# Concerts where the frontperson is wasted. How did you feel, and what did you do? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [December 11, 2022, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerts-where-the-frontperson-is-wasted-how-did-you-feel-and-what-did-you-do/976345 "2022-12-11T19:40:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2022, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerts-where-the-frontperson-is-wasted-how-did-you-feel-and-what-did-you-do/976345/41 "2022-12-12T23:15:58Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Replacements When I saw them in Ann Arbor in (guessing) '86, Bob showed up late and drunk. Paul told him to fuck off and they got the guitarist from the DBs (who opened) to play the set with them. I was likely pretty fucked up myself that night so it all worked for me. ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2022, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerts-where-the-frontperson-is-wasted-how-did-you-feel-and-what-did-you-do/976345/42 "2022-12-13T01:37:20Z")
> [@anny\_m](#): > > Once we saw Buddy Guy perform when he was quite obviously drunk. Same here. I saw him at one of his birthday shows at his club many years ago. You couldn’t tell from his playing or singing, but it was obvious when he would talk in between songs. It was kind of fun since the whole show was loose and not stuck to a playlist, but sometimes it was too erratic – he wouldn’t stick out an entire song. I remember him diving into Voodoo Chile – super loud and deep in the pocket – and he stopped midway to do something else. We stayed for the whole show and had a great time. Thirty years later my memory is that it was more novel than it was great. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2022, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerts-where-the-frontperson-is-wasted-how-did-you-feel-and-what-did-you-do/976345/43 "2022-12-13T13:02:07Z")
> [@CaveMike](#): > > Same here. I too saw Buddy Guy perform drunk multiple times, and every show was fantastic. I saw Koko Taylor perform during her final year of life. She wasn’t drunk, but her health was so bad we were afraid she wouldn’t survive the show. She did a short set and the crowd loved her. Afterwards she struggled to breathe while her boyfriend rubbed her back. She insisted she didn’t need an ambulance, and eventually was able to stand up and walk out to their car. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2022, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerts-where-the-frontperson-is-wasted-how-did-you-feel-and-what-did-you-do/976345/44 "2022-12-13T14:01:47Z")
Saw Motley Crue back in the 80’s and they were obviously fucked up on something, probably heroin. A couple of years ago I saw Vince Neil solo. The fat fuck was huffing and puffing on stage I thought he was going to vapor lock. Saw Survivor a few years back just weeks before the one guy croaked. They were blitzed on something. And they looked like shit, like they hadn’t changed their clothes or showered in days. Saw Aretha Franklin towards the end of her career. She was obviously not feeling well, sounded terrible, and couldn’t finish the show. Same exact story when I saw Isaac Hayes. Saw David Cassidy once. He was drunk as hell. He was pissed off that his sound equipment wasn’t working right and was yelling and cursing at stage hands. Then he told the audience to fuck off and he stormed away and did not return. Saw Kenny Rogers towards the end of his career. He forgot lyrics to songs he freaking wrote!! His poor band had to cover for him. The audience was embarrassed for him. Comedian Doug Stanhope drinks throughout his set and is completely hammered by the end, but that is part of his act. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2022, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerts-where-the-frontperson-is-wasted-how-did-you-feel-and-what-did-you-do/976345/45 "2022-12-13T14:12:40Z")
It’s like anybody else who shows up for work drunk or drugged out. It is totally disrespectful to everyone concerned and shows a lack of pride and responsibility. You want my money? Give me your best. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2022, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerts-where-the-frontperson-is-wasted-how-did-you-feel-and-what-did-you-do/976345/46 "2022-12-13T14:30:16Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > It’s like anybody else who shows up for work drunk or drugged out. Not necessarily true for a performer, though. Some can only give their best when their inhibitions are chemically turned off. It ‘s not healthy for the performer but is often essential for the performance. Audiences pay to see performers do far more personally destructive things than that all the time. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2022, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerts-where-the-frontperson-is-wasted-how-did-you-feel-and-what-did-you-do/976345/47 "2022-12-13T14:33:02Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > Audiences pay to see performers do far more personally destructive things than that all the time. That’s an interesting comment. Can you give me an example? ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2022, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerts-where-the-frontperson-is-wasted-how-did-you-feel-and-what-did-you-do/976345/48 "2022-12-13T14:34:18Z")
The drummer Keith Moon of the Who was a wild man while drunk on stage. After he died the Who became a less intense band. Almost nobody goes back and listens to live performances of the Who after he died, its just not the same. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2022, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerts-where-the-frontperson-is-wasted-how-did-you-feel-and-what-did-you-do/976345/49 "2022-12-13T14:36:14Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > That’s an interesting comment. Can you give me an example? Without even getting into specific examples from sports and porn, there’s a long running show called _Jackass_…I never said such audience proclivities were a good thing. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2022, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerts-where-the-frontperson-is-wasted-how-did-you-feel-and-what-did-you-do/976345/50 "2022-12-13T14:37:20Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > That’s an interesting comment. Can you give me an example? I’ve had more than one band mate that used alcohol to deal with stage fright. Sometimes they over-did it. Plus, being an entertainer and being drunk isn’t quite the danger that it is in other professions. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2022, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerts-where-the-frontperson-is-wasted-how-did-you-feel-and-what-did-you-do/976345/51 "2022-12-13T14:39:16Z")
> [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > Keith Moon of the Who was a wild man while drunk on stage. After he died the Who became a less intense band. The key word, here, is “died”. He basically killed himself at 32 years of age. I’m afraid that the Who’s methodology for producing intensity on stage was tragically flawed. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2022, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerts-where-the-frontperson-is-wasted-how-did-you-feel-and-what-did-you-do/976345/52 "2022-12-13T14:40:11Z")
