Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll on FX: Backstage fights between rock n roll stars inspired the show, reveals writer

New TV series Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll premieres on FX on 16 July and the show's creator/writer Denis Leary has roped in a number of guest rock stars to appear in the comedy series.

The star-studded lineup of cameos includes Joan Jett, Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl and Greg Dulli of Afghan Whigs. However, Leary is also eyeing English singer David Bowie for an appearance on the show in case it gets a second season.

"My three favourite bands are the (Rolling) Stones, the Who and David Bowie," Leary told the Comic-Con Hall H crowd during the Sex&Drugs panel on 12 July. (via Deadline)

"I grew up in the '70s when there was shitty music. The songwriters and the musicians were falling asleep, and there were stupid haircuts. Bowie got me through 1970 until the Ramones showed up. He's funny; I've seen him on Ricky Gervais' show. That's my message to David Bowie."

During the Comic-Con panel, Leary revealed that his inspiration for the show came from hanging backstage at musical events and watching rock and rollers get in fights, then never hold grudges. "You know they'll never break up," said Leary, who recalled a Saturday Night Live onstage rivalry between Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Joe Perry.

What is Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll all about?

Leary plays Johnny Rock, frontman for The Heathens - a 1990s band set for stardom with its debut album. But they waste themselves during their early days, which results in them breaking up on the day their first album comes out.

25 years later, Gigi (Elizabeth Gillies) - the daughter Johnny never knew - needs a band in the studio to record a demo, and that's what brings the group back together.

Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll premieres on FX this Thursday 16 July at 10pm ET.