I don’t think the tortured artist is a myth, as such, but I do not think of the tortured artist as a drink or drug addled wreck. I tend to think of the tortured artist as the like of bipolar Picasso or schizophrenic Peter Green (before he self destructed on drugs). Green is rather dismissive of the song “Man of the World” now but there were some serious issues going on in his head when he wrote that song! Check out “Showbiz Blues” too; it contains the great line: “Do you really give a damn for me?”

I agree, rock ‘n’ roll excesses are not big and they are not clever. I remember reading about an interview Liam Gallagher gave when he commented about his behaviour: when charged that it had all been done before, he retorted, “Not by me!” almost as if it were essential part of the ritual of being a famous pop star! Pathetic.

I also recall a comedy sketch in which impressionists portray Winehouse and Doherty as clean; the drink, drugs and other excesses are an act put on for the benefit of the media camped outside. The sketch satirised the culture we have of watching them self-destruct for the entertainment of the tabloids’ audience. Tragic.

Of course not all who tread this path join the infamous 27 Club. Glenn Hughes, for example, survived and looks back with regret; as we all know, his close friend Tommy Bolin didn’t make it. His drink and drugs habit (in the same league as Ozzy’s) nearly killed him and damaged relations with many of his fellow musicians as well his career. Thankfully for him and his audience he turned the corner.

Instead of glorying in these people’s exploits and self-destruction we should be shocked and horrified and insisting that they get the help they so desperately need before another victim joins the ranks sacrificed on the altar of drink and drugs.