From Stage to Screen: Best and Worst Rock Star Cameo’s

THE WORST

1. David Bowie

He's afraid of Americans. I'm afraid of him. David Bowie is at his creepy best in Jim Henson’s Labyrinth playing the evil 80’s glam Goblin King. Bowie co-stars with scary Muppets, singing songs (like “Magic Dance”) while trying out some lanky dance moves and trying to seduce a 16 year-old Jennifer Connelly. I know its only Muppets and the Thin White Duke, but to this day I still can’t watch that movie.

2. Ringo Starr

As the pocket-sized conductor/song-smith on Shining Time Station, Ringo Starr took over the role from the equally as improbable casting choice, foul-mouthed comedian George Carlin. Maybe it was his drowsy Liverpoolean accent but Starr always seemed kind of stoned, and either way, for the man with the All Star Band it seemed like a sideways career move.

3. Keith Richards

It was either the ultimate pirate joke or the most redundant move ever. Over the past several years Keith Richards has started to look more and more like a swashbuckler. Due to drug use, non-stop partying for the last 49 years and the passing of time, Richard’s once sweet, boyish face has become grizzled and his hair a rat’s nest, unkempt with hanging bits and pieces. So does Richard’s cameo as Jack Sparrow’s (played by Johnny Depp) father in Pirates of Caribbean: At World’s End, mean the joke’s on us now?

4. Bob Dylan

With a hard to follow plot, some revolution is taking place in some totalitarian run government somewhere in the Southwest; Masked and Anonymous stars Bob Dylan as a washed up rock idol that comes out of exile to headline a benefit concert. Confused yet? Dylan doesn’t act, so much as look pensive and occasionally say things in his weathered voice, but he does perform some amazing new versions of songs like “Cold Irons Bound.” The perfect name for the film, Masked and Anonymous is just as mysterious as Dylan himself.

THE BEST

1. Pearl Jam
Cameron Crowe’s 1992 film, Singles, is as much about dating as it is Seattle’s grunge rock scene, and as itss crowning jewel, features cameos by Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, and Pearl Jam. Not only does Pearl Jam perform in the film but they act, playing Matt Dillon’s band Citizen Dick, with drummer Eddie Vedder.

2. Iggy Pop
With jet black hair and even darker eyeliner, Iggy Pop is the greasiest of the greasers. As Uncle Ricketts in John Water’s wonderfully quirky and cult-status-worthy Cry Baby, Pop’s lip curling acting style manages to convey his own unique lust for life.

3. Placebo

Velvet Goldmine, the glittering film that pays tribute to 70’s glam rock, features a small musical and acting cameo by Placebo as The Flaming Creatures, a Roxy Music/Brian Eno-like band. Preferring impressions to ideas and dressed in leather underwear and sparkle eye shadow, lead singer Brian Molko performs an awesome cover of T. Rex’s 20th Century Boy.

4. Elvis Costello

About a group of people on the way to a New Year’s Eve soiree “trying to find love, happiness and cigarettes (IMDB),” 200 Cigarettes captures the journey to the most epic (and first) party of the year. And how better to start off 1981, but with a cameo by famous party guest Elvis Costello!?

5. Bob Dylan

With a hard to follow plot, some revolution in taking place is some totalitarian run government somewhere in the Southwest; Masked and Anonymous stars Bob Dylan as a washed up rock idol that comes out of exile to headline a benefit concert. Confused yet? Dylan doesn’t act, so much as look pensive and occasionally say thing in his weathered voice, but he does perform some amazing new versions of songs like “Cold Irons Bound.” The perfect name for the film, Masked and Anonymous is just as mysterious as Dylan himself. (Come on, it's Bob freakin' Dylan!)