The Top 10 Musical Wankers Ranked

[@patrickwalsh6233]

before we start... even if I disagree with you... You are right!

[@keithf_]

...a dn before I start to watch your video. Please decide never to wear that tee-shirt whilst doing one of these videos AGAIN. It's not clever. Whether you want attention, or whether you have something meaningful to say ... there's no need to wear that tee-shirt !

[@keithf_]

In fact I got 3 mins into your video ... and I'd had enough

[@nathanielnicholson559]

@@keithf_ Thank you for helping to illustrate the definition of 'wanker', but next time you enter someone's territory only to be appalled at their choice of deco maybe just leave without the whining ;)

[@EddyTeetree]

Yep u nailed it. Basically if you don’t agree with him your a wanker.

[@brianmoulton3093]

@@keithf_ He can wear that t shirt if he wants Keith, you wanker.

[@nannettefreeman7331]

I was delighted to see Don Henley at least NEAR the top of your list. He got me fired from my job at his management company back in the1990s because I could not patch his call through to his manager, who was in his car, in transit to Don's house, & was in an area of Malibu Canyon where there simply was no cell phone signal. I'll never forget what he said to me after I explained WHY I couldn't patch him through, APOLOGIZED for the inconvenience, & OFFERED to keep trying & immediately call him back as soon as his manager emerged from the canyon & had reception again. He said, "That's not good enough, sweety" with such venom in his voice, & then hung up, I knew I'd might as well start emptying my desk right then & there. When I started the job, I had been warned not to keep Don Henley waiting, under any circumstances, because he was, well, a wanker. OK, they didn't use the word "wanker," but it was implied. I don't know what else I could have done under the circumstances. I guess I could have forwarded his call to one of the other managers to buy a little time, but that probably would have got me fired too. He was truly the rudest, most demanding person I've ever had to deal with, & I really think he deserves to be #1 on this list, although Ted Nugent was really rude to me & my grandmother (c'mon, my GRANDMOTHER?!?) one time on an elevator. I also think both Gene Simmons & Henry Rollins deserve at least an honorable mention here. Both are smug know-it-alls who think they are better than thou. The difference between them is that Gene delights in exerting his imagined superiority over you, & will do so ad nauseum, & Henry has zero time to waste on anyone whom he doesn't deem worthy of interacting with his immanent greatness. Both complete wankers nonetheless. Sidenote: That same management company who managed Don Henley also managed Glenn Fry, with whom I never interacted, & Timothy B Schmidt, who was the sweetest, kindest, most soft-spoken, polite & patient artist on their roster. Don must have terrorized him when they were in the Eagles together! They also managed the Beastie Boys, who only came into the office one time while I was working there, & after finishing the coffee I poured for them, rinsed their mugs & placed them in the dishwasher themselves. Those boys' mamas surely raised them right! ✌️

[@paul_grimsley]

Brilliant insight. :-)

[@01Keltics]

So glad to hear that about Tim. He's been a favorite for many years.

[@edwardyazinski3858]

The Eagles flew in and out of an airport I used frequently. (Greenville SC) Some of the ground crew who were working on the day of their departure took a cpl photos. Henley verbally thrashed them for doing so. Complete dickasaurous. A close friend's friend lives next door to that asshat. One of his trees feel in her yard and fukkwit refuses to do anything about it. So, Prince, Kiss, and Tom Hanks too all used that airport. All were over the top cool and down to earth. Timothy.... he was close to a friend of mine in college who only had great things to say about him.

[@waltrohrbach2459]

yep, though i love the eagles since '75, don henley clearly is a first rate douche, your report comes as no surprise. A normal, half way decent person simply does not behave like that, never and if something like that happens, there would be an excuse for "having had a bad day", no firing. "Not good enough" at something outta ones reach? What a pompous behind! ( i've employed people and would be deeply ashamed if i had ever behaved like that- am rather like Timothy lol). Timothy B. Schmidt is the sincere nice guy, of course he is. Enjoyed your story, thx and Cheers.

[@globalnova]

Beastie good bois !

[@johnbellamy3406]

A very funny man died in the UK today. His name was Barry Cryer. One of his jokes was remembered on the radio today. It goes: Doctor: "You really need to stop masturbating." Patient: "Oh, why?" Doctor: "So I can examine you."

[@mackymccallum8652]

Shit, I liked Barry Cryer. RIP

[@timbeaton5045]

@@mackymccallum8652 Yep. Me too. Not only a really funny man, who wrote many scripts for other comedy acts, but who was incredibly supportive of the comedy community as a whole. he will indeed be missed.

[@kevinwillis6707]

good old barry, r.i.p

[@blacktoothfox677]

Barry... ahh the man was a tower of Everetts

[@kevinwillis6707]

@somedeveloperblokey Dougal!.. Hamish!

[@musiconrecord6724]

As a Brit (living in LA) I take particular delight in seeing an American so thoroughly embracing the word "wanker". It is the perfect word to describe a certain kind of person - and you nail it with each of your selections. Should you ever seek to broaden your English insults in this area, "tosser" is highly recommended. How I do enjoy your videos!!!

[@denise4487]

Knobhead and tosser are good 😂

[@jackdshellback3819]

"Twat" is also a good one.

[@ricochet243]

Bellend can be used in many many situations.

[@morebento]

Many Australian insults are also worth investigating: drongo, flog, munted

[@ROOKTABULA]

Stop by Canada: A lot of Brit slang and verbiage used here. Just look at the fukkking MAGA-Hoser _WANKERS_ and bell ends in Ottawa.

[@joe9042]

Me personally, I would have had Bono, in there. For all his on-stage lecturing.

[@kevinwillis6707]

yep, and an ego the size of an aircraft carrier

[@brianmcmahon732]

You've seen his "SF U2" rant where he gets things hilariously wrong? What a wanker 🤣 kzbin.info/www/bejne/nau1iIyIrt-Lbas

[@rosssmith8481]

That's what Ian McKay from Fuguzzi used to do. Shut up and play!

[@jennifertierney9076]

Me, too

[@Strimbles]

This guy loves the lefty globalist rockers

[@MCJ2527]

That was cool. I like how you're able to acknowledge the talent of the musicians in spite of their wankiness. I was however waiting for Kid Rock!

[@kevinwillis6707]

a good choice!

