10 Most Outrageous Lead Singers In Punk Rock Music
3. Lee Ving
During the '80s punk rock survived in the underground. The hardcore scene was thriving with groups like Minor Threat, Circle Jerks, X and FEAR. They delivered fast and aggressive rock, to kids with a penchant for high energy and reckless antics.
Although these groups have become regarded as highly influential and important figures in the world of rock, back in the day, they got little attention outside the underground scene. That was until Penelope Spheeris released The Decline of Western Civilization: the first in a three part series exploring musical subcultures. FEAR were one of the more memorable groups to make an appearance, with frontman Lee Ving, shown antagonising a crowd before launching into a wild performance.
Ving's antics caught the attention of non other than comedy wild-man John Belushi. The pair struck up friendship, which resulted in Belushi scoring FEAR a gig on SNL. Talk about a big break.
After years of playing shitty clubs and venues, Fear were set to appear on one of the most watched shows on American TV... , this was a chance not to be squandered. The group filled the audience with members with their fans, and as soon as they began to play, chaos ensued. Up to $20,000 in damages was done to the set, and FEAR were boycotted by dozens of club owners.