Drugs, suicide, it's all part of the same self-destructive streak. They've also focussed very much on those that died, where as those that lived through it are just as interesting - David Bowie's doing pretty well for himself still, despite excesses at the height of his fame.
I think there are two groups of self-destruction to fame routes - there's the one you mention, people who are damaged enough to create art (be it literature, music, whatever) whose inner demons ultimately rip them apart. How many unknown artists destroyed themselves without the benefit of tabloid journalists hanging outside their house, and entourages only too happy to give them free drink and drugs?
I think there is also the less talented people that crave fame. Craving 'fame' as an end in itself is pretty weird, really, when you think about it. Why would someone crave fame? SO many of these people, craving fame, when they get it, it damages them so much more (see Britney, Robbie Williams, most of the Spice Girls most winners of any reality TV show, - not saying they *aren't* talented - but they're certianly not 'great talents' compared to others). Perhaps when they get it, they find, suddenly and unexpectedly, they still aren't happy. And their world falls apart.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2007-09-05 10:00 am (UTC)I think there are two groups of self-destruction to fame routes - there's the one you mention, people who are damaged enough to create art (be it literature, music, whatever) whose inner demons ultimately rip them apart. How many unknown artists destroyed themselves without the benefit of tabloid journalists hanging outside their house, and entourages only too happy to give them free drink and drugs?
I think there is also the less talented people that crave fame. Craving 'fame' as an end in itself is pretty weird, really, when you think about it. Why would someone crave fame? SO many of these people, craving fame, when they get it, it damages them so much more (see Britney, Robbie Williams, most of the Spice Girls most winners of any reality TV show, - not saying they *aren't* talented - but they're certianly not 'great talents' compared to others). Perhaps when they get it, they find, suddenly and unexpectedly, they still aren't happy. And their world falls apart.