I can’t think of one, but there are so many artists represented in my library, that if I learned all the details of all their lives, I’m sure I’d find something distasteful or unlikable to me.
I don’t know. It’s an interesting question, in the way that train wrecks are interesting. Bottom line for me is that I don’t see my life being enriched by learning that someone I listen to is antisemitic, or a domestic abuser, or barbecues puppies in their backyard.
The Band is one of my favorite rock groups, and drummer Levon Helm (RIP) was a salt-of-the-earth individual. OTOH, guitarist Robbie Robertson strikes me as someone who takes a disproportionate amount of credit for creating The Band’s music, to the personal and financial detriment of his former bandmates.
Huge fan of Van Morrison’s music.
I’ll refrain from passing judgment in public, but suffice it to say I’ve included him in this thread.
Dam you wonderful people, I shouldn’t denigrate myself, save to say my bimodal brain is attracted to the f’ups of humanity. 
Seriously though, I am always trying to separate myself consciously and unconsciously from people who I have heard awful or even little dumb things about. I won’t plead that I am “complex” just flicked, I suppose. I don’t read the books or listen to the stories, but I have judged based on the cover photo, a line or two, or the sound of a voice. In the end, while not being a forgiving person, but a thinker, I will listen to some of the music and sometimes I will skip. Of course, why should I listen to music of the 1700 to 1800’s when I know very little about the artists.
For those who want me to get to a specific artist, I am currently disappointed in Billie Joel, won’t listen to him now, but probably will next year.
Chas
Not sure if you watched the documentary “Hired Gun”? (At least I think that was it.)
Quite telling how Billy Joel treated his band.
I did read a little of a Rolling Stone article (while waiting for a haircut). I recall his drummer committed suicide. That is my gripe about him.
Chas
I read both book too. I agree. The Pete Townshend book too is a very depressing read. Neil Young’s books, I enjoy. But then his Dad was a writer so I guess it’s in the blood (that’s what he said anyways).
Ya, that was not a good “chapter” in his life (not trying to be funny…just sayin’).
I remember Geddy Lee in an interview talking about the release of 2112 and critics accused the Band of Antisemitism.His Parent’s are Holocaust survivors ! I’m not a fan of Waters because he get’s WAY too political in a very “in your face” sort of way. Listening to Floyd, I’m always in the Gilmour/Wright/Mason camp.
CCR was the same way, I believe. John Fogerty, yes he wrote everything but was not solely the sound of CCR.
The Who on the other hand…well that’s a whole new forum topic on it’s own… 
Ya, I did. and some some seriously bad Mojo ! Sad.
Look, you can’t always execute on what you want… emotions bleed into everything. For the most part, I can separate but… when I think of Chuck Berry when I play his music… well ummm…
Peace
Bruce in Philly
I like reading Rock Music Autobiography’s (Keith Emerson still my Keyboard playin’ musical hero - who I’ve never met but people who have said good things). His “Pictures of an Exhibitionist” is a great read. But reading that book, seeing ELP live and Emerson solo, you’d never think that this man suffered mental depression (aka Robin Williams). Carl Palmer expressed after Emerson’s Suicide (this hit me extremely hard when I heard the news) that he indeed battled depression in his later years because he could no longer play at age 71, the way he played at age 21. Online critism didn’t help his mental state either.
He never treated his Wife very well (and I’m not cool with that). She did take him to the cleaners in their divorce many many years ago. In an interview he did for Keyboard magazine in 1995, he stated he was sleeping on the Sofa (Chesterfield for us Canucks) of his Keyboard tech Will Alexander after the divorce.
Rock and Roll !
Franz Liszt. Womanizer.
Miles Davis is another tough case. I listen to his music frequently and enjoy it greatly, but he was a real SOB who beat his wives regularly by his own admission. Does his aberrant behavior diminish the quality of his composing and playing? Of course not, but for me it puts Miles at or near the top of the list of musicians whose music I appreciate but whose actions I consider contemptible.
I saw Keith Emerson and Greg Lake perform a few years back… Keith could not play a passage and started to cry on stage. I was in the 4th row center Awful.
Peace
Bruce in Philly
Little Richard, now there was an artist. He was one of my first heroes, actually Roy Rogers and Gene Audrey; but, they were there for a 6 year old cowboy lover.
Little Richard, now there was a performer, probably the one artist in my life, in my memory, one that I will not except even the slightest criticism. He hit me in 1957, or so, and I was smitten. Mom would not allow the colored radio station in our house but she couldn’t control my heart.
Chas
@bootzilla So - you’ll be glad to know I’ve been wrestling with this ; ). But not so much in the way you mention above. Bear with me here, Boot.
What I don’t get is why one would wish to delve into the peccadilloes of artists unless the art itself expresses/promotes the perceived negative qualities. If so - don’t buy or consume their art. I like to focus on the good they bring into the world, and if they’re troubled or hold views I don’t care for, that’s not my concern, much as it wouldn’t be for anyone I don’t know personally.
Are you in actual danger of breaking bread with Roger Waters? Gus Skinas has mastered a lot of his work. Is he tainted by association? If you were invited to Gus’s and Roger showed up, what would you do? Refuse to break bread with him?
I suspect you could find people who actually LIKE a given artist even more when they find out they share their “hateful” views. Certainly, as a former MI resident, I know that was/is a plus for a lot of fans of “Ted Nuisance” as we used to refer to him. How do you sort that out in this context?
Is it because they are well-known? Possibly wealthy? Let’s pick apart the famous folks, because it makes me feel better? They are still people, regular human beings “entitled to their wrong opinions” to paraphrase Groucho - something people seem not to get about celebrities and artists. Most people I know personally are not saints in one way or another, famous or not.
If I recall correctly, it was you who took the side of Mr. Baker most strongly with Elk. So this thread is, what…a fun diversion during quarantine? The notion that I should somehow pause before lowering the needle on a record and contemplate the politics of the artist is a world away from where I want to be when listening to music.
My two cents, as they say.
Wind Gap, PA ? I wanted to go but we just moved back to Canada and I honestly couldn’t make the Trek from Ottawa to Wind Gap that time. The Irony ? We lived in Forks Township only 10 min. up 33N to Wind Gap.
I’d seen The Keith Emerson Band live in Sayersville, NJ in 2003. What a great show that was and I was up front on his side of the stage.
Joe
He was depressed and apparently, ultimately suicidal. When you say “awful” is that as in, “I want my money back” or “It hurt to see him suffer”?