A heavily tattooed guy picks up the biggest check of his life… flies to St. Pete Beach to celebrate… tries to fight everybody in the hotel bar,” while boasting, “I’M A MILLIONAIRE, I’M A MILLIONAIRE”… punches a stranger… kicks a sheriff’s deputy in the face… gets tased in the lobby of the TradeWinds Resort... then gets arrested.
Was this textbook rock-and-roll behavior… or just another Florida Man headline? Let’s review the evidence.
Exhibit A: Rock Stars Have a Long History of Doing Exactly This
Rock history is filled with stories of musicians behaving badly in hotels, bars, and pretty much anywhere alcohol was served.
Take Keith Moon, one of the most legendary wild men in rock. In 1967 he celebrated his “21st birthday” by starting a food fight in a hotel, smashing furniture, setting off fire extinguishers, and causing about $24,000 in damages before police showed up.
Or Axl Rose, who has been arrested multiple times over the years for altercations with security guards, neighbors, and even fans during the band’s peak chaos years.
Then there’s Vince Neil, who has had several assault and DUI arrests tied to bar fights and partying incidents.
Drunken fights, screaming “Do you know who I am?”, attacking cops and ending the night in handcuffs?
That’s very on-brand for rock star mythology.
Exhibit B: The Millionaire Bar Fight
Now enter James Farthing, a career criminal who has spent nearly 30 years behind bars. He won $167.3 million in Powerball in Kentucky and decided to fly to Florida and celebrate at the TradeWinds resort.
Witnesses say the heavily tattooed man was trying to fight people in the bar while repeatedly shouting:
“I’m a millionaire! I’m a millionaire!”
When one patron called him “delusional,” Farthing punched him in the face. The two men began wrestling on the lobby floor until a Pinellas County deputy stepped in.
Farthing reportedly tried to kick the other guy but connected with the deputy’s face instead.
That’s when the taser came out.
Exhibit C: The Aftermath
Originally charged with felony battery on a law enforcement officer, Farthing eventually struck a plea deal.
The result:
- Reduced misdemeanor battery and obstruction
- $1,000 fine
- Nine days in jail (time served)
- Completion of an anger management class
Legally speaking, the Florida chapter of the story is closed. However, the rock-star lifestyle comparison doesn’t stop there.
Farthing was arrested again in Kentucky, this time connected to a party at his house where police say they found a handgun hidden in a dryer along with marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
In other words… the “tour” continues.
The Final Verdict
It seems the only difference between “Rock-Star” behavior and “Florida Man” behavior is a hit song.
