Drugs and rock music

Throughout the ages rock music has always has a close and personal relaitionship with drugs.
Although it is well the documented the harsh effects that long term drug users experience, the question must be asked, would some of our favorite musicians had written those memorable songs if they were completely sober. Jimi Hendrix is a prime example of a musical genuis who died before his time before of his drug use, but many claim his excessive use of hallucinogenic drugs such as LSD heavily influnced his style of play.
While Jimi is an example of musician who drew from his positive drug experiences, Layne Staley (lead singer of Alice In Chains) wrote material which was almost exclusively drawn from his negative experiences of drugs. He was addicted to drugs such as heroin. Many of Alice In Chain's songs were about his struggle with heroin and how he could not live without it. Would Alice In Chain's albums conveyed so much emoition if Layne was sober, we'll never know. Sadly Layne passed away from drug use.
Nine Inich Nails would be a less extreme example, their main songwriter Trent Reznor was addicted to many drugs in his career dating from the 80's to present day. In the last couple of years Trent has become completely sober and since then many believe his material does not live up to the standard of their previous drug influenced work. They are so many other artist who had similar relaitionships with drugs such as Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison, Keith Moon, John Bonham, Bon Scott and Darby Crash.
There is also those rare incidents where someone becomes completely indifferent to the effects of drugs, Keith Richards is an infamous drug user who is in his 60's now and still touring with the Rolling Stones. I will end this blog with quote from the late great comedian Bill Hicks "If you think drugs have done nothing for society then burn all your books, cds, vinyl etc.".