[@estenray6685]

A good choice but definitely not a musician!

[@theutopiantrainer]

I'll add to this Axl Rose, for his violence towards women, homophobia, and massive disrespect towards fans (regularly making them wait two hours, and walking off stages, and attacking them). I saw him at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert and he was brilliant. Fair play to him, he got his act together for the AC/DC tour. Ritchie Blackmore. To be honest, I don't have a strong view on him, just that it's telling when the rest of Deep Purple couldn't get on with him. Plus he spoke about wanting to beat Ian Gillan up. I'm not a fan of Dave Mustaine either. I love some Megadeth songs, but his whinyness about being kicked out of Metallica lasted for decades, showing no introspection. He has supported some dodgy politicians. Marylin Manson, for his treatment of band members and (alleged) treatment of women. I can't stand Oasis, but I prefer Liam to Noel Gallagher. He can take the piss out of himself, while Noel's a bad Tory.

[@glenlapwing8468]

And don’t forget his annoying nasaly voice, can’t listen to rock with bad singers & there’s a lot of them

[@stevejanowiak1982]

You hate conservatives and violence and weep for women, gays. I bet you’re a hit at parties, Gandhi!….Lighten the fuck up, man!! It’s rock and roll after all.

[@AdamSandaver]

Angus Young would never have used him as their front man if any of that was true. Which none of it has ever been proven to be.

[@johnwatts8346]

@@stevejanowiak1982 so agree with you, its rock n roll man, his homophobia is like 50th on the list of reasons why axl is a total f head a hole etc. and anyone who brings their (in sufferable) left wing politics into things is no doubt an annoying...

[@glenchapman3899]

To be fair to Richie, at the time GIllan had just dumped a plate of spaghetti on his head as a joke

[@sct27271]

I’m with you 100% on all of these and if people have a problem with you appropriating the word “wanker” just let them know that we definitely do use the word “cunt” here.

[@redstrat1234]

Indeed we use it - frequently and with great enthusiasm :)

[@thierrydefrance7220]

Hi Norman, just discovered your channel and I love it. Awesome vinyl collection. I am a music fan from Lyon and I have been exposed to pretty much the same kind of music as you. Regarding the musical wankers, I would like to add two. First: Lou Reed. He was obnoxious in interviews, absolutely full of himself. He could talk for ages on his (non-existent) guitar skills and congratulate himself for Metal Machine Music which to me is the musical equivalent of monochrome paintings. A wanker Supremo indeed. Two: Dylan. Come on, this guy has sabotaged his own masterpieces so often on stage and he did not even consider recovering himself his Nobel prize. A true kink of wankerism.

[@dannycoventry7927]

Rod Stewart for sending a congratulatory message to Boris on becoming prime minister.

[@kiekko673]

That whole 80’s sunset strip hair metal scene was absolutely FULL of wankers. In fact, there were more wankers than non-wankers. 😂

[@kensolar69]

They even did an entire movie about just that called, of course, Sunset Strip w/ Adam Goldberg playing a professional wanker at Oscar level.

[@kiekko673]

@@kensolar69 Alright. 😂 Thanks for the tip, have to check it out. ✌️

[@kensolar69]

@@kiekko673 And it really shows you Sunset Strip, you'll laugh, you'll cry, and some of the guitar work will send you to heaven. You sound like you'll know what I mean.

[@kiekko673]

@@kensolar69 Man, I was a kid in the 80’s, so all of those bands were my gateway to music. 😄

[@johnvoorhees7881]

Where should we start? Lmao 🤣

[@DetroitStars]

Very well said, I agree with your picks. Michelle Shocked could also be added to the list. Not only for the anti gay marriage meltdown she had at a San Francisco concert about 10 years ago, but also for the many bogus copyright infringement claims she filed against small Mom & Pop sellers of her used records and CDs on Amazon, eBay and other sites.

[@apollomemories7399]

My friends record shop has a stack of that album she had in the late 80's - seemingly the only one that some people bought. He couldn't give them away today.

[@ObjectorSnark]

that rant would've been the perfect part three for kids in the hall's "career-ending moments" kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6DIZWWhjNufgrM

[@petervirnuls7879]

I did wonder whether you’d used the right word in the title, but as soon as you mentioned Eric Clapton, I had all the assurance I needed.

[@benrankins4446]

Hi Mazzy, this was hilarious. Just because they're extremely good at one particular thing, doesn't mean that they're not a wanker like the rest of us. Honourable mentions: Bono & Roger Waters.

[@scrymglin]

Yeah I was a bit surprised Roger didn't make the list

[@kevinwillis6707]

@@scrymglin i think rogers redeemed himself a bit from his height of wankiness

[@marcraygun6290]

"Yeah but apart from all that what has science ever done for us?"-Van Morrison

[@mazzysmusic]

Ha. #wankerquote

[@hammerpocket]

Phil Spector made Ronnie Bennett (aka Ronnie Spector) a star, then after they got married he not only destroyed her career by preventing her from recording or performing, but barely let her leave the house. Eventually she fled through a broken window with the help of her mother.

[@Universityofvinyl]

Kid Rock is also deserving

[@brax7711]

You forgot to mention Ted Nugents love for underage girls. When he was 30 he had himself named legal guardian of his 17 year old girlfriend, so he could take her on tour. He also wrote and recorded a song called "Jailbait" about how much he loves them. The song ends with him being caught with a 13 year old and he tells the cop to put the cuffs on her instead and they can share.

[@mazzysmusic]

😵‍💫🥺

[@themoodyteam]

And the Ted’s toxic politics

[@lucalone]

just google who Jimmy Page was dating when he was 28 years old ...

[@owenmartin3307]

Look up Jerry Lee Lewis, chuck berry, bowie.

[@brax7711]

@@owenmartin3307 If you are referring to Lori Mattix with Bowie, there isn't any witnesses that can confirm they were ever together, and she was already living with Jimmy Page when it supposedly happened.

[@peteypetes4896]

Great list, Norm. I would have ranked Mike Love higher and would have tried to find a spot for Gene Simmons, but all-in-all a fun video to watch.

[@bwana-ma-coo-bah425]

YES!!! Gene Simmons.

