Being a worldwide music sensation comes with plenty of perks. I mean, sure, the money is great and I assume sex is fun, but the real power comes from asking for ridiculous things to stock your backstage dressing room (usually compiled on a list known as a rider) to enjoy before, during, and after the show.
Some of these are weird, many are wonderful, but all of them are an interesting peek into the mindset of some of the most famous people in the world.
New Jersey’s finest Bon Jovi amusingly asked for “1 large urn containing hot home-made low-fat chicken noodle soup” for 10 people. The use of the word urn is so morbidly eccentric.
How about adding people to your rider? In 1997, The Rolling Stones wanted “two smartly dressed, well-groomed hostesses to assist in serving food in the band lounge. Table waiting experience preferred. ”I don’t think you could get away with that these days…
Pharrell Williams must have a framed photo of the late, great Carl Sagan provided. He claims it helps him realize “how lucky we all are … to be on this planet and be able to do what we love to do every day”. Which is nice.
Canadian songbird Celine Dion‘s dressing room has to be a mellow 73 degrees Fahrenheit. Exactly. 72 just won’t do.
Whose 2006 rider was cereal crazy, including “One Box of a Kids Brand Cereal” – either Cap’n Crunch, Lucky Charms, Count Chocula, Cookie Crisp, or Cinnamon Toast Crunch. ”? John Mayer of course! {Insert some Body is a Wonderland joke here}
Michael Bublé, in a rather cute touch, asked for a hockey puck from the local team on each stop of his 2007 tour. Good’ol Mickey Bubbles!
Janet Jackson requests a flower arrangement worth at least $75. The flowers included can only be gardenias, roses, tulips, or lilies.
Impressively, Lady Gaga once asked for a whole roast chicken and some cheese. Pretty normal, right? Well, they had to be of the “non-sweaty” and “non-smelly” persuasion. There go my chances of a date with her, as well.
The Beach Boys, living up to their hippyish routes, always wanted plenty fo recycling bins backstage. More importantly than saving the planet, they also asked for towels that were ‘Very Soft’. Saving the planet and taking care of your skin. Very California.
Mary J. Blige‘s private bathroom must have its toilet seat replaced. Which, if you can swing it, is a pretty reasonable demand.
Lupe Fiasco, when he isn’t claiming the world is flat, loves himself an ice cream sundae according to his 2009 tour rider. Other than the multiple flavors of ice cream, the monstrosity had to have Krispy Kreme donuts, nuts, sprinkles, hot fudge, warm brownies and apple pie.
The only thing TLC are chasing after a show is a ‘crock pot (? )of “freshly made” vegetarian soup. Health is important.
Gay icon and possible immortal Cher needed an entire room just for wigs during a tour during 2000. Same.
Pale troubadour Jack White asks for guacamole. A very specific, homemade recipe of guacamole. Yummy.
Shakira‘s hips don’t lie, and neither does her oddly specific backstage rider. She likes her fruit, including 6 Bananas, 3 Mangos, 3 Hawaiian Papayas, and 3 Peaches. Papayas are also available from Mexico, as well as many other US states.
Reba McEntire, a country singer I have to admit having never heard of (sorry), wants “absolutely clear, not opaque” plastic cups in her dressing room. Cool?
One Direction, a band that existed, demanded that every venue had to have a pinball machine, a table tennis table, and a ‘mystery game’ of the organizers choice. I’d have gone with Russian roulette. **Not really. They seem like pleasant chaps.
NSYNC, a sort of One Direction with different hair, asked for a ‘toy room’ separate from their dressing room during a 2000 tour. I wonder if that’s a euphemism.
Jennifer Hudson needs her air clean, as inferred by her request for completely new humidifiers in her dressing room.
Late, great showman James Brown always had a “professional hooded hair dryer” supplied for him on tour. Well, he did have amazing hair.
Famously, Jennifer Lopez once requested an all-white dressing room, replete with matching tablecloths and candles. How grounded of her!
Iggy Pop has always had a wry sense of humor, so it should come as no surprise that his 18-page long rider contains some random nonsesne, including “Cauliflower/broccoli, cut into individual florets and thrown immediately into the garbage. I f*cking hate that. ”
Good guy band The Foo Fighters just filled their rider with jokes, requesting “1 bag of Pirate’s Booty. Not Johnny Depp’s” and “3 whole, firm, boderline chubby avocados. ”Borderline Chubby Avocados is a great band name.
Another famous demand with a very relevant purpose, Van Halen always asked for a bowl of M&Ms with no brown ones. It was actually designed to figure out if the promoter had read their rider thoroughly enough. I’d have thought the band was probably too busy having sex.
