Rock Stars Promoting Sobriety

[RileyG]

Christianity is hardly synonymous with sobriety.

The promotion of sobriety is a good thing. Wasn't Elvis Presley President Nixon's honorary DEA agent?

Stephen King is another. He’s not Christian, but stated he believes in God. Apparently, he was so drunk in his early career, he doesn’t remember writing Cujo.

 

[durangodawood]

I have to imagine that part of this is the changing economics of the industry. Sure, these guys are too old to party like that anymore, but the scene is different among the younger bands, too (though perhaps not to the point of teetotaling). The money has shifted from going to the bands' lifestyles to going to the business and production. Pulling off an arena or stadium show needs hundreds of people working together in a highly choreographed manner, which you can't do if you're strung out. It's not guys piling speakers on a bunch of scaffolding and hanging par cans from the roof anymore - the engineering alone in these shows is significant and if you're not on top of what you're doing, you'll kill people and lose a lot of money.

Bands, for their part, are getting less revenue from record sales, and even less from touring these days, and having to be more entrepreneurial in the process. It strikes me that that mindset leads one to probably live a less reckless lifestyle.

At the lower end of the music industry (thats me) its mostly alcohol sales that makes us any money at all. Even the places where we get all of our $10 covers keep themselves afloat by selling beer and other drinks.

 

[rockytopva]

My grandfather was rumored as a saint. What most people don't know is of the Friday night he came home drunk. I don't know what was said, but I do know after granny got through with him he never tried that the second time!

 

[rockytopva]

Nice to see nonalcoholic drinks surging in popularity!

https://www.today.com/video/why-non-alcoholic-beverages-are-dominating-the-drinking-scene-231473221990

 

[jacks]

I'm currently enjoying an ale. And not just any ale. A canada dry zero sugar ginger ale.

I wonder if the aspartame and acesulfame K, is worse for you than alcohol? Go for the hard stuff and get the real sugar blend.

 

[ThatRobGuy]

You have to put it within context.

Big time "music stars" are exposed to a level of drug and alcohol consumption that most people will never reach. So it makes sense that they would've have some bad experiences with those things that your average person wouldn't ever have, so their perception of it may be skewed a bit compared to the "normal experience"

For instance, for most who like to have a few beers and smoke the occasional joint, that doesn't often get followed by an invite for "come to this penthouse party at the Ritz Carlton later where there will be hookers, heroin, and $25,000 worth of cocaine all cut up and ready to go".


I'm someone who's enjoyed craft beer (and maybe the occasional toke or two) over the years... I've drank to excess (where I've thrown up) literally one time when I was in college, and that's been the extent of it.


Aging rock stars lecturing people about the dangers of alcohol and marijuana smacks of that stereotypical parent who enjoyed themselves, but then tells their kids "well, uh...learn from my mistakes, there's nothing good that can come of it" lol. Easy for them to say after they've got to have all of their fun.


To me (and yes, I know these fellas aren't popular with some folks), guys like Bert Kreischer and Joe Rogan have a more realistic take on substances than puritanical types, or aging rock stars who decide to become completely "straight edge" after having some bad experiences.

I think the reality is, if kept withing moderation, certain substances can be enjoyed, and enjoyed with no serious long-term ill effects.

 

[jacks]

I think the reality is, if kept withing moderation, certain substances can be enjoyed, and enjoyed with no serious long-term ill effects.

I agree with your post, but it's still good to have role models that don't advocate excessive drug/alcohol use. People are vary susceptible and may think partying hard is what all the "cool" people do. Also though I am more than a little guilty in this area, my wife who has never gotten drunk or stoned, often felt peer pressure to do so. If some rockers say it's OK not to indulge, it would give her a socially acceptable way to say "No."

 

[ThatRobGuy]

I agree with your post, but it's still good to have role models that don't advocate excessive drug/alcohol use. People are vary susceptible and may think partying hard is what all the "cool" people do. Also though I am more than a little guilty in this area, my wife who has never gotten drunk or stoned, often felt peer pressure to do so. If some rockers say it's OK not to indulge, it would give her a socially acceptable way to say "No."

Oh, I'm not suggesting that people should be encouraged into "John Bonham levels" of drinking... obviously not.

But I was just highlighting that the "lived experience" of a rock star when it comes to exposure to lots of drugs isn't the typical experience of a person who wants to have a few drinks or smoke some pot on occasion.

Elton John is telling his story about drugs...he was rumored to be in attendance for the infamous "Fleetwood Mac Drug Party" (along with Glenn Frey and a few others)...some say there was $2 million worth of drugs there, other say $5 million...who knows lol

But that's not the normal experience of the casual "like to have a little fun at a party" types of people. (mainly due to cost, the average person can't even afford to supply those kinds of "party favors")

 

[Oompa Loompa]

Rule #1: Don't drink so much that you need to give it up. Too much of anything is a bad thing (said Bradskii whilst literally sucking on a cold beer).

I am reminded of the drinking problem the guy had in the movie "Airplane" with Leslie Nielsen.

 

[durangodawood]

I wonder if the aspartame and acesulfame K, is worse for you than alcohol? Go for the hard stuff and get the real sugar blend.

Yes. Sodas - whether sugary, corn syrupy, or "sugar free" - are probably worse for you than a beer on average.

 

[ThatRobGuy]

I am reminded of the drinking problem the guy had in the movie "Airplane" with Leslie Nielsen.

"I picked a heck of a week to stop sniffing glue" ...is that the guy you're referring to? lol

 

[Oompa Loompa]

"I picked a heck of a week to stop sniffing glue" ...is that the guy you're referring to? lol

 

[ThatRobGuy]

Oh, okay, I was thinking of this one