The Simpsons: 10 Greatest Rock Star Moments
In Springfield, it's always turned up to eleven.
Ever since it began in 1989, The Simpsons has prided itself on its cultural relevance and ability to comment on, and satirise, all aspects of American life. Though its popularity has waned in recent years, due, in part, to a change in style and pace, the show remains a cultural phenomenon.
Its mass appeal has not only paved the way for other adult-geared animated sitcoms like South Park and Family Guy, but has even affected our everyday vocabulary, with words like "d’oh", "meh" and "yoink" becoming common parlance.
It makes sense then, that anybody who's anybody - from Hollywood actors such as Mel Gibson, pop stars like Lady Gaga, and even politicians such as Tony Blair - have made appearances on The Simpsons at some point during their careers. Throughout its thirty-plus year history, America's longest running primetime television programme has kept the stars coming and the gags rolling.
The Simpsons’ influence is vast, and so is the programme’s clear affinity for good old rock n’ roll, with countless bands and artists having made cameos over the years. Here are ten times The Simpsons put their horns up, and embraced their more rebellious side, with these greatest rock star moments.
10. Judas Priest (S25 E09 “Steal This Episode”)
Judas Priest’s cameo in season 25's "Steal This Episode", though brief, managed to stir up some controversy among viewers. When Homer tires of overpriced cinema tickets and endless pre-film adverts, Bart teaches him how to pirate films online. After setting up a backyard "Cinema Pirate-diso" for his family and friends, Homer is sought by the FBI for movie piracy (after Marge sends a cheque and tell-all letter to Hollywood).
When Homer later escapes the prison bus, he and his family decide to hole up in the town’s Swedish consulate, due to the country's more relaxed views on piracy. In an attempt to smoke them out, the FBI begins “blasting death metal”, by having Judas Priest perform “Copyright Law” (a cheesy parody of "Breaking the Law").
While fans were glad to see Priest finally make an appearance on the show, the labelling of the band as "death metal" caused an uproar, resulting in The Simpsons apologising for the misnomer, by having Bart write “Judas Priest is not death metal” during the following episode’s chalkboard gag.