Top 10 Bands that Have an F.B.I. File
As with individual musicians, I believe a lot of bands probably have an F.B.I. file on them. Here are some known/declassified ones...The Beatles were closely monitored by the F.B.I. due to their involvement in the anti-war peace movement.
"The Dead" were one of the main bands being watched by the F.B.I. for the concern on what effects rock bands associated with drugs were having on American youth. The feds also thought the band was part of an L.S.D. drug ring.
The song "I am going to kill the president of the United States of America" earned Frank Iero an investigation by the FBI.
MC5 caught the feds attention during a 1968 performance at a park in Chicago while the Democratic National Convention was in town. The performance resulted in a riot. The feds recorded the performance and riot. After that, due to their politics, the band was on the F.B.I.'s radar for awhile.
The Doors were watched by the feds because of their, specifically Jim Morrison's, "lewd and obscene performances" and Jim Morrison's "pornography" on stage.
Members: Grace Slick - vocals, piano, organ, recorder
Marty Balin - vocals, rhythm guitar, lead guitar, bass guitar
Paul Kantner - rhythm guitar, lead guitar, vocals
Jorma Kaukonen - lead guitar, rhythm guitar, vocals
Jack Casady - bass guitar,... read more
Basically, they were under the same investigation as "The Dead." The feds were concerned about the band's association with drug use and its effect on their young fans. Also, like "The Dead," Jefferson Airplane was being investigated for being involved in an L.S.D. drug ring.
Investigated because of their anti-war views. The F.B.I. and The Monkees? Really?
This one is kind of funny. The 1963 Kingsmen version of the song "Louie, Louie" was reported to the feds for having obscene lyrics. The feds spent over three months listening to the song before finally declaring it "unintelligible at any speed." Lol. They couldn't figure out what the heck he was saying.
The Bee Gees were briefly investigated due to band member Robin Gibbs attempting to hire a hitman to eliminate his wife and her lawyer. He, and the band, were also investigated for drug use.
Insane Clown Posse is known for their violent and outrageous lyrics that often interpolate horror elements and religious symbolism, all of this being set in the fictitious Dark Carnival universe. The musical style ranges from oldschool... read more
Apparently the feds have them and their fans down as gang members.
To classify the fanbase of a musical act as a gang is the bigger crime.
The band was comprised of Kurt Cobain (Vocals, Guitar), Dave Grohl (Drums) and Krist Novoselic (Bass).
Nirvana is most well-known for their... read more
Known for their face paint and stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid-1970s. Their shock rock-style live performances featured... read more
KISS was investigated due to concerns from worried parents and Christians who reported the band as being satanic and corrupting the youth. However, this report/file is full of inaccuracies. At one point in the report, KISS is mistaken for The Who. Gotta love our "intelligence" gathering.