Alex James argues that his drug years were actually research
- Alex James, the Blur bassist, received a drug-related warning from the Colombian president during his first visit to Bogotá.
- Now at age 56, he limits his outings to two nights a week and maintains a disciplined lifestyle on his farm in the Cotswolds.
- James's transformation from a life of excess to a more monk-like existence signifies his embracing of clarity and productivity.
In Bogotá, Colombia, noted musician Alex James, best known as the bassist for the British band Blur, received a caution from the Colombian president concerning his use of cocaine. This warning was delivered during James's first visit to the city, highlighting the seriousness of the drug culture prevalent in some musical circles. Following years of indulgence in drugs and alcohol, which he later described as research for his craft, James has realized the need to change his lifestyle as he matured. Now at the age of 56, he maintains a more subdued existence, limiting his social engagements to only a few nights a week. His life on a farm in the Cotswolds, England, has adopted a disciplined routine resembling that of a monk. This transformation includes early morning risings and engaging in cheese making during the afternoons, activities he feels enhance not just his health but also his productivity. Additionally, he has recently ventured into winemaking. This contrast to his previous life signifies a profound personal evolution and a desire to embrace clarity and purpose as he navigates this new phase of living.