Kid Rock cut short a performance in Nashville when the audience didn’t clap enough, leading to a petulant outburst from the “American Bad Ass.”
The most awkward part is that it wasn’t even Kid Rock’s own show: He was appearing as a special guest at the birthday bash for Bon Jovi keyboardist David Bryan, which was being held Saturday (February 8th) at Jon Bon Jovi’s bar in downtown Nashville.
Rock’s appearance came during a cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Proud Mary.” As seen in audience footage, Rock, who sounds like he may have enjoyed a few adult beverages, momentarily stopped the performance due to the lack of participation from the crowd. He didn’t like the fact that they weren’t clapping along.
“F**k them. F**k them. Hey, hey, stop,” he said as he lightly shoved aside a female singer of the band, which included David Bryan himself, before demonstrating what he wanted the crowd to do. “If you ain’t gonna clap, we ain’t gonna sing. That’s how it’s gonna go.”
A few people proceeded to clap along when the band resumed, but only briefly. At that point, Rock had had enough.
“You know what, f**k y’all,” he said. “You ain’t gonna clap, I’m gone.” He then stormed off the stage.
Perhaps Kid Rock didn’t realize he was a guest performer and that the audience wasn’t there to see him? The band was certainly taken aback, with Bryan shooting a confused look at the audience after Rock’s departure. The “Bawitdaba” singer didn’t return for the remainder of the show, which apparently went on smoothly from there.
Meanwhile, Rock will return to the stage in front of his own fanbase in April for his “Rock the Country” co-headlining tour fest with Nickelback. You can get tickets here (but you better clap!).
Watch the video of Kid Rock storming off the stage below.