[@mikehogan1257]

Great List. Saw Van at Sydney Entertainment Centre, full house 15k fans (flew 1300 miles from New Zealand to see the show). He walked out to opening bars of Moondance (which he never played), turned his back on the audience, played for an hour without turning around or saying a word then walked off

[@kevinwillis6707]

thats sounds like a normal van morrison gig. my mate asked me to come and see him in sligo ireland , i said nope the guys a wanker live, she was perplexed but went to the show, when i saw her next she said "you were spot on"

[@mikehogan1257]

@@kevinwillis6707 yup ... in my case i actually gave up my tickets to Springsteen to wife & daughter and went to Van instead. Springsteen played for nearly 3 hours, then when sitting in taxi in traffic outside the venue heard the "Booooooce" call still going so jumped out of the cab, strolled back in with his guitar, sat in the edge of the stage and called the 6-700 still there to come forward and he played acoustically for them for another hour or so. Oh the difference. Ever thought of doing a 10 "Non Wankers" list??

[@Longtack55]

What a kunt! Bob Dylan mumbled for an hour at a Christchurch, NZ show, playing none of his old numbers, and only after an hour of ghastly Annie de Franco start show. Wanker.

[@geoffb9999]

Saw Van at Glastonbury festival, there was a problem with his vocal microphone. So he sang a little through his harmonica microphone. The engineers were trying to resolve the issue but not fast enough for Van. He threw the microphone and stand across the stage and stomped off. Didn't return. Stroppy Wanker !

[@cheharrison7107]

Hahahaha brilliant, I agreed with all of them, I couldn't think of who could be no.1, but then when you said Ted Buttnugget I shouted 'haha to F**king right!'. Thanks dude, made me laugh.

[@EmbryonicRobot]

Excellent! I'd honestly put Kanye at #1, but I respect your choices.

[@georgeprice4212]

Legally, he's just Ye now...and can make up an entire list of his own.

[@bclarke4389]

Great video as usual, I would really have to throw Kid Rock in there near the top, but great choices all around! Thank You.

[@rangerwhite5165]

Van is from my neck of the woods in N.I. He is renowned for being off with people saying hello to him or approaching him. My late father went to school with him at Orangefield and said he was strange back then, but remembers him playing the harmonica in the playground. I know people who have met Eric Clapton in Iceland while fishing and said he was really nice. Probably depends what day these people have bad, apart from Van. lol.

[@wambugumassive]

Great choices, although I think a certain Reginald Dwight could have been a hot contender!

[@ronh.798]

Good list, could have easily done a top 20 with the addition of a lot that others have mentioned in the comments. Wasn't sure what to expect here but starting with Mike Love was brilliant. I worked at a Marriott hotel years ago, he was very unpopular with staff when they stayed there. The most non-wanker was Alice Cooper, he took the time to talk to me about horror movies and baseball, the Coop was cool.

[@ProjectFlashlight612]

Alice does not take himself 100% seriously, which is the key to keeping your ego stable.

[@riloh58]

The man was a guest on The Muppets. Tells you all you need to know. He’s alright in my book.

[@johncinfloridausa2236]

So long as he didn't let one of his giant snakes escape into the hotel. (An urban legend repeated in every town in which he's rented a hotel room.) The radio announcer on my station said that he is one of the greatest rock and roll singers too. I think he's right.

[@NewFalconerRecords]

Was hovering around the like button during your intro but smashed it as soon as you said #10. I mean, anyone who wears driving gloves while laying down a vocal track immediately qualifies for this list. I'd add Gene Simmons immediately (he was top-of-mind when I saw the title) and Richie Blackmore. Thought that the inclusion of Ginger Baker was a bit harsh until you reminded me about him blowing all that tour money on polo horses. I need to watch 'Beware of Mr Baker' again. Glad you left some of the low-hanging fruit alone, such as Bono -- U2's appearance on 'The Simpsons' was a glorious bit of self-depreciation, when the band (excluding Adam) decide to go to the pub while Bono starts up ("here he goes again"). Most of this list wouldn't allow themselves to be the butt of jokes like that, case-in-point Morrissey who complained about his portrayal on that show. I'm so on the fence regarding Jack White, but I think I've come around to him enough to say that he's 49% wanker.

[@bookmarksbindery7850]

Poor Adam Clayton. "Can I come too?" -- (Edge and Larry) "No". I also loved R.E.M.'s appearance on the Simpsons. I'd considered Michael Stipe a borderline wanker, but when he smashed that beer glass in the alternative Moe's Tavern and was about to get violent, until Peter Buck stepped in and said: "No Michael! That's not the R.E.M. way", I lost it.

[@rosssmith8481]

Have you read about Jack White trying pick fights with Patrick Carney from the Black Keys. Pretty pathetic.

[@edwardyazinski3858]

As as teenage fan back when, Gene was exceedingly cool and generous. A few of my friends got back stage at Budokan after a Deep Purple show. Blackmore was a complete asshat. Roger Glover the opposite.

[@nobodyspecial1541]

Why Jack White?

[@iangoold4262]

Two words spring immediately to mind - Gene Simmons.

[@NewFalconerRecords]

You beat me to it!

[@davidmacleod9313]

Kid Rock, Kanye West, Ted Nugent, Boy George, Lars Ultrarich, the rest of Metallica, Billie Ilish, Yoko Oh no,

[@atomiccritter6492]

Ive heard anecdotes and Simmons seems an okay guy

[@weementaldavy5987]

Gene Simmons is all ten .

[@NewFalconerRecords]

@@weementaldavy5987 Some once said that while most people form a band because they want to be the next Beatles, Gene Simmons' ambition was the be the next Coca-Cola, I think there's something in that. Even people who speak well of Gene Simmons say that when you meet up with him, all he wants to talk about is how much money he's making compared to you.

[@amosperrine1909]

Spot on. Top wankers in the audience are those who stand behind you and talk during the entire show. Yep, paid money to do that.

[@TimsGuitarWorldwithTimFeskorn]

I like the some of Beck/McCartney Collab.😎 Great Vid Mazz. I'll shut up now.

[@johnvender]

Agree with all your selections but I feel Bono and Lars Ulrich both deserve to be in the top ten. Hard to call which wankers they would replace in your list :)

[@max10345]

Sad news from the world of music today. Rocker Ted Nugent found alive.

[@williamgullett5911]

What sissy music do you like?

[@glenchapman3899]

@@williamgullett5911 The list is not about their musical abilities, which Nugent has more than enough, but their personality away from the music.

