Fame can buy you adoration, money, and power, but one thing it can’t buy is loyalty, especially in the music industry, where it’s rarely found.
Behind the glitz and guitar solos, many rockstars were quietly betrayed by the very people they thought had their backs. Sometimes it was greedy managers, other times a backstabbing bandmate and, in some cases, even family members. These artists learned the hard way that trust can be a dangerous thing in the music business.
Stolen royalties, shady backdoor deals, and personal betrayals, these stories prove that fame offers no protection from being exploited or betrayed. These rock legends were burned not by enemies, but by the very people they trusted most, and leaving behind scars that never fully healed.
1
Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots)
Was exploited by managers and "friends" who profited off his fame while feeding his downfall.
2
Tom Petty
His label tried to secretly hike album prices, he refused to be used and took a stand.
3
Ozzy Osbourne
Was nearly erased from Black Sabbath’s legacy by insiders who tried to seize control of his career.
4
Brian Wilson (The Beach Boys)
His father sold The Beach Boys’ entire song catalog without telling the band, for a fraction of its worth.
5
George Harrison
His trusted business manager embezzled millions from him, forcing a bitter court battle to reclaim what was his.
6
Janis Joplin
Surrounded by enablers who drained her emotionally and financially while encouraging her worst habits.
7
TLC
Despite massive success, they were left nearly broke due to predatory contracts and a manipulative manager.
8
Ronnie Wood (The Rolling Stones)
Trusted the wrong people with his solo career, his finances were a mess despite massive success.
9
Billy Corgan
Believed label execs and bandmates conspired to sabotage The Smashing Pumpkins from the inside.
10
Elton John
Lost tens of millions thanks to financial mismanagement by the very people meant to protect his wealth.
11
Johnny Cash
Had his finances drained by handlers, forcing him to keep touring deep into old age just to stay afloat.
12
Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails)
Discovered his manager had been stealing millions, had to sue later.
13
Billy Idol
His own brother-in-law and manager siphoned off $30 million while pretending to protect his fortune.
14
Leonard Cohen
His longtime manager cleaned out his retirement fund, he found out too late, and had to return to the stage in his 70s.
15
Courtney Love
Claimed those managing Nirvana’s estate pushed her out to control Kurt Cobain’s legacy and profits.
16
Jimi Hendrix
His manager sold off his music rights in shady deals, leaving his estate in chaos after his death.
17
Prince
Signed away his master rights early in his career, then had to fight a war against his own name to get them back.
18
Mick Fleetwood
Was blindsided when his accountant disappeared with the money, leaving him bankrupt at the height of fame.
19
Chuck Berry
Taken advantage of by racist promoters who cheated him out of money and fair contracts for years.
20
Lou Reed
Bad early contracts locked him out of owning his own music, he spent years trying to reclaim it.
21
David Bowie
Signed a devastating early contract that gave his manager rights to most of his early work, he had to fight to get it back.
22
Kurt Cobain (Nirvana)
Was steered by label execs who cared more about control than his health or artistry.
