The Tall Poppy Syndrome

Just because you’re successful doesn’t mean everyone likes you. In fact, success can often draw criticisms that might not be given to other performers. In Australia, we call that the “Tall Poppy Syndrome”, where people look for reasons to bring successful people down! We look at some criticisms (not by us - mainly!) of highly successful artists and try to find a reason for them. This month seems to have a host of rock star deaths! In Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door , we mourn the passing of David Lynn Thomas of post-punk group Pere Ubu; Drew Zingg, an American blues and soul guitarist, best known for work with Steely Dan and Boz Scaggs; Joey Molland from Badfinger, and Richard Chamberlain, of Dr Kildare, Shōgun & The Thorn Birds. Our “Album You Must Hear before You Die” is Bob Marley and the Wailers’ “Catch a Fire”, a landmark album that established reggae as a musical force, influencing such artists as The Clash, The Police, UB40 and Eric Clapton. Enjoy!! References: Tall Poppy Syndrome, Morrissey, “We Hate it When our Friends Become Successful”, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, YouTube, Classic Album Review, Baz, Barry Robinson, The 10 Worst Bands in the World, The Doors, Jim Morrison, Patti Smith, Rob Younger, Robbie Krieger, Ray Manzarek, Doors’ Miami concert – January 1969, The Eagles, Pink Floyd, “Hell Freezes Over”, Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Joe Walsh, Guns’n’Roses, Axl Rose, Slash, Motley Crue, Shakespeare - “thankless child”, U2, Achtung Baby, “With or Without You”, Adam Clayton’s private parts, “Days of Innocence”, REM, Coldplay, “music for estate agents”, Oasis, Gallagher brothers, Sex Pistols, Black Sabbath, Rolling Stones, “The Rest is History”, Frank Zappa, “Billy the Mountain”, “Don’t You Eat the Yellow Snow”, PMRC – Parents Moral Research Centre, Tipper Gore, Iggy Pop & The Stooges, Alice Cooper, Kiss, Foo Fighters, Dave Grohl Our email: MickandthePhatman@Gmail.com Playlist – The music we talked about in this episode Homer singing Kiss Led Zeppelin’s light fingers Classic Album Reviews: The Ten Worst Bands Ever Send us a message, so we know what you're thinking!

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The Tall Poppy Syndrome is an episode from Mick and the PhatMan Talking Music by Mick and the Phatman.

This episode is 58:18 long.

This episode was published on May 25, 2025.

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