Video in the player above from 2024 shows the life-sized butter statue of John Stamos on the Riot Fest grounds from overhead.
CHICAGO (WGN) After a years-long one-sided love affair between Riot Fest and actor John Stamos, the beloved TV uncle has finally agreed to make an appearance at the annual music festival, but there are some special demands that must be met.
Organizers announced on Thursday that years of social media harassment have finally paid off, as Stamos is set to join in on the fun at Douglass Park for the first time this year.
The long journey to get the Big Shot to make an appearance at the festival began back in 2013, when organizers tagged Stamos in a Tweet asking him to reunite Jesse & The Rippers, the fictional band fronted by Stamos on Full House, for a performance at the fest. Sadly, Stamos did not agree.
A few years later, in 2016, festival organizers tried to get Stamos’ attention again by commissioning butter sculptor Jim Victor to craft his head out of butter. While organizers were not able to convince Stamos to come perform, he did respond to their post, saying he was flattered but frightened.
As the saga to get Stamos to perform at the festival continued, organizers began taking even more outrageous action, going as far as to curate a John Stamos Art Show in 2017.
Finally, in 2024, in what can only be described as one of the organizer’s most ambitious attempts to get Uncle Jesse’s attention, a life-sized butter statue of Stamos graced the festival grounds, keeping a keen eye over attendees.
Years of light harassment and a couple of butter sculptures later, the relentless work appears to have paid off for organizers, who announced Tuesday that Stamos had “begrudgingly” agreed to join the RiotFest 2025 lineup “in his official capacity as drummer of the band The Beach Boys,” but there are a few demands they must meet to ensure a checkup by Dr. Gates.
According to organizers, Stamos requested the following:
- Festival founder Riot Mike must get a tattoo of the actor.
- Riot Fest 2025 must feature a Stamos look-alike contest and a special Stamos-themed Riot Fest t-shirt approved by the actor.
- A local Chicago pizza restaurant must create a Greek-style pizza named after and in honor of the actor.
- Stamos masks must be printed out for the crowd to wear during the festival.
- Riot Fest social media person must give Stamos a foot rub.
- The actor must be allowed to say “Riot Fart” anytime someone says “Riot Fest.”
- Festival attendees and employees must be prohibited from making eye contact with the actor’s hair.
“Over the next few weeks in the lead up to the festival, we at Riot Fest will make every effort to complete this list of demands from Mr. John Stamos so he will be in attendance at Riot Fest 2025,” organizers said in a release detailing the unique demands.
Late Thursday, Riot Mike responded on Instagram, saying, “Game on. I made a tattoo appointment for Tuesday. Now it’s up to the people which one of these tattoos I’m getting.” He posted a sampling of tattoos featuring Stamos.
Giordano’s Pizza also responded to Stamos’ demands, taking to X to show that the pizzeria already has a Greek Pizza named after him, called “The Stamos Supreme.”
In addition to the list of odd demands, organizers said Stamos’ green room must also be stocked with a body pillow of John Stamos, a nude painting of Bea Arthur, and unlimited hummus served in a Gibson guitar case.
If the demands are met and organizers are able to secure Stamos, he will join the Beach Boys on the Riot Stage at 6:20 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20.
While not an official member of the group, Stamos has played and performed with the group as a special guest, usually behind the drum kit, on multiple occasions since 1985.
Passes are still up for grabs for the annual event. Visit the RiotFest website for more information or to view a full lineup.
