The 20 most ridiculous things superstar musicians have demanded at their concerts

Van Halen demanded all the brown M&M's be removed from the group's candy bowl. Turns out that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to music stars' backstage demands.

Outlets like The Smoking Gun and Defamer have reported on a variety of leaked backstage documents known as tour riders.

A tour rider sets the terms that a venue must fulfill for an artist's performance. We sifted through 20 such riders to see what major musicians want in their dressing rooms. It can get pretty weird.

Some requests may confirm diva suspicions — as with Kanye West's various requests for a barber's chair and a Coke and Hennessy slushy machine. But we were more surprised by other requests, like one rap star who demanded Lunchables.

From specific scented candles to organic honey bans, see what the biggest artists ask for backstage:

Beyoncé

Beyonce (Getty)

Beyoncé demands her dressing room be kept at 78 degrees and asks for chicken legs “HEAVILY SEASONED” with cayenne pepper, and rose-scented candles. And don't have Coca-Cola products anywhere near her — Beyoncé can only be seen with Pepsi products due to a contractual agreement.

The Demands:

1 Large table for catering dressed with white tablecloths.

Dressing room should be 78 degrees

4 Brand New White Towels in bathroom (2 face & 2 body)

Hot Food:

Juicy Baked Chicken: Legs, Wings & Breast only (Please season with fresh garlic, season salt, black pepper, and Cayenne pepper HEAVILY SEASONED!!)

Steamed Garlic Broccoli

Lightly Seasoned Green Beans

Lightly Seasoned Steamed Spinach

Beyoncé can only have Pepsi products.

1 Case of Aquafina water (half cold, half room temperature)

1 Hot Tea Set up (Please have NEW Coffee Pot)

Sliced Lemons Wedges

Rose scented candles

Lighter for candles

CD player

Adele

(PA)

Associated Press

Adele's many requests include chicken salad sandwiches, Marlboro Lights, the “best quality” red wine, and six metal teaspoons in her dressing room. She also bans organic honey.

The Demands:

12 Small bottles still (non-carbonated) spring water (at room temperature)

1 Electric kettle for BOILING water

6 Large mugs for tea. All mugs should be new, washed and dried.

6 metal teaspoons

2 “Squeezy” bottles clear honey (not organic)

1 Bottle very best quality red wine (Italian, French or Spanish)

1 Assortment of chewing gum

1 Pack Marlboro Light plus 1 disposable cigarette lighter

1 Small selection fresh fruit, to include bananas, apples, grapes, fresh berries NO CITRUS FRUIT!

1 Small plate of assorted freshly made, individually wrapped sandwiches, to include chicken salad. Sandwiches must NOT contain tomatoes, vinegar, chili or citrus fruit

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West at the MTV VMAs (PA)

Among Kanye's previous requests are a barber's chair, Carmex lip balm, shower shoes, and a lot of alcohol. On his most recent “Saint Pablo” tour, West demanded a slushy machine with mixes of Coke and Hennessy and Grey Goose and lemonade.

The Demands:

1 Tub Plain Yogurt for dipping

4 small Yoplait Yogurt

1 Bowl of assorted nuts

1 Bowl of Sunkist Salted Pistachio Nuts (No Red Coloring)

2 Packs of Extra Chewing Gum

1 Bottle of Hot Sauce (Tabasco, Caribbean Type)

1 Box of Toothpicks

1 750 ml bottle of Hennessey Liquor

1 750 ml bottle of SKY or Absolut Vodka

1 Bottle of Patron Silver Tequila

4 Six Packs of Heineken Beer

Rihanna

Trust Rihanna to make it rain just in time for a mass sing-a-long of 'Umbrella' (Getty Images)

The singer insists on blue or black drapes layered with “icy-blue chiffon.” Rihanna also needs an animal-print throw rug and has a very specific candle request.

The Demands:

5 AC power outlets

Adequate lighting for a “relaxed atmosphere”

White drapes to cover lockers and/or brick

1 Humidifier

1 Large throw rug — plush and animal print (Cheetah, Leopard) … must be CLEAN, as she will walk on it barefoot.

Pipe and Drape the room in Dark Blue or Black drapes with Icy Blue Chiffon draped nicely on top

6 Candles — Archipelago Black Forest (if you can't get these, please let me know ASAP as we have a 2nd choice of candle for Ri).