[@wylieroth3145]

If you're takin' votes up in here, I'll cast one for Nugent.

[@karenglenn6707]

As an Aussie it’s one of my favourite words, especially while driving. Obviously adopted from our British ancestors. Wanking however has a completely different meaning here.

[@TheHeeksy]

Wanking or "having a wank" (Can't believe that I'm typing this) has the same meaning for us "Poms" 😉

[@Mr121953]

Oh my how you and I are so alike , I couldn't agree more ...Just about my complete list as well , one other I would include would be dear old Paul McCartney and how since the death of John and expecially George , he has reinvented the whole Beatles history thing ...He was never wrong , it was always the others blah blah ...Revisionist history par excellence. Love your sence of irony , you do have a very funny way of not being serious .

[@stevebradley704]

UK here. Great to see you using and understanding the subtleties and wider meaning of this British expression. Love it.

[@vinylrichie007]

As a true wanker I approve of this video.

[@helgar791]

I saw Van Morrison 3 times in the early and mid 70's. Van always had an angry and antagonistic relationship with his audiences, no matter how loving or enthusiastic we were. Plus, listening to him play the saxophone was always an exercise in his self indulgence. But Eric is close to the worse IMO. His list includes being a terrible drug addict/alcoholic, with those drug problems helping to break up Cream. Stealing George Harrison's wife, and being such a horrible, drug addicted and abusive husband to her, being a terrible, absent father, losing her, then writing a great album with her as the subject (a point of never ending embarrassment to her and George). Finally, the way he treated Bobby Whitlock during and after leaving Derek and The Dominos, and his racism after appropriating black culture all of his life and making a fortune off of it. Others on the list here are bad, but dick head Eric for me is near the top of the list. Top of the list is Phil Spector. Period, end of sentence. Kanye is just a narcissistic, thieving jerk in comparison, not an arrogant, woman abusing, murdering, kidnapper, that destroyed and limited more careers than he promoted, like Spector. Nugent? C'mon. Yeah, he's a crazy, talent challenged, idiot that rarely thinks his views through and believes he's the smartest guy in the room. But, he was never influential or made the music Spector or Clapton did. Nothing he did is comparative.

[@StonefieldJim4]

Absolutely spot on re: EC. I got to the two-minute mark with that recent documentary about him. Then I thought, "What am I doing? I hate this wanker, and this'll be a fucking whitewash."

[@edd2771]

EC has done lots of good and has had his challenges just like any human. George Harrison loved him till the day he died. Unless your own life is pristine, keep your sanctimonious BS to yourself and just enjoy the music.

[@helgar791]

@@edd2771 Excuse me for not genuflecting. Nowhere have I tried to display my moral superiority nor have I tried any virtue signaling, as you have here. Norm lists him in his top ten wankers. No problem for you. I say he's number two on the list and I'm sanctimonious? Perhaps you'll need a full body condom as you dive head first into Eric's wondrous spew.

[@neilgodfrey6578]

@@helgar791 "wondrous spew", love it.

[@Duh6666666]

My mother once saw him fire a musician live on stage in Montreal.

[@bobdarlington4634]

Abso-bloody-lutely love this video Mazzy, I was smiling from the minute you started ! You've proven once again that's it's perfectly acceptable to love some music by (most of) these wankers, but also laugh at their tremendous egos, arrogance and utter dickheadedness. More power to you mate, and thanks for the fun, we need it now more than ever.

[@tonymiller3182]

I've no time for most "Best" lists of artists, but, boy, have you nailed this one Mr Maslov! I might quibble a bit with the order, but the members? No sir! Being English myself, I find your use of the term "Wanker" both hilarious and somehow completely apt. Well done sir!

[@andrewmundenandcadfellmast4624]

Ha ha, must have been difficult to come up with a top ten!! There are so many wankers in the music industry. As an aussie, wanker is a standard part of our language too, and its good to see you fully understand the term! Here, the meaning can vary, depending on the tone of voice and context used, from a friendly insult (how you going you silly wanker?) to a warning (dont be a wanker mate), to a full on insult (that guy is a dead set wanker)... But you have taken the standard, british middle road definition, which is cool, (as in, that guy is a tool).

[@glenchapman3899]

Fair list. I would add Richie Blackmore - genius guitarist, but a very volatile personality. Ronnie James Dio once said Richie taught him how not to treat fans. And although not a musician Malcom McLaren, who was such a low life he would need to reach up to scratch a snakes belly. Oh and honorable mention to Roger Waters, nothing more than a life support system for an over inflated ego.

[@CB-vg1wq]

This was great fun, It would be interesting to see a list of musicians who were helpful to others. I would list Joan Jett for helping out the Germs. I would also list Debbie Harry for her helping Jeffery Lee Pierce.

[@briankorbelik2873]

The Germs were stoopid but very funny.

[@apollomemories7399]

The Germs amounted to no more than a dot on my used tissue. Can we have some Real Talent names?

[@robinbeckford]

Good list. As an Englishman, I'm glad you like 'wanker' as a description of such people. We also use 'tosser'. In the US, perhaps 'jerkoff' comes closest.

[@Levenstone132]

I attended a Van Morrison gig some years ago in the UK. The crowd called for an encore at the end as Van the man f*^*ed off in his helicopter.Hilarious. I did enjoy the Lyle Lovett playing on the PA though.

[@JochenVogel]

You're certainly a ranker, sir. And a master-baiter. You made me watch this video and I actually enjoyed it.

[@aquatarkus2022]

Malcolm McDowell once played a decadent rock star obviously based on Rod Stewart and Mick Jagger named Reggie Wanker.

[@alanwilton6806]

I’m English and being from London, in fact I’m from Lewisham which is where Ginger Baker was born and grew up, it always sounds strange when I hear a non Brit say the word wanker. In my part of London the word would have a much harsher sound to it. It sounds more like wankah where I’m from. Also the word asshole would sound more like arse’ole. You sound far too refined but I agree with your comments.

[@jaysterling26]

I feel ( as one fron the opposite side of the river) that one needs to go full 'W' & go arms length away from the wanker in order to administer the hand gesture for a touch of élan ( is that a wanky word to use?).Cheers.

[@tonyrowinski6278]

"We're gonna need a bigger boat" for this list. So glad Nugent topped your list --- he's the first one who came to mind for me.

