Glenn Danzig reportedly called off his rock show with Danzig Legacy (a collaborative musical effort including members of his former bands The Misfits and Samhain) Friday night to play the Black Stage at Austin’s Fun Fun Fun Fest due to what some would call ‘diva-like’ behavior.
According to Rolling Stone, promoters of the event claim that Mr. Danzig arrived in Texas on Friday morning with a ‘cough’ and claimed it was too cold to play the gig.
After demanding “vitamins, French onion soup, and a Wendy’s chicken sandwich” (obviously going the health route), he kept the promoters guessing whether or not he would be ‘blessing’ them with his presence that night or not.
After much time working with the singer’s ‘people’, furnishing stage heaters, as well as assigning a doctor to work on-site, the promoters said they were promised the “Evil Elvis” would perform, but by his scheduled 8:15 P.M. show time, it was a no-go.
Danzig, 56, cited the weather (saying it was “f**king freezing”), his sickness (calling it his “deathbug”), and said the stage still did not look good enough for him, even though it’s reported that the singer had approved the stage specifications months ago and once again by his people on Friday.
Always one for a little drama, Danzig gave in and began performing with his band around 9 P.M., with a shortened gig that ended at 10, due to the city-imposed curfew. Apparently when the band was told to close their set in respect for the curfew, Danzig encouraged the annoyed concertgoers to riot. Luckily, nobody got out of hand.
According to LOUDWIRE.COM, a concert booker claims Danzig also was irritated to be playing a smaller stage than fellow rockers Slayer, which were set to play Sunday. Regarding Danzig and his band, the booker said, “They went on almost and hour late due to the HANDS DOWN biggest rock star moment we’ve ever dealt with and then he tries to start a riot and blames the fest, the city, the cops and everyone, but himself. Goes backstage and tries to fight a few ppl and get in the van and leaves. The end….We’re bummed too. We wanted to hear ‘Skulls.’”
Wow. Although I don’t condone this sort of behavior, I have to let this go and just be amused by it (as an outsider), just for the fact that, well he IS Glenn Danzig and I will always have a special place in my dark heart for him.
For funzies, check out The Misfits’ classic “Skulls” played live on October 29, 2011 in NYC. Not the best quality sound, but you get the picture.
