The Definitive History of Rock N' Roll Beefs

Rappers aren't the only one who like to talk tough. With a new storm brewing in the rock world, we look back at the genre's most notable tiffs.

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Complex Original

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Yo Win: come see me son. Leave the hurdy gurdy at home.

Proving that rappers aren't the only musicians with thin skin and too much time on their hands, indie rockers Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips (above, left) and Win Butler of the Arcade Fire(above, right) have apparently ignited a much-dreaded hipster beef this week. First Coyne went in on Butler and his group, saying that AF "really treat people like shit" and calling them "pricks." Butler then fired back, questioning whether Coyne is the "best judge if we are righteous, kind and goodhearted people." (Ho snap! That's cold.) Last we heard, Coyne was planning a series of Worldstar diss videos featuring his alter ego Slouchin' Spencer and had unearthed photos of Butler littering. Slow down, people! Increase the peace before somebody's ironic t-shirt gets ripped!

Sadly, this isn't the first case of rock n' rollers squabbling (just the most pathetic), and we've compiled an exhaustive list of six-string mudslinging, complete with their rap beef equivalents, in case you need some translation. Enjoy'just don't step on our blue suede shoes (bitch)...

NEIL YOUNG VS. LYNYRD SKYNYRD
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Taking exception to lyrics in Young's songs "Southern Man" and "Alabama," Skynyrd penned "Sweet Home Alabama" featuring the line: "I hope Neil Young will remember/A Southern man don't need him around, anyhow." The beef didn't last long though, with Skynyrd frontman Ronnie Van Zant later rocking Neil Young tees in concert, and Young playing "Sweet Home" in concert after members of LS were killed in a plane crash.

MICK JAGGER VS. KEITH RICHARDS
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The fellow Rolling Stones started beefing publicly in the mid-'80s when Jagger embarked on a solo career and called the Stones "tired old men." Of course they've managed to stay together another 25+ years (funny how making shitloads of money will do that) even though Keith mocked Mick onstage for having a "small cock" in 2005.

DAVID LEE ROTH VS. VAN HALEN
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Roth's been beefing with his former group since the mid-'80s when he was fired/quit and went solo, with DLR once saying his replacement Sammy Hagar would "sell the property rights to his butthole to get fame."

FLEETWOOD MAC VS. FLEETWOOD MAC
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Mainstays of classic rock radio, FM was famous for hoovering tons of coke and sleeping with each other until finally Lindsey Buckingham famously kicked his ex-girlfriend Stevie Nicks onstage (he was too high to remember).

NIRVANA VS. PEARL JAM
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Kurt Cobain accused PJ of being sellouts for having too many guitar solos on their debut album Ten, but that's probably not the reason he killed himself.

KID ROCK VS. TOMMY LEE
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Both former husbands of Pamela Anderson, Rock and Lee got into a fight at the 2007 VMAs, but they made up later that evening after sharing some homemade Oxycontin (this last part is, alas, totally made up).

AXL ROSE VS. THE WORLD
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Axl Rose hates everything, including, but not limited to: Nirvana, Vince Neil, Skinny Puppy (he hates all puppies), the Stone Roses, Marilyn Manson (used to date Rose Mcgowan), rose petal ice cream and Rosie O'Donnell.

DAVE MUSTAINE VS. METALLICA
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Mustaine got kicked out 'Allica for drinking and drug use before they got big and he never forgave them for it.

VARG VIKERNES VS. OYSTEIN "EURONYMOUS" AARSETH
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Guitarists for rival Norwegian black metal bands Burzum and Mayhem, Varg and Oystein were once pals, with Euronymous contributing background fist beatings on the Burzum track "Dungeons of Darkness." Then Vikernes started burning churches before eventually stabbing Oystein to death. However, contrary to popular myth, he did not yell "Euronymo!" while doing so.

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