20 Insane Music Pranks and Hoaxes

Maybe it’s because there’s a certain amount of stunted adolescence that typically goes with the territory – or maybe because musicians need to find creative ways to distract themselves from the lengthy periods of sheer boredom that are endemic to a life spent primarily on the road or in the studio – but pop stars seem to have a special knack for messing with other people’s minds.

In honor of April Fool’s Day, here’s a rundown of 20 memorable practical jokes, pranks, japes and/or hoaxes involving famous musicians over the past half-century. Some of them are light-hearted, some are bizarre and some are downright nasty, but they’re all several steps up from your average whoopee cushion or joy buzzer gag.