Queens Of The Stone Age Frontman Had Tirades
By DONNA BALANCIA
Josh Homme apologized three times via social media for kicking a photographer at the KROQ Acoustic Christmas at the Forum in Inglewood on Saturday. But it’s not a first for Homme, who has had onstage tirades, manhandled fans, and has called them derogatory names.
Social Media Apologies
He posted an apology on social media and then followed up with recorded videos. “I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life and last night was defininitely one of them,” he said. “I’m gonna have to figure out some stuff. Rock ‘N’ Roll is a wonderful thing, it’s supposed to save and help people, not mess them up.”
The incident may have gone unnoticed had it not been posted on social media. In the Instagram post, the photographer, Chelsea Lauren, is seen getting kicked by Homme and then she falls out of frame. She told an entertainment site that she continued to shoot the concert for employer Shutterstock and afterwards drove herself to Cedars Sinai where she was treated and released.
The Josh Homme Kick
In the video that was posted showing the kicking incident, Homme is seen stumbling around on stage, with his head rolling around, giving the impression he was possibly under the influence of alcohol or other substance. Apparently he also cut his own forehead with a knife and the wound was clearly visible in his apology video.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bcg3ffCjXBw/?tagged=joshhomme
QOTSA as Major Employer
It’s a tough situation. Queens Of The Stone Age are a multimillion-dollar band that puts thousands of people to work. When the band is on tour, locals and regular employees alike benefit and there is a great deal of ancillary spending related to tourism, merchandising, and event and arena sales.
And while so many bands today are vying for a shot at the big time, Queens Of The Stone Age are considered to have “made it.” The California locals invest in the community and last October joined the Foo Fighters and a host of others at CalJam 17 in San Bernardino. Homme was remembered for reaching out to a fan to borrow a sign that read “Vegas Strong.” Many have mentioned that that seemed like a staged photo opportunity in the wake of the Las Vegas mass shooting.
Much to his credit, Homme has done some good things with his fame. He has a charity for musicians who can’t afford to pay for their health insurance and he plays charity events galore.
But it is not the first such incident for Homme and maybe something deeper is going on.
