4 Famous Rock Bands That Broke Up or Fell Out Over an Album Release

Teamwork makes the dream work, but some rock bands just can’t make things work in the studio. Some have yielded beautiful records, but the aftermath of producing such albums resulted in damaged relationships, drug addiction, and even total band breakups. Let’s take a look at four famous rock bands that broke up (or had a serious falling out) after the production of one particular album.

1. ‘Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants’ by Oasis

Noel Gallagher wanted more creative control with the production of Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants. He was freshly clean of drugs and ready to get to work in a dry studio. Fellow members Paul Arthurs and Paul McGuigan weren’t thrilled about it, considering they wanted to enjoy some weed while in the studio. 

There was no compromise, so Noel fired them. He finished the album with his brother Liam and Gem Archer (plus Andy Bell). You can hear the sadness and sense of loss on the album, too. It was clear by the end of it that Noel and Liam were the only ones in control of Oasis.

2. ‘Pinkerton’ by Weezer

Plenty of rock bands broke up after the release of an album, but Weezer managed to keep it together until the tour for their album Pinkerton was over. After the tour wrapped up, they went on hiatus and eventually broke up for the rest of the 1990s. They ended up getting back together, though. 

The subject matter of Pinkerton had annoyed quite a few fans when it was first released. Rivers Cuomo croons about the downsides of being famous on the album, and many fans took that to be in poor taste. Who wants to listen to a fresh 20-year-old dude complain about how hard it is to be a rock star? Pinkerton is quite loved nowadays, but it was once so hated that the band basically broke up over it.

3. ‘Balance’ by Van Halen

Van Halen soared through the 1980s with ease, even with the absence of David Lee Roth and the addition of Sammy Hagar. But the 1990s were a very different beast to deal with. Alt-rock was on the rise, and Van Halen needed to modernize their sound or fall into obscurity. It wasn’t an easy process. Hagar and both Van Halen brothers butted heads constantly. 

The album wasn’t a terribly unsuccessful one, but Hagar ended up leaving after touring for Balance and Eddie Van Halen started drinking again during the tour.

4. ‘Siamese Dream’ by Smashing Pumpkins

Arguably the best album on this list, it’s pretty unfortunate that Smashing Pumpkins ended up on our list of rock bands that “broke up” after one particular album. Though, it’s worth noting that this wasn’t an instance of an official breakup, but rather the seeds of resentment getting sowed. 

Members D’Arcy Wretzky and James Iha stuck with Billy Corgan for the better part of the 1990s after this album was released, before finally having enough of his crap and quitting the band altogether. Siamese Dream, though, was where the contempt originated. Corgan was obsessed with perfection, starting with this album, and his band often got in his way.

Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

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