Blackie Lawless to Roadies After 1987 WASP/Donington Show, "Grab the SOB & take him to the airport"
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- Опубліковано 2 жов 2024
- This excerpt was taken from a full in bloom interview with W.A.S.P. engineer Alex Woltman.
Alex talks about the time he recommended a drummer to Blackie Lawless for W.A.S.P.'s 1987 Monsters of Rock gig at Donington Park.
You can listen to the full-length interview on UA-cam:
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Song by FOOL OF FATE
#WASP #BlackieLawless #Donington #MonstersOfRock
He wanted to be somebody and he was for about an hour.
I wanna be somebody too
@@70blue63 I wanna be somebody soon.
Hahaa! Winning comment!
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
😂
These stories never get old.
Whatever happened to the possibility that maybe the drummer was just super happy and overwhelmed by the moment and did something stupid. How does that encompass his entire character?
Ikr Blackie's a poser for that!
Blackie is a jealous mean person...look at the revolving door of members he's had.
@@MB-oc1nw totally
You make a fair point, but his professionalism should have precluded any such behaviour. Young and naive perhaps.
@@seethroughhead505 and human ya get me?
I've read this story before...maybe it was the same source? I looked up the drummer on social media and it looks like he's doing well. So, good for him.
He's one of 185 musicians that was fired from the band WASP...and possibly the quickest to be fired! Haha
Q: What's the quickest way to get fired from the band WASP?
A: Be in WASP and not be named Blackie Lawless.
:D
I don't think that was so terrible. His amped up the crowd for the show and made it more worth the ticket prive. What*s so bad about that?
A minor ego showed up a major ego, probably as simple as that.
I agree. I don't see what the big deal is. Whatever you can do to amp up the crowd right? But egos clashing I guess...
Why throw out a great drummer for having one daft moment. It was all new to him. He got excited and did something less than professional. Practically natural.
Might've come off a little unprofessional. Not a good way to impress your boss at your first gig.
@@Clarence2Worley Fair call. But at a gig the audience is the boss of all member in the band.
If I had my own band, I would let everybody showboat. As long as they stayed clean and played professionally, it's GOOD to have fun on stage.
Ever hear a band where everyone plays at the same time? Me either
I'm not sure it's the showboating itself that becomes an issue with bands, it's the personality of showboaters. Egos are usually only second to money when it comes to breaking bands up. A band full them would probably devour themselves in the first month.
@@brackenhays5530 I don't understand your point, they all play at the same time.
@@giraffesareselfish9563
Hillbilly Cat:
Pic: 2 dogs
😂😉😂
@@sweetmissypetuniawilson9206 😁
People keep talking about Blackie's Ego, but the word is "Insecurity".
big deal....guy acts like he committed some cardinal sin
He did. That's why he was fired.
Seriously, was that really a big deal? You're supposed to pump up the crowd anyway, the guy was comfortable enough to get onstage and do that, that's the kind of guy you would want on your team, no? Blackie must have an ego the size of the Grand Canyon to let that bother him so much.
Is that you Kelly? Really bro? It's his fucking band. They do as he says. They present themselves as he sees fit. They probably have an intro and that doofus goes out by himself and starts doing bows after being in the band for days. Just about every established band would be pissed about that. You're clearly a Blackie detractor. If anyone has has the ego It's the drummer. Getting a chance of a lifetime and blowing it in that way is on him and him alone.
Probably saved the drummer a ton of exasperation down the road since Blackie is known to be quite the tyrant to work with.
That should tell ya how big blackie's ego is or was. I don't think that's such a big deal, dude was probably overwhelmed by the number of people there, probably never seen so many. Blackie is Blackie and people will forget the drummer first and not blackie.
Except for us who ARE drummers... lol
Yeah, I don’t see what that guy did was a big deal either. Drummers tend to do shit like that. 🤟🏻
Sounds like the guy brought it I could see how walking off the street in front of that crowd could be paralyzing but it sounds like he walked up grabbed his sack and backed it up . Egos in rock n roll . Say it ain’t so .
...which is why Blackie had no reason to feel insecure about anything, but he was, very much so.
i love Kelly Martella now
If you out arrogant Blackie Lawless , you're fired .
