This is the second part of this blog further examining the turn of events that can lead performers into a cycle of decline after their careers have finished or situations changed.
The sudden loss of Junior Seau to suicide within three years of his retirement from playing American Football at the highest level has also led others whom have experience of adrenalin rushes and all that accompanies fame to question themselves and examine their own lives after a 'bout of stardom' (ESPN Playbook Sounds article).
He makes the point, however, that musicians rarely have to be in pristine physical condition to perform (and some of his personal experiences would suggest he certainly was a distance from prime physical states when at the height of his career: he is notorious for being one of the last people to see Kurt Cobain alive and suffered pancreatitis as a result of his alcoholism). Even a career on the wane appears to be able to provide an adrenalin shot when playing live, even in smaller venues than the heyday.
Although born in Christchurch in New Zealand, Riki Ellison went on to represent the San Francisco 49ers as a linebacker. He discussed in a recent interview with the LA Times that Junior Seau's position (also as a linebacker) contributed to his death, and concluded: "We often associate cowardice with the choice that Junior made. But I believe his fateful decision was highly influenced by brain damage, inducing states of depression that he absorbed from his life as a middle linebacker — by the self-isolation it caused, and how it clouded his clarity and judgement".
The Seau suicide follows the high profile death this year of Dave Duerson formerly of the Chicago Bears Defence, who killed himself leaving a note asking that his brain be studied too. The San Diego County medical examiner's office has stated that "At this time the medical examiner's office is awaiting the family's decision regarding study of the brain for repetitive injury by researchers outside of the office".
This brings to mind a statement made at the World Federation of Athletic Trainers & Therapy Congress last year in Calgary, when Dr Robert Cantu from the Boston University Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy (also referred to as the Boston/NFL Brain Bank) intimated that there was a reluctance on their part to encourage any further brain donations from athletes, as it may be a contributing factor in suicides providing a 'justification' to shooting oneself in the chest should that athlete reconcile that action as having a perceived benefit to others.
The sudden loss of Junior Seau to suicide within three years of his retirement from playing American Football at the highest level has also led others whom have experience of adrenalin rushes and all that accompanies fame to question themselves and examine their own lives after a 'bout of stardom' (ESPN Playbook Sounds article).
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| Slash & McKagan notoriously were drunk receiving award at 1990 American Music Awards |
Musican Michael Andrew 'Duff' McKagan was a founding member and bass player with the legendary Guns' n Roses, and is now actively involved in other bands such as Loaded & Velvet Revolver.
He writes several weekly columns now, including a fascinating blog this week being devoted to the adrenalin kick of playing music, particularly in live events, and comparing some similarities of sport and rock music following Seau's death-but marking out the differences too.
He makes the point, however, that musicians rarely have to be in pristine physical condition to perform (and some of his personal experiences would suggest he certainly was a distance from prime physical states when at the height of his career: he is notorious for being one of the last people to see Kurt Cobain alive and suffered pancreatitis as a result of his alcoholism). Even a career on the wane appears to be able to provide an adrenalin shot when playing live, even in smaller venues than the heyday.
Although born in Christchurch in New Zealand, Riki Ellison went on to represent the San Francisco 49ers as a linebacker. He discussed in a recent interview with the LA Times that Junior Seau's position (also as a linebacker) contributed to his death, and concluded: "We often associate cowardice with the choice that Junior made. But I believe his fateful decision was highly influenced by brain damage, inducing states of depression that he absorbed from his life as a middle linebacker — by the self-isolation it caused, and how it clouded his clarity and judgement". The Seau suicide follows the high profile death this year of Dave Duerson formerly of the Chicago Bears Defence, who killed himself leaving a note asking that his brain be studied too. The San Diego County medical examiner's office has stated that "At this time the medical examiner's office is awaiting the family's decision regarding study of the brain for repetitive injury by researchers outside of the office".
This brings to mind a statement made at the World Federation of Athletic Trainers & Therapy Congress last year in Calgary, when Dr Robert Cantu from the Boston University Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy (also referred to as the Boston/NFL Brain Bank) intimated that there was a reluctance on their part to encourage any further brain donations from athletes, as it may be a contributing factor in suicides providing a 'justification' to shooting oneself in the chest should that athlete reconcile that action as having a perceived benefit to others.
