This week’s episode of the EPL Talk Podcast features a special segment on famous musicians and the teams they support. Here are the starting eleven plus a very large and growing substitute’s bench:
- Julio Iglesias (Real Madrid). Did you know the famous Spanish singer was once the goalkeeper for Real Madrid’s junior squad? Strange but true.
- Luciano Pavarotti (AS Roma). The Italian opera singer is near and dear to the heart of soccer fans after The Three Tenors performed so many incredible songs for Italia 1990.
- Brian Johnson (Newcastle United). The lead singer from AC/DC is a massive Newcastle United fan, so much so that he played a cameo role in “Goal: The Movie” wearing a Toon shirt and saying a few lines.
- Paul Oakenfold (Chelsea). The Chelsea fan and the world’s most famous DJ has a studio in LA named after Stamford Bridge, and has traveled the world to watch Boca Juniors.
- Joe Elliott (Sheffield United). Def Leppard’s lead singer is a die-hard Blades fan, while bandmate Rick Savage supports Sheffield Wednesday.
- Rod Stewart (Celtic). The Scottish singer still kicks soccer balls into the crowd at his concerts, and has travelled the world following Celtic.
- Steve Harris (West Ham United). The Iron Maiden founder and bass guitarist loves the Hammers so much that he often plays a guitar onstage that’s designed with West Ham colors, and wears a Hammers scarf in concert.
- Robbie Williams (Port Vale). One of the most successful solo artists in the world (”Feel,” “Rock DJ”) is such a big Port Vale supporter that he’s also a shareholder. His album, “Sing When You’re Singing” pictures Williams wearing a football kit.
- Ian Astbury (Everton). The lead singer of The Cult has played with Hollywood United FC in southern California, and released a remix version of a song from his solo band Holy Barbarians entitled “Dolly Bird (Goodison Park Shuffle).” (see video here)
- Liam Gallagher (Manchester City). The Oasis vocalist played a massive concert at City’s former ground, Maine Road, in 1996.
- David Gray (Manchester United). Famous for the single “Babylon,” Gray recently helped commentate the Arsenal against Man United match for BBC radio.
Substitutes:
- Steve Jones (Chelsea). The former Sex Pistols guitarist is a die-hard Chelsea fan.
- Billy Duffy (Manchester City). The lead guitarist from The Cult (”Fire Woman,” “She Sells Sanctuary”) has been known to wear Man City shirts on stage, and also plays for Hollywood United FC with other celebrities in southern California.
- Chris DeBurgh (Liverpool). Recently profiled on The Game Podcast from The Times, DeBurgh (who is famous for the single “The Lady In Red”) supports the team in Red from Merseyside.
- Noel Gallagher (Manchester City). The mad Man City fan was rumoured to be interested in purchasing half the pitch and many stadium seats from City’s old ground, Maine Road.
- Johnny Marr (Manchester City). The former guitarist of The Smiths had trials at Manchester City and was approached by Nottingham Forest to play football.
- DJ Judge Jules (Arsenal). The Gooner fan remixed the Premier League anthem, which is currently played around football grounds in England and on the EPL Review and Preview shows.
- Fatboy Slim (Brighton). The famous DJ owns 12% of Brighton & Hove Albion.
- Elton John (Watford). The former chairman and director still has a significant financial investment in the club.
- Simon Le Bon (Manchester United). Although Duran Duran’s lead singer is from Birmingham, he’s an avid Man United fan.
The question is: Who are we missing? Tell us your stories or personal encounters with famous musicians and the football clubs they adore. Click the ‘comments’ link below.
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23 responses so far ↓
1 Anonymous // Mar 19, 2007 at 4:39 am
Hi,
Placido Domingo is a huge football/Barcelona fan and he actually schedules his singing arrangement in a way so as to not interfere with the World Cup games.
2 Anonymous // Mar 19, 2007 at 10:19 am
I recall seeing an FSC “Hi, I’m ??? and you’re watching the Fox Soccer Channel” segment involving two singers from Depeche Mode. I can’t remember their names but one was a Chelsea supporter and the other was for Arsenal.