Yeah I grew up with heavy metal I was a teenager got to see the original ,Van Halen ,Iron Maiden ,Judas Priest, scorpions , Metallica ,Testament, Megadeth ,anthrax, Motorhead , AC /DC Etc, the 80s were awesome
yes the 80s was the best decade I don't care what anyone says about the hair bands, mullets, great looking strippers lol, I live on vancouver island and I don't believe there are any strip joints left on the island.
Razorfist's 'Metal Mythos' video about W.A.S.P. made me realise that I had completely underestimated this band.
Blackie was doing overtly political music while people were jizzing over Megadeth for doing the same.
Compared to W.A.S.P. ,Megadeth had state of the art sounds to back their stance.
kind of a difference there. Thrash Bands did that yes, Wasp who i do like but did some dumb shit, the stuff Blackie did on stage to get more attention was just stupid.
Blackie just messed everything up several times i like his voice but he isn't that smart
I found Kelly Martella on Facebook. Looks like a happy guy who still plays drums
that album cover is so lame
The whole fucking album is. I was a huge fan of everything prior to it.
@@Clarence2Worley yeah without piper and richards the band just became a blackie solo project , and its not a good look for blackie trying to be sexy....he has as much sex appeal as gene simmons did in the 80s...also who writes a song called 'sweet cheetah'? lol
@@darylhall2198 lol right? Could not agree more, bro.
I was at this show, it fucking rocked 🤘🤘
Blackie is a tool. Kelly was giving him the middle finger. Well played
hes telling his grandkids , "i played with wasp!" and theyre like, who tf is that??
I can't name more than 2 WASP.songs, Bilnd In Texas and I'm Gonna be Somebody. That's it
@@giraffesareselfish9563 Sleeping in the Fire
@@patr70 Nope
I didn’t understand this? What is the big deal? It must have been Blackie’s huge EGO that was the problem here and not the new drummer, correct?
Speaking of Lizzy Borden, any chance of nabbing an interview with him?? Love that guys music. P.S. as always, great stuff!
That seemed a little nitpicky. It would be understandable being the first show like that for the guy. I wouldn't have given it another thought. Blackie just fired the guy.
Sounds like a bitch move.
Another gem! You should do a story about wasps meat throwing incident on some do you get knocked out with a pot roast or something like that it's like the funniest thing I've ever heard. Irwin blackie almost blew his balls off with that goofy flamethrower cod piece 🤣
Dude, he used to eat worms on stage. He said it got him a lot of attention really fast. I told him that it would come back to haunt him when he was trying to go legit. He was writing Headless Children and recording Inside the Electric Circus when I met him. He showed me the Headless Children lyrics, they were brilliant, and I told him so. That he needed to drop the cheesy vaudeville metal act and just focus on the music he was clearly intended to compose and execute brilliantly. He didn't listen to me. Told me that's what the kids want, they aren't that smart, etc.
I told him that I'd just met James Hetfield and got to tell him how the kids I knew were so bonded to James' music that they would quote his lyrics when they were searching for just the right thing to say in a profound moment. That James was blown away to hear this and said he'd think about that every time he wrote a song from then on.
Well, Blackie likes to be the Big Man in a relationship, and I had just committed relationship suicide with him, lol He didn't like me very much after that; he ridiculed me in public every time he saw me. I couldn't care less. It just underscored the fact that I'd made an embarrassing mistake when I accepted his date offer.
I almost didn't accept his offer because I thought his act was just too misogynistic and kitschy and weird I didn't know if I wanted to be associated with any of that.
He'd initially come across as intelligent and refined when I'd first met him. He was wearing tan leather pants and matching boots and a tight white t shirt and he looked fantastic with a gorgeous suntan and those giant blue eyes and long black hair...those long, long legs...he showed me his tan 1961 E Type Jaguar that had what he described as "biscuit interior." That great, totally successful and together guy act lasted exactly three weeks. He invited me to his place that first night, and I told him no, I had to drive home that night. It was half true. I really didn't know if I wanted to be seen with this guy. I'd heard about the shows and seen video recordings of at least one of them. A real turn-off for me.
