Adam Ant, with his flamboyant style, vivid make-up, and unique music, emerged as one of the top icons of the 80s.
However, years of struggles with mental health—including being sectioned twice and fighting depression—effectively led him to fade into obscurity in the music scene.
Now, the singer proclaims that he has conquered his inner demons and stands ready to rock ‘n’ roll once more. At 56, Adam is set to embark on a tour for the first time in 15 years.
He asserts that he has triumphed over the bipolar disorder that reduced him to a “zombie” during seven harrowing years where depression rendered him incapable of intimacy or even reading.
When the veil of depression lifted, rediscovering the joy of reading transformed his existence. The 80’s icon, known for timeless hits like ‘Stand and Deliver’ and ‘Prince Charming’, remarked, “When I finally regained the ability to read, I delved into the biographies of Nina Simone and Johnny Cash. I thought I had faced considerable hardships, but witnessing their journeys made me realize I hadn’t even scratched the surface…it gave me comfort.”
While he can now find humor in his past battles, Adam reflects on feeling ‘mentally dead’ after the initial prescription for his bipolar condition, which manifests in extreme mood fluctuations.
He had lost all energy, spending days glued to the TV. Reading became impossible as his eyes would linger on the same line, and song writing was out of the question.
Adam stated, “I experienced all the potential side effects listed for those medications… Loss of sight, memory issues… and regarding sexual performance… that was a memorable one… Forget about lovemaking.”
With the support of his doctor, Adam took six months in 2007 to gradually reduce his medication and emphasizes that he currently has his condition under control.
“The medications I was prescribed were excessively strong. They were intended for epilepsy… I don’t have epilepsy… I was physically allergic to the drugs.”
Adam reflects that during his peak fame, he was overworked, admitting there was no time to enjoy his success while being consistently at the top with his band, Adam And The Ants.
He is best known for the Dandy Highwayman persona he created for the “Stand and Deliver” music video.
His forthcoming album, “The Blueblack Hussar In Marrying The Gunner’s Daughter,” is set to release next January, and a screenplay based on his autobiography, also titled “Stand and Deliver,” is currently in development.
Adam shares, “I want the screenplay to highlight the punk era before we reached the charts. Many people are unaware of how wild it was during that time. We had bottles hurled at us and were attacked with chains.”
“I once had a gun pointