# Musicians on Heroin **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 23, 2008, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-on-heroin/438878 "2008-02-23T20:07:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![El\_DeLuxo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_deluxo/32/9043_2.png) [@El\_DeLuxo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_DeLuxo)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2008, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-on-heroin/438878/41 "2008-02-24T08:50:24Z")
Amazing, nobody’s mentioned the **Velvets** or \*\*Guns ‘N’ Roses \*\*yet… also Mike Bloomfield Iggy Pop Neil Haggerty and Jennifer Herema of **Royal Trux** GG Allin (whoever said the list of musicians who haven’t indulged in the poppy is shorter, may well have been right) ---
**Author:** ![Carson\_O\_Genic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cdc98d/32.png) [@Carson\_O\_Genic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carson_O_Genic)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2008, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-on-heroin/438878/42 "2008-02-24T12:01:52Z")
[QUOTE=fishbicycle] Jimi Hendrix was busted for taking heroin into Canada on May 3, 1969. It is unknown how far into the habit he got, but he used it, and got arrested with it in his bag, entering a foreign country. [/QUOTE] In addition to Biffy’s note of aquittal,the OP asked about music created under the influence,whence my reply. Whether Hendrix used heroin I’ll never know nor care,but it appears he didn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2008, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-on-heroin/438878/43 "2008-02-24T13:23:22Z")
Debbie Harry of Blondie ---
**Author:** ![DfrntBreign](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f6c823/32.png) [@DfrntBreign](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DfrntBreign)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2008, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-on-heroin/438878/44 "2008-02-24T13:25:49Z")
I’m really curious how you’ve all come by this information. Obviously, a lot are well documented; death and/or arrest don’t leave a lot of room for doubt. But of the rest, how much is personal knowledge or some kind of documented confession and how much is rumour and innuendo? I’m not trying to state (or even imply) that anyone is lying, I don’t doubt any of the names I’ve read so far. In fact, I’ll add a couple of my own with various amounts of credibility\*. I’m just curious about how you know (and how sure you are) about the ones that aren’t so well documented. For instance, **fishbycycle** , I’ve read enough of your posts to believe you completely when you say Page was using for most of Zep’s career. I have read from many sources and for a long time that he dabbled, but never thought it was such a long-term issue with him. And **ZebraShaSha** , I know a little about Modest Mouse, but I’ve never heard anything about heroin in connection to them. Have they managed to keep it quiet, or am I just completely oblivious (not that hard to imagine)? \*As promised, some of my list is based on rumour and speculation and some on more reliable sources. Allen Woody, Brent Mydland, Keith Godchauex, Perry Farrel and Dave Navarro are pretty well documented. I’ve also heard rumors about Neal Doughty (keyboard for REO Speedwagon) and Eddie Harsch (keyboard for Black Crowes). What is it about keyboardists, anyway? I’ve also heard rumors about Joan Jett and various other former members of The Runaways. Note the use of the word “rumor” here. I have no direct knowledge of any crimes or misdemeanors taking place. ---
**Author:** ![phungi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/phungi/32/395_2.png) [@phungi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phungi)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2008, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-on-heroin/438878/45 "2008-02-24T13:54:57Z")
[QUOTE=DfrntBreign] I’m really curious how you’ve all come by this information. Obviously, a lot are well documented; death and/or arrest don’t leave a lot of room for doubt. But of the rest, how much is personal knowledge or some kind of documented confession and how much is rumour and innuendo? [/QUOTE] The names I mentioned are either self-admitted: Anthony Kiedis (his autobiography), John Frusciante (from interviews around the time of his solo album)… or died of an overdose - Hillel Slovak (RHCP) Andrew Wood (mother Love Bone) ---
**Author:** ![fishbicycle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aeb1de/32.png) [@fishbicycle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fishbicycle)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2008, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-on-heroin/438878/46 "2008-02-24T14:00:39Z")
I do not report rumors or innuendo as fact. My knowledge of the goings on in John Lennon’s life are the result of the research on The Beatles that I’ve done since the early 1970s. Anything I’ve said about him is gleaned from the hundreds of books and articles I’ve read on the subject. At some point over the years, I progressed from interested fan to chronicler of available information, as there was so much in print, so much of it contradictory or flat out wrong, and so little reliable data gathered in one place. My original plan was to write a large paper volume, then when the technology became available, a CD-ROM encyclopedia on the group. But while I was preparing it, the internet happened, and a jillion websites sprung up to offer the same information I’d been compiling for decades. I’m not the only one interested enough to want to write about it. Then Apple began to systematically shut most of them down. Then it became apparent that they would never have gone for my idea, either. There would have been lawsuits and any number of barriers, and I couldn’t afford to overcome even the smallest one. So I gave up. But I still have all this information in my brain. It’s all documented and published, and the books are over there on my wall. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2008, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-on-heroin/438878/47 "2008-02-24T14:13:03Z")
[QUOTE=DfrntBreign] I’m really curious how you’ve all come by this information. Obviously, a lot are well documented; death and/or arrest don’t leave a lot of room for doubt. But of the rest, how much is personal knowledge or some kind of documented confession and how much is rumour and innuendo? I’m not trying to state (or even imply) that anyone is lying, I don’t doubt any of the names I’ve read so far. In fact, I’ll add a couple of my own with various amounts of credibility\*. I’m just curious about how you know (and how sure you are) about the ones that aren’t so well documented. For instance, **fishbycycle** , I’ve read enough of your posts to believe you completely when you say Page was using for most of Zep’s career. I have read from many sources and for a long time that he dabbled, but never thought it was such a long-term issue with him. And **ZebraShaSha** , I know a little about Modest Mouse, but I’ve never heard anything about heroin in connection to them. Have they managed to keep it quiet, or am I just completely oblivious (not that hard to imagine)? \*As promised, some of my list is based on rumour and speculation and some on more reliable sources. Allen Woody, Brent Mydland, Keith Godchauex, Perry Farrel and Dave Navarro are pretty well documented. I’ve also heard rumors about Neal Doughty (keyboard for REO Speedwagon) and Eddie Harsch (keyboard for Black Crowes). What is it about keyboardists, anyway? I’ve also heard rumors about Joan Jett and various other former members of The Runaways. Note the use of the word “rumor” here. I have no direct knowledge of any crimes or misdemeanors taking place. [/QUOTE] Hands up here- I have no evidence. According to Wiki he (Marc Bolan) was addicted to cocaine though there is no mention of smack. I could easily be wrong but I suspect that one may go hand in hand with the other. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2008, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-on-heroin/438878/48 "2008-02-24T15:59:20Z")
Of course, John Lennon wrote a little number about heroin, and specifically about heroin withdrawal. Video clip: [Cold Turkey](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEnNEIVR9EM) ---
**Author:** ![ZebraShaSha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/eada6e/32.png) [@ZebraShaSha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZebraShaSha)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2008, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-on-heroin/438878/49 "2008-02-24T16:58:03Z")
[QUOTE=DfrntBreign] I’m really curious how you’ve all come by this information. Obviously, a lot are well documented; death and/or arrest don’t leave a lot of room for doubt. But of the rest, how much is personal knowledge or some kind of documented confession and how much is rumour and innuendo? I’m not trying to state (or even imply) that anyone is lying, I don’t doubt any of the names I’ve read so far. In fact, I’ll add a couple of my own with various amounts of credibility\*. I’m just curious about how you know (and how sure you are) about the ones that aren’t so well documented. For instance, **fishbycycle** , I’ve read enough of your posts to believe you completely when you say Page was using for most of Zep’s career. I have read from many sources and for a long time that he dabbled, but never thought it was such a long-term issue with him. And **ZebraShaSha** , I know a little about Modest Mouse, but I’ve never heard anything about heroin in connection to them. Have they managed to keep it quiet, or am I just completely oblivious (not that hard to imagine)? \*As promised, some of my list is based on rumour and speculation and some on more reliable sources. Allen Woody, Brent Mydland, Keith Godchauex, Perry Farrel and Dave Navarro are pretty well documented. I’ve also heard rumors about Neal Doughty (keyboard for REO Speedwagon) and Eddie Harsch (keyboard for Black Crowes). What is it about keyboardists, anyway? I’ve also heard rumors about Joan Jett and various other former members of The Runaways. Note the use of the word “rumor” here. I have no direct knowledge of any crimes or misdemeanors taking place. [/QUOTE] Night on the Sun is so obviously about H. That, coupled with all the stuff Brock has tried, I don’t really see it as that much of a stretch. I suppose you could say it’s pure speculation, but grounded in some rational assumptions. “You’re hopelessly hopeless I hope so, for you Freeze your blood and then stab it into in two Stab your blood into me and blend I eat my own blood and get filled up Get filled up; I get filled up on me and end Freeze your blood and then stab it into me” ---
**Author:** ![buns3000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c89c15/32.png) [@buns3000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buns3000)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2008, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-on-heroin/438878/50 "2008-02-25T08:17:40Z")
All of the group Love Tim Hardin Tim Buckley Johnny Thunders Nico Can’t think of any others not mentioned, off the top of my head… ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2008, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-on-heroin/438878/51 "2008-02-25T11:48:05Z")
Art Alexakis of Everclear did heroin when he was younger and first started out in music, but all of his Everclear work was done (supposedly) sober. ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2008, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-on-heroin/438878/52 "2008-02-25T16:11:18Z")
Steve Earle Townes van Zandt Warren Zevon (although his acquaintance with that particular drug was, in his own words, “mercifully short”) ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2008, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-on-heroin/438878/53 "2008-02-25T16:22:31Z")
