Mortality got closer to the Baby Boom generation with the deaths of Brian Wilson and Sly Stone this week. Both are pop icons, both succumbing in their early 80's.

 

These men were creative geniuses who destroyed their lives with drugs, not uncommon in the music industry, where permissive and self-destructive behavior is often acceptable.

 

I met Mr. Wilson once when The Beach Boys were on their 50th Anniversary Tour. I know Mike Love and Bruce Johnston pretty well and understand how this amazingly talented band came apart.  The unsteady Wilson simply could not function in the real world.  He was so fogged out when I shook hands with him there was nothing to say.

 

Sly Stone was even worse, sacrificing his immense talent on the altar of cocaine and hurting those around him in profound ways.  The guy delivered amazing performances before he flamed out.  You should watch on YouTube.

 

The insidious world of narcotics came in strong during the 1960s when Wilson and Stone were red hot. Their God-given talent could not save them. They squandered it all, as millions of human beings have done.

 

A shame. A lesson. One that should be noted.

 

See you this evening for the No Spin News.