4 Small, clear, square vases with White Tulips, no foliage (2nd choice: White Casablanca Lilies no foliage, 3rd choice: White Freesia, no foliage)

Katy Perry

(AFP/Getty Images)

Don't bring Katy Perry carnations. In addition to very specific flower rules, the “Teenage Dream” singer's food list is quite specific, complete with freeze-dried strawberries and Santa Margarita Pinot Grigio.

The Demands:

Arrangement of pink fresh flowers. White and purple hydrangeas, pink & white roses and peonies. If not available, seasonal white flowers to include white orchids–ABSOLUTELY NO CARNATIONS.

A box of Huggies baby nature care wipes

6 Vitamin waters zero, assorted flavors

Bowl of whole fresh organic grown fruit (apples, bananas, oranges and grapes)

Plate of fresh-cut Crudités (to include cucumber, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, snap peas, celery) w/ ranch dip

Snyder's of Hanover Honey Mustard & Onion Pretzel

Jar of Salsa

Baked (blue corn if possible) Tortilla Chips

Freeze dried strawberries

2 bottles of Santa Margarita Pinot Grigio

Throat coat, Twinnings Chamomile PG tips and Mint medley tea.

Fuze slenderize assorted flavors

A jar of quality honey

Plastic drinking straws

Sir Paul McCartney

(Getty Images (Getty Images)

The animal-rights supporter bans fur, leather, and meat from his dressing room. The Beatle is also big with plants.

The Demands:

All lamps must be halogen floor lamps with dimmer switch.

Only animal free materials (cottons, denims, velour, etc.)

Do not provide furniture made of any animal skin or print.

Do not provide artificial versions of animal skin or print either.

No leather seating is allowed in the black stretch limousine either.

Arrange for a dry cleaner before arrival.

6 Full and leafy floor plants, but no trees.

We want plants that are just as full on the bottom as the top such as palm, bamboo, peace lilies, etc. No tree trunks!

$50.00 - One large arrangement of white Casablanca lilies with lots of foliage.

$40.00 - One long stemmed arrangement of pale pink and white roses with lots of foliage.

$35 One arrangement of freesia. It comes in various colors so please mix them up. Freesia is a favorite.

20 dozen clean towels outside of the production office.

Mariah Carey​

Mariah Carey (Getty)

Mariah Carey's list includes eight “tall, leafy plants,” Joe Malone vanilla candles, two vases of white roses, and drapes around every perimeter.

The Demands:

Each room must be draped. Black drapes are fine.

The entry door should open into the living room space, not the dressing room.

Temperature should be about 75 degrees.

1 Three Seat Couch — Plain Color, no busy patterns; black, dark grey, cream, dark pink are fine

12 1 Liters of Fiji Water

3 Bottles Chardonnay — Chilled

12 Coke

12 Diet Coke

12 Vanilla Protein Drinks

6 Sparkling Water (Pellegrino)

12 Melon Flavor Gatorade

6 Red Wine Glasses

6 White Wine Glasses

4 Joe Malone Vanilla Candles

2 Vases White Roses

Fried Chicken (warm)

12 Small Bottles water (room temperature)

3 Whole lemons and honey

Sugarless gum

Eminem​

(Getty Images)

The “Rap God” isn't too high-maintenance. Other than fruit, food, and drinks, he just wants access to some weights to work out. Make sure Marshall Mathers also has a CD player that can play burned CDs and some Lunchables.

The Demands:

25 pound dumbbells

24-Diet Coke 16oz plastic bottles

12 Diet Coke 12oz cans

6 Verner ginger ale soda (or Schweppes)

48 Daisani, Poland Spring 12oz bottles “NO Evian”

1 Loaf white bread

1 Loaf wheat bread

6 Lunchables snacks (3 turkeys & 3 ham with cheese)

6 Cans Red Bull

16 Cans Sugar-Free Red Bull

Large fresh jumbo shrimps with cocktail sauce and plenty of lemons

1 Jar of banana pepper rings

Grace Jones​

Grace Jones headline Love Supreme (Andy Sturmey)

The '70s and '80s legend Grace Jones wants oysters and insists that she will do “her own shucking” of her requested molluscs, according to the following excerpt of her tour rider list leaked by Defamer. She also needs a lot of very specific wine bottles.

