JULY 4TH

Here’s a firecracker for you.

John Martyn was one of the most talented and intense musicians ever. Never heard of him? That’s not unusual.

A Scot of immense ferocity, he became a folk/rock artist on the UK Island label in a cult-like sense during the ’70s and ’80s. He was a chameleon of incredibly honest and uninhibited expressiveness. Unfortunately, not many know of his accomplishments today except for true fans.

That’s a crime because he was a true artist of immense talent who sang and played his heart out like no other (except for perhaps Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin).

Unfortunately, he self-destructed in alcohol and drug abuse in the following years.

That road is not an uncommon path among artists, primarily because of their underlying pain. It’s that pain that drives them to create their greatest artistic expression. However, dulling that pain between creative spurts eventually pays a price.

When they finally come to terms with the fact they will not be recognized for their gifts during their lifetime, most give up on their dream. It happens even sooner today with opioids added into the mix. Please pray for those artists afflicted with this flawed brilliance.