It's past 12 PM GMT, so most news should be outside the realm of April Fools' Day pranks, right?
However, with April 1st still ongoing in many time zones, musicians are known to prank both fans and, occasionally, media outlets. From a crust-punk band's fake perfume launch to an elaborate album re-recording hoax, musical pranks range from simple to hilarious, and sometimes controversial.
From a crust-punk band's fake perfume launch to an elaborate album re-recording hoax, musical pranks range from simple to hilarious, and sometimes controversial. "Did you fall for any of these pranks, or what's your favourite musical mischief from years past?
7. Frankie Bridge's "Fnips" (April 1, 2025)
Frankie Bridge, a well-known British singer (formerly of The Saturdays) and television personality, took to social media, specifically Instagram, to announce the launch of a new product called "Fnips." Bridge claimed that "Fnips" were stick-on nipple covers, meticulously moulded from her own nipples, designed to allow users to achieve her "braless look" and, as she jokingly put it, "get the attention and validation you need." The level of detail and effort put into the video added to the humour, as it highlighted the absurdity of the product. | Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
8. RØDE FoodMic Pro (2020s)
RØDE Microphones, a company renowned for its high-quality audio equipment designed for professional recording, announced the "FoodMic Pro." This fictional product was presented as a specialized microphone designed to capture the nuanced sounds of food. They focused on the "delicate crunch" of a crisp, the "satisfying sizzle" of a steak, and the "creamy swirl" of a milkshake. | RØDE
9. The "Kreisler Scandal" (Early 20th Century)
The "Kreisler Scandal" stands as a notable historical example of a musical hoax, centred around the renowned violinist Fritz Kreisler. In a move that captivated the classical music world, Kreisler claimed to have unearthed manuscripts of previously unknown compositions by celebrated composers such as Vivaldi and Corelli. These "lost masterpieces" were then performed by Kreisler to widespread acclaim. However, decades later, the truth emerged: Kreisler himself was the composer of these works. | Getty Images
10. Axl Rose, Mike Patton and orange juice (1992)
The 1992 Metallica/Guns N' Roses tour, already infamous for its onstage mishaps, is also the setting for a legendary (though perhaps apocryphal) tale of inter-band mischief. According to rock and roll lore, Faith No More, serving as an opening act, engaged in various pranks, the most notorious of which allegedly involved frontman Mike Patton. The story goes that Patton defecated into a carton of orange juice, meticulously resealed it, and placed it within the confines of Axl Rose's tour van refrigerator... | Getty Images
11. The Dwarves fake a band member death (1993)
The Dwarves took their penchant for pushing boundaries to a new level in 1993. In a calculated move, they faked the death of their guitarist, He Who Cannot Be Named. The band orchestrated a scheme that involved their record label, Sub Pop, issuing an official press release announcing the guitarist's supposed demise, claiming he had been fatally stabbed in Philadelphia. The label even went as far as dedicating the band's latest album to his memory. However, the prank was ultimately exposed, revealing that the guitarist was alive and well, a revelation that led to Sub Pop's swift and angry decision to drop The Dwarves from their roster. | Provided
12. Phil Collins' drum tracks for George Harrison (2001)
A unique blend of musical collaboration and mischievousness marks the story of George Harrison's prank on Phil Collins. Early in his career, Collins, then a young Genesis drummer, was invited to play congas on sessions for Harrison's 1970 triple album, All Things Must Pass, though his contributions were ultimately omitted from the original mix. Decades later, in 2001, Harrison presented Collins with a new mix, claiming it featured his long-lost conga parts. Collins' initial excitement turned to horror as he listened, believing his youthful playing to be disastrously bad. The truth, however, was revealed: the deliberately poor percussion was the work of percussionist Ray Cooper, who had been instructed by Harrison to play badly specifically for the purpose of the prank. | Getty Images