The Demands:

6 Bottles of Louis Roederer Cristal Champagne

3 Bottles of French Vintage red wine (e.g. St Emilion, Medoc, Bordeaux)

3 Bottles of French Vintage white wine (e.g. Sancerre, Pouilly Fuisse)

2 Dozen Findeclare or Colchester Oysters on ice (unopened)—(Grace does her own shucking.)

2 Sashimi and Sushi platters for 8 people

6 Fresh lemons

1 Bottle of Tabasco sauce

1 Fresh fruit platter for 8 people

6 Bottles of Coca Cola

12 Bottles of still and sparkling water

12 Bottles of fresh fruit juices

Wine glasses, champagne flutes, tumblers (all glass, no plastic)

Cutlery and sharp knife

1 Oyster knife

1 Make up mirror (no neon strip lighting, only opaque white bulbs)

Fresh towels, clothes hangers, clothes rail

3-4 Bunches of flowers—prefer lilys and orchids

Sofa and arm chairs

Drake​

(champagnepapi/Instagram)

According to Complex, Drake requests two specific brands of body care items: Nivea chapstick and Dr. Bronner's peppermint soap, which he says “tingles the body and clears the mind.”

The Demands:

Four dozen natural-scented incense sticks

Dr. Bronner’s peppermint soap

Pork-free food

E-Z Wider rolling papers and a pack of Dutch Master President cigars

Pinot Grigio

Heineken

Bottles of Jack Daniel’s

Patron Silver tequila

Nivea chapstick

A bottle of Hennesey or Courvoisier

Grey Goose

Andis T-Outliner trimmers

Extra sets of speakers

Jack White​

(Getty)

Jack White's rider made headlines last year for its explicit “no banana policy” — which White later attributed to an allergy on his touring team — and its inclusion of a highly specific homemade guacamole recipe.

The Demands:

1 dozen chicken wings (buffalo, teryaki, suprise us)

1 bowl of FRESH HOME-MADE GUACAMOLE

8 champagne flutes (real glass)

8 wine glasses (real glass)

8 highball glasses (real glass)

1 hummus & pita chips

iPod player with sufficient volume control

NO fluorescent lighting

PLEASE NOTE: This is a NO BANANA TOUR. (Seriously)

Madonna​

() (AP)

Madonna's brief yet complex tour rider list reportedly requires room for her 200-person entourage and 20 international phone lines to call friends in other countries, according to Complex.

The Demands:

200-person entourage

2o international phone lines

Her backstage room must look exactly like her own home (that means she ships around her furniture)

Special flower-scented fabric

Actual flowers

Personal chef who prepares only vegan foods

Her own dry-cleaning service

Alicia Keys

Give all the room-temperature Evian (and Aquafina) water to Alicia Keys. The singer asks for chocolate almond milk, tuna sandwiches, and specific Glade candle scents.

The Demands:

7 sets of metal silverware

1 Lighter

3 Glade Candles (French Vanilla, Rain shower, Wild Berry, Tangerine Ginger)

3 Cans of Chunk White Tuna

10 Nutri-Grain Bars (Blueberry, Cherry, Apple, Strawberry)

6 Individual Packets of Quaker Oats Instant Oatmeal (Brown Sugar and Apple Cinnamon)

1 Assorted Fruit Platter with strawberries, seedless red grapes, bananas, mango, blueberries, cantaloupe and raspberries

2 Cases of beer (one imported and one domestic; brands preferred: Amstel Light, Corona, Bud, Bud Light or local beer)

3 menus for local seafood and Italian restaurants to order meals for Alicia

Jay Z​

(Getty Images (Getty Images)

Jay Z's rider requires a confounding seven separate dressing rooms, as well as “good quality” peanut butter and jelly and a clean bucket of ice.

The Demands:

7 Dressing Rooms

Desired room temperature of 72 degrees

1 Love Seat

1 Large Couch

2 Matching End Tables

2 48 Cases of Fiji Water (24 cold/24 room temperature)

6 Cans of Coca-Cola

6 Cans of Red Bull

6 Bottles of Vitamin Water

1 Jar of good quality peanut butter

1 Jar of good quality grape jelly

1 Hot tea service for 4: hot water kettle, ceramic and disposable cups

All requests for alcohol were shaved from the list.

Mary J. Blige​

R&B legend Mary J. Blige will not use a “public” toilet, in any sense of the word. Her rider list requires a “private toilet (with new toilet seat).”

