What was it like in the 60's and 70's?

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   This forms-rules-wise regulation got me thinking a bit. I am quite concerned about how much or less should be spoken. There is one experience I would like to bring to the table which tends to confuse a lot of people. In the music business during the 70's, 80's, 90's ...drugs were offered to musicians from the record company staff. Whoever arrived to the show from the staff could offer you the best quality drugs in the world. Not street drugs. The story Fito la Perra drummer with Canned Heat told is quite the opposite. Where the coffee shop in Australia was raided like a scene right out of the "French Connection'. Where Henry Vestine (fired by Zappa for drug usage), feverishly tried to get this very young record executive to dispose of his needles and speed bag. The poor kid knew nothing about drugs. He threw the stuff in a fountain.

Not the case in my experience. I never met a record executive who had a sincere innocent nature about them. They wanted us to be strung out for one particular reason only. When you are traveling the road....you become un-balanced because your physical body and mental state are vulnerable. I didn't allow that to destroy me although sometimes I almost gave in. I was raised differently then many of the folks around me who were on the road with me in the 70's. I was attracted more to the Amish way of life and did follow some of those morals. In the 70's record executives had a master plan for musicians. The style of life for the musician was already laid out and you had to be raised differently or just be a true individual to avoid indulging in it. But it was a trick because if people from the staff COULD get you hooked it would be easier for them to con you. They would show to your gig or room and ask you to sign a contract as you stood there high on something....and had a rude awakening 6 months later because you signed your royalities away. You're so tired of traveling and just want to sleep and if all you have to do is sign a paper then so be it. Drugs came from the higher ups. Big managers and even agents and owners of venues. This is where society becomes confused or have a difficult time believing it. The world thinks for the most part....that sex and drugs come from the audience or hanger-ons. It only does if the musician allows it. Sex and drugs are offered in most cases from the staff or the management. People who are protecting you. People you trust. People who gave me cars, instruments, and payed me thousands of dollars. The world may consider this for a moment or 2...but can't visualize it unless they are in the business themselves and experience it first hand.

This is why most people in the world are under the assumption that groupies are sex for the musician and drugs are given to musicians by dealers and fans ONLY. The record company staff back then was always let off the hook. It sound farce to everyone and that is more than cool for the dogs of the industry ...for it paints a better image for them and paves a clear path for them to continue criminal activity.  