Rock Stars have always wanted to parlay their success into the Theater. It’s true. Think Meatloaf doing Hair and Rocky Horror or Paul Stanley playing the legendary Phantom of the Opera. Most recently, John Pettibone of Seattle Metal band Himsa, decided to depart the band after 10 years to play the role of Tony in West Side Story. Of course, not everyone can make on Broadway. Enter the walk-on TV appearance. After all, bright lights are bright lights. Right?

Joey Ramone tries, unsuccessfully, to smash his guitar on The Drew Carey Show. For LP.

In this clip from The Drew Carey Show, Joey Ramone tries out for Drew’s band. It’s only a 35 second clip but it’s fucking hilarious. The episode also featured appearances by Matthew Sweet, Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielson, and Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine, among others. All vying for the guitar hero spot in Drew’s new band. Of course, The Drew Carey Show was no stranger to good music. The theme was done by Seattle’s POT USA. Even Motorhead made an appearance on the show in 2001 to shake Drew out of bed with an altered version of “Stage Fright”.

Steven Tyler on Two and a Half Men.

In an episode of a show I’ve never seen called Two and a Half Men, Steven Tyler .rents the house next to the star of the show, porn-king Charlie Sheen. Sheen ends up getting his ass kicked by Tyler after he complains about Tyler’s harmonica playing. Man, I’d complain about Steven Tyler’s harmonica playing if I thought he’d actually touch my ass. I think.

Wendy O Williams as “Big Mama” on MacGyver. Episode, “Harry’s Will” from 1990.

Wendy O. first appeared as “Big Mama” on the premier episode of MacGyver. Skip ahead to 5:13 on this clip to see Wendy O. reprise her role of Big Mama and say her only line, “Bonk ‘Em”. It’s totally worth it.

Anthrax on Married With Children, “My Dinner With Anthrax”, Season Six.

This classic clip features the band Anthrax from Season Six of one of the best shows Fox ever canceled (after 11 years), Married With Children. I love it when the Bundy’s dikey neighbor, Marcy, asks the band if they know “Day Dream Believer” by The Monkees. Of course they do. Everyone loves the Monkees. Even Anthrax.

I’ll be posting more clips of rock stars turned TV stars, like DLR from the Soprano’s and Frank Zappa on The Monkees. So stay tuned…