[@richardbloore9480]

From one wanker to another. Great vid mate! It brought a smile to my face on a rainy wet afternoon. Cheers matey!😂

[@sambaaxe]

I gotta say that you absolutely nailed much of it, especially #1 and #2, although those two are really close pics for the #1 spot!

[@tonyh6951]

Splendid piece of work. As a Brit in my 50s, I can say that there is one consistent and very simple measure we've duly incorporated throughout our lives when passing judgement on a bloke in our midst ... He's a 'good lad', or he's a 'wanker'. Save yourself unnecessary time and energy. This nail on the head moment - given between those who's opinion we value - has stood us in good stead. Either description fully encapsulates the matter in hand without the need for any further qualification or justification.

[@danneeson7056]

Nugent has always been too full of himself. He had myself and my girlfriend thrown out of Maple Leaf Gardens after a show. Nugent said we looked too much like hippies [ this was in the early 80s] I have had the good fortune of being backstage with a number of groups including Motorhead and Hawkwind. All good natured people in those bands. Met Lemmy many times from 81-95 and he was always friendly..

[@robertreynolds1044]

A few years ago I was working as a stagehand in Sturgis for the James Gang headliner, with the nuge opening. I offered some pot to the James guy, he didn't need it, but came back to me a few minutes later saying that the drum tech from nugent wanted some. I gave him some, but later i asked him about it because of teds anti-drug stance, and he said that the guitar tech had been "hiding" it from him for nearly 20 years. Nugent is a huge hypocrite, 2 of his women have died from drugs (alcohol) My name is Bicycle Bob and I approved this message.

[@prokesuk]

Funny that you mention Hawkwind. There are two connections to them on this list.

[@ProjectFlashlight612]

Lemmy was a great fella

[@danneeson7056]

@@prokesuk Hawkwind has had dozens of members over the years including Ginger Baker. So finding a wanker might be a little easier. I first met them during the 1989 North American tour. They were still party guys and i smoked weed with Alan Davey whom Dave Brock had warned the weed here was stronger than they were used to. Alan got so high he got on stage before realizing he had forgotten his bass guitar in the dressing room. True story.

[@danneeson7056]

@@ProjectFlashlight612 One of my favorite Lemmy moments was the two of us drinking JD watching Alice Cooper in Maple Leaf Gardens. Another time he had just finished writing the lyrics to the song Orgasmatron and handed me the piece of paper and asked me what i thought. Very down to earth person.

[@Mr3DBob]

I agree with most of your choices. #10 especially, and #1 even moreso. Kanye could have five places to himself. Most of these had their moments of greatness, but mixed with egregious asshattery. Good idea for a video review, and I admire your chutzpah (to appropriate a term from outside my culture)

[@stevesandford1437]

Very amusing... (And pretty accurate!!!) Since I'M THE GUY who took the 'count' from 999 to 1K I'll add this?) AMERICAN folks can't really say 'wanker' correctly, just like we in Europe make a mess of saying 'motherfucker'... (It's an accent/emphasis thing...) XXXXX SF (Just SUBSCRIBED, you're knowledgeable and FUNNY!!!)

[@normangish]

I sort of follow you Maslov, and mostly agree with many of your opinions on records, but this is my absolute favorite of your efforts...and as an Englishman, so good to see an American correctly use the term wanker...cheers

[@Vlad65WFPReviews]

Watching the doc on Baker, what was worse was how horribly he ignored his own son while going on and on and on about different Afro drummers, It was cold and cruel.

[@davidschecter5247]

Great list! I think Mike Love should be higher on the list, because of the damage he caused possibly the greatest composer/producer/musician in our time, but I really enjoyed your list. I wish you could put Nugent higher than Number 1 -- perhaps "ZERO?"

[@mazzysmusic]

Ha ❣️

[@apollomemories7399]

Perhaps that damage was somewhat more self-inflicted?

[@maddog8621]

Mike Love should be higher due to his appalling dancing

[@donagh1954]

Mike Love's outburst of stupidity at the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame should place him at number One for all eternity. If you practice TM do you become brain damaged?

[@klyvemurray]

@@donagh1954 Yeah!! Mike's a TOTAL wanker!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmfbiphjmNNojqc

[@keriford54]

I surprisingly really enjoyed this much more than i thought I would, you delivered this with charm and without vitriol. You had me when you started with Mike Love, it'd be worth doing an extended video on him. Had no problems with any of your comments, I really like much of Van Morrison's work too and haven't explored his wankyness. Your take on Oasis was classic, I saw them in concert and Liam's wankyness ruined the concert.

[@atomiccritter6492]

Yes I watched this video all the way through and it seemed objective laced with a bit of sadness that these artists would be such wankers

[@paul_grimsley]

Forgive me but, who bought tickets to oasis gigs? Begins with a W.

[@michaelwright664]

Totally agree on Mike Love and it’s always the biggest confusion in music Van Morrison ! The guy is a genius but definitely in the crazy way Lol, like most Artist’s I’m pretty sure it’s because he’s very insecure deep inside but he seems to project too his audience that he is some biblical Jazz Prophet ! Even writing song’s about himself in the third person or writing so many songs complaining about his fame, it’s pretty much guaranteed he has at least one or two songs complaining about it on any of his Albums from the last ten years, even musicians have hilarious stories of getting abused by a drunken Van, the best one I remember was and for the life of me I can’t remember the musician but he said he was at a friends house who was a well known promoter and this musician was a huge fan of Van anyway it was late in the evening and Van had grabbed a guitar and started playing songs for everyone then when there was a break Van asked “ anyone want to request anything “? So grabbing his chance this musician says “ what about Crazy Love” to which a drunken Van starts yelling “ What the hell do you know about my life! You know nothing! “ 🤣 this of course freaked the musician out and almost everyone in the room, anyway it does have a happy ending because the musician was asked by the owner to stay the night and not to worry, Van always has emotional outbursts when he hits the bottle, of course later that night Van goes searching for the musician and says “ come on! We are going to both play Crazy Love , I sing a verse and you sing a verse now where’s ya guitar “ and they actually played a few of his rare songs together so he still remains a big fan of Morrison, at the end of the day all musicians are human but yeah some are definitely worse than others, like Steven Tyler or Vince Neil, Ginger Baker might be one of the best drummer’s of all time but he was one of the worst humans as well, how he treated friends but especially family members was absolutely terrible, especially his own son, Gene Simmons is in the same league as Ted Nugent, I sometimes wonder about one’s like Keith Moon but then I wonder if some of them weren’t diagnosed as being on the spectrum ?