Slash of Guns ‘n’ Roses. ---
**Author:** ![RiverRunner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/977dab/32.png) [@RiverRunner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RiverRunner)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2008, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-on-heroin/438878/54 "2008-02-25T16:23:56Z")
Side question: Did most of these people think their music was better or worse when they were on heroin? RR ---
**Author:** ![dmatsch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3be4f8/32.png) [@dmatsch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dmatsch)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2008, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-on-heroin/438878/55 "2008-02-25T17:44:15Z")
What I would like to know is how they did their jobs so well. I’ve never been on H, but I would imagine it’s like being drunk X 100. And I know that when I’m that drunk, I can barely function let alone sing coherently and jump around on stage. I’m not saying that some of the individuals listed above were known to flounder onstage due to various stages of inibriation, I’m just wondering how they did it all fucked up? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2008, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-on-heroin/438878/56 "2008-02-25T17:53:46Z")
I’m pretty sure that by 1971, everybody in the original Allman Brothers Band was using. ---
**Author:** ![Tully\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7ab992/32.png) [@Tully\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tully_Mars)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2008, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-on-heroin/438878/57 "2008-02-25T18:02:44Z")
**AskNott** mentioned Charlie Parker. I read a couple of accounts of musicians saying they started using heroin because they thought it was part of the reason he was able to play at that level. They figured if it worked for Bird, it would work for them. I don’t now how accurate those confessions were. They may have just been an ‘after the fact’ rationalization. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2008, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-on-heroin/438878/58 "2008-02-25T18:22:11Z")
[QUOTE=Tully Mars] **AskNott** mentioned Charlie Parker. I read a couple of accounts of musicians saying they started using heroin because they thought it was part of the reason he was able to play at that level. They figured if it worked for Bird, it would work for them. I don’t now how accurate those confessions were. They may have just been an ‘after the fact’ rationalization. [/QUOTE] I have heard that - I can’t find a quick cite, but I could swear I have heard the musicians themselves say that from later interviews. I am pleased to report that, to my knowledge, I have never even been in the same zip code as herion, but I have heard two things about it: - That \*\*Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue \*\* is what a great herion trip sounds like - ethereal and transcendent in a very intimate way. - That heroin doesn’t make you feel “high” - vs., say, alcohol or dope or something, where the effect of being on the substance is markedly different that being sober - but rather, it just makes you feel “supreme.” If that is the case - and creating art is all about trusting your ego enough to allow it to shape your artistic expression - then I can easily see how seductive it would be to an artist who is normally wracked by insecurity and fear of rejection and mediocrity. Take the heroin, believe your ego is supreme and your artistic statements are worthy and off you go. For a mediocre artist, it may not work, but for a true artist who is caged by their own self-doubt, it might open a door. But at WAY too high a price to ever consider it a truly viable option. But - I am not a person who ever harbored any illusions that I may have that type of statement deep within. It seems like one of those classic Lady or the Tiger questions: if you could take a pill that allowed you to believe in your vision and see the art within yourself more clearly and share it with the world and maybe, just maybe, get fortune and/or fame out of it - but it ruined every other aspect of your life - would you do it? I guess we know how some folks picked. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2008, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-on-heroin/438878/59 "2008-02-25T18:44:39Z")
[QUOTE=dmatsch] What I would like to know is how they did their jobs so well. I’ve never been on H, but I would imagine it’s like being drunk X 100. And I know that when I’m that drunk, I can barely function let alone sing coherently and jump around on stage. [/QUOTE] Hugh Cornwell of the Stranglers (there’s another name for the list) wrote a book, _Inside Information_, about his experience in prison after being convicted for heroin possession. In the book he describes the heroin high as one that makes you feel great, but still lets you focus on your work. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Draper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2008, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-on-heroin/438878/60 "2008-02-25T19:47:43Z")
[QUOTE=ultrafilter] David Byrne used heroin at some point, but I don’t know if he ever wrote or recorded anything while under the influence. [/QUOTE] Do you have a cite for this? I’ve never heard this mentioned, and of all rock & roll folks, David Byrne strikes me as one of the least likely to get into hard drugs. Even in the song “Lifetime Piling Up”, Byrne mentions trying marijuana and not liking it. I think that someone with such a negative reaction to pot (a much milder drug) would be inclined to shoot up. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-on-heroin/438878.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-on-heroin/438878.md?page=4)