Celebrity "demands" (and other oddities while on tour...)

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

Robin Williams ' contact says that he gets two cases of bottled water per show-and one case must have the labels removed.

If you've ever seen his show.. the man needs two cases of water. I bet the labels are removed because he's not being sponsered by or doesn't want to endorse specific brands of water.

 

[ducklite]

If you've ever seen his show.. the man needs two cases of water. I bet the labels are removed because he's not being sponsered by or doesn't want to endorse specific brands of water.

Lots of bands that are sponsored by beer companies can't have logo'ed plastic cups with another companies logo's, so "SOLO" brand plastic cups without logo's are commonly found on riders.

Anne

 

[magicmouse2]

Now I think this is going a little too far! Geez, the things these people demand.

the black eyed peas dont know the meaning of sober

 

[Shugardrawers]

two boxes of condoms.

Yeah, pretty darn optimistic there isn't he??

When I worked for a radio station in a smaller market I ran into a lot of this. I agree for many acts what sounded outrageous actually made sense when you really thought about it. Others were just plain arrogance and an overinflated sense of entitlement. The names of a few 80s hair bands come to mind. The ones you wonder whatever happened to nowadays

 

[Planogirl]

Wasn't there someone that demanded only certain colors of M&M's or Skittles or some other candy? I can't remember the exact details but I remember thinking how silly it was.

I wonder what I would demand if I was someone who had the power?

 

[Stacerita]

When I was in college I was the Special Events coordinator for the campus and we used to hire lots of bands/speakers to come to perform. They all had riders. Some were very easy going (water while performing and a meal after) others were quite hard to please. I befriended one band that we hired a lot and asked them why they put certain "odd" requests in. They told me is was to make sure we read and understood the contract. If we were able to provide the little things and the "odd" things they asked for, then they were certain that we understood and could come through on the big things. They told me they basically wanted to make sure we were paying attention to their needs. Granted, some go over the top, but most dont.

 

[ducklite]

Wasn't there someone that demanded only certain colors of M&M's or Skittles or some other candy? I can't remember the exact details but I remember thinking how silly it was.

I wonder what I would demand if I was someone who had the power?

That was Van Halen. They wanted five pounds of M&M's with the green ones removed.

Anne

 

[MUFFYCAT]

I found the celebrities below with the wierdest or the most spolied demands

Jennifer Lopez demands that before public appearances her path must allegedly be prepared in advance with the scent of gardenia.


Robin Williams ' contact says that he gets two cases of bottled water per show-and one case must have the labels removed.


Mariah Carey has a special attendant in her dressing room - just to hand her towels.


Shania Twain brings her own bomb dog in case of bomb threats.


Marilyn Manson demands a box filled with kitty litter in his dressing room in case the bathrooms are out of order.


Jimmy Buffett insists that he'll be the first guy to eat backstage at his appearances.

Mary J Blige demands a brand new toilet seat is installed for her at each of her shows.


Stevie Nicks wants spotlight operators who speak English as their first language

 

[Planogirl]

The first thing I thought when I read Shania's bit about the dog is that she just wants an excuse to bring her dog but who knows?

(Going back to mulling why green M&M's might be bad......)

 

[Planogirl]

Oh someone explained the Jimmy Buffet demand and the toilet seat issue too and those explanations made sense. As for Marilyn Manson...

 

[Disney Doll]

How about all those brides that are apparently demanding that gifts be purchased from the registry and of an equal or greater value to their plate of food (plus entertainment) at the reception. I guess they are kind of celebrities too!

If a bride "demanded" that I purchase anything, I would not be attending her wedding. Nor would I be purchasing a gift. Or a card.

 

[kydisneyfans]

Dick Cheney's is the worst-Fox News!!

Is he unable to change the channel or might he hear the truth elsewhere first.

 

[powellrj]

(Going back to mulling why green M&M's might be bad......)

I read someplace that it goes back to the making sure you read the contract, like someone posted a few posts back.

 

[Mishetta]

Barry requires this "tunnel" like thing to be set up that runs between his dressing room and the stage. When he leaves his dressing room, no one is allowed to look at him until he gets onstage. He requires that everyone be out of the venue during his sound check. Most bands have "closed sound checks", but people who are working to set up for the show can be in the building. The food and souvenier vendors for example. he doesn't even want them there.

Someday I'll write a book.

Anne

I used to hang out with one of Barry M's band players. I do remember specifically hearing about the tunnel for him to walk thru because no one is allowed to look at him. I hadn't heard about he wanted the venue empty of people during sound check but maybe he's gotten more eccentric as he has gotten older. Oh & also something about that he would never touch the food that they always have backstage for band/guests, etc...

As someone else posted, if I were a celebrity, I would demand Jon Bon Jovi waiting in my room!

 

[Alice's Mom]

Dick Cheney's is the worst-Fox News!!

Is he unable to change the channel or might he hear the truth elsewhere first.

no kidding!

I knew about the J Lo rider from an article in the LA Times. She was invited to perform at a charity event and she agreed and her management sent over the contract. Her requests cost almost as much as the charity made for the event so it ended up being a wash. It dissappoints me to hear that.

 

[ducklite]

There are a couple of bands who require the promoter to have tee times for the band on certain days of the week, weather permitting.

I remember another band 20 years ago who had a dog on the road with them, they required a large bowl of Kibbles and Bits food with the "Bits" removed every day. In all honesty, the rest of their rider was so easy that no one ever complained... (A case of Bud, a case of soda, and dinner for seven--Chinese/Subs/Deli Tray/etc. and a bag of Oreo's, that was it.)

Anne

 

[RadioNate]

Robin WIlliams uses the water as part of his act and I'm sure he wants the labels removed because he doens't want to come off as 'endorsing' a certain brand. If you've ever seen his stand up, he uses a ton of water bottles as props.

 

[GEM]

Most of those don't seem too bizarre to me at all. I work as the director for an endowed arts and lecture series at our university, and we bring in three or four very big name artists or speakers each year. Almost all of them have specific and detailed riders that spell out exactly what you have to provide: certain food and drink, certain things about their hotel rooms, specific flowers, etc. A couple of the ones listed are odd, but I can see most of them making sense.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

I was M.O.D.'ing at a hotel I used to work for when Manilow spent an evening. I got a call he wanted us to extend the closing time for an hour at our best restaurant for him. they sent someone down to inspect the restaurant for the most private area, and then we still screened it off with plants. they asked that only one server was to approach the table that night and I would remain standing outside of the plants unless I was called away in an emergency. he came in with a friend, dined, thanked us and left. his friend left the server $200.00 and handed me $200.00 on the way out. I guess he's a reclusive guy.

 

[SamRoc]

My friend worked at the filming of the "Prince of Egypt" video here in Brooklyn with Whitney Houston and Mariah carey, he said the tension in the air between these 2 was so thick you could have cut it with a knife. When Whitney arrived she was sweating and he said she smelled really bad, she also went off because Mariahs heels "were higher than hers!" So the tech guys had to run around Downtown brooklyn, looking for a shoe store that was open to find whitney a higher pair of heels than mariahs! Also, he said when they were rehearsing, they did their thing, then walked off seperately and sat apart from eachother and didnt socialize at all. Whoever thought to try to bring these two divas together was nuts.