The Album After Rehab
BBC Radio (5Live) were interviewing Melvyn Bragg about The South Bank Show. He recalled how he interviewed Francis Bacon, they both got drunk, very drunk.
Innumerous artists and rock stars do the drink. Many do the drugs. It's what they do, not all of them, but enough of them. My album collection contains plenty of alcoholics and drug addicts. Even my wife's album collection contains people who led lives of debauchery, Mozart was one. History is riddled with alcoholic musicians and artists, it's nothing new.
Do these artists do what they do so they can do what they do? Appetite For Destruction is one of the recognised 'greatest albums of all time', but it would not be the same if the artists hadn't done what they'd done. Art is often achieved by the artist being who they are, experiencing what they experience. Would a more toned down lifestyle produce a more toned down work?
If I hadn't heard Appetite For Destruction I wouldn't miss it and of course I'm not in some way romanticising drink and drugs, nor am I suggesting for one moment that anyone wants enjoyment from anyone's misfortune.
We wouldn't condone alcohol or drug abuse, yet it appears that we can't help ourselves loving the work even with the knowledge of how it was achieved.
July 1st, 2010 - 00:28
I think this one is debatable. While it is true many artists have produced great work while under the influence of various substances and in the context of a particular lifestyle, many of those same artists have then seen a sad decline in their output; if they managed to stay alive or sane. The question is, were the drink and drugs part of the cause of that decline as well perhaps of the initial burst of rich output?
July 3rd, 2010 - 07:04
I think generally the creative spark is what drives the need for drink and drugs as well. The old saying is that genius is next door to madness and depression in particular seems able to drive creativity as well as the need for other stimulants. Eventually they may cause the decline, but I think that drink and drugs would rarely cause the inspiration. Certainly I don’t feel particularly inspired if I’ve had a couple of pints of beer. They’re more like a side-effect of the creativity.