Top 10 Bands that Have an F.B.I. File
As with individual musicians, I believe many bands likely have an F.B.I. file on them. Here are some known or declassified ones.
The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The group comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the most influential band of all time and were integral to the development of the 1960s counterculture and the recognition of popular... read more The Beatles were closely monitored by the F.B.I. due to their involvement in the anti-war peace movement.
The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in Palo Alto, California. Ranging from quintet to septet, the band is known for its unique and eclectic style, which fused elements of country, folk, bluegrass, blues, reggae, rock, improvisational jazz, psychedelia, space rock, for live performances... read more "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 was an American rock band from Lincoln Park, Michigan, formed in 1964. The original band line-up consisted of vocalist Rob Tyner, guitarists Wayne Kramer and Fred "Sonic" Smith, bassist Michael Davis, and drummer Dennis Thompson. 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 a while.
The Doors were an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1965, comprising vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger, and drummer John Densmore. They were among the most influential and controversial rock acts of the 1960s, primarily due to Morrison's lyrics and voice,... read more 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.
Jefferson Airplane was a San Francisco, California-based band who pioneered the American counterculture movement as well as psychedelic rock.Members: Grace Slick - vocals, piano, organ, recorder
Marty Balin - vocals, rhythm guitar, lead guitar, bass guitar
Paul Kantner - rhythm guitar, lead... 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.
The Monkees were an American rock and pop band originally active between 1966 and 1971, with reunion albums and tours in the decades that followed. 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." They couldn't figure out what the heck he was saying.
The Bee Gees were a pop music group formed in 1958. Their line-up consisted of brothers Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb. 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 an American hip hop, horrorcore and rap rock duo consisting of rappers Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope, that was formed in 1989 in Detroit... 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 Newcomers
Nirvana was an American grunge band that was formed in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987. Nirvana disbanded after Kurt Cobain committed suicide in 1994. The drummer of the band, David Grohl, went on to start the Foo-Fighters, an alternative rock band... read more
Kiss, often styled as KISS, was an American rock band formed in New York City in 1973. The original members were Paul Stanley (vocals, rhythm guitar), Gene Simmons (vocals, bass guitar), Ace Frehley (lead guitar, vocals), and Peter Criss (drums, vocals)... 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.
The Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band formed in London in 1975. Although they initially lasted just two and a half years and produced only four singles and one studio album, Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols, they are considered one of the most influential acts in the history... read more
Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock band founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. They have released eleven studio albums.The band is known for its dark, moody lyricism and aggressive vocal delivery. Their biggest hits include "Closer," "Hurt," "Wish," "We're in This Together,"... read more