Henry Rollins — A Truly Inspiring Individual
Why the restless Rollins should be your hero, too
Many of my heroes have passed away in the last few years, but the ones that we look up to don’t have to die in order for us to express our gratitude. Few people in the world of music have meant so much for my personal development and outlook on life as Henry Rollins.
Henry Rollins is often referred to as a modern Renaissance man. It’s an accurate (though worn-out) description, since he’s a singer, spoken word artist, actor, radio host, writer, photographer and all-out inspiring individual.
I first discovered his work when I came across the seminal L.A. hardcore band Black Flag. He joined the band in the early 80’s. Back then he was hustling at a Haagen Dazs store. It was a job that he could’ve settled for, but then Henry got an offer to join Black Flag. He took the chance, worked his ass off (still does) and went down in punk history.
He sang on the band’s influential first LP Damaged from 1981. After that, they took a stylistic U-turn with the colossally heavy My War from 1984, where the band alienated pretty much every one of their fans. Rollins howled like a maimed animal to the band’s jazzy yet sonically punishing beats. Henry became the subject of physical attacks from disgruntled fans during the band’s sweltering and no-holds-barred shows.
For more on Henry’s days in the band, I can really recommend his tour diary Get in the Van, filled with twisted and truthful journal entires. Black Flag was the hardest working band in punk at the time and their DIY ethics inspire bands to this day.
But his career consists of so much more than Black Flag. And in whatever he has done lies a commitment and dedication that I have yet to see from any other person in show business.
What is so fascinating about Henry Rollins is his eloquence. He can articulate feelings regarding loneliness, relationships and other human aspects in ways that resonates with many. He might be shouting at you in a Rollins Band song or tell an anecdote onstage. Either way, he always express himself in ways that hit close to home.
When it comes to delivering inspiring stuff, motivational self help-speakers got nothing on Henry. He has stories for a lifetime, but many of them are far from sunny. In Get in the Van, he details the years with Black Flag spent with little to no money or food. He has escaped death by moments — his friend Joe Cole was tragically gunned down beside him in a robbery in 1991.
Despite all this, he has kept moving forward and squeezed the shit out of the many lemons that life has given him.
Henry could have gone the easy way. He could’ve made some big bucks had he just joined up with one of the many Black Flag reunions. But he refused to be a greatest hits-musician and decided to work with his spoken word shows and numerous other side projects.
And the man can write. Just have a look at his sharp dissections and lovable ramblings in LA Weekly or his many books.
Plus, the guy is a total music fanatic. On a side note: I would love to see The Henry Rollins Show on air again with its great music guests and Henry’s own unflinching political commentary.
Henry’s refusal to sit still and his eagerness to try new things are some of his many qualities that make the man so interesting. He doesn’t have Freddie Mercury’s voice or the acting talent of Meryl Streep, and he knows it. But he gives it all, and that shines through.
I advise you to check out some of his spoken word shows, either live or on YouTube. Listen to his podcast (together with his long-time assistant Heidi May), his music or this great short movie. He truly is a man with many talents.
He throws himself at the world with an unquenchable curiosity and goddamn gusto, and it makes you want to do the same.
Now I urge you to write about a person living today, famous or not, that inspires you. Who’s your inspiring individual?
A version of this post was originally published at oscarhjelmstedt.com on December 29, 2016.