[@benk3999]

The world takes itself too seriously. Great Video. Love the humor.

[@stevecunningham8889]

I am stunned that Sting didn’t feature anywhere. Crowded field though for sure. Great work.

[@mikemorgan7893]

Sting a cool name in 1979 less so when he’s pushing 70

[@RealJeffTidwell]

A masterclass in separating the art from the artist. Awesome video as always, Mazz!

[@GlenKellawayfromthebasement]

Great video Mazzy..I can’t argue with one of your choices, especially loved you included Henley and Frey..I was hoping Ted Nugent would be there..Also Kid Rock…👍❤glen

[@mazzysmusic]

Glen Ted was number 1 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@GlenKellawayfromthebasement]

@@mazzysmusic and well deserved..I might say👍

[@gedders1604]

Anybody you encounter in the UK who says 'dude' IS a wanker

[@jaysterling26]

Awesome comment!!!

[@marcusistic]

Hilarious video! Personally I would've liked to have seen Lou Reed or Roger Waters on the list.... Great stuff Norman! x

[@RobertsOnMyTurntable]

You explained it perfectly and I agree with all of it. Well said!

[@billaitken2989]

He watched the Ginger Baker doc 3 times. I found once was enough. Horrible man.

[@mightyV444]

I'd only made it through halfway! Painful to watch!

[@markhutchins7808]

We need a second list so we can add Dave Clark and G G Allin. And I'd like to give special mention to Stanley Crouch, even though he's only a critic.

[@briankorbelik2873]

And Lester Bangs, he thought he was a critic but was a Jim Morrison wannabe wanker.

[@f.w.2054]

Lester was great and he constantly belittled the pretentiousness of Jim Morrison!

[@apollomemories7399]

@@briankorbelik2873 At least he had credible taste unlike most of the Rolling Stone jerks, exception to that rule being Cameron Crowe.

[@brucetucker4847]

@@briankorbelik2873 He really could write, though. he was the music critic version of Hunter S. Thompson. His review of Tull's "Thick as a Brick" is an all-time classic.

[@brucetucker4847]

GG Allin wasn't a wanker. I'm not sure there's a word for what he was, but wanker definitely isn't it. Batshit insane and offensive to the point of a religious devotion, maybe.

[@davidevans3175]

Clapton, Crosby, Phil Collins, Paul Rodgers (#1 wanker), Liam and Noel, Don Henley, Kanye, Gene Simmons, Axl Rose, for a start. (I left this comment before the video - still a couple left for Top Ten Wankers Ranked #2).

[@kevinwillis6707]

has paul rodgers got a rep as a wanker? thats a shame

[@usaturnuranus]

Nugent - friend, you nailed that one and earned a sub in the process. Well done post.

[@eirikrdberg1161]

I looooove the beach boys 1976 dvd. Seen it soooo many times.

[@shaunboden6951]

I remember watching Mork and Mindy when I was a kid and in one episode there was a Mr and Mrs wanker and it shocked me to keep hearing Mork say Mr Wanker :)

[@davidb8731]

The world was bigger then. It was hilarious watching that on daytime TV in the UK. I had it on audio tape as proof for years. There was also the standup Jasper Carrott who did a great skit about how a guy in the US could easily be called Harry Bollocks and no-one would bat an eyelid.

[@martinkulkarni3569]

Also, in Married With Children, a fabulous old US comedy, the mother’s maiden name was Wanker, Peggy Wanker. Have no idea how or where they got that from, given the term is only in the UK in those days!

[@MrMatthiasSchneider]

The Oasis brothers have definitely grown on me. I didn't used to get their schtick, but let's be honest, they're hilarious - both of them. And I don't even really like their music that much. The somewhat recent rant by Liam about having to make his own tea backstage is pure comedy.

[@ChromeDestiny]

I give the edge to Noel, his commentary track on the Oasis video hits DVD and collaborations with The Chemical Brothers really changed my mind about him.

[@billk9856]

I agree they are great value, the fact Noel would add a woman playing scissors to his band basically to trigger Liam is just hilarious.... and go watch the youtube videos of Liam being interviewed by school kids ...

[@paulshepherd9713]

Very entertaining. As an Englishman I will point out wanker isn't really associated with any of those dictionary definitions, it's basically just an everyday, nationwide substitute for the word idiot. Tosser is another good one in regular use. I can't knock your list but I would have left Mike Love out because he is so cheesy it's fun - and I quite like Kokomo too! I did notice a lot of your choices were defined by your politics, which is fair enough, I'd have the likes of Eddie Vedder, Tom Morello and Bruce Springsteen in my list for much the same reasons. I'm surprised you missed out on Kid Rock though, he seems to up there with Ted Nugent as the media's public right wing enemy number one. And you're 100% right about Liam Gallagher...absolute wanker! A good watch, thanks.

[@filton0]

Yes - 'tosser' is maybe a little weaker and less vulgar than 'wanker' (I could use 'tosser' around my mum, but wouldn't feel comfortable using 'wanker'). Agree with the list, and coming in at number 11 ... Sting! But no women? (I'm sure there are some, but then the question arises: Can we use 'wanker' for women? Hmmm...).

[@mazzysmusic]

Yeah it’s all for fun. Some folks take it too seriously thanks for your English take on it ✌🏽

[@brianmoulton3093]

Of course everyone is entitled to their political views Paul, but I just have to say that I certainly don't like yours. And you surely wouldn't deny that Boris Johnson is a wanker, would you?

[@yellyman5483]

Paul Sherpard I don`t think Kid Rock behaves as bad as Ted Nugent. I have never heard Kid Rock being racist.. You can be a conservative and a nice human being. I know many nice conservative people. I am very left leaning myself, but i don`t care about other peoples politics. BUT i care when people are being racist pigs, or homophobic cause that`s NOT acceptable.. As a Norwegian who has been in the UK many times i know that you have a HUGE problem with racism in the UK. You also have a moron for PM. I also think the Scots should get their independence. Especially after Brexit, cause that changed the whole ballgame. It is also very interesting that Scotland has NEVER ever voted for a tory PM. Thatcher lost Scotland everytime, but she won the south of England which is more conservative than the north and Scotland. Go up to Newcastle, Liverpool and Manchester and ask them how they feel about the tory party screwing them over in the 80`s.

