The Rock and Roll Lifestyle
It was revealed today that Quiet Riot frontman and 80's hairband legend Kevin Dubrow, who died last month, died as a result of an accidental cocaine overdose. You can read the sad state of affairs here: www.mtv.com/news/articles/1576189/20071210/quiet_riot.jhtmlJust another sad example of a has-been rocker who can't shake the demons of his past. Dubrow was 52 when he passed away..........52! Why on earth would he still be into the drug scene at 52 years of age? I guess you just can't shake that Rock-and-Roll lifestyle. And in the article, they refer to his death as an "accidental" overdose of cocaine. Accidental? I don't think there is anything that can be deemed accdental when you're taking drugs......any drugs. You're asking for trouble, especially at that age. Some of his former band mates, when news of his death first came out, were quick to say to fans that we should not jump to conclusions about his death until all of the facts were in. Well guess what, I think we all suspected drugs, and why not? Just don't insult our intelligence about how these people have "grown up" over the years.
I remember buying Metal Health back in '83, can't argue with a band that helped shape the Hair Band image of 1980's glam-metal. Still one of the best debut albums of all time.
It's a sad state of affairs that we have to talk about and learn about another celebrity rocker who could not handle his fame or shake the past from his life. It's not preaching here, it's stating the facts. Why at age 52 are you still into the scene? Did he not have a family? Wasn't he on the comeback trail, getting the band back together? And he lost it all, pissed it all away. When will these people grow up? At least with most rock icons who have died from the effects of drugs or alcohol, they died in their early years, their 20's or 30's, when that kind of behavior is expected (not condoned mind you) due to immaturity and what-not. 
Maybe this can actually be a wake up call to other rock stars. Hey, you're Older now, hopefully wiser, grow up and enjoy the success you've had and ride off into the sunset. Don't become another foot-note in rock and roll histroy. Do you think someone like Keith Richards is listening and paying attention to this? Let's hope so. Although old Keith has probably done some much crap over the years, he's probably built up an immunity to just about everything. What a waste......................CG
Keith Richards is so juiced up, he doesn't know he's dead yet.
Ha, ha, ha. Those dumb ass degenerate rockers Oh you're soooo very funny, Annie.
Go ahead, make all the fun you want of one of the greatest human beings and artists of our time, a man who's incredible creations and contributions to our culture and humanity will live on and will be enjoyed for as long as people on this planet have ears. Of course you don't get Keith, Annie. That would require having a soul and love in your heart, which you do not.
Steve, hello, very nice for you to chime in. Thanks. Where have you been hiding? I do think you have to admit that Keith has spent his fair share at the old rock-and-roll pharmacy. I don't think anyone is denying his artistic endeavors or contributions. I think that there comes a point where you really should slow it down and lay off the chemicals.
Not all of Keith's contributions to our culture are probably good ones either, but he and his mates can surely make music that has stood the test of time and will always stand the test of time.
Steve, please stay around. By the way, hey, you're into the music scene, two words for you....Jake's Leg. Awesome.
Thanks. CG
Steve,
C'mon brother... You don't honestly believe that Annie has no love in her heart???
It's just a shame that some can't shake the addictions... Like Aerosmith did...although I must admit their music was much better when they were partaking in the vices...Not being cheeky, it's true...
Thx LT
Yes, I honestly believe Annie has n love in her heart.
You're kidding, right?. I can think of so many more great people who have actually done wonderful things for the betterment of mankind and culture, than Keith Richards. Anyone can stand around with a cigarette hanging out of their mouths pretending to play an instrument.
Never cared much for the Stones. And you know what, 'Sympathy for the Devil' sounds much better when Guns-n-Roses performs it. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
BWAHAHAHAHAHA...
Annie,
You're proving you're clearly out of your element here if you think all Keith does is "stand around with a cigarette hanging out of their mouths pretending to play an instrument." I think you have Keith, a true musical genius, confused with THE MAJOR DRUG ADDICT AND MAJOR ALCOHOLIC hack of a so called "musician" that goes by the name of Slash.
