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THE WORST GIG: Touring musicians recall stories of terrible shows, insane fans, dangerous malfunctions, violent brawls and nature's wrath
"What is the worst show you've ever played?"
Since 1998, entertainment journalist Jon Niccum has been asking touring musicians that very question. After hundreds of interviews with national headliners, he launched the website WorstGig.com to celebrate their more memorable responses.
Niccum has also adapted the project into print with "The Worst Gig," which was recently published by Sourcebooks.
These are unique tales told directly to Niccum in a performer's own words. This collection delves into the times when things didn't quite work out for artists -- be it equipment malfunctions, unsuitable bookings, awkward misunderstandings, threats of violence or nature's wrath.
Artists such as Alice Cooper, Peter Frampton, John Mayer, Laurie Anderson, Wynton Marsalis, Chris Daughtry, Jack Black, Chely Wright and Dweezil Zappa are among the storytellers. As are members of legendary bands such as Def Leppard, Rush, Led Zeppelin, Tool, Wilco, Garbage, Flaming Lips, Sex Pistols and even Blue Man Group.
New stories are posted regularly to the site, which celebrated its three-year anniversary in February.
Salon.com says, "'Worst Gig' makes for best read ever."
In addition to the interviews, the site features recordings of select artists telling their stories in their own voice. It also includes a large array of the best worst-performance videos that the Internet has to offer.
Users are asked to contribute their own Worst Gig stories and videos in the Reader Submissions section.
Niccum began working as a full-time music journalist in 1993.
He is currently an entertainment writer for the Kansas City Star. He is the former Entertainment Editor at the Lawrence Journal-World daily newspaper and Music Editor at The Pitch, Kansas City's leading alternative newspaper.
Niccum has won several dozen national awards for his entertainment writing, including multiple honors from the Suburban Newspapers of America, American Association of Sunday and Feature Editors, National Federation of Press Women, Kansas Press Association and as a finalist for a National Music Journalism Award.
Additionally, he has written the official label bios for dozens of artists, including Evanescence, Jeff Beck, Leon Redbone, Steve Vai and Joe Satriani.
Prior to his career in journalism, he was a professional guitarist and bassist, performing in bands such as The Budinskis, Easterday and Bobby & the Chuxx.
Niccum teams with web developer Matt Bechtold of Silverthread Productions to present WorstGig.com.
For interviews or media requests, e-mail
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