This is an Example of an Ugly Human Being

[Missy]

There has been no absolute confirmation yet, and I consider it distasteful to state a specific cause as fact before the official results. But it does seem increasingly likely that it was at least a contributory factor.

What we are hearing right now is probably a mixture of truth and distortion. As it was with Michael Jackson.

I read Keith's autobiography some time ago. I was dreading all the drug tales of excess and vice. But in the end I found it quite interesting. If you take him at his word, he had an extraordinary amount of discipline for an addict. He knew his own limits and never let his use get so out of control it could ruin the band.

Before reading the book I held the common assumption that The Stones are still touring only for the money. But after the book I do believe that he genuinely still does love performing and the music. That is probably what keeps him going. Notably he says that the greatest high for him is not any drug, but from playing live.

I don't think there are many addicts though who can keep that level of control. Many of his fellow users couldn't and were lost along the way. I've been there too. I was nearly gone from a prescription pill overdose when I was 23. It was 20 years ago but I still have to be careful with everything. I can withstand a lot now but I was lucky not to meet the same fate as my sister.

Incidentally with Keith, I was a bit irked that he dissed Prince in the past but seemed to have changed his mind when he wrote a tribute on Twitter. He did the same with Bowie. I'd begun to feel that he was a straight shooter. But at times it seems he can be a bit two faced.