The 50 Greatest Beefs in Rock Music History

Legendary feuds aren't just reserved for rap.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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While hip-hop is the musical genre most known for beef, rock excels at it, too. Over the last half-century, rock bands and artists have picked fights with each other, as well managers, reporters, corporations, and politicians.

The rebellious attitude that's so synonymous with rock stars extends well beyond the aggression they channel into their music. Rock artists aren't expected to hold their tongue, and if history is any indication, they don't. The impetus for the genre's greatest feuds has been everything from forbidden romance to creative differences.

Most conflicts are unfortunate, effectively splitting up legendary bands and ruining relationships, but they're always entertaining. If you need proof, continue reading and check out The 50 Greatest Beefs in Rock Music History.

RELATED: Pigeons and Planes - The 50 Greatest New York Rock Bands

Written by Daniel Margolis

50. Tommy Lee vs. Kid Rock

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49. Limp Bizkit vs. Creed

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48. The Killers vs. The Bravery

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47. Steve Albini vs. Odd Future

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46. Radiohead vs. Miley Cyrus, Kanye West

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45. Pussy Riot vs. Vladimir Putin

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44. Jack White vs. Jason Stollsteimer

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43. Flaming Lips vs. Arcade Fire

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42. Pavement’s Spiral Stairs vs. Pitchfork

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41. Pavement vs. Smashing Pumpkins

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40. New Radicals vs. Beck, Hanson, Courtney Love, Marilyn Manson

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39. George Clinton vs. James Brown, Earth, Wind & Fire, Kool & the Gang, Rufus, and Sly & the Family Stone

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38. M.I.A. vs. Lynn Hirschberg

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37. Lou Reed vs. Journalists

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36. Negativland vs. U2

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35. Elton John vs. Madonna

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34. Lou Barlow vs. J Mascis

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33. Metallica vs. Napster

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32. Pearl Jam vs. Ticketmaster

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31. Nirvana vs. Pearl Jam

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30. Jeff Tweedy vs. Jay Bennett

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29. Jay Farrar vs. Jeff Tweedy

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28. Elvis Costello vs. Bruce Thomas

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27. Anthony Kiedis vs. Mike Patton

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26. Brian Jonestown Massacre vs. The Dandy Warhols

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25. Oasis vs. Blur

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24. Noel Gallagher vs. Liam Gallagher

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23. Ray Davies vs. Dave Davies

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22. Chris Robinson vs. Rich Robinson

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21. Aerosmith vs. Steven Tyler

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20. Neil Young vs. Stephen Stills

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19. The Eagles vs. each other

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18. The Yardbirds vs. Jeff Beck

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17. Gregg Allman vs. Dickey Betts

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16. John Fogerty vs. Creedence Clearwater Revival

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15. Levon Helm vs. Robbie Robertson

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14. Keith Richards vs. Mick Jagger

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13. Keith Richards vs. Chuck Berry

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12. John Lennon vs. Paul McCartney

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11. John Lennon vs. Bob Dylan

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10. George Harrison vs. Paul McCartney

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9. Paul McCartney vs. Yoko Ono

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8. Allen Klein vs. The Beatles, The Rolling Stones

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7. Mike Love vs. The Beatles, The Rolling Stones

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6. Debbie Harry vs. former Blondie members

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5. Dave Mustaine vs. Metallica, everybody

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4. Billy Corgan vs. Courtney Love

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3. Courtney Love vs. Dave Grohl

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2. Axl Rose vs. Slash

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1. Van Halen vs. David Lee Roth, Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony

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