Here’s What I Think About Flea Not Taking Photos with Fans – Meltdown

Earlier this week, I saw that Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers said that he wasn't crazy about taking pictures with fans. He said he'd rather have a great conversation and that asking for a picture ruins it immediately. Now, I get this, to a certain degree. I've seen people go nuts trying to get a picture with their favorite rock star, actor, etc. People are now able to document their experiences meeting some of their heroes. Sometimes it's a comic-con where fans pay for the chance to get a photo with someone they admire. Sometimes it's a chance meeting.

As far as I'm concerned, it's part of the job...to a point. If someone is having a dinner or doing something with their family, that could be a time when it's not acceptable. If you meet someone, especially at their concert, I'd say the artist should roll with the punches and grab a quick pic.

I was with a famous friend recently, and some fans came up and asked for a selfie. This person had every right to refuse or walk away; they did not. He was gracious and gave those people an experience they'll tell, and show, their friends.

It's ironic that I posted about this topic a couple weeks back. I've always wanted to preserve some of my favorite memories and meetings with pictures...long before technology gave us a camera in every pocket. I lost count at about 200 pictures on my walls.

I do have a couple selfies with some of the RHCP guys. One of the most interesting ways to take a selfie is what Tom Morello showed me. He takes the person's phone and takes it himself to make it as brief as possible and to get a good picture for the fans. Here's the proof of that...

It is not uncommon to hear some of rock’s biggest hits in television commercials, but when the rockstars themselves appear in the ad, that is surprising.

Here are just eight examples of rock stars appearing in TV commercials.

For reasons that haven’t been confirmed, the ad from 2000 never aired, but thanks to the wonder that is YouTube, it surfaced, and we’re thankful it did. Frankly, it’s an effective ad, and never has anyone performed the famous Folgers tagline jingle with such gusto!

This Capital One Banking ad featuring Slash premiered in July 2022.

The ad shows a band holding auditions for a new guitarist, and loe and behold, Slash shows up. Viewers see Slash -- top hat and all -- performing his iconic opening riff to the Guns N' Roses classic "Sweet Child O' Mine" while other potential guitarists look on in horror knowing they will not be picked to be in the band.

The ad's description on YouTube reads, "With no monthly fees or minimums and no overdraft fees, banking with Capital One is the easiest decision in the history of decisions. Even easier than choosing Slash to be in your band."

A few seconds into his "audition," a member of the band then tells Slash, "Stop. You're in," and the guitar god responds, "Oh, cool!" with a smile.

Vince Neil appeared in an ad for short-term loan provider Dollar Loan Center in May 2022. The ad is rather baffling for a number of reasons, from how Neil even got involved to the fact the ad is centered around Dollar Loan Center's "Loan Approval Machine," which happens to evoke The Cult's classic tune "Love Removal Machine." Whether that latter statement was the point of whoever came up with the ad's concept, it makes casting Neil in the ad all the more confusing because...well...The Cult and Motley Crue are two very different bands.

This Super Bowl ad took Steven Tyler back in time thanks to the Kia Stinger.

Who could forget Money as the best worst travel agent in this Geico campaign?

She's barely recognizable, but that conservatively dressed music teacher is Lita Ford in an ad for job site Indeed!  Amazing the difference a pair of horn-rimmed glasses, a bun and a floor-length skirt makes!

The Godfather of Shock Rock appears in this Staples ad to clarify the lyrics to "School's Out" to a very annoyed young girl who is clearly not looking forward to going back to school.

Appearing in a commercial seems like the most un-punk thing to do ever, but that's what John Lydon did in the late 2000's when he appeared in an ad for Country Life Butter.  He would later say he used the money earned from the ad to fund a tour for Public Image Ltd., because he was having various issues with his record label.