The Stones' body of work spanning the last 43 years speaks for itself. GNR is a mere blip footnote in the history of rock, as minor league and forgettably embarrassing as it gets.
Again Annie, you're out of your element in this discussion. Go back to what you do best: putting forth your anti-American political agenda.
The guess who is better n all of em....
Here ya go. Who better to have sympathy with satan than another group of degenerates who can sing it better.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsGXpn2_0og
Good grief, Steve. Get over it. I make a joke about Richard's looking like a cadaver and you get a kink in your shorts.
I can't see a connection to Richard's musical ability, or lack thereof, to humanity and culture. You were the one who attributed the term 'degenerate' to rockers, not I. I just went with it. They are. Most rockers are. It's the nature of the beast.
They are their own worst enemies. Degenerate behavior usually ends in a bad place as this thread of Dubrow points out. It's a waste and a shame but I can't muster up too much sympathy after that.
Annie wrote:
I can't see a connection to Richard's musical ability, or lack thereof, to humanity and culture.
Then there is truly no hope for you, and you truly have no love in your heart, not to mention no ears!
Annie wrote:
You were the one who attributed the term 'degenerate' to rockers, not I.
Which was me making a facetious comment in reply to the original comment--I'm not surprised it flew completely over your head.
Annie wrote:
I just went with it. They are. Most rockers are. It's the nature of the beast.
Really? And how many of these rockers you call degenerates do you know personally? How many are in your day to day life? How many do yo work with, play with, go to church with, etc., etc., etc. Insult us all you want. Paint us with as broad a stroke as you like. Rock and roll is obviously a joy that a heart full of hate like yours is not open too. It's too bad, and I pity you. As a rock musician who has spent my entire adult life in various elements of it, I can say that the majority of the people who share the same lifestyle as me that I have come in contact with, and these are people from all over the world, are the most fantastic and wonderfully HUMAN human beings you will find anywhere. And unlike you and you're kind, we are open to the wonderful possibilities and humanity that lies in each and every human on the planet. Rock and roll=love, no matter how you slice it. Rock and roll is the greatest cultural export America has ever delivered to the rest of the world, because at it's core it represents everything that's great about this country. So of course someone as anti-American as yourself would naturally be opposed to us rockers...
I have an idea....go to the latest post above and let's post about the love and joy of Christmas
Man I love bloggging!! Great stuff CG!
Thx LTL
Dang elves, just like garden knomes, you can't trust 'em.
Maybe tomorrow LT. I heard some sad news today and I'm not done digesting it. Hint: it includes a degenerate or two.
Steve, it's nice to have you around in the AM section of the web. Where the hell have you been?
Now, I don't think we can deny Keith and the Stones contribution to the growth of rock. You can legitimately argue that they shaped rock as we know it and along with groups like the Beatles, The Who, Zepp, and countless others from that era, they helped fuel the fire that is modern rock and roll music.
What you can not argue is the fact that Keith, by his own admission, has done more than his fair share of drugs. He lived hard and still lives hard. His artistic contributions ARE timeless, but his liefstyle choices are probably not something to be showcased and glamorized. This is not preaching from some pulpit here, it's just stating the facts.
I have two words for you with regards to the STL music scene......Jake's Leg.
Thanks............CG
CG Wrote:
Where the hell have you been?
I'm around, just haven't been moved to coment on anything here. As Lt. may or may not have told you, I read BMA but do not read any of the comments section on there anymore. And Jake's Leg? A Grateful Dead tribute band! I've seen them before, and saw a lot of degenerate drug use at their show too. You guys kill me...
Steve, looks like I hit one here that does strike a chord with you. Now, are you painting us/me with a broad stroke here with your last comment? Are you saying that I'm hypocritical. I can speak for myslef and probably LT when I say that I enjoy ALL music, all types, across a broad spectrum. I enjoy it for what it is, Steve, and that is art, entertainment and expression.
