Are Rockstars Supposed To Be Assholes?
An ex-girlfriend once told me rock stars are supposed to be assholes and that I’d never be one because I’m too nice. Rock history is certainly filled with tales of lovable assholes. If you’ve ever watched Don’t Look Back, the classic Dylan documentary circa 1966— it’s some of the most entertaining footage of a genius in his prime being a total dick.
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In his better moments Dylan likes to fuck with people who have set notions of who he is and what he stands for, but in his worst moments he’ll rip into you just because he can. To me the coolest guy in Don’t Look Back is a quiet but proud Londoner who has the balls to stand up to Dylan when Bob blames him for causing a disturbance he has nothing to do with. Dylan is relentless but this guy musters up all his strength to call Dylan out on his bullshit. “You’re a big noise and I’m nothing!” the guy says and you can actually see Dylan starting to feel stupid for throwing his weight around. Slowly Dylan relents, apologizes, and shakes the guy’s hand.
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I finally watched It Might Get Loud the other night— if you haven’t seen it you should— it’s a great documentary where Jimmy Page, Jack White, and The Edge meet for the first time to jam and talk about their experiences as guitarists. What surprised me most in the movie is what a sweet, laid back, and totally happy guy Jimmy Page seems to be. I don’t know if he was like that when he was younger or if it’s something that comes with age and knowing you’ve achieved so much in your life. Either way, he radiates a total positivity and kid-like enthusiasm for music that I found completely inspiring.
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The Edge, who I also liked a lot in the movie, is admirable for his self-awareness. He admits he’s nothing out of the ordinary as a technical player but that he loves effects pedals and was able to figure out a way to do things that hadn’t been done with them to create a unique sound.
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Jack White, who I love musically, comes across less likable as a person than the other two guys. At his core he’s a contrarian which I don’t mind at all – it seems to fuel him as a writer and performer. But he has a chip on his shoulder most of the film and tells the viewers his only goal for meeting Page and The Edge is to trick them into revealing their guitar tricks.
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When Page finally plugs in and plays a few thunderous chords you see White struggling to contain a huge grin and you finally get why he’s been so nervous— he’s meeting one of his heroes. That giddy but suppressed grin is White’s moment of redemption. You finally sense his vulnerability and relate to his anxiety of influence.
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Still my favorite guy in the doc is Jimmy Page— I guess I just like nice people. That said, by the time my ex and I split she seemed pretty convinced I was an asshole after all.
