Machine increased the feud, and in 1984 the band called it quits. Sting then went on to pursue a successful career as a solo artist.
2. Fugees
Another mournful loss of the music industry was the dissolution of the Fugees in 2006. Although the band created and upheld their hip-hop legacy throughout the 90’s, Lauryn Hill’s involvement with band member Wyclef Jean caused a lot of distress, with the band ultimately blaming Hill for their breakup. While all three Fugees enjoyed fruitful solo careers, Jean set the record straight that he would never work with Lauryn again, unless she undertook psychiatric treatment.
1. The Beatles
Without a doubt the most tragic band breakup of all time goes to the British rock masterminds. On April 10, 1970, after a complete decade of rocking the world as the biggest rock act of the era, Paul McCartney left the group. Although the separation had been building up since 1966, with each Beatle indulging in different interests, fans and music critiques were shocked to hear the news. Fans’ devastation continued to increase over the following years as lawsuits, lyrical insults and public bashing took over the once tight-knit group.
