Great frontmen who weren't that great on guitar

8 February 2024, 11:11

By Radio X

@RadioX

Stick a microphone in their hands and they literally can't be stopped. But with a guitar? They're hopeless. Move back, please, and leave the axe to the axeman.

1. Liam Gallagher

   If there's anyone who couldn't care less about playing an instrument it's Liam - which makes it so much stranger when he does. To be fair to him, compared to the others on this list at least he's giving it a proper go, but maybe leave the strings to Noel?

   

   J.J. Finan`s Bar, Charlestown, Co Mayo, 26.07.2015, Liam Gallagher live

2. Bono

   We feel a little guilty for this one because Bono ALWAYS gets a hard time about playing guitar. This, however, is really quite something. We can get over the fretboard buzz and the highly auto-tuned vocal, but when Bono kicks the chair, we're done.

   

   The Fly (Acoustic) - Bono Solo Performance

3. Mick Jagger

   Rather than being "bad," Mick just doesn't really play the thing. At almost every Stones gig, you're guaranteed to see Jagger pick up a guitar and dance around with it, but little else. Which is a shame really, because he's probably alright at it. Here's a clip of him showing off in front of Ike and Tina Turner in 1969.

   

   Mick Jagger Playing Guitar.mp4

4. Ian Curtis

   The consummate frontman, Curtis never touched the guitar unless under duress from his bandmates. But where the Stones man would at least attempt a bit of picking and dancing, Ian would just stand dead still. in the iconic Love Will Tear Us Apart video (which is awesome, we're not disputing that) Curtis plays exactly one chord. Was it worth plugging in for that?

   

   Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

5. Julian Casablancas

   In the below video Julian struggles through an acoustic rendition of his solo track 11th Dimension. We can't help but think that maybe Julian should try some simple chords before attempting all that intricate picking. But it's up to him. And if a couple of rough takes on the acoustic leads to a great tune, then who are we to complain?

   

   JC remembering 11th D

6. Freddie Mercury

   Fred himself admitted that he only knew three chords, but if you're in a band with Brian May, why bother? Here he is at Queen's greatest moment, Live Aid, playing all three - and even a fourth, according to the online chord charts.

   

   Crazy Little Thing Called Love (Queen At Live Aid)