3 Anonymous // Mar 19, 2007 at 2:34 pm
They’re not an EPL team but actor Patrick Stewart is a hard-core Huddersfield Town (HTFC) fan. On one occasion he went on the pitch at the Galpharm Stadium to wave to the crowd and was greeted with a chant of “Picard is a Town fan” and the Vulcan salute.
- Brett
4 Anonymous // Mar 19, 2007 at 11:34 pm
There is a Canadian musician, Matthew Good, who is a die-hard Arsenal supporter. He’s done segments on MuchMusic (Canada’s MTV) wearing an Arsenal jersey and even once did an interview at a local stadium where he made the VideoJockey play footie with him.
Too bad he’s an irrepresible c***, otherwise, I’d probably be a big fan of his.
5 Anonymous // Mar 21, 2007 at 12:57 pm
Bill Bragg is, unfortunately, a West Ham supporter.
6 Anonymous // Mar 23, 2007 at 12:02 pm
lets not forget andrew lloyd webber is a huge Leyton orient fan !
7 Lynne K // Mar 23, 2007 at 4:12 pm
In the Fox Soccer spot with the two Depeche Mode members, the Arsenal fan is Martin Gore, and I believe (but am not certain) that the Chelsea fan is David Gahan.
8 Rob // Mar 22, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Not very famous but Andy from St. Andrew’s Cross & Mad the Swine is a huge Magpies fan
9 SFGooner // Mar 25, 2008 at 1:00 am
Johnny “Rotten” Lydon is a big time Gooner!
So is Roger Daltrey of The Who. He even sang during the last match at Highbury. How you missed them with some of the ponces that made this list is beyond me. I also think one of The Rifles is a Hammers fan as they had a West Ham Flag draped over one of their amps when I saw them in London last year. But we won’t hold it against them.
10 Kyle // Apr 9, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Pulled from a Bill Simmons article:
Waford - Once owned by Elton John.
Everton - Paul McCartney.
Chelsea - Michael Caine.
Arsenal - Gavin Rossdale, Spike Lee, Hornby, Dido, Roger Waters, Andrew Ridgeley (the other guy from Wham!), Ray Davies, Colin Firth, Will Wheaton, Freddie Prinze Jr., Kevin Costner, Jackie and Joan Collins, Queen Elizabeth, Price Harry, Fidel Castro, John Gotti, Michael Moore and Osama Bin Laden.
Newcastle - Tony Blair, and Sting.
Liverpool - Sporty Spice, Chris DeBurgh, Darren Clarke and Dr. Dre.
Tottenham Hotspur - Steve Nash, Salman Rushie, Ray Liotta, Grabriel Garcia Marquez, Jude Law, Bob Marley, Donal Logue, Shania Twain, Baby Spice and the head of ESPN John Skipper.
11 Shakira Graham // Apr 12, 2008 at 8:03 pm
On the Star Trek theme, Marina Sirtis (Deanna Troi) is a Tottenham fan as well.
12 Ivan // Apr 12, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Anyone that watches socceram would see the whole thing where celebrities without clubs pick out of the hat.
I think Seth Rogan got Bournemouth and Evander Holyfield were on a few weeks ago can’t remember exactly think he got Tranmere.
Paul Greengrass is a spurs fan im pretty sure. He talked about bourne ultimatum and the possibility of a fourth edition on the Mayo etc with Damon…
13 Charlie // Apr 15, 2008 at 9:22 pm
To correct Lynne K’s post above (a year after she posted it but what the hell…):
Depeche Mode’s Martin Gore is not an Arsenal fan, he supports Chelsea.
Singer Dave Gahan is also a Chelsea fan, but he isn’t into football very much
Keyboardist Andy Fletcher is a Liverpool supporter.
Finally, Alan Wilder, who left Depeche Mode in ‘94, is a QPR supporter.
And yes, I am a *hu