Kip Winger recently talked about substance abuse in rock music on the Scars and Guitars podcast. He recalled his experiences with Jani Lane, the late singer of Warrant. “Jani was the nicest guy ever when he wasn’t drunk,” Winger said. “I don’t know why, but some people struggle with drinking. It’s a tough thing.”
Winger also mentioned Vince Neil from Mötley Crüe. “He’s the nicest guy when he’s sober, but when he’s drunk, he’s the worst person you’ll ever meet.”
Reflecting on the 1980s rock scene, Winger criticized the party lifestyle that many musicians followed. “Bands like Guns N’ Roses made drinking seem cool, and a lot of people copied that. But that was never my thing—I just wanted to be a better musician.”
He also dismissed the idea that overdosing was glamorous, saying, “Some musicians brag in their books about nearly dying from drugs. But honestly, if you OD’d, it’s because you made a stupid choice.”
Substance abuse was a major issue in 1980s rock music, but some artists have overcome their struggles. Slash from Guns N’ Roses and Randy Blythe from Lamb of God are examples of musicians who turned their lives around through sobriety.
Many artists have also used their music to express their struggles. Songs like Alcohol by The Kinks and Living Life by the Drop by Stevie Ray Vaughan highlight the dark side of addiction.
Winger’s focus on musicianship over partying shows a change in the rock world. More musicians today see sobriety as the key to long-term success.
