Here are the Musicians who have battled with mental illness against all odds, while giving us wonderful music.
Brian Wilson – The Beach Boys Condition: Schizoaffective Disorder, Bipolar Type By 1968, Brian Wilson began having a diminished creative role in The Beach Boys. Until then, he had been the groups principal songwriter, but he began spending the majority of his time in bed, sleeping, doing drugs and overeating. Eventually he was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type which supposedly caused him to hear voices in his head. But after various medication treatments and therapies, Wilson finally found a regimen that has allowed for him to continue recording and performing. He even managed to finish Smile, the legendary unfinished Beach Boys project that fell apart at the beginning of Wilson’s mental health problems.
Daniel Johnston - Condition: Bipolar Disorder If you've seen The Devil and Daniel Johnston, you know the story. At a young age, Johnston decided he was going to be an artist. His ambitious nature of recording homemade tapes to give to people he met gained him some notoriety when he was living in Austin, Texas, augmented by Kurt Cobain’s habit of frequently wearing a t-shirt featuring Johnston’s Hi, How Are You? album cover. Johnston’s battle with severe manic depression produced many wonderful songs, but sent him in and out of mental institutions for a large part of his life as well. He currently lives with his parents in Waller, Texas, and continues to write and record music.
Syd Barrett – Pink Floyd Condition: Speculated Schizophrenia or Bipolar Disorder Syd Barrett was never officially diagnosed with any form of mental illness, but many music historians have speculated that he might have suffered from either schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. A founding member of Pink Floyd, he left the band in 1968 after his behavior became increasingly erratic. Barrett was also a heavy drug user, a habit that many suspect contributed to his declining mental health.
Roky Erickson – 13th Floor Elevators Condition: Paranoid Schizophrenia As pioneers of the psychedelic rock movement, Roky Erickson and the rest of the 13th Floor Elevators often drew unwanted attention from the authorities for their open advocacy of drug use. Then in 1969, Erickson was arrested for possession of marijuana when he was found with a single joint, an event that would change his life. To avoid jail time, Erickson pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. He was sent to Rusk State Hospital for the criminally insane where the singer was diagnosed with schizophrenia. He subsequently received heavy medication and electroshock therapy for the next several years.
Kurt Cobain – Nirvana Condition: Bipolar Disorder It’s unclear whether or not Kurt Cobain was ever officially diagnosed with bipolar disorder. His cousin, Bev Cobain, a registered nurse with a background working in mental health, has claimed he suffered from the illness. “Kurt was diagnosed at a young age with Attention Deficit Disorder [ADD], then later with bipolar disorder [also known as manic-depression],” she said in an interview. “Bipolar illness has the same characteristics as major clinical depression, but with mood swings, which present as rage, euphoria, high energy, irritability, distractibility, overconfidence, and other symptoms. As Kurt undoubtedly knew, bipolar illness can be very difficult to manage, and the correct diagnosis is crucial. Unfortunately for Kurt, compliance with the appropriate treatment is also a critical factor.”