Anthrax Rocker Describes Jewish Mother’s Scream After Telling Her About His Career Choice
by Shiryn Ghermezian
Scott Ian, of thrash metal band Anthrax, revealed the difficulty he faced as a teen, and the unforgettable screams that followed, when he told his Jewish mother he wanted to be a rockstar, the New York Daily News reported Tuesday.
The Queens-born guitarist said his mother wanted him to stay in school and pursue a conventional career as a doctor or lawyer. Ian had something else in mind for his future, which she was not too thrilled about.
“At 5-foot-4, I wasn’t going to make the New York Yankees, my other dream. So being in a band just became my complete focus from the age of 14 in the late 1970s,” the 50-year-old explained. “I dropped out of St. Johns University my first semester because I wanted to work full time at my father’s office to make money to buy equipment.”
“For a long time I couldn’t tell my mother I’d dropped out because she’s a Jewish mom who felt the only thing good enough for her son was being a doctor, lawyer or dentist. Well, maybe not even a dentist,” he added. “When I finally got the nerve to tell my mother, the scream that she let loose is still traveling through space and time at speeds unheard of by science, I’m telling you.”
It took until 1991 for Ian’s mother to really forgive him, he said. By then, Anthrax had five records out — the last three gold.
After touring for 33 years, Ian has gathered a collection of stories along the way and will share some on March 5 when his current spoken-word tour comes to B.B. King Blues Club in Times Square.