Do Drugs Make or Break Artists?

Chet Baker’s Hollywood good looks and smoldering trumpet solos saw him become a leading player in the jazz scene both sides of the pond. His melancholy voice rejuvenated the jazz standard “My Funny Valentine.” His laid back, west coast style of playing trumpet influenced countless jazz records since his 1950’s breakthrough. Years of heroin and cocaine abuse left a leathery mess where his once Dorian Gray-esque visage once sat. The music that he produced declined as the 1960’s saw him pawn his instruments for his next fix.

Lester Bangs was one of the most influential rock critics to ever have slammed an album. His lack of fear with interviewees didn’t always make him many friends, but saw him gain countless of fans and followers who still follow his ranting style to this day. Although his death remains debatable, he died of a cocktail of cold medicines. Drugs have been cited as a reason for his success. The inspiration he got from hallucinogenic drugs led to his famously bad review of MC5’s Kick Out The Jams. 

George Best was one of the most technically gifted footballers the world has ever seen. Forever spoken in the same breath as Pele, Maradonna, Platini and Beckenbauer the boy from Belfast inspired Manchester United to a historic European Cup victory in 1968 which contributed to him becoming European Footballer of the Year in the same year. He retired in 1974 only to return two years later without as much success. Alcohol abuse started to take it’s toll which meant that major clubs could not gamble on hiring a man seen as a liability. He travelled the world looking for employment and had spells in Ireland, Scotland, Australia, Hong Kong and the United States. He died of multiple organ failure after years of abuse. 

We will never know what these idols would have achieved without their vices but it is impossible to see George Best’s career being vastly prolonged. His mind ma not have been right when he left Manchester Unitde, but his body was slowing down. The blistering turn of foot that saw him leave wing backs for dead was no longer there. He still had the flicks and tricks but he soon lost his world beater tag. 

Lester Bangs wrote some of the most inspiring non fiction of all time. The rock criticism genre has been revolutionized and owes a great debt to both Bangs and Dr Hunter S. Thompson. Without drugs he may have lost his abrasive interviewing technique or his sprawling, train of thought style. Wether his death was purposeful or not remains in doubt but the massive overdose he took serves as a testimony to a lifetime of drug taking.

Chet Baker’s early career broke ground. His voice was entirely unique. His style refreshing. Yet his vigor quickly became diminished. His downward spiral was completely down to his abuse of class A drugs.

Hendrix, Doherty, Sixx, Slash, Osbourne, Lennon, Plant, Phoenix, Pollock, Bruce, Entwistle, … the list goes on. So many artists die young or pay for their excesses in later life. Some of the greatest art ever produced has been conceived while under the influence but surely they could all create with a clear head. Perhaps we should salute those who manage to create art whilst completely sober and untouched by the crippling hand of drugs. But that would mean heaping praise on The Jonas Brothers. And that just wouldn’t be right now would it?