Rock musician and singer Kid Rock is well known for being a party boy, but normally his shenanigans are met with an ounce of appreciation for him being a rock star with a big heart and such a strong supporter of all things American. That’s why is was shocking news to hear that he was involved with a celebrity scandal. What happened? He got in big trouble for smoking during a Travis Tritt concert when concert goers complained about his second-hand smoke to management and tried to have him arrested for violating no smoking laws in Michigan.
Michigan state laws ban people from smoking in their local bars and restaurants. No matter how profile of a star celebrity you are, the people there seems to be quite serious about not wanting to breathe second-hand smoke. Taste of Country (one of the best country music entertainment news websites around in our humble opinion) reports rocker Kid Rock, “learned that lesson the hard way last weekend after patrons at a Travis Tritt show at Andiamo Celebrity Showroom in Warren, Mich. complained about Rock puffing on his stogie.”
The website reports:
According to the Detroit News, a number of concertgoers were upset by Kid Rock’s actions, and he was asked to snuff out the cigar.
Joe Vicari, the owner of the 1,000-seat banquet hall said he wasn’t there to witness the incident. “Maybe it’s a guy who doesn’t like Kid Rock,” he said.
According to the website, Kid Rock (who used to be romantically involved with animal rights activist and strict vegetarian Pamela Anderson) apologized for lighting up his cigar and as a result for, “pissing people off”.
But that was not his only confession.
Kid Rock, known for being a fairly jovial guy to work with but hard partier, also added the comment, “I doubt I’m the first one to ever make a bad decision while being intoxicated, so he without fault please cast the first stone. My most sincere apologies to the patrons I may have offended, and a big middle finger in advance to all the haters and attorneys who will somehow try to find an easy paycheck in all this.”
Second hand, this… was the gist.
So, the big question is this — what would they have done if the rocker had lit up a marijuana blunt instead of a normal cigar?
Eekgaads. One of those up tight country music fans might have had kittens. [Unless, of course, you were Willie Nelson.]
As for Kid Rock and his unruly ways, we agree with his own personal assessment that he should be allowed to do dumb things as a rock star and get away with it. After all, since swaying lighters have been replaced with waving cellular phones at music festivals has become common and the haze of pot smoke no longer engulfs the crowd when the lights go low, even if you are straight it has not made for more interesting shows.
Kid Rock, if anything, reminds us that old school sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll can still be pretty peaceful and cool. And, even though he does not look like the kind of guy you would want to have come sit down next to you on a subway train or bus, his heart (most of the time) really still is in the rock star I’m-a-lover-not-a-fighter music groove.
Whether he sings country music ballads on occasion or loves to listen to the all-American tunes, his rock credentials still stand true.
Plus, as a green celebrity and famous humanitarian, he’s done a bunch of volunteering to support American military veterans, children in need, and war victims. In fact, he actually started his own foundation. His mission statement?
“I can’t stop the war, shelter homeless, feed the poor. I can’t walk on water. Can’t save your sons and daughters. I can’t change the world to make things fair. The least that I can do is CARE.” The Kid Rock Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit raising funds for and awareness of local and regional charities helping disadvantaged children, victims of war and natural disasters, and those suffering from illness.”
He even went on a 15 city charity benefit tour.
To that end, whether your smokin’ is hot or not, Kid Rock — keep on rockin’. We appreciate the fact that you are all-American and a pop culture icon who pours your whole heart into using your star power wisely in the music business.