[@robmcmahon8149]

Mazzy I love everything you said and I know exactly what you meant! I also agree with the guy before me that said you missed Neil Young!

[@becool1ng]

Great list! Great minds think alike😁. Just wondering if Ian Anderson should be on that list, though. We could gauge opinions in grouse-heaven for starters!!

[@fattymcfatso1083]

Phil Spector also waved his gun at the Ramones. I believe that was the way he asserted his authority over artists.

[@tomc8888]

He once fired a gun in a studio while John Lennon was doing sessions for his "Rock and Roll" album. Lennon reportedly said something like "Phil, if you're gonna kill me, ok, but spare my ears, I need them."

[@keef7224]

He held The Ramones hostage at gunpoint for days and wouldn’t let them leave his mansion.

[@fattymcfatso1083]

@@keef7224 Until they finished End of the Century?

[@fattymcfatso1083]

@@keef7224 Dee Dee didn't even realize they were being held hostage until Joey told him after the fact . . (not verified)

[@DocRobertable]

Spector was once supposed to have pulled a gun on Stevie Wonder which seems a strange way to frighten Stevie when you think about it.

[@peterbland7227]

Can’t argue with your list. Especially The Eagles. They were one of the acts at our company’s 30th Anniversary (along with Bob Dylan, Black Eyed Peas, and Matchbox 50). The Eagles were so blacked and boring, we just walked out early. They could have put on s CD and you wound have known the difference. By contrast Dylan gave an epic performance.

[@Simon_Hawkshaw]

You could also use 'tosser' .. thanks for your amusing opinions. You saying 'wanker' makes me chuckle every time.

[@mikewilson3581]

One name: Lou Reed! I love The Velvet Underground and solo classics like Berlin and New York, bit after reading the Anthony DeCurtis biography I was a bit disgusted with the man. Especially the story of Lou, in the early 90's, having a homeless man, not bothering anyone, ejected from a bank lobby while Lou was waiting in line to use an ATM. Not as bad as some of the other tales but that one story revolted me.

[@grantwallace1882]

I read Nick Tosches Jerry Lee Lewis biography.... He qualifies.

[@jcjuanis3831]

Hi Mazzy....You forgot Neil Young, didn't you? Neil walked away from Buffalo Springfield, Neil walked away from CSNY, Neil walked away mid tour from Steve Stills, when Neil helped reformed CSNY he got 50% and left his partners to share the rest, and Neil Young walked away from his marriage when his wife was dying of cancer. That's what I'd call a wanker. Love your show...

[@briankorbelik2873]

You have to remember though, old Neil has never been quite right in the head. Don't make fun of the mentally handicapped. 8-)

[@Slinkygal]

@@briankorbelik2873 So, that's why his hair always looks so 😜 wild. I still love him, though.

[@geofftayloruk]

He only ever wanted to be a side-player with CSN, which is why he was never filmed for their Woodstock appareance.

[@apollomemories7399]

@@geofftayloruk Yet despite that claim he sang lead vocals on three songs at Woodstock. Yet he's also heavily featured throughout 4 Way Street. Kinda weird side-player, eh?

[@elforeigner3260]

Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young were all a super bunch of wankers 😀😀😀

[@MarcG7424]

Nugent could occupy at least 5 of those places by himself

[@mightyV444]

I've only watched as far as #10 and am already vigorously nodding in agreement! Hearing about Mike Love's behaviour around the original 'Smile' sessions while Brian Wilson was putting in sooo much heart and effort into that album's creation made me truly despise that guy! And bloody 'Kokomo' often plays from a pub in my neighbourhood when I walk by. I used to be in bands myself in which the least skilled and least creative members would dump on everyone else's input in order to get things *their* way; Just horrible! Should be interesting to find out now what even *bigger* tossers there are, after already such a massive one... 😂

[@KristopherCraig]

Wow! You nailed it. Correct from 10-1.

[@allenaviation5746]

No shortage of assholes in music, dead (Michael Jackson) or living (David Crosby). It would be harder to come up with top 10 good guys.

[@edd2771]

Crosby- good call. Loathsome human cloaking himself in virtue.

[@MsAppassionata]

MJ was not an asshole. You’re one for believing all that rubbish about him supposedly being a pedo.

[@jamesrobertson9149]

I personally disagree with your opinion on Ginger Baker. Baker was an eccentric, crazy guy. But he wasn't a wanker.

[@bastiaan4129]

If you beat people with your walking cane for no reason whatsoever, you're a wanker.

[@blacktoothfox677]

he was really, really tough to work with though. I adore Ginger but he was a moody old coot, trust.

[@purechillout420]

Yeah he was.

[@RC-74]

Clapton was always one who I really enjoyed. I have quite a bit of his music, and bought his autobiography. I finally saw the wanker that he is when he came to my city and performed live. He came out, played his music, sang his songs. Not once, not even once did he look at or even acknowledge his audience, or say one word outside of his singing. Sure, the music was great, but I left with an empty feeling. I wondered, why have I looked up to him so much through the years (I'm in my 70's). I would say he is a wanker in all capital letters! And no, I don't think he owes his audience anything, but perhaps he could have shown us a little smile or quick wave of the hand. Oh well, I can always go back to watching someone like Rod Stewart who interacts with fans quite humanely.

[@andersdottir1111]

Artists who can’t interact with the audience shouldn’t bother - stay in the studio. Clapton is a textbook narcissist.

[@jjdiazmiro]

Great vid Mazzy. Hilarious!! I would like to see a show on the nicest musicians as well.

[@BlackheartCharlie]

I was sort of surprised not to see Frank Zappa on your list. I love (some of) his music and admire his off-the-wall brilliance. We need someone like him today. But, wow, that ego!!! Wondering what other folks think.

[@caspartrimmer540]

Apparently quite a nice bloke in person, though I so often wish he'd kept his gob shut on politics, culture and sexuality. I read a memoir by his English assistant in the late 60s and his complete ignorance of the world beyond his entourage explained a lot (but didn't deter him from posing as a social commentator). Still, there are far bigger wankers.

