POP MANAGER FUELS DRUG DEBATE

Music writer and manager Simon Napier-Bell has said drug use can help the
creative process.

Napier-Bell, who has spent four decades working in the music business, says
the development of popular music is largely based on illegal drugs.

He told the BBC's Hardtalk programme that a lot of good comes from drug
use, including "creativity and the relaxation of inhibitions".

He was speaking in the wake of the publication of his book Black Vinyl,
White Powder.

A firm believer in the legalisation of drugs, although not a drug user
himself, he said: "I don't glamorise this. I don't approve of drugs or like
them.

But Napier-Bell argues that decriminalisation is the only way to control
the use of drugs.

"If drugs are legalised, the drugs people take now, wouldn't be the drugs
people take," he said.

He added: "Decriminalising it and teaching people to respect what a drug
can do, and be fearful of what a drug can do, is very much better than
simply saying 'you're a criminal, we can't talk about it or tell you about
it'."

Despite his controversial standpoint he is particularly vocal on the
dangers of drugs after witnessing first hand the misery and destruction
they can cause.

He is dismissive of cocaine, referring to it as an "addict's hopeless drug"
- - "hopeless if you don't take it and hopeless if you do".

"People who take cocaine are so completely out of the normal behaviour
which is required to turn up and do gigs and play.

"They are impossible. From my point of view as a manager, it's the one drug
I really can't cope with people taking."

Career break

Napier-Bell got his career break in the mid-1950s when he was asked to
write lyrics for Dusty Springfield.

He then went on to manage acts including Wham! and Marc Bolan.

In his book he reveals a wealth of drug use and impropriety.

He claims drugs are endemic in every level of the business.

Despite the untimely deaths of many rock legends, including Jimmy Hendrix
and Jim Morrison, he does not believe aspiring artists are put off taking
drugs.

"I think many of them think that's the right way to behave.

"Great artists often have a self-destructive streak and feel it's an
essential part of their art to behave that way."