Jagger: Drugs helped Stones write classics

[vta]

May 4, 2010
WENN -- Mick Jagger has rejected the suggestion drugs had a negative impact on the Rolling Stones, insisting the band wrote some of their biggest hits while under the influence.

The legendary group famously indulged in narcotics during their 1960s and '70s heyday -- particularly chief songwriters Jagger and Keith Richards.

But the frontman insists the "party atmosphere" helped to inspire much of their music, particularly iconic 1972 album Exile on Main Street.

Jagger tells Absolute Radio, "That was a period of time when everyone took loads of drugs, it was very fashionable, but I mean, we did a lot of hard work as well, so it was a bit of a party atmosphere, loads of visitors, you know, there was a lot of drugs floating around, but not everyone was completely out of it all the time and we did a lot of good tracks, you know."

 

[Kalicokitty]

"Monkey man" Kicks ass!
I don't see that ever being written without drugs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNY8eYmzdH4

 

[blinkisback]

The stones are a very talented bunch. Saw them back in 94' at camp randell stadium when I was 16... Great show.... Anywho, I've heard stories from the old man about a blues guy that wasn't good on stage unless he drank hella booze first... I think some musicians and drugs go more hand in hand than some realize....

 

[RudolfTheRed]

Um, this is news?

This is like Hunter S. Thompson saying drugs inspired him to write some of his classic pieces.

Well no shit we knew it about 40 years ago. haha... thanks jagger for letting the cat out of the bag on this one.

 

[BadTicket]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J10w3FuCwfQ

Bill Hicks said it better.

 

[SuperSizeMe]

"Monkey man" Kicks ass!
I don't see that ever being written without drugs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNY8eYmzdH4

Yep...Stones kick ass

On an off-topic, slightly related note (OK...maybe not )

I can't help but read CalyxCoKitty whenever I see your SN


Back on topic/

 

[zomg1]

no shit..

in other news... the sky is blue!

 

[biglove]

Taking drugs while writing songs is an obvious way to gain inspiration, but many musicians have to get drunk or loaded on something just to go up on stage. It's a nerves thing. Before my first professional show as a guitarist and first time being on stage. I felt a wierd mix of emotions. I was walking around in the alley behind the venue saying to myself, "Exactly, what is this experience going to be like?" Am I gonna freak out when I'm up there? Will I be able to do it?" Our singer had a joint and I took two puffs from it out there in the alley and an incredible thing happened....The nervousness was replaced by a feeling of excitment along with a feeling of confidence, it was like a lil voice said " Brother you're gonna be just fine! Get up there and do what you do" And I did! I've done over 200 shows since and instead of being nervous before the show I always feel like a caged animal that cant wait to get out there, but it took a joint of mj to make me realize that nervousness and excitment are 2 sides of the exact same emotion. A lot of musicians Ive worked with, really talented guys, just couldn't keep it together and would get drunk or f-ed up on another drug and embarass themselves and the band and it's a damn shame, but that's life in the music business.

During a show, if it's going really well, you're making this incredibly intimate connection with an audience that is reacting to what you're doing and the feeling is nothing short of a full body and spiritual orgasm. Going home alone after making those connections is another reason so many cats are alcoholics and drug addicts.

The cat who mentioned Hunter Thompson got me thinking about a great quote of his that sums up the music business perfectly.

"The music business is a cruel and shallow trench. a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free and good men die like dogs, there's also a negative side"

-H.S. THompson.

F***ing perfect.

I saw the Stones for the 1st time in 89'. the second show of a 3 night stand at the LA collesium with Guns n Roses(in their prime) and Living Color opening. The stones were considered old back then. Living color was great and GNR were amazing and I was thinking "How are the stones gonna match this energy much less carry it for another 2 hours, in GNR's hometown no less?" but they did. They put on a hell of a show and they really impressed me. Got turned on to "2000 light years from home" after they played it at the show and was digging this obscure gem. Peace

 

[vta]

no shit..

in other news... the sky is blue!

Everyone knows they used drugs....it's not like he's just coming out saying "Hey I used Drugs" that's a no brainer. This is about the 'positive influence' it had on the band.

 

[erbium]

Exile on Main St. is my favorite record ever made