I separate the music from the lifestyle, if you don't, you really probably couldn't enjoy it. The music is the music, the lifestyle is the lifestyle. It's no differnet than anything else in life. Most people tend to grow "out" of these types of things, realizing that a continuous life of hard living will, in all likelihood, lead to a pre-mature demise.
You can enjoy the fruits of their labor, but that doesn't mean you have to agree with how they live. It's no differnent than sports. Drug use at all levels of sport (apparently a lot more now), but that doesn't keep me from enjoying a game.
Would I invite Keith Richards to speak to my son's 2nd grade class about life? Ummm, probably not. But do I let my sons enjoy a little "Gimme Shelter" or "Jumpin Jack Flash" from time-to-time? Yeah, you bet I do. And we sit down together and watch sports too.
Thanks..........CG
I think your son's 2nd grade class could learn a lot from Keith about life. A hell of a lot more about life and humanity than he would learn from a talk from that cocaine addict and alcoholic who sits in the White House---George W. Bush.
Steve you could be right about Keith's life lessons. As long as he taught the virtues of creativity, hard work, living his dream....the evils of drug use and addiction. Yeah it might be able to work.
I didn't know this was a GW Bush bashing discussion though?? You know, I think Keith may be an addict too....call me crazy.
No biggie, just reminding y'all that George W. Bush is every bit the wasteoid degenerate drug addict that you accuse Keith Richards of being.
CG,
You mention Led Zeppelin?? How about their "come back"? I just hope they don't "over do it" and try and be the Zep of old, but rather realize they are grandpas now and make some new great music!
I never saw Zeppelin live but I've heard they sucked...but their studio stuff is the best..I hope they come out with a new CD that kicks ass...Robert Plant can't hit the high notes anymore...but he still has a good voice..
Thx LTL
If you heard Led Zeppelin sucked live back in the day, you heard wrong. I saw them at the old Arena in '73 and again there in '75 and they were fantastic both times. In '75 me and my buddies slept out at the Arena for tickets in 20 degree December weather and wound up with 6th row seats. And get this, we were all outraged that they had the nerve to charge the unheard of (in those days) ticket price of $7.50! Those days are definitely gone...
Talk about painting with a broad brush. I'm anti-American because I observe that Keith Richards is self-pickled and many rockers are degenerates?
I'm glad you have found joy. I hope your lifestyle is one that will give you many happy and healthy years to come (without anti-virals or penicillin).
Led Zeppelin? Now you're talking.
As usual Annie, you miss my points by a mile. You are anti-American because of ALL of the many. many people you hate, not just us rockers. You hate everyone who does not think, look, believe, or behave exactly like you do. You hate America's diversity---the core of it's greatness. You may love the idea of America, but in reality you just can't stad the place because of all us people who are nothing like you.
You, Steve, have missed my initial attempt at a superficial joke and later sarcasm.
You are projecting. You know nothing about me other than what I type.
It is you who is getting worked up because I don't care for Keith Richards or the lifestyles many rockers live. You hate me because I have an opinion that you don't like. If I see destructive behavior, I will call it what it is. 'Diversity' is not it.
And darlin'? I've got lots of love for anyone who loves, respects, and supports this great nation or ours that made rock-n-roll possible.
Have you heard of these guys? They gained a few of my dollars because of the following:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymLJz3N8ayI
Southern Born Killers
www.stuckmojo.us
Forgot to add that a fellow I know, retired EOD 'specialist', uses this video, with stuckmojo's permission, in his anti-terror presentations as he teaches our newest EOD trainees what they are up against on their way to the sandbox.
Something you might want to keep in mind, Annie:
The dirt poor, the working class, the uneducated, the intellectual subversives, the hustlers, the outcasts, the homosexuals, the Jews, the African-Americans, the working class immigrants, the Mexicans, the bad girls, the sinners who are saints, and the saints who are sinners, the poets and the pickers, the people that people like you Annie fear---THESE are the people of America that made rock and roll possible. The very same people that people like you Annie spit on and comdemn and try to keep down and brand immoral and unAmerican. The Americans you wish would just go away. How can you like an art form when you have such obvious contempt and disrespect for the artists who create it? Rock and roll is the real heart of America. The America anti-Americans like you Annie ignorantly fear and hate.
