Franz Schubert (1797-1828) is kinda like the Gary Busey of classical composers. He was wild, unbridled, sexually charged like a stick of TNT, willing to drink beer at a fraternity level, not interested in paying rent or respecting rules, and could write the shit out of some music. So he really wasn't like Gary Busey, but his habits of rocking out with his stockings out was similar to Gary Busey; the pride of Goose Creek, Texas.
When he carried a torch at Beethoven's funeral, it was more than just an homage he was paying. He was literally carrying the torch of early Romantic music, and passing it to late Romantic's like Wagner, Berlioz, and Mendelssohn. In his brief life he managed to write an extraordinary amount of work, and almost all of it was ignored and only later was it recognized that Schubert was one of the greatest composers of all time.
That's all well and good, but this guy was wild. He was like a cross between Zach Galligan, Brad Pitt in True Romance, Toulouse Lautrec, Tiger Woods and Loki - the Norse God of ADHD.
He didn't want to teach like his dad, he didn't want to write symphonies like Uncle Ludwig, he didn't want to date girls and deal with all of that clothing - he just wanted to drink, write music, visit the women of ill-repute, and probably get chiefed in opium dens (maybe) -This brings to mind a question that has plagued me ever since I became a musician. Is it possible to be totally outta control with substances, and still be a bad ass? Or is a better question, what role does mind-altering substances play in the realm of the creative spirit?
Quick story - When we think of game changers you may think of names like WonderBread, Linaeus, or YouTube. When it comes to the jazz world one alto player changed the way everyone thought about music and basically flipped everyone's lid - this man was Charlie Parker (1920-1955)
Game Changer
Parker innovated an approach to music and composition that was comparable to none. His approach to harmony and his blazing fast mastery of the saxophone left people dazed, confused, and inspired. At the same time he was harboring a wild addiction to heroin. He would pawn his sax to get a fix; he would be so stoned he completely missed gigs; he was fired from numerous ensembles for being high; he was committed to a mental hospital for 6 months; he found a friend in and relied on a baroness for financial support; and yet he still cranked out some of the most groundbreaking music to ever be heard creating legions of saxophonist's who thought that Parker was the beginning and end of all music.
One young person who heard this music was alto sax great Frank Morgan. He thought that Charlie Parker's sound and lifestyle was all a package deal. To get the sound, you had to party like Charlie who was shooting up. Frank emulated the music of his hero and was beginning to rise to the throne of be-bop. He recorded one album in 1955, the year Charlie Parker died, before he was arrested for drug possession and burglary and sentenced to 30 years. When he came out of prison he had a nice dove tail ending and recorded some beautiful music, but his career was ultimately derailed by emulating Parker and all of his habits.
So. This raises the question, do people think to GET creative they have to start messing around with substances? Or are supremely talented individuals 'using' to get to access to "creativity?"
My thoughts are these; musicians and artists are ALREADY in altered states when they engage the creative spirit. Thusly, the soothing cave of substances seems like a relatively comfortable place for these people to dwell. However, in an effort to expand their horizon's, many creative ships find themselves beached on the siren shores of drugs and booze. When you're soloing or creating something out of nothing you are touching the essence of life, the energy of creation - and this is not some psuedo-science crap babble; this is the real deal.It is my opinion that experimenting with these things is every person's right. Altered states of conciousness should be a part of the artistic discussion because artists are already dealing with these states without drugs, so remaining educated about the role of substances is crucial to a complete develpoment of your talent and an artistic self knowledge and determination.
Let the record show, Franz Schubert and Charlie Parker both loved to carouse and booze it up, Franz loved himself some hookers and Charlie loved the Horse. But they weren't flunked out homeless bums willing to peddle their ass for a hit - they were incredible genius level artists who were drawn to altered states of conciousness.
So for the new artist who is taking their place among the creative class, understand the function and role of substances and decide what is right for you. Just because Franz could drink like a fish and still write amazing music does not mean you can do this. And just because Bird put a needle in his arm and then played a solo that would turn your eyes into fire does not mean you can do this. These fellows were fightning the creative fight - but just imagine what they would have accomplished without the balm of substance?
