Suffering + Art = usually Good Artistic Outcome

[Black Widow Void]

After reading a posting response from @BillyPilgrim (see below) this made me think of other musicians that were inspired after their romantic downfalls.

...What did Eric Clapton do when he was caught up in George Harrison's wife? Well, before shooting dope for three years, he did play the best guitar and make the best music of his life (the Layla sessions).

Fleetwood Mac made one of the best records of all time (Rumors) dealing with similar tension.

Below are a few that came to mind. If any of you can think of others; where the musician was really at their best during a collapse, feel free to add more.

Peter Hammill (of the group Van der Graaf Generator) - "Over"

This guy has been performing for over fifty years. Way earlier in his career, some girl named "Alice" left him and really tore him apart. Although this album sounds like it was written and performed solely for her, it's really one of his more consistent solo out-pours.

Bryan Ferry (of the group Roxy Music) - "Bride Stripped Bare"

This singer has also been performing for over fifty years. Also, earlier in his career, his girl left him for Mick Jagger. His solo records can be hit or miss, but this is one of his better releases.

Mark Edwards (actually not a solo artist, but he usually plays all the instruments in his group called "My Dad is Dead.") - "Everybody Wants The Honey, but not the Sting."

This singer is known for dismal musical lyrics, but this release is pretty much like a journal describing his divorce (and he isn't happy about it) . This was his last full length under the MDID group name. Although he sounds rather low on this one, he (musically speaking) left on a high-note.

Hoarse - "Happens Twice"

I don't know the story behind this one, but lyrically speaking, he's suffered. I heard this during a low point in my life and thought to myself... "at least I'm not as miserable as this guy." If you like the Replacements, you'd probably enjoy this.

At the time that the above singers released their material, I'm sure that it was very therapeutic. However, I wonder now when they look back, if they regret being such an open book for the world to see/hear. I'm sure that the women that they wrote about will always love it.

 

[Atom Smasher]

Angst is known to stimulate creativity. In my 20s I used to wonder why my favorite bands would completely lose their edge after two or three albums. I came to realize that they had money, got married and became dads, and unlike their public persona, they became regular homebodies.
I’m a musician myself, and I’ve noticed that as I’ve gained more peace in life, my creative output has declined. There’s less of a drive to make those melodies that float around in my head into something tangible that others can listen to. I sometimes miss my youthful angst.