I was always embarrassed for Judas Priest because of their pathetic cover of "Johnny B. Goode" from the "Ram It Down" album, as well as the soundtrack album for the movie "Johnny Be Good."
I get why they did it. Every musician who gets the opportunity to sell out has to weigh the consequences of losing credibility against the imminent payday. I'm sure being asked to produce the cover of this song for a movie starring Anthony Michael Hall and Robert Downey Jr. In 1988 was a temptation they didn't have to think about too hard. But it sure did suck.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2zxoGFjFJlk
Johnny Be Good IMDB
Last year at one of the last bluegrass shows we put on I sat in with one of the bands. We had about fifteen minutes "rehearsal" and then we were on. This never scared me because I had always prided myself on being adaptable and creative.
We did a few songs and then the banjo player (who was the band leader) introduced me as a "guest performer" and asked me (out of the blue) to play Johnny B. Goode.
A bluegrass band. Acoustic instruments. I hadn't even had any beer!
Anyway, I gave a reasonable rendition, given the circumstances.
Oh yea, I got to sing as well and play the lead guitar part.
I'm not a singer - never pretended to be.
The audience of mostly senior citizens were appreciative and it was actually pretty well received. I still believe that the banjo player did it to sabotage me - didn't turn out like he imagined it would ;'}