i read these comments here about pepper and baker never taking any responsibility for their lives, and i wonder. i've yet to search out the "right" chet baker albums to turn me on, but i saw pepper a few times in the early '80s and he blew my mind. i wouldn't want him for my roommate, but i know a few responsible musicians who are very decent people and who i'd gladly share a house with -- but whose musical talent is no where near the level of pepper's. and of course bird wasn't the most responsible cat either. yes, there are plenty of fucked-up artists who made great art.... the notion occurs to me that some of the same people pointing out these junkies' irresponsibility may be the same ones who have previously been protective, against publicizing the bad habits of specific musicians in comments on this listserv. i have to admit to being fascinated by stories of bad habits and sefl-destruction, and have an appetite for more. specifically, this rumor that in the '50s a gig with prestige earned you 50 bucks and bag of smack -- hence, "the junkies' label." martin