The 1982 movie Oliver Stone wrote out of his mind on drugs: “You couldn’t shoot a thing”
Under the influence.
drugs
Drugs have played a complex and often controversial role in music, film and popular culture, influencing artistic expression, public debate and the lives of countless creative figures.
From the psychedelic movement of the 1960s and the excesses of rock ‘n’ roll to films exploring addiction and the ongoing conversation around substance use, drugs have shaped some of culture’s most influential works and defining moments. This collection explores the relationship between drugs and popular culture, covering artists, films, historical movements, changing attitudes and the social impact of substance use across the creative industries.
“That gig you did in 1971 changed my life”: The band who gave out acid to their own audience
“You sure it wasn’t the acid?”
Doc McGhee: How the architect of hair metal turned a drug smuggling conviction into an anti-drug rock festival
Before he was Bon Jovi’s manager, he helped traffic weed into the US on a shrimp trawler.
One dead and six hospitalised at festival in Sydney following MDMA warning from authorities
No cause of death has yet been disclosed.
How the MC5’s Wayne Kramer reformed himself in prison: “They don’t give a damn”
“It’s just a human warehouse system.”
More About drugs
Drugs have influenced many aspects of popular culture, inspiring music, films, literature and art while also contributing to public debates about addiction, creativity, legality and social change.
Artists including The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, Lou Reed, David Bowie, Amy Winehouse and Nirvana have all been linked to stories about drugs, whether through their music, personal lives or wider cultural movements.
Notable films exploring drug use and addiction include 'Trainspotting', 'Requiem for a Dream', 'The Basketball Diaries', 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas', 'Traffic' and 'Drugstore Cowboy'.