The recent loss of another amazing musician has caused me to really think about addiction and substance abuse within the music industry. It seems to be so prominent that it doesn’t even surprise people when they hear their favorite artist is a drug addict. It sometimes seems as though it just comes with the territory and has since the beginning of music.
It seems that drugs were less talked about before the sixties. When the sixties rolled around it was made very obvious that drugs were a part of the music and a fuel for the music being made. Obviously there are a lot of great musicians that don’t take drugs and drink alcohol but it seems quite rare. This fact makes me wonder if creative minds have a tendency towards substance abuse and addictions. Becoming famous is that gateway to getting anything and everything and having the money to do so. Would the addictions have taken over if they hadn’t had the resources or would they have adapted the lifestyle regardless? This is a question I wish I knew the answer to.
It’s very hard to say whether or not musicians would be as successful if they didn’t have these demons that make them abuse drugs and alcohol. These demons are the basis of their music and the fuel to the emotions within their songs. In Amy Winehouse’s case, as well as many other musicians, she tried to take the road of recovery and it failed. I believe that in many cases brilliant creativity and deep emotions come hand in hand with an addictive personality. Although this is extremely unfortunate, it seems to be the case with so many of the great musicians of our time. The thought of fame and fortune will blind many from really considering whether they can handle the music industry and all it will offer, good and bad.
It was once quoted by Shannon Hoon, leader of Blind Melon, that “Whatever route someone’s going to take, they should look a little bit into it before they take that route.” That same year he died of a drug overdose at age 28.
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