For good or bad, drugs are an inherent part of rock’n’roll’s development. From Elvis chowing speed, to Lemmy being paid by Hendrix in hits of acid, to Slash drinking so much Jack Daniels his tongue turned black, rock’s taste for mind- and mood-altering substances has long been its driving force. In fact, many of our favorite records were recorded for little more than the acclaim and financial backing required to buy the next bottle, baggie, or fix. Obviously, it’s not all fun times. Drugs have also ruined the lives of countless rock stars, and many of the most famous hard-partiers in rock history will now urge you to stay clean. But it is undeniable that even those more horrible addictions have helped push artists to create some of the most powerful pieces of music ever known to ...