The above video got CAIR's undies in a wad.
From the same CD - I'm American
(you'll like this one too LT)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pD-t6tcBji4&feature=related
Hate me
Blame me
You can't shame me
Come and stand with me
I'm American
The dirt poor, the working class, the uneducated, the intellectual subversives, the hustlers, the outcasts, the homosexuals, the Jews, the African-Americans, the working class immigrants, the Mexicans, the bad girls, the sinners who are saints, and the saints who are sinners, the poets and the pickers,
These are my people Steve. They are from whom I come from. My character and who I am was formed from them. I've experienced the heartache, the abuse, and the pain, from the hustlers, bad girls, and basic degenerates have inflicted on those around them. Those outcasts leave nothing but carnage and neurosis in their wake. "I can do what I want", "It's my body, I'm not hurting noone", "Who are you to judge".
I, and those close to me have had to clean up and pay up for their fuck-ups. In some cases the damage is irreversible.
You don't know shit Steve. So STFU with your moonpie in the sky circle jerk rock in roll love crap.
And you don't know shit or the first thing about me Annie, but the hatred in your heart for those who are different from you is on display once again with your "moonpie in the sky circle jerk rock in roll love crap" comment. But fight on, darling. Keep trying to do away with we Americans who don't belive exactly you do. Knock yourself out hating us, you obvioulsy enjoy it so very, very much.
I would tell you to grow up and join reality, so that people like me don't have to keep paying and cleaning up after irresponsible assholes like you while you continue your adolescent ways into mid-life, but then I recall the study that came out of the UK stating that people who smoke marijuana are at an increased risk for schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder, and know that it is useless to argue or tease the mentally challenged about Keith Richards.
Remember to use condoms Steve, in your extended adolescence, since rockers have a tendency towards immediate gratification, and lack of understanding for consequences. I recommend that out of concern for the health and safety of the working class boys or girls who fall for your 'rock is love' line.
Mighty, mighty, mighty presumptuous of you Annie, since I've given no indications or admitted in this forum to any illegal drug use or that I engage in wrecless sex. Mighty presumptuous indeed, yet typical of you. You're out of your element darling, and you have no idea of what you're talking about. In my 30+ years of playing music I have worked with and known literally hundreds of musicians and other people who work in the music industry who do not fall into the stereotype that you describe. And of course I've met some that do, but I've also met doctors, dentists, lawyers, people in the insurance industry, construction workers, truck drivers, and numerous white collar businessmen who are major drug consumers and who also engage in plenty of wreckless sex.
And you're out of your mind.
Look how society has paid for that kind of devil-may-care libertine narcissism. Whatever that liberal mindset touches, it destroys. Families, schools, countries, babies, souls.
You only love yourself.
Just remember Annie, millions of people who identify themselves as conservative hypocritically adhere to this so called "liberal mindset" that you describe, when it comes to sex and drugs.
Steve, dude, give it a rest. I am hideously ugly and need to pay someone to help me find my socks.
Real rockers don't hang on the innertubes pissing and moaning because someone don't like their style.
Not seeing much love or tolerance in your heart for others.
Concerning Dubrow, I don't think he had any family. He was supposed to spend Thanksgiving with 2 of his girlfriends. And "the band" wasn't back together, just Dubrow and the drummer...they hired a guitarist and bass player for the last album (which was awesome by the way) and had different players touring with them. I'll miss QR because I think Kevin had matured as a songwriter and it really showed on the 2006 album, but that's usually the way it goes. The more mature they get musically, the more immature personally.
As for GNR being a "blip footnote in the history of rock," I don't think so. I cannot imagine the day that the songs from Appetite for Destruction disappear from the radio waves. It may have been all downhill from there, but how many albums can one band release that are almost universally regarded as one of the top 5 in their genre be a "blip footnote"?
