We discussed sellouts in the last blog inspired by Mr. Steven Tyler, and let me assure you this is the last inspiration I will get from that traitor. Below I have listed the top ten rock n roll sellouts in descending order. Just keep in mind that rock n roll used to be anti-establishment, revolutionary and just downright outrageous. So many are listed because they sold their soul to corporate society and no longer live the life of a rocker.
10. 
Ozzy Osbourne comes in only at number ten because the reality show The Osbournes or rather his involvement with it was more to do with decisions made by his wife Sharon than himself. I don’t think Ozzy has a clue what is going on anyway. When asked his age by Jay Leno on the Tonight Show Ozzy’s answer was “Sharon?”
9. Joe Walsh, who by the way is one of my favorite musicians, appears at number 9 for joining the Eagles. Yes Joe left his anti-establishment, tear out hotel rooms, lifestyle for the more sedate middle of the road country-rock gods the Eagles. Somebody said to me once “I think Joe Walsh wrecked the Eagles.” My response, “ I think the Eagles wrecked Joe Walsh!” Whatever you think, Joe, has left his insanity behind him and adopted the business of the music industry. Sell out.
8. Aerosmith appears at number eight for allowing the Beastie Boys to do a rap cover of Walk This Way. To allow a perfect rock song to be denigrated in such a way should be illegal. And to boot Steven Tyler even sang the chorus on the recording cause no one in the Beastie Boys could sing it. How pathetic.
7. Green Day comes in at number seven for their totally commercial album, American Idiot. Yes I like the band too but you can’t tell me that American Idiot was nothing but a total sellout.
6. Sex Pistols are listed at number six for reforming. Yes just for reforming in the nineties and doing a world tour, obviously without Sid Vicious, although some reported that he made a brief appearance in Johnny Rotten’s ashtray. This was a total sellout and they admit they did it just for the bucks, which goes against everything the band stood for originally. My God they even played well.
5. Gene Simmons appears at number five for his copycat reality TV show Family Jewels. Which was an obvious copy of the The Osbournes and a more obvious sell out. Stick your tongue in that Gene.
4. Mick Jagger comes in at number four for accepting his knighthood. It is atrocious for an anti-establishment leader of the sixties to succumb to political pressure and be knighted. I have no sympathy for him now. And of course this caused a major rift between Mick and Keith Richards, who still remains true to himself, refuses to call Mick sir and stated he would never accept a knighthood himself. Good on ya Keef.
3. Steve Tyler appears at number three for his role in American Idol. You can read all about that on last week’s blog. You might be wondering after my rant last week why he only comes in at number three and not number one. Just wait till you read the next two. Tyler Traitor.
2. John Lydon (Johnny Rotten) And back to the Sex Pistols at number two or at least the front man Johnny Rotten for doing a reality TV show – “I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here” This is a bigger sellout than the reformation of the Sex Pistols. To look back at Lydon’s life to listen to his music, read his quotes, watch live footage of his performances and interviews then to see him do a reality TV show. This is possibly the greatest sellout of all time. The guy has no credibility whatsoever.
1. Peter Garrett (Midnight Oil) Ok this is it the ultimate number one sellout of all time. You can’t even argue with this one. I just hope everyone knows who Midnight Oil is if you don’t Google them. Peter Garrett was the front man of this Aussie band. He is such a sellout he gave up the music business to become a politician. Yes that’s right a pollie. He is now the Australian minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth. Talk about the Power and Passion (Midnight Oil song). He might have gained some power but he has certainly lost his passion. Ultimate Sellout.
– Axel
March 10th, 2011 at 6:21 am
Rock on Aerosmith!
March 29th, 2011 at 9:20 pm
[...] Top Ten Sellouts is a post from: Axebay Used Guitars Blog [...]
March 31st, 2011 at 11:16 pm
I expected Nirvana to be on the list. But all of these rock n roll legends are agreeable. Perhaps you can check my post about Cebu guitars. Cheers!
April 7th, 2011 at 5:48 pm
[...] Top Ten Sellouts is a post from: Axebay Used Guitars Blog [...]
April 9th, 2011 at 12:14 am
Some of these burns are well put. However, I think the only one I disagree with is Green Day. They have always been a “pop-punk” band, even with their first album. Unless you’re talking about the beginning of that era for Green Day, in which Billy Joe begins to dress and where eye liner like a lot of other bands that were starting to break out at the time.
April 22nd, 2011 at 6:56 pm
Haha well us “sellouts” are raking in money. You just keep on “keepin it real” and let those of us who USED our talents to promote ourselves up in this world keep on making more money. Keep tending to the shit, the view from up here is fantastic.
April 29th, 2011 at 2:35 am
Walk This Way was covered by Run DMC, not Beastie Boys. At least get your facts straight if you’re going to label one of the greatest rock bands of all time a sellout. Sheesh.
April 29th, 2011 at 7:10 pm
Run DMC, Beastie Boys all those crap rap bands are the same to me!
May 16th, 2011 at 10:30 am
Haha.. got to love this. Great idea for a top 10!
July 16th, 2011 at 6:18 am
8. Aerosmith appears at number eight for allowing the Beastie Boys to do a rap cover of Walk This Way. To allow a perfect rock song to be denigrated in such a way should be illegal. And to boot Steven Tyler even sang the chorus on the recording cause no one in the Beastie Boys could sing it. How pathetic.
I think you mean Run-DMC not the Beastie Boys.