In the world of rock, there have historically been strange friendships. Oftentimes, artists from entirely different genres will become acquainted, and it can be shocking. Artists often relate to other artists on a personal level rather than a professional level. This can create some unexpected friendships, and here are three examples from rock history that still don’t make sense.

Bono and Noel Gallagher

Britpop legend Noel Gallagher met iconic Irish singer Bono in 1995. Bono, who famously fronts U2, and Gallagher, guitarist and co-vocalist for Oasis. In a 2018 issue of Q, Bono recalled meeting Noel Gallagher in a basement flat in the mid-90s, during the rise of Oasis’ fame. Apparently, the two bonded over “talking sh*te”, which sounds like a traditional dynamic between a British and an Irish man. Historically, the Irish and the British have clashed, but somehow, these two became good friends. In 2017, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds served as the opening act on U2’s Joshua Tree anniversary tour. During this time, Gallagher stayed in a guest house on Bono’s property in Killiney, County Dublin.

The Original Hollywood Vampires

In the 1970s, a secret drinking club in Los Angeles featured some of the most unexpecting friendships. They called themselves The Hollywood Vampires, and they gathered at the Rainbow Bar and Grill in an upstairs loft. This drinking club featured some of the most prolific rock stars of the era such as Alice Cooper as president, and Keith Moon of the Who as vice president. Others attached to this drinking clubs history includes John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Micky Dolenz of The Monkees, John Belushi from Saturday Night Live, singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson, and more. From these names alone, it’s hard to believe these guys all got along. But they most certainly did.

Paul McCartney and Kanye West

In the 2010s, no one expected legendary Beatles member Paul McCartney to collaborate with one of the most influential hip-hop artists of the 21st century. Beyond that, they collaborated on more than one track. Their first, “Only One”, was a 2014 ballad with McCartney on a Wurlitzer keyboard while Kanye West sang about his late mother. They followed up with “FourFiveSeconds” in 2015, which featured Rihanna. On this track, McCartney provided backing vocals and acoustic guitar. The collaboration was a massive hit for all three involved, peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. That same year, West sampled McCartney’s Wings’ song “When The Wind Is Blowing”. He combined it with an interpolation of Noel Ellis’ “Dance With Me” to create a rap track called “All Day”.

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It’s undeniable that L7 were one of the most important bands of the 90s alternative rock movement. Now, decades later, the grunge icons are hanging it up. But not before frontwoman Donita Sparks does a little reflection on their legendary career, as well as on their friendships with bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam.

Speaking to Guitar World, Sparks discussed the band’s legacy, starting with what the early days of the Seattle grunge scene were like. “Sub Pop [records] did well, mainly because of Nirvana and Soundgarden,” she said. “When they signed us, they said, ‘You’re in the inner circle of Sub Pop now.'”

Sparks quipped that “everyone got huge, except for Mudhoney,” and added, “There was so much hype, especially in the UK. We’d show up to a club and instead of saying ‘L7’ it would say ‘Sub Pop Artist’ or ‘Sub Pop’s L7.’ It was like the label was getting bigger than the bands were.”

L7 signed to Sub Pop Records in the late 80s

In 1992, L7 released Bricks Are Heavy, their third—and possibly most crucial— album. Butch Vig produced the record, fresh off having just done Nirvana’s Nevermind. When asked how his production style impacted L7’s music, Sparks explained, “We always had a very powerful sound on stage. You can’t put that in a bottle. Producers and engineers would go to an L7 show, after they worked on our record for months, and be like, ‘What the f**k?'”

“Butch was great because he encouraged our melodic stuff,” she continued. “When we started, we wanted to play hard music sans melody because we were tough cookies; then melody came in. Nirvana and the Pixies gave me more confidence to throw my musical roots into the stew. I love a lot of 50s/60s pop; I love a lot of country.”

Among her reflections, Sparks shared about playing a big benefit show in the mid-90s with Pearl Jam and Neil Young & Crazy Horse. “We met Neil Young that night,” she recalled. “I remember Pearl Jam asked us on stage because they were singing ‘Rockin’ in the Free World’, but I f**ked up my verse by one line!”

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Finally, Sparks spoke about L7’s Last Hurrah farewell tour, which they’re currently on. The run comes after longtime bassist Jennifer Finch died in July, following a battle with aggressive brain cancer.

“The finality is starting to hit me,” Sparks said. “The emotion becomes overwhelming at times. I can hold it together until I get backstage – but every once in a while, there’s a little weepiness. We’re doing meet-and-greets for the first time to supplement the tour. People are saying how long they’ve followed us. One woman said, ‘You’ve taken me from puberty to menopause!'”

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