Destroying musical instruments is typically a contentious issue, because some musicians do it for self-promotion, etc. Some argue that it is simply a waste of pricey equipment. However, smashing equipment on stage is one of the most iconic images of rock ‘n’ roll. And when artists do it truly, not just for show, but because they love music and are in the moment, it’s extremely wonderful, capturing the actual essence of rock music.

So here are seven artists that annihilated their instruments with soul – and elegance.

And, certainly, if you are easily influenced, you should avoid watching these films.

7. …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead

Alternative/progressive/indie/math/etc. rockers…And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead are recognized for their eclectic music as well as their forceful and passionate live performances, which frequently conclude in the destruction of all equipment.

6. Nine Inch Nails

The concerts of Nine Inch Nails in the 1990s were violent and chaotic, with band members frequently harming themselves. They would regularly assault each other, stage-dive into the audience, and smash their equipment, including guitars, drums, amps, and, most notably, keyboards, at the end of shows. “When an instrument fails on stage, it mocks you and must be destroyed!” Trent Reznor famously stated.

5. Richie Blackmore

Richie Blackmore is not known for being a gear destroyer, but his guitar execution during Rainbow’s concert in Munich in 1977 is simply memorable.

4. The Clash

The Clash’s Paul Simonon famously broke his bass guitar just once on live, but a photograph of the event became the iconic cover to their “London Calling” album.

3. Nirvana

Nirvana’s live shows were extremely frenetic, and Kurt Cobain turned guitar destruction into an art form, expressing his rage and mood of the time throughout the band’s live performances. It’s worth mentioning that towards the conclusion of the band’s gigs, the drums, amps, and other gear were frequently entirely wrecked. Also, probably the most renowned instrument the Nirvana vocalist crushed was a Japanese-made Fender Stratocaster, which he smashed while recording “Endless, Nameless” on “Nevermind.”

2. Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix was also notorious for breaking his guitars and amplifiers. He notoriously destroyed two guitars during three concerts, the most memorable of which being the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival. To outdo The Who’s earlier destruction of their instruments at the same event, Hendrix poured lighter fluid over his guitar and set it on fire, despite the fact that “I’d just finished painting it that day,” as he subsequently said. This guitar smash is one of the most iconic pictures in rock music history.

1. The Who

Pete Townshend of The Who was the first guitar-smashing rock performer. Pete’s shattering of a Rickenbacker guitar at the Railway Tavern in Harrow and Wealdstone in September 1964 is one of rock music’s most memorable moments, but he has “auto-destructed” his instrument far too many times to count. According to TheWho.net, Townshend shattered more than 35 guitars in 1967 alone.

Keith Moon, drummer for The Who, was also infamous for smashing his drum equipment. The most famous instance of this occurred in 1967, during The Who’s debut on “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” on US television. Moon stuffed his bass drum with explosive charges, which he exploded during the song’s conclusion, “My Generation.” The explosion knocked out visitor Bette Davis, set Pete Townshend’s hair on fire, and, rumour has it, led to his eventual partial hearing and tinnitus.