Music has a way of speaking to people in a variety of ways. Through out each generation there have been bands that have influenced and shaped society. Bands can be either a collaboration of friends or family that have the common goal of making memorable music. Like any other relationship bands face turmoil, set backs, drama, and miscommunication. Here is a list of the top ten band breakups.
10. Guns N’ Roses: The hard rock provocative band was formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1985. Guns N’ Roses got their big hit with their release of Appetite for Destruction. With the original drummer Steven Adler battling with drug addiction it started the downward spiral of the bands bond. Things ended for the band in 1993 and it remains a mystery to what caused them to go their separate ways.
9. The Pixies: The alternative rock band was formed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1986. Their first two albums were very successful in the eighties. The Pixies were ahead of the time with their unique alternative sound. Alternative music started becoming popular as soon as the band was drifting apart. The root of the issue was between front man Black Francis and bassist Kim Deal.
8. The Police: The English rock band formed in London in 1977. The band consisted of drummer Stewart Copeland, Gordon "Sting" Sumner and guitarist Andy Summers. The Police hit major success within their first year of being together. Jealousy and competition arose once the band felt Sting was taking control over everything. About the band break up Sting told Rolling Stone, “We didn't have a great deal in common. We were different generations, in Andy's case, welded together by a flag of convenience . . . Part of the frustration was that Stewart and Andy were driven to write. It's difficult to tell somebody it's not a good song, and it was usually me."
7. Queensryche: The progressive metal band from Bellevue, Washington was formed in 1982. The bands disputed all started with the physical altercation that happened on April 4, 2012 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The fight broke out while they discussed the bands future. Frontman Geoff Tate and Scott Rockenfield engaged in a fist-fight. The truth behind the fight is still a mystery as each member has a different take on the incident.
6. The Eagles: The classic rock band was formed in Los Angeles, California in 1971. The Eagles hit their peak in 1980s but the success broke the bands dynamics. Original members Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner had quit the band because of the chaotic and hostile environment. Joe Walsh was often under the influence to notice or complain. In the end their fierce egos were the result of the bands dissolution.
5. The Clash: The English punk rock band that formed in 1976. They played a vital role of the original wave of British punk. The Clash uniquely mixed the elements of reggae, dub, funk, and rockabilly in their music. The Clash is a classic band that inspired and touched the lives of many. The band hit trouble while dealing with the success their hit single “Rock the Casbah.” In addition to the new found success the band struggled to find a direction for their music. Each member wanted to go into different direction and in the end left them to part ways.
4. Smashing Pumpkins The alternative rock band from Chicago, Illinois, was formed in 1988. The reason behind the band parting ways was because the members had clashing views and ideas. Front man Billy Corgan wanted to play most of the guitar and bass on the bands 1993 album Siamese Dream. Bassist D'arcy Wretzke and guitarist James Iha didn’t agree with Corgan but still continued to work together. The band called it quits in 2000.
3. Oasis: The English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. The band was composed of Liam Gallagher, Paul Arthurs, Paul McGuigan, Tony McCarroll and Noel Gallagher. The tension between the Gallagher brothers was the cause to the dissolution of the band. There was a physical altercation backstage between the brothers in 2009 and since then they have not spoken to one another.
2. Black Sabbath: The original line up was Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. In 1968 Black Sabbath established themselves as a heavy blues-rock band named Earth and renamed in 1969. The band dissolved due to drugs, greed and fame. Iommi decided to fire Osboune in 1979 because of his substance abuse. Ultimate-Guitar reports that Iommi said, “We were all doing a lot of drugs, a lot of coke, a lot of everything, and Ozzy was getting drunk so much at the time. We were supposed to be rehearsing and nothing was happening. It was like 'Rehearse today? No, we'll do it tomorrow.' It really got so bad that we didn't do anything.” The fast pace rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle was the root of all evil for this extraordinary band.
1. Rage Against the Machine: Rage Against The Machine was known for their politics as for their music. Their music was a flawless combination of rap with aggressive, politically charged lyrics laced with a punk, metal, and funk sounds .The band split up in 2000 when front want Zack de la Rocha announced he was leaving the band.
He told Rolling Stone, "I feel that it is now necessary to leave Rage because our decision-making process has completely failed," he wrote. "It is no longer meeting the aspirations of all four of us collectively as a band, and from my perspective, has undermined our artistic and political ideal." There has been speculation that the band will come together for L.A. Rising Festival in August 2014.