I lived in a city about 100 miles away, and he love bombed me with nightly phone calls, telling me that I was the smartest woman he'd ever met and he wanted to get to know me better. He invited me to the studio where he was recording Inside the Electric Circus. So, yeah, I went there, just to see what happened next.
When I first walked into the studio, he was walking up the hall toward me. I thought he was coming up front to greet me.
He walked right by me without looking at me, as if didn't exist.
How I wished, in hindsight, that I'd just walked out the door and ghosted him on the spot.
Things went straight downhill from there. Probably the worst first date I have ever had.
Inside the Electric Circus came out not long afterward, and it bombed. So did the tour. Half of the Long Beach Arena was roped off for the Los Angeles show, and only one third of that one half was full. He had struck out in his homerown. He was frantic by the time he got to the Rainbow Bar and Grill in West Hollywood that night. He ran up to me and gave me a big hug. The guy who had been making fun of me or totally ignoring me for almost a year after our one and only terrible date, was suddenly my bestest friend ever. It was embarrassing how fluttery and breathless he was, begging me to sit at his table with him. Um, no. Not after the way you treated me, Pal.
Was there that day to the right of the stage don't remember the drummer going on stage and getting the crowd going ...do remember 1st song on your knees he hit those skins so dam hard great drummer blackies loss...and get him to the airport I bet that bits a load of bollocks
Yea really what's the big deal ? The dude kelly is just excited to be up there playing and Blackie is just hating on him ,I mean " no harm no foul "
Actually what Kelly did embodies what Metal is supposed to be all about and poor Blackie couldn't handle it
Cool Greg Leon mention, an L.A. legend and absolute guitar god.
Greg Leon is a great guitar player and the coolest most humble guy you will ever meet.
@@chrisjones8977 Totally! I just mentioned Leon in a comment above. Just talked with him recently here in town, such a great no BS guy-way ahead of his time. 🤘🏻🇺🇸🎸
These stories are priceless. Lol love this channel.
BACK IN THE DAY ..... I GOT FIRED FROM WASP HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
I got fired from McDonald's. Same thing
… Yes, that is Greg, the Greg Leon Invasion. That’s were Vinnie Vincent got the name from. A lot of players owe a lot of credit to Greg. But Greg is doing very well, happy and healthy-still playing, doing what he loves. Great story, and still adding to it!!! Would love for Greg to come out with a book, hopefully someday!!!
I was at this show. It was one of the best M.O.R's ever. Wasp were great that year.
Do you recall the incident mentioned here?
What is M.O.R?
@@tanner3285 Monsters Of Rock , now its called Download
@@rolffrose177 Oh ok. Thanks for answering it. Monsters of rock sounds like a way better name.
@@rolffrose177 I never knew that it was the same thing! I learn something new every day!
According to Wikipedia (I know...) Martella performed with the band on their Top Of The Pops appearance for Scream Until You Like It on September 10th '87, some nineteen days after the Donington performance. Those more familiar with the drummer may be able to confirm it's him from the footage - if so, he was clearly not fired after the festival, or was at least briefly reinstated. I wonder if the events described actually happened - I can't find any other reference, or witness account.
@@centaurus5676 Who's looking at the stage in between bands anyway? Nobody. And if you did you probably couldn't make out what was happening either.
@@centaurus5676 haha Ale. Why don't ya go real old school n call it mead.
@@centaurus5676 I'm like Lemmy and Bad News. I drink real beer. Lager. Soo Crisp!Any good Northern European Larger is a winner. I will drink Peroni though.
I wouldnt have given a shit about that..the guy was living his dream for one day...let him be as long as he did his job well like Blackie said...thats all that matters....unless you have to be the star of the show all the time like Blackie does...its clearly an Ego thing for Blackie...jesus man the ego's with singers never end.
By the second BAND album cover, he’s the only one on the cover.
@@JunkyardKid yeah he's special.
It’s his band, kiddies. That’s how it works. Every band you have ever loved was run by 1, maybe 2 of the members. Usually the ones writing the songs. It’s called Leadership and it is a must. That “all for one, one for all” bullshit goes away as soon as it gets real. Stay in the garage or start a commune if Equality is your thing, it does not exist in music.