I think you are right about GNR. They certainly amount to more than the "blip footnote...". AFD came out at a time when Glam-Metal was at it's zenith, 1987, and GNR kind of gave that genre a swift kick in the ass. It's hard edge sound and even harder looking band members chnaged the way metal/hard rock had been over the previous 7-8 years. Some critics say that the glam-metal movement really came to an end with the introduction of the Grunge-alternative sound in the early 90's, but I think glam-metal's demise kind of got ushered in and kick-started when GNR came along.
GNR was definately not known for their staying power, maybe that's why some may consider them a mere "blip" on the rock-and-roll radar screen. Talk about a messed up group of individuals, volatile to say the least. But you can not deny the impact that Appetite for Destruction had on that era of music and the entire music scene in general. Still one of the best hard rock albums of all time.
Thanks.........CG
Stradlin was an ok songwriter I guess, but the band was clearly never the same after his departure. Slash as a guitarist though is king of the hacks and Axl Rose---my god what a pathetic and untalented tool!
I agree Stevo,
I think Slash is way over rated and Axl is a pompous ass... I will have to say that Appetite was a good album though. It was sort of the sound track to a particular time of my wilder days....I think GNR got way ahead of themselves with the double album Illusions 1 and 2. They had hardly been around long enough to put out an attempt at a Double album in my opinion. They were hardly a Zeppelin etc...although I think in their minds they thought they were..
The making of that double album is also what began their demise as a band, major egos....
Eventually grunge killed them off like it did glam rock...unfortunately the wussified sterile music of today would stem from that mess....
The LT....
Steve, your depiction of Axl is dead-on. Who can forget his meltdown at Riverport when he went after the crowd? And if I recall correctly, he went ape-shit at a show in Canada as well, one that GNR was doing with Metallica. I think GNR quit on stage right in the middle of a set and just went off stage because Axl was not feeling like himself. It helped spark an out-right riot among the fans attending the show. Yes, what a tool indeed.
Today's music lacks the substance of the music from the past. I think the period starting around 1980 and continuing to today helped grow the garage band sound that is the base of rock music today. Not that there aren't talented bands out there, but now anyone who can strum a chord or two can get air play. To me, music has to be much more than that. Slash may be the epitome of the "hack", no doubt.
I've been a fan of music all my life. And not just a single type of sound either. I enjoy Stevie Wonder as much as I enjoy Stevie Ray Vaughn and Zeppelin and U2 and Hendrix and Rage Against the Machine (just don't buy their message) and The Dead and Journey and the Clash and the list goes on and on. I do really have a tough time with today's sound, everything is hip-hop influenced it seems like. And most bands come off sounding alike to me. Where is the variety in today's sound? Now there is some hip-hop that I find a liking to, I just don't admit it very often.
Stuff is wussified indeed. Even the "pop" songs of today are more wussy than the ones from my youth.
Thanks..........CG
Out of curiosity, have any of you listened to either of Slash's Snakepit albums? To me, these are the best work Slash has done outside of AFD. I'm not a huge fan of Velvet Revolver (although I can tolerate them), and I think Axl held back the rest of the band on the UYI albums. But Slash is really in his element especially on the first Snakepit album.
To the music of today, well, I grew up in the 1980s and early 90s, so the music I love will always be hair metal and the pop of that era (Young MC, Vanilla Ice, Tone Loc). There is some good stuff out there today, but you have to search hard for it. I like Linkin Park (don't shoot me!), Papa Roach, and Buckcherry, but I also like a little bit of pop like Rihanna and Fergie. Not every song is a winner, but there are some good tracks out there. But as far as there being another AFD, or Back in Black, or Led Zeppelin II, another disc that is "unskippable" that you can listen to from beginning to end, they are rare to find.
Jason,
Good points all...sounds like you and I and CG are about the same age. I really think that musicians of today could learn something from the bands of the 70s and the glam rock of 80s. I think it's time to start singing about cars and chics and drinkin' again.
