If you’ve ever watched VH1 for more than oh, 10 minutes, you’ve seen one of its irritating Behind The Music specials – one hour “rockumentaries” looking back on the fast times and high life of some washed-up music star. At first glance, they seem like painstakingly researched, carefully written shows. But watch a couple of them, and you’ll start to notice that no matter who the show is about, every subject’s story is eerily similar to everyone else’s.
VOICE OVER: Even when (ROCK STAR) was a child, there was something that separated (HIM/HER) from the rest.
***
UNKNOWN FAMILY FRIEND: (HE/SHE) always wanted to be the centre of attention. We all knew right then that (ROCK STAR) would leave (HIS/HER) mark on the world.
***
VOICE OVER: (ROCK STAR)'s stormy years provided much of the inspiration for lyrics that would one day address the angst, insecurities and uncertainties of a future generation.
***
FORMER HIGH SCHOOL BOY/GIRLFRIEND: In high school, (ROCK STAR) just felt alienated from everyone- parents…peers…even members of the opposite sex. But looking back, I think that alienation made fertile ground for (HIS/HER) creative seeds.
***
VOICE OVER: Despite the lack of support from (HIS/HER) family and the overwhelming odds against success in the competitive music industry, (ROCK STAR) was prepared to face the struggle head on.
***
VOICE OVER: Just when it seemed all hope was lost, (ROCK STAR)'s long waited first opportunity came knocking.
***
SOME RECORD GUY: When I first 'eard (ROCK STAR)'s demo, I knew ('E/SHE) had something out of the ord'nary. I thought, "Who is this (GUY/GIRL)?"
***
ROCK STAR: I couldn't believe it. After all the lonely nights, missed meals and weeks without a paycheck I finally landed at number 17 on the Billboard charts. Here's me (ROCK STAR), the awkward (BOY/GIRL) from the mean streets of (ROCK STAR'S HOME CITY), and now I'm a star…literally overnight.
***
VOICE OVER: But all (HIS/HER) time on the road, coupled with the demands from promoters and the record company, was beginning to take its toll on (ROCK STAR)'s marriage.
***
VOICE OVER: As (ROCK STAR)'s fame skyrocketed beyond (HIS/HER) dreams, every form of pleasure fell easily within (HIS/HER) reach.
***
SOME ROADIE: There was a lot of sex. Let me just say that - there was a lot of sex. I mean, any (WOMAN/MAN) was at (HIS/HER) fingertips.
***
ROCK STAR: I'd roll into town for the concert and I couldn't even get to my hotel room without bodyguards. There were (GIRLS/GUYS) swarming me at every turn. It was crazy. It was really cool at first, but after awhile…I'm just a human being, man."
***
VOICE OVER: Always in constant supply was alcohol - and drugs.
***
ROCK STAR'S SECOND BASS PLAYER: At first it was just one big party, you know? We had some crazy times, man. We didn't think about tomorrow, we were having too much fun.
***
VOICE OVER: Constant media attention, coupled with the temptations brought on by the seemingly always present groupies, began to take its toll on (ROCK STAR)'s third marriage.
***
VOICE OVER: On the outside, (ROCK STAR) had everything one could ever want. But on the inside, (HE/SHE) was trapped in a personal hell brought on by drugs and alcohol.
***
ROCK STAR: Those were the tough times. It became harder and harder to top my previous success. It used to be my dream to be in the spotlight, and all of a sudden I couldn't get out of it.
***
VOICE OVER: (ROCK STAR)'s depression over declining record sales, coupled with the increasing hold drugs and alcohol had over (HIS/HER) life, began to take its toll on (ROCK STAR)'s fifth marriage.
***
ROCK STAR'S FORMER BEST FRIEND: (HE/SHE) wasn't the same person anymore. (ROCK STAR) was exhausted from life on the road and felt that the industry was ignoring (HIM/HER). Finally, (ROCK STAR) called me one day and said, "I'm taking a break, man. I have to find the individual who's been lost for years on a rock and roll roller coaster."
***
VOICE OVER: Something inside (ROCK STAR), however, couldn't keep (HIM/HER) out of the spotlight for long. When (ROCK STAR) played the first night of (HIS/HER) comeback tour, the critics listened and the record company executives crossed their fingers. But one thing was clear: (ROCK STAR) was back.
