The importance of Jane's Addiction

Very timely information ...

(Editor’s note: I wrote this story about three days ago. But just last night, September 13 — I’m sure you music fans have seen it all over the news — during the Jane’s Addiction concert in Boston, Perry Farrell and Dave Navarro got into a massive fight on stage and abruptly ended the show.

Let’s hope the show I saw on Wednesday in New York City was not the last Jane’s show ever, and I’m hoping they can find peace in their friendship and that the band continues forward.)

Without Jane’s Addiction, you probably wouldn't have half the iconic bands in the alternative music scene today, and let me tell you why. This band needs to be embraced and talked about even more than they are.

I have just returned home from seeing Jane’s show at Pier 17 and have to rant. Apparently, the band’s show the night before on Tuesday was a bit of a disaster, but that’s what happens when you have rock ‘n’ roll and danger meet. And that’s what we are missing in today’s music culture: the element of danger — a la Jane’s Addiction, early Guns N’ Roses, and even the newly reformed Oasis brothers.

Perry Farrell at Pier 17 Rooftop. September 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Astrida Valigorsky/Getty Images)

I was 17 or so in 1987, and my band Black Cherry (featuring the original LA Guns lead singer Paul Black and Bruce Moreland from Wall of Voodoo) were asked to open up for Jane’s Addiction and Gene Loves Jezebel at the Park Plaza Hotel, put on by the venue Scream (Dayle Gloria). I was a kid from the rough and tumble streets of Hewlett Neck, Long Island, similar to some parts of the Hamptons.

My young self was not prepared for what I would see at the show’s soundcheck, having lived a pretty sheltered version of the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle in the five towns of Long Island.

Perry and Dave were making out during soundcheck, possibly briefly from what I remember. Perry had on lingerie that night and was climbing from the rafters. When they took the stage, Jane’s was on fire that night. Remember, this was the first big rock concert I had ever played in my life. I was witnessing the birth of alternative rock, and it was transformative.

Dave Navarro at Pier 17 Rooftop. September 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Astrida Valigorsky/Getty Images)

Fast forward to the other night, many years later, when I was a bit reluctant to see my friends after hearing about the “not great” show the night before. I love to remember bands at their peak of greatness.

However, Wednesday night was not only great, it was mind-blowing, even if Perry was not his 1987-self. Stephen Perkins’ tribal drumming surpasses most of the drummers out there. Eric Avery was incredible on bass. The guitar god that is Dave Navarro was in fine form. We were witnessing rock ‘n’ roll royalty, greatness, and then some, and it made me realize … Why do more people not talk about Jane’s Addiction?

Do a deep dive, like I did the day after the concert, and listen to the band’s albums. It's impossible to deny the effect they had on music.

The day after the concert I attended, I sat down with Myles Kennedy (Slash, Alterbridge) on Lipps Service, and you'll hear us rant and rave about Jane’s during the first 10 minutes of that episode, coming up next month.

Listen to the drums in “Been Caught Stealing,” or the groove of “Mountain Song,” and tell me this band has not influenced so many that have come after them.

I’m all about current bands and the future, but without Jane’s, there would be no current alt-rock music scene the way we know it.

Perry Farrell, for those who know, is one of the most iconic, inventive, and unique frontmen, which can lead to good nights and bad nights, like any icon. But let us not forget — they do not make frontmen like this anymore. When was the last time that you saw a lead singer as unique and groundbreaking as Perry?

Do yourself a favor, and check out Jane’s again. Run to see them on (maybe) one of their last tours. They don't make ‘em like this anymore, and chances are, you won’t see the likes of this stardom in some of the newer bands any day soon.

My view from the stage on a Wednesday night, days before the infamous fight.

Let us know what you think.

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