Todays rock artists are singing about how much they're in love or lonely they are....aside from the harder alternative stuff anyway... C'mon bring the fun back to rock! Hip-Hop is annoying because it rarely has melody..but yet they sing about cars and chicks and in comes the fun and money!
The music of the 70s I am afraid will never be matched. They were able to sing about all those things and yet add some mysticism....
I may make an entry on this subject tonight, hey it "Matters" right????
See what you started CG? Great post! Hell it even brought Stevo out of the woodwork and re-united him and sweet Annie and their on going "love"!
Jason welcome aboard and I will be sure to check out your fine blog when I get back home to my fortified bunker!
Thx LT......
Yes, I've heard the Snakepit albums. Another awful Slash band in my opinion. A few years ago when I still worked at Vintage Vinyl, we had them in for an in-store autograph signing appearance. Slash was nice, though he was already shitfaced drunk (it was late afternoon). After the signing was finished and he was waiting to leave, he and I talked for about five minutes, discussing our mutual love of Cheap Trick.
The dream police, they live inside of my head........f***ing great stuff. Straight out of Rockford, Il if I remember correctly.
Vintage Vinyl, one of the greatest stores EVER.......
Late afternoon for Slash, must have gotten a late start on things. Not a big Velvet Revolver fan either. It must be "pick on former GNR band mates day" here at the AM.
Oh how I yearn for "My Sharona"......
Cheap Trick is great.... one of the oddest things...in their early days was they used to throw KISS albums out to their audience. They were big fans obviously. Bet that wouldn't happen today....but how cool huh?
Sharona.. Thats was The Knack wasn't it??? What about The Split Enz ??? Their early stuff was great and pushed by KSHE...they went sort of New Wave later for some reason...
Steve,
I may have ran into you at Vintage Vinyl..My friends and I used to make a monthly trek there to buy albums... A group of us had helped out on our buddy's underground mag S.L.A.M. (St Louis Area Magazine.)Which Vintage let us display and sell there.. I was the "camera man"....(only because my parents had the most expensive camera.) We got to interview Flea from the Chili Peppers over the phone.. good good times...anyway after our stop at Vintage V. We would head over to High Street Boutique for some uhhhh supplies..yeah. It was fun being a degenerate as Annie calls it!
Thx LT....
Dude, I went to college with a guy that used to work at High Street Boutique, no kidding. He was from U-City area I think.
Lt,
I have a vague recollection of S.L.A.M., and we may indeed have crossed paths, though in my ten years at VV, I was only on the floor my first year. After that I was kicked upstairs to the office and an upper management position.
And I'm still a huge Split Enz/Crowded House/Neil & Tim Finn fan.
Steve,
The Split Enz career paths kind of remind me of The Cars... Both band's early stuff are KSHE classics...both were pushed here...The Split Enz went New Wavey and The Cars went pop... A couple other bands that I like that were late 70s and 80s were Off Broadway and The Outfield.....
Do you like any of the 80s glamrock stuff?????
I love this....the guitar riff is great... ( ya gotta get by the video intro)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=6rqA55ynPoU
Ratt really kicked ass..
Ahhhh memories.
thx LT....
Nope, I was never down with '80's hair metal. I prefer the '70's English glamrock of Bowie, Roxy Music, T.Rex, SLade, The Sweet, etc.
Steve, what about the early "punk" sound, like The Clash and Ramones? Some of my favorites....ever. Kind of helped usher in the demise of disco in the late 70's. London Calling one of the best records of all time.
The soundtrack and guiding force of my adult life. I was there with it from it's beginnings in 1976, and it's ethic has guided me since. Punk rock gave me the courage to take my desire to become a musician and turn it into actual reality, and 30+ years later I'm still at it with the same spirit and same belief in many of those original principles. In 1976 I was also involved with the first radio station in town to play that music---KWUR. I travelled to Memphis in January of 1978 and saw the second show played in the United States by the Sex Pistols. The following year I drove to Cleveland to see the Clash on their first American tour.