The Demands:

2 Humidifiers

10 medium prewashed bath sized towels

NO DAIRY OR PORK OF ANY KIND!!

10 1.5 liter bottles of FIJI water (absolutely, positively must be FIJI)

6 cans of Diet Dr. Pepper

6 cans of Schweeps Ginger Ale

2 packs of Mentos — cinnamon fresh only

6 cans of Red Bull energy drink

6 bottles of Black Cherry Propells in sports bottle

8 sets of silverware

24 napkins

1 tub of clean ice

Lady Gaga

Break out the blenders for Mother Monster. Gaga gets an entire smoothie station in her dressing room.

The Demands:

2 Bottles of white wine with wine opener — Kendall Jackson or Robert Mondavi preferred

1 Pack of Straws

1 Cushioned office style chair

TV with cable and a DVD player

1 Rolling clothing rack

4 Unscented candles

Cool-mist humidifier

3 fans

Tea kettle, organic ginger and lemongrass tea and honey are very important.

1 4 pack of Red Bull Light (on ice)

2 Bottles of Green Tea

1 Container of Guacamole

Hot dogs (Yves veggie dogs eaten with toothpicks)

A smoothie station (with frozen berries, fuze and whey protein or non-fat Greek yogurt) Blender needed

1 Plate of cheese (non-smelly, non-sweaty on ice) with whole wheat/healthy crackers

A mix of assorted fresh fruit (cut and must have edible skin OR edible seeds OR citrus)

Cher

Cher's extensive (and dated) list from a 1999 tour demands a “wig room,” rooms for her male and female dancers, and one for Dr. Stacey, a massage therapist, among many other things.

The Demands:

1 Wig Room

1 Room for Dr. Stacey

1 bottle of fine red wine (No Kendall Jackson)

1 bottle of fine white wine (No Kendall Jackson)

4 Cokes

4 Diet Cokes

1 coffee table

1 end table for the phone to be placed on

TV with VCR with a cable Hook up. Please make sure we can get the following channels: Turner Classic Movies or AMC.

Taylor Swift​

Taylor Swift's tour buses are essentially the equivalent of a dorm room. Just make sure if she's arriving before 11 a.m. you've made a pit stop to Starbucks.

The Demands:

If arriving before 11 a.m., the following from Starbucks:

1 Grande ICED Caramel Latte w/ 2 sweet-n-lows

1 Grande ICED Americano w/ 2 sweet-n-lows with soy milk

1 slice pumpkin loaf

1 Stick Butter

3 Boxes Kraft Macaroni/Cheese

2 Four Packs of Red Bull

1 12 Pack Corona Beer

1 12 Pack New Castle Beer

1 Bottle Welch's Grape Juice

1 Avocado

1 Bag of Twizzlers red licorice

1 Case of Smart Water

1 Pint Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream

1 Pint Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Brownie Frozen Yogurt

Iggy Pop​

Iggy Pop asks for help from fans in a promotional video (YouTube)

Punk icon Iggy Pop's 18-page rider from 2006 is a monstrosity that includes, among many ridiculous requests, a demand for “Somebody dressed as Bob Hope” to do impersonations of the dead comedian.

The Demands:

A copy of USA Today that's got a story about morbidly obese people in it

6 bottles of Grolsch or decent local beer

F——— loads of good red wines

6 large bottles of good quality sparkling water

3 cases x 12 oz bottles of still mineral water

6 bottles of alcohol free beer

1 case of big bottles of good, premium beer

A bottle of vodka

Cauliflower/broccoli, cut into individual florets and thrown immediately into the garbage. I f——— hate that.

Van Halen​

Van Halen's infamous “no brown M&M's” request was reportedly instituted so that concert promoters would be forced to pay close attention to all the items on their extensive list — or else forfeit the profits of their show, due to a contract clause. You can find a sampling of their ridiculous rider below and the full version at The Smoking Gun.

The Demands:

Nuts

Pretzels

M&MS (WARNING: ABSOLUTELY NO BROWN ONES)

1 large tube of KY jelly

3 packs of Marlboro cigarettes (box)

Herring in sour cream

2 gallons non-carbonated, bottled spring water

3 fifths Jack Daniels Black Label bourbon

2 fifths Stolichnaya vodka

1 pint Southern Comfort

2 bottles Blue Nun white wine

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