In concerts and musical performances, a rider is a set of requests or demands that a performer sets as criteria for their performance and their backstage areas. Types of riders include hospitality and technical and the hospitality rider is a list of requests for the comfort of the artist on the day of the show. COMMON requests include specific foods and beverages, alcohol, towels, ice, transportation and hotels. However, these are mega rock stars we are talking about here and their riders are a little bit more bizarre, to say the least, and some quite funny. These venues better make sure they have no brown M&M’s on hand, man sized Kleenex, a few oxygen tanks and more to keep these rock stars happy!
Flip through the ‘Most Bizarre Tour Rider Requests’ gallery to learn more!
Bowl of M&M's, with all of the brown M&M's removed (this was listed as a test of whether the venue had actually read the rider) • David Lee Roth's dressing room must be as far away as possible from the other band members • Large tube of KY Jelly
Mr. Hagar is a wine connoisseur. Please select good wines and we are requiring one bottle of Red and one bottle of White. Red wine (between $30-$100) and White wine (between $18-$30) • Small vegetable tray with tasty dips • Small amount and variety deli tray (total not exceeding half-pound) • 1 bottle Cabo Wabo tequilla (of course!)
Oxygen Requirements: purchaser to provide 3 oxygen tanks with three masks that must be at the venue at load-in • One case of Heinenken (Note: no beer in dressing rooms prior to show. Please stock beer in dressing room 15 minutes after AC/DC goes on stage • 5 large ashtrays (glass only)
Satellite or cable television. Please find out what channel is showing cricket. That is the channel we need most of all. I believe DIRECTV has the channel we need. We will use our own TV and VCR • Snooker table: the tour carries their own snooker table
Absolutely no alcoholic beverages are allowed anywhere in the backstage area at any time. This specifically includes all house crew members • No processed meat or processed cheese • Corn on the cob, fresh ears cooked 3 minutes only • One loaf good quality whole wheat bread (NO Wonder bread)
All drivers are to be English speaking and familiar with the locations of the hotel, venue, airport and possess a good working knowledge of the area • Inflatables: producer will supply KISS inflatables. These 35’ tall reproductions of Gene, Paul, Ace and Peter will be placed two on either side of the stage and 8’ x 8’ platforms for these inflatables
Bacon very important! Bacon must be available at all meals • Please note: number of vegetarians 10-15 • Vegetarian baked beans, Heinz 57 brand preferred • All lunches to include vegetarian soup (no meat, fish or chicken stock), a fresh salad assortment, hummus, tabbouleh and a dessert selection
Box man sized Kleenex • Toaster • 1 carving knife, carving fork, cutting board for Roasted Chicken • 3 large sides of mashed potatoes, gravy on the side • 2 large sides buttered corn • 4 servings of cornbread • Large bag of Rold Gold fat free pretzel thins • Two un-opened cans of white tuna in spring water
Selections of cereals un-opened. Do not recycle from last night’s Dio show • Every lunch should include a "soup of the day.” Please try to make it a vegetarian selection. Meaty soups make roadies fart • One bag of Pirate’s Booty. Not Johnny Depp’s
Eddie Vedder needs two bottles of wine to drink during the show. 2 bottles of fine Italian red wine (Barolo preferred) or a cab or merlot in the $20-$40 range • 2 medium bouquets of fresh flowers in vases • Organic white grapes (washed please) • Organic red grapes (washed please) • 6 organic bananas