You can say the same for Led Zepplin after John Bonham died. But that’s Rock N Roll. Tragic, of course it is. Hank Williams Sr, Johnny Cash, Hendrix, Morrison, Joplin and Corbain among others where also tragic or stupid depending upon your viewpoint. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2022, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerts-where-the-frontperson-is-wasted-how-did-you-feel-and-what-did-you-do/976345/53 "2022-12-13T14:42:46Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > I’ve had more than one band mate that used alcohol to deal with stage fright. Sometimes they over-did it. Stage fright? Hmm … That’s something I never considered. ---
**Author:** ![Toxylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@Toxylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxylon)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2022, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerts-where-the-frontperson-is-wasted-how-did-you-feel-and-what-did-you-do/976345/54 "2022-12-13T14:51:08Z")
Being in the beginner band circuit when young, I have seen countless performers who desperately needed a drink or six to go on stage. It gets easier with experience, but not for all. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2022, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerts-where-the-frontperson-is-wasted-how-did-you-feel-and-what-did-you-do/976345/55 "2022-12-13T14:55:39Z")
Yes, illicit drug and alcohol use is not uncommon for performers in order to self-medicate for anxiety/stage fright. Are there better ways of dealing with it? I’m sure there are. Medically prescribed benzos, beta blockers, etc., can help, but can have issues of their own (especially the benzos). Alcohol is freely available and without prescription. And it works to some extent, but has many issues of its own, of course. I’ve been in the band circuit around 20 years ago, and I saw all types: some performers did not like drinking at all before a show; others had to have two in 'em and a drink on stage; yet others you were hoping would not show up so shit-faced as not to be able to play their instrument. Surprisingly, even the most shit-faced ones could hold their own really well – that’s what years of experience and muscle memory will do. It just kind of comes with the territory for better or worse – and is not at all like an office job. ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2022, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerts-where-the-frontperson-is-wasted-how-did-you-feel-and-what-did-you-do/976345/56 "2022-12-13T15:00:07Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > So … how did you feel, and what did you do in similar situations? It depends. In general I’m tolerant. I have my issues with Dave Chappelle these days, but in one of his specials he said “I still make money even if nobody laughs. Like Michael Jordon, I get paid for the _attempt_”. I agree with the sentiment. Live performance is extremely difficult and prone to failure, even in the best circumstances. But either way, you were there to witness it. And that’s valuable, even if it wasn’t what you expected to see. If you want to hear the artist at their best, every time, that’s what the record is for. A lot of times I still value the experience. I saw Bob Dylan once, and he was old (at least it seemed so at the time, but it was nearly two decades ago now). His band was good but his voice was terrible and many of his songs were rearranged to be almost unrecognizable. But still, I got to see _Bob Dylan_. He could have been giving macrame lessons and it would have still been worth the ticket. The goal was to see _him_, not so much to listen to the best possible performances of his songs. Of course if it’s a band that’s new to me, they better put on an entertaining show if they want me to keep buying tickets. I love music festivals in large part because of all the unknown bands I get to discover there. And if they put on a good show, I’ll subscribe to their Facebook page right there at the show, and probably buy merch and become a fan. But not if they put on a bad show. Personally, I love the Lemonheads and have a lot of nostalgia for them. I think I’d be okay seeing Evan Dando drunkenly fail onstage _once_, and not feel entirely defrauded. I probably wouldn’t pay to see him drunkenly fail _twice_, though. At the very least I’d maybe wait for the next publicized bout of rehab, and the “getting clean and sober” reunion tour. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2022, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerts-where-the-frontperson-is-wasted-how-did-you-feel-and-what-did-you-do/976345/57 "2022-12-13T15:25:22Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Really? Have we skewed so mainstream on this site that we have to explain the term Dead-Head? No, it’s on the off-chance that someone under the age of 40 might wander in here. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2022, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerts-where-the-frontperson-is-wasted-how-did-you-feel-and-what-did-you-do/976345/58 "2022-12-13T15:32:54Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > It’s like anybody else who shows up for work drunk or drugged out. It is totally disrespectful to everyone concerned and shows a lack of pride and responsibility. It depends on the band/performer in my experience. I saw Gogol Bordello a few years before COVID. t was raining heavily. Eugene Hütz was chugging wine and spitting/spraying it out on the front rows. He was drunk, we were drunk, it was a great show. Had he been sober it would have been a miserable, rainy day. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2022, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerts-where-the-frontperson-is-wasted-how-did-you-feel-and-what-did-you-do/976345/59 "2022-12-13T15:45:37Z")
> [@DrCube](#): > > many of his songs were rearranged to be almost unrecognizable. That’s Bob Dylan. Hearing _Tangled Up In Blue_ done differently, with a before unheard verse, is part of the experience. And he doesn’t necessarily enjoy performing.I’ve seen him many times. Once, in Pittsburgh, he looked at his watch in the middle of a song and realized he had fulfilled his contract. “Thank you and goodnight” as he stopped the song he was singing. The crowd cheered, cause that’s just Dylan. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2022, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerts-where-the-frontperson-is-wasted-how-did-you-feel-and-what-did-you-do/976345/60 "2022-12-13T15:55:15Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Eugene Hütz was chugging wine and spitting/spraying it out on the front rows. The Beat Farmers used to _encourage_ fans to throw beer at them during the show. (Not bottles and cans – just the beer.) But the last time I saw them they had signs urging fans not to throw beer – not because they didn’t like it, but because it was fucking up all their gear. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerts-where-the-frontperson-is-wasted-how-did-you-feel-and-what-did-you-do/976345.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerts-where-the-frontperson-is-wasted-how-did-you-feel-and-what-did-you-do/976345.md?page=4)