'Not a rock star': Dave Grohl opens up on Foo Fighters, Nirvana and the price of fame

Dave Grohl is the lead singer of worldwide music titans the Foo Fighters and cut his musical teeth with the legendary Nirvana - but don't call him a rock star.

"Any f------ rock star who calls himself a rock star is a total a------," he said.

Grohl opened up to 60 Minutes about his experience with fame, his early years as Nirvana's drummer, and balancing his family with the singer lifestyle.

He said after some years at the top of the rock music tree, he had some sympathy for new bands who immediately struck it big, knowing the pressure of handling early fame and success.

"I actually have sympathy for Justin Bieber sometimes," he said.

"I mean, you give a 16-year-old kid $100 million, what do you think he's gonna do?"

However, he said he was hugely grateful for his career and his life.

He said getting a "second chance" after Nirvana's rise and fall following the suicide of lead singer Kurt Cobain, was unbelievable.