@@JCDwyer oh look everyone...here's another one right now.
@@erockscott1184 Hilarious, and way off. I actually learned these lessons from behind the drums, over some fun years of touring and recording with....wait for it....other people’s bands. It’s the harsh reality of how most shit really works, at least at any level beyond Local Band of Brothers. Song Power, its a real thing, man. And it’s what generally what dictates who’s in charge. Sorry if it upsets ya, heh, heh.
I'm SO happy I found this channel! I was raised by a hair metal loving mom + a heavy metal dad, so I didn't grow up with the scene but I grew up surrounded by their stories/ music + fell for the bands myself. love hearing stories like this! thanks
I love it. Thanks for listening!
me too been into Metal for years But didn't know Metallica & Dio did a show with Bon jovi, till several years ago.
ive got stories too, but im a nobody LOL
Blackie is nothing but gene simmons Jr. Screw anyone for a buck!
Hmmm, so I was at Donington that year and don't recall anyone standing out on the stage taking bows before WASP's set, but then again, maybe he did. There will be plenty of people who did see it though, right?
Now, I did once have a chat with the Stage Manager of that particular gig, and he told me some interesting stuff about WASP that day. Obviously, I have no idea if this is true, but here we go...
He said that the drummer was young, green, and just a little too keen, and kept saying "we ought to do this" and "we" that, with regard to the band - as if he was a full-time member. Blackie, being the dictator-type, didn't like anyone voicing any ideas of their own, so he decided the drummer had to go ASAP. Something about a clear drum kit with a Giger alien inside too, apparently.
The interesting part was that Blackie wasn't happy with that whole gig from Day 1. He thought that WASP were way too low on the bill, should have been higher than some talentless losers called Metallica, who were going nowhere, and he really wanted to make sure people just remembered WASP that day (hence the publicity campaign beforehand about the rack and Linzi Drew etc)
Do you remember Johnny Rod chucking backline cabs about, and Chris Holmes squirting lighter fluid over his Jackson Star and setting it alight at the end of show? Well, I was told that Blackie had his crew soak his backline in accelerant, and that he planned to finish the set by firing a flare gun at the backline to set off a massive spectacular blaze. Risk Assessments may have existed back then, but it wasn't made known to the organisers beforehand and kept a secret until someone with more common sense demanded to know why there was a flare gun at the side of the stage.
That person realised what a monumentally stupid idea this was, but rather than argue with Lord Blackie, they just hid the flare gun - meaning that Blackie missed his chance to make a dramatic exit, and also meaning he was seriously pissed off afterwards, which is why he summarily dismissed the drummer on the spot, with the words "never send a boy to do a man's job".
Sounds reasonable to me!
Sounds like Blackie to me!
He was just gettin’ the crowed pumped up, Blackie. Which YOU should’ve been doing. Hahaha!
Hey... I'm a drummer ( I've been told I'm good?) And if I did that it would have have been out of pure adrenaline and an overwhelming excitement! The reason it was an issue (in my humble opinion) would have to be Blackie THINKING Kelly was trying to upstage him and Blackies insecurities. Big deal asshole, the dude got the crowed going ,got caught up in the moment of a lifetime and you're fragile ego was more important than letting a man have his moment and keeping a talented young musician in the band.😘
The band "Greg Leon Invasion" was mentioned in the video. I was thinking haha, very original, but then I googled the name and found they put out their first album in 1983, Vinnie Vincent Invasion was 1984, so it was actually Vinnie who was a shameless copycat. Imagine the gall required to use that same name just one year after Greg's album.
So you know for certain that Vinnie copied VVI from Greg Leon?
Wasp = Underrated
Electric Circus was my favorite album of theirs.
They hit gold with that Album. But they lost it with Crimson idol.
I was at that monster's of rock, great weekend, a whole other story 🤘
Oh, no! I need a drummer for MOR right now! And how dare he pump the crowd up, or act excited to be playing the gig!? FIRED! Piss on W.A.S.P. I had no use for Blackie's ego then, and still don't.