[@derekroberts6654]

i’m actually surprised i didn’t see Bono, he’s been picked on by a lot of people recently…

[@Dreyno]

I know a lot of people hate him for his humanitarian lecturing etc. but apparently he’s an absolutely lovely man in person. Never heard of him doing a bad turn to his band mates or anyone else. Just the fact that they split their royalties evenly five ways between the band and their manager despite him and the Edge doing the bulk of the songwriting means he doesn’t fit in this particular list. IMO only of course.

[@edwardyazinski3858]

@@Dreyno Don't see Bono as a wanker at all. Earnest yes. Does he care about the bigger world? I think so. Does he use his success to help others. Yes I think he does. I wonder what those who bad mouth him have done to help the greater community.

[@edd2771]

He was only a part time musical artist, but he must surely exceed even Mike Love (your best pick): The one, the only, Jerry Lewis.

[@mikeuk4130]

Presumably, that's Jerry Lee Lewis. Real Big Wanker.

[@edd2771]

@@mikeuk4130 actually both

[@Daijyobanai]

Some people take this so seriously, but Mazzy is trying not to laugh the whole time. Is there a Top 10 Musical Top Folk Ranked episode? Who's the nicest, most huggable love dumpling of music, ranked by Mazzy ? We've had a negative, now let's have a positive.

[@noelmurray1]

You should do a KZbin video on "The Top Tosser of All Time"! YOU!

[@joolslaloosh]

God damn it I love your T-shirt! It just rolls off the tongue.

[@FloatingAnarchy61]

Do you know what, I watched this expecting to disagree with a few, but I can't. You're spot on with all of them. Watched a doc about Michael Hutchence the other day. They showed the clip of the Wanker Brothers accepting an award at the Brits from Hutchence. Poisonous dwarf Noel, who you know can be more sensitive and intelligent than he makes out (Liam's a lost cause I'm afraid). He says something like 'Has beens shouldn't give awards to gonna be's'. Poor Michael looks absolutely devastated, there was absolutely no need for it, apart from the column inches they knew they'd get the next day. I've got a great Morrissey story. Went to a festival in 2011 called the Hop Farm in Kent (England). Realty great line up including the Eagles, Patti Smith, Iggy. They also added a third day with Prince, who was stunning, but that's another story. Morrisey played on the saturday as the headliner (above Patti Smith, Iggy and Lou Reed). Me and my brother were having a tea saturday morning before the bands started. We were sat in front of a stall called 'Aussie Steak Burgers'. All of a sudden we saw a bloke climbing a ladder. He had a bit of cloth and covered up the offending word 'steak'. Next thing some joker from the stall grabs a megaphone and starts stomping around the site, shouting 'Step away from the burger, Morrissey in the area'. Truly, one of the funniest things I've ever seen.

[@monadarling74]

And now who's the has-been, while Hutchence is still a legend.

[@charleschavarria7523]

Oasis was supposed to be: “Quote The NY Times the greatest band ever better the top four Beatles,Led Zeppelin,Rolling Stones,Pink Floyd.and that never happened.that was terrible what they said about Hutchence.they is the band and that Idiot.oasis never got bigger than INXS…

[@rosssmith8481]

Great story. That's hilarious. One thing I could never figure out, since it appears, we have similar tastes in music. I could never figure out what the appeal was with Prince? Even back in 1983 I bought a sampler album, that was promoting new artists and Prince was in it and I thought this song "little red corvette", won't go anywhere.

[@TheHumbuckerboy]

@@charleschavarria7523 So much hype, promotion and publicity but usually average musical output most of the time ... very over-rated indeed.

[@estenray6685]

@@charleschavarria7523 and INXS was by far the better band!

[@ActualChef]

You hit the nail in the head with Nugent. He hunts and that’s great I’m totally into having a direct, primal link to your food. But his history with underaged women and his casual misogyny and racism is deplorable. Not to mention how certain he is that he’s 100% right all the time. Total Wanker!

[@sclogse1]

But the reason Ted hunts is not about food.

[@max10345]

You mean captain poopy pants. Ted literally shit his pants in front of the draft board to avoid military service.

[@dreamweaver1603]

If you want to go down the road of rockers with underage women, I think you’ll end up with all of them being deplorable. What were groupies but a bunch of teenagers with negligent parents?

[@BillLaBrie]

Not a fan-never was. But there are so many self-consciously anti-Ted types out there that I think of Ted as a necessary counterbalance. For every Ted Nugent there are a thousand-male feminist date rapists who only eat fair-trade soy.

[@edwardyazinski3858]

@@BillLaBrie Naw. Two wrongs never make a right. Ironically his ego makes him continually remind that world how macho he is, but pussed out when it counted.

[@ricardofranciszayas]

The American equivalent of “Wanker” is “Jerk Off”. Another term from my hometown New York City is “Douchebag.” It is particularly effective when prefaced with the word “Fuckin”, as in, “ Frank Sinatra! What a Fuckin’ Douchebag!” Here is my list of other notable wankers in the music business. Some of them have passed away and moved onto wanker heaven and others are still with us. This list crosses over into different genres of music. Most, if not all of these people are (were) brilliant at their craft. Ray Charles Barbara Streisand Elton John Diana Ross Buddy Rich Frank Zappa Ike Turner Miles Davis Jackson Browne Ariana Grande David Foster Yngwie Malmsteen Jamiroquai (an utter Wanker) Stan Getz Frank Sinatra Leonard Bernstein Bob Dylan Paul Simon Jennifer Lopez Chris Brown John Lennon Al Dimeola Gene Simmons Art Blakey Joe Zawinul There are so many others. By the way, Ginger Baker was an alright drummer. But he was far from a genius. There are 8 year old kids who could outplay him.

[@BillLaBrie]

By the looks of your list, most young musicians should strive to be wankers above all else. But yeah, these people lead with their egos, and conveniently, that’s what’s expected of them.

[@pibba]

You nailed it! A wankers dozen if you count Owaystus and the Ego's. BTW love your T-Shirt! One dude who deserves more respect is PHIL FUCKING COLLINS!!

[@will2741]

Best Van Morrison story I heard had the punchline ‘I’d throw away the sheets’, after he stayed at someone’s house, drank a lot of Guinness, and copiously shat the bed.