***
VOICE OVER: Today, (ROCK STAR) leads a life that bears little resemblance to the years that most will remember (HIM/HER) by. (HE/SHE) hasn't touched drugs in years and all those groupies have been replaced by (HIS/HER) sixth (WIFE/HUSBAND) and love of (HIS/HER) life, (SPOUSE'S NAME).
VOICE OVER: Even when (ROCK STAR) was a child, there was something that separated (HIM/HER) from the rest.
***
UNKNOWN FAMILY FRIEND: (HE/SHE) always wanted to be the centre of attention. We all knew right then that (ROCK STAR) would leave (HIS/HER) mark on the world.
***
VOICE OVER: (ROCK STAR)'s stormy years provided much of the inspiration for lyrics that would one day address the angst, insecurities and uncertainties of a future generation.
***
FORMER HIGH SCHOOL BOY/GIRLFRIEND: In high school, (ROCK STAR) just felt alienated from everyone- parents…peers…even members of the opposite sex. But looking back, I think that alienation made fertile ground for (HIS/HER) creative seeds.
***
VOICE OVER: Despite the lack of support from (HIS/HER) family and the overwhelming odds against success in the competitive music industry, (ROCK STAR) was prepared to face the struggle head on.
***
VOICE OVER: Just when it seemed all hope was lost, (ROCK STAR)'s long waited first opportunity came knocking.
***
SOME RECORD GUY: When I first 'eard (ROCK STAR)'s demo, I knew ('E/SHE) had something out of the ord'nary. I thought, "Who is this (GUY/GIRL)?"
***
ROCK STAR: I couldn't believe it. After all the lonely nights, missed meals and weeks without a paycheck I finally landed at number 17 on the Billboard charts. Here's me (ROCK STAR), the awkward (BOY/GIRL) from the mean streets of (ROCK STAR'S HOME CITY), and now I'm a star…literally overnight.
***
VOICE OVER: But all (HIS/HER) time on the road, coupled with the demands from promoters and the record company, was beginning to take its toll on (ROCK STAR)'s marriage.
***
VOICE OVER: As (ROCK STAR)'s fame skyrocketed beyond (HIS/HER) dreams, every form of pleasure fell easily within (HIS/HER) reach.
***
SOME ROADIE: There was a lot of sex. Let me just say that - there was a lot of sex. I mean, any (WOMAN/MAN) was at (HIS/HER) fingertips.
***
ROCK STAR: I'd roll into town for the concert and I couldn't even get to my hotel room without bodyguards. There were (GIRLS/GUYS) swarming me at every turn. It was crazy. It was really cool at first, but after awhile…I'm just a human being, man."
***
VOICE OVER: Always in constant supply was alcohol - and drugs.
***
ROCK STAR'S SECOND BASS PLAYER: At first it was just one big party, you know? We had some crazy times, man. We didn't think about tomorrow, we were having too much fun.
***
VOICE OVER: Constant media attention, coupled with the temptations brought on by the seemingly always present groupies, began to take its toll on (ROCK STAR)'s third marriage.
***
VOICE OVER: On the outside, (ROCK STAR) had everything one could ever want. But on the inside, (HE/SHE) was trapped in a personal hell brought on by drugs and alcohol.
***
ROCK STAR: Those were the tough times. It became harder and harder to top my previous success. It used to be my dream to be in the spotlight, and all of a sudden I couldn't get out of it.
***
VOICE OVER: (ROCK STAR)'s depression over declining record sales, coupled with the increasing hold drugs and alcohol had over (HIS/HER) life, began to take its toll on (ROCK STAR)'s fifth marriage.
***
ROCK STAR'S FORMER BEST FRIEND: (HE/SHE) wasn't the same person anymore. (ROCK STAR) was exhausted from life on the road and felt that the industry was ignoring (HIM/HER). Finally, (ROCK STAR) called me one day and said, "I'm taking a break, man. I have to find the individual who's been lost for years on a rock and roll roller coaster."
***
VOICE OVER: Something inside (ROCK STAR), however, couldn't keep (HIM/HER) out of the spotlight for long. When (ROCK STAR) played the first night of (HIS/HER) comeback tour, the critics listened and the record company executives crossed their fingers. But one thing was clear: (ROCK STAR) was back.
***
VOICE OVER: Today, (ROCK STAR) leads a life that bears little resemblance to the years that most will remember (HIM/HER) by. (HE/SHE) hasn't touched drugs in years and all those groupies have been replaced by (HIS/HER) sixth (WIFE/HUSBAND) and love of (HIS/HER) life, (SPOUSE'S NAME).
