To many, the "Rock Star mythos" consists of nothing more than drugs, sex, and making barely audible music. Many artists of this genre conform to this belief, their illegal exploits more widely publicised than their music. But for a long time now, this "mythos" has been a lie, much like the Easter Bunny or Santa Claus...
During Grohl's time with Nirvana in the 1990's, the band became synonymous with the rock star stereotype. Nirvana was a cult grunge band during the 1990's, well known for its leaders of "Generation X" tag and the drug problems of lead singer Kurt Cobain who following his suicide, achieved infamy, this leading only to solidify Rock's status among the mainstream.
Following the breakup of Nirvana, its drummer tore away from the stereotype he was so closely associated with. Grohl created an image which has often led to him being referred to as "the nicest guy in Rock". Though this cliché is well deserved, it has the effect of masking the fact that Grohl is a far more complex character than his smiling exterior implies to people. While Grohl is often seen as Rock's "Mr Nice Guy", he is more than capable of complying with the mythos.
He is one of only a few capable of serving up a hard Rock album that no one seems to make anymore, but has also shown a softer side to his music, (the song "The Pretender" typifying both sides; combining a low key intro with stinging guitar riffs). While his music conforms to the Rock genre, he has been enduringly popular with the mainstream, this is reflected by the healthy sales of Foo Fighter's six albums, and in the fact Foo Fighters are among one of the few genuine stadium Rock acts, able to attract massive crowds. Growing in stature on the big stage, such as when they were arguably the highlight of the 2007 Live Earth concert at Wembley. When Grohl slips into his onstage character he really begins to identify with the Rock star mythos, at times parodying his own Rock God status, something he has done many times during his career, playing on the idea he is no different from anyone of his fans no matter what he has achieved.
His tag is fully deserved. He is a shining example of what Rock can produce. While fully embracing the Rock star tag he remains fully grounded and has steered clear of any controversy during his career. Grohl has developed an image which should be admired, a general Mr Nice, which is hard given the negativity associated with Rock music, and Rock's apparent hardcore image.
He has maintained a notable relationship with his mother, who is often seen backstage at Foo Fighter concerts and appears in the music video "Breakout". He is the embodiment of what is right in Rock, realising that it is the fans that have put him where he is, and in turn shows how grateful he is by being one of the nicest personas in Rock, (often spending time with his followers). Typified by his kindly demeanour and his bright smile, this gives him the goofy appearance that complements Grohl's image so well.
He also possesses a humorous personality, reflected in music videos like "Learn to Fly", "Long Road To Ruin", and "Everlong". In the former two videos he has assumed many characters in a variety of disguises such as pilots, and bus boys, and the fictional soap star-cum Rock star, Davy Grolton, the character through which he parodies his Rock God status further when he plays a character who has achieved Rock Star status. In "Learn to Fly" he also does drag, assuming the role of a food obsessed women. You also have to love his humorous escapades saving his rather beautiful wife in drag Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighter's Drummer), in "Everlong" with his outrageous hair (see right) parodying the Generation X that he was such a big part of, showing character to do this considering his involvement with Nirvana had only been three years earlier. He is also more than willing to share his talents, collaborating on both of Tenacious D's albums, Rock's other funny men, and providing drumming for Queens of the Stone Age and The Prodigy.
Rock music can have its "Mr Nice". While the focus remains mainly on Rock's shortcomings there is room for a Grohl type figure to prove the majority wrong. The mythos doesn't have to be true. Dave Grohl is proof alone that the mythos can be nothing more than a lie, and though he may be one of Rock's nice guys, by way of his music he has also shown he is one of Rock'n'Grohl’s powerhouses.
Written by Alex Curran.
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