Hung out with 'Wasp' and 'Xciter' back when Wasp was called 'Circus Circus'...Randy Piper's rehearsal pad in Buena Park early early eighties....
Hi, Jim, I was Randy Piper's girlfriend in 89-90. That rehearsal studio was called Magnum Opus. Do you remember Jimi Image, Circus Circus' drummer? He passed away at age 66 a few years ago. We were friends for 30 years. Good times.
Wild times for sure. I was long gone by 89-90. I mostly hung out with George Lynch and Xciter guys. Randy's buddy 'Jerome' (I forget his last name) was our singer for a short while...I went to a number of rehearsals and parties at Randy's warehouse space and Xciter's house in Cypress? Where Monte lived? Ugh...too long ago...my band was 'Arch-Rival'. We had a few gigs with Quiet Riot, Ala Carte, the usual back then. I still have a guitar pickup I bought off of Randy way back then...I have tons of old war stories from back in the day...
I was there- the band played a blinder. Donington was a great gig until it became 'Download'.
Agreed. I was there too, and the next year for Maiden. As soon as it got comercial and radio one and nu-metal got involved it went shit.
Kelly was soaking up the vibe and reasuring the masses, W.A.S.P were going to play a killer show that's cool.. lf others weren't busy, maybe the remaining members should of join him up there all to enjoy the moment, unless thinking their too cool for that sort of thing.
That guy was an asset! Blackie was an idiot for firing him because of his ego! Someone like that is just being a rock star and loving the crowd … he has some balls and good for him
He was an idiot for firing an unknown drummer who went onto do absolutely nothing. Yup, giant mistake
Worse things could have happened than the drummer having his 15 seconds. Petty jealousy by Blackie?
Johnny Rod is good friends with my older brother's., he's like an older brother.
Dude, I love your channel. Your intros are like In the Beginning before Shout at the Devil. Much better than the professor of rock.
I went down the front to watch W.A.S.P. my favourite band at the time 🤘😎🤘
I was there, I can remember watching Cinderella playing and it was absolutely pissing down with rain and then some guy coming out and asking my mates who the hell was that, nobody knew, I did buy the WASP t shirt, I f**ked like a beast at Monsters of rock’87, WASP were brilliant so was the rest of star studded line up the weather was awful 😂
blacklie does not like to be showed up ,thats why he got booted!!!!
Fire the guy for being excited? What a jerk.
I don't see the problem.
Yes I know
0:31 SPOT ON Blackie Impression! 👍 🤣lol
We saw Armored Saint, Wasp and Metallica in a bar.
Yeah, Greg Leon. Ahead of his time. The stuff he was playing in early 80s influenced a lot of bands. He was in quiet riot, Dokken, before George Lynch, what turned into motley Crue, even jammed with Greg Snyder, who was essentially the first drummer of what turned into motley Crue. Shoot, I’m in town right now, just drove right by Greg Leon‘s house here, ha ha.
A real local legend, still playing and writing music. I think we will continue to hear his name for many years to come.🤘🏻🇺🇸🎸
Why would anyone have a ego?
Well the sad part I love blackie but I hate the fact someone gets a little praise and off you go again it’s not a one man show you just lost a dam good drummer he just needed a little talking to
It's Blackie's band. It's been a one man show for decades.
@@MrOctober44 what ever you just want to argue
Good for him. It’s not like Lawless would have kept him on anyway. Blackie seems like a complete Douche…lol
Great fucking story.
Hilarious 😄 got to love it❤️
Hahahaa, gotta take what’s presented to ya! That’s a funny move, lol.
I was at that show wondering who the fuck that dude was.
Love these so much Mr. Bloom.Thank you🎶🎵🎶
Thank YOU for listening!
I'm trying to understand what the big deal was? The guy was a great drummer? He made a mistake that really didn't amount to anything? Who gives a shit?
That's incredible Blackie is really that peddy cans him for bowing I mean cut him some slack 1st time in a big concert. It's him bowing to the fans him bowing if the fans started bowing to the drummer fine can him but him bowing to the people stupid.
Remember when Billy Milano called Blacky a poseur and Blackie just made a wimpering sound and turned his face and walked away ?
What's wrong with a little enthusiasm from the drummer?! Sounds like this Blackie Lawless guy needs all the attention! C'mon Blackie, its in your name and you should know, drummers are somewhat LAWLESS!!!
The fact he made such a point saying he cant vouch for this guys character, and emphasized and stressed it so much, makes me think, he knew in some way this guy was a loose cannon. Im sure he saw enough to know he had some talent, but there was also something else going on with him, that he felt he needed to cover his backside. And sure enough after all that word salad about not being able to vouch for this guys character and what not, the guy of course messes up. Just too much smoke here.
Just keeping it real kids.
The fella was having a moment.
Shame the inflated egos couldn’t cope with it.
The real story isn't being told here. Blackie was upset that he didn't get the attention, that's the real truth. He treated Chris and Johnny like shit too. They should be called ' The Blackie Lawless Band" because anyone else who contributes doesn't matter.
Why not. Blackie is a pile of garbage. No real drummer would ever have anything to do with a rip off artist. Thank you
@@williamboyle8918 and he’s always had a big beer gut lol
@@williamboyle8918 Lmfao.omg.
@@phnigra111 Forsure
@@centaurus5676 twin sister? you know he is a woman now right? lol
Kelly,maybe he couldn't pronounce the italian surname properly
Blackie needs to sue Cheetos they clearly ripped him off with their mascot! I just don't know where to begin on his leopard zebra outfit I wonder what it feels like to be that full of yourself?
Frig blackie lol.. he did nuttin wrong. Dude saw more people than he'd ever seen and was having a blast. Blackie couldn't have a free spirit he wanted lap dogs because he's the band.
The hell with WASP - good job Kelly. You didn’t miss anything. If he was a good guy they might have said “love this - it’s going to be part of our show going forward.”
Lars used to do that - he was the first guy onstage getting the crowd going. It was a good tactic for a drummer.
Lars formed the band. A little different when it's your band and not a guy who plays one show seven years into a bands career
@@MrOctober44 true
Lizzy borden!!!!
I was in the audience that day n was waiting for wasp as was a fan . I’m not saying didn’t happen but I don’t remember seeing anything like this n I did notice shit ( I remember the rack which I thought was disgusting )
Full Bloom knows all …
Crazy story! Thank you!
Great channel. Cool story. The channel is awesome. WASP sucks.
Saw them in 87 and Holmes was hammered and dressed in Dallas gear for blind in Texas. Anyhow he was kneeling down playing the solo and some chick grabbed his helmet and pulled him down. He was so drunk he couldn't move and his guitar making all sorts of noise. Was hilarious
Wich year did blackie and company trash the stage,!
Kelly is friends with a “friend” of mine and yeah He still religious guy now…
Greg Leon,singer in Motley Crue before Vince Neil
Incredible!!!
xoxo The Clarences
The guy was a total boss lol!!!
I hung in The Playpen and Birch Hill in N.J. Mingles when Ozzy's talent scouts Spoke to Zack for the first time. He was in Zyrus at the time. I loved the Life through the 90's .
I promised myself, I would not ever be the guy with fake hair fake teeth , or a stomach reducing girdle. I always am what I am. I had a Excellent time. All the GoGo' dancers were mostly rockers from the shore counties. Yeah, good times
Well, God Bless and Good Night!!!
This guy and WASP might be full of shit I just went and watched the bootleg video … it looks like the guy comes out briefly behind the drums before they start. That’s it. Unless he did all these antics before that. And BTW he’s the only thing about their show that was interesting.
We never will get the old wasp sound infill blackie picks the base again. Metal Rules
Love the WASP stuff 👍🏻
So I found the show on UA-cam. Never saw the guy up front of the stage. He was behind his kit, raised a fist, didn't even stand up. Sounds like blackie making up stories.
Awesome Channel 🤘🏼
This might be the first of these stories where Blackie wasn't the asshole
Nah, he was the asshole here too.
i was there no video footige there was someone deleted it, i remember harder faster came on and blackie was about to rip the womens draws off we all cherred nothing happened
Never a fan of WASP don't get it they were never a top 80s band imo.
whats the big deal
My brother took me to see W.A.S.P 1980 in Florida I was l2 years old.