Kings of Leon blast critics at Lollapalooza

[Refugee 7]

Kings of Leon frontman Caleb Followill halted the band's performance at this weekend's Lollapalooza Festival to blast their critics in a vulgar rant.

The 'Sex on Fire' hitmakers, who opened the Chicago, Illinois festival, found fame in the U.K. and abroad before establishing a fanbase in their native country, where they were largely ignored by mainstream music outlets.

And after drawing a crowd of thousands at the outdoor event on Friday, Followill stopped his act to lash out at those who ignored the group in the early stages of their career.

The rocker told the crowd, "A few years ago at travelling festivals, maybe 10 people would be out there to watch us. And we'd walk out with our moustaches and outfits, and those 10 would leave and we'd be f**ked... We know there are a million bands out there who deserve to be where we are. Lots of people have lost faith in Kings of Leon, but f**k it, man. We're having the times of our lives, right?"

[LizzieB 0]

Huh? If that's all he said, why would that be called blasting the critics?

[KansasPettyFan 1]

^ Really. lol

I love KOL!!!

[SingsInFrench 262]

"...found fame in the U.K. and abroad before establishing a fanbase in their native country, where they were largely ignored by mainstream music outlets."

Sounds like another band we know.

[KansasPettyFan 1]

^ I was thinking the same thing!

[weird monkey 0]

I saw them open for Bob Dylan in 2006 and not only did Cox Arena not empty out, there seemed to be a lot of enthusiastic KoL fans as well Dylan fans like me who thought they were great and stayed through their entire set. Before closing it, Followill thanked Bob for inviting them to open, and thanked the crowd for their warm reception, acknowledging that they weren't the band we all came to see that night. Not for the first time, I saw an incredibly talented young group and wondered why they weren't more well known. Bands breaking in Europe well before they do here, has been happening since at least the mid '70s, obviously. In fact Bob Dylan was already better known in England than here when "Freewheelin" was released in 1963.

Interestingly, someone just the other day was commemorating the loss of British DJ and icon John Peel 5 years ago, and noted Peel's almost singlehanded contribution in changing the face of rock music in Britain in the mid '70s, by giving airtime to bands that were otherwise being ignored by the popular media.

Comparing the drastic change between 1976 and 1977 in his "Festive 50" list of his listeners favorite songs that year, is amazing. From a list primarily comprised of songs and bands that had already been around 10 or more years, to songs and bands that had only just begun their careers. http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/festive50lists.htm

Even more drastic is comparing Peel's 1977 list with Rolling Stone critic Dave Marsh's top 50 for that same year. http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/dmsingles_72_80.htm

I think Caleb Followill has a legitimate gripe, but technology has at least made it easier to get a band's work out there.

Edited August 11, 2009 by weird monkey

[SingsInFrench 262]

^ Weird Monkey, couldn't help but notice that Marsh's top 40 albums lists from 77, 78, and 79 included our favorite band:

1977 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers #12

1978 You're Gonna Get It #8

1979 Damn the Torpedos #2

[weird monkey 0]

^ Weird Monkey, couldn't help but notice that Marsh's top 40 albums lists from 77, 78, and 79 included our favorite band:

1977 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers #12

1978 You're Gonna Get It #8

1979 Damn the Torpedos #2

Marsh's list isn't bad, just so very mainstream. I would have liked to have seen someone who had same stature here that Peel had in Britain, championing some of the talent. I used marsh mainly because there was a comparable list, but I would put them in the same peer group.

[JohnsonBibbyWag 0]

"...found fame in the U.K. and abroad before establishing a fanbase in their native country, where they were largely ignored by mainstream music outlets."

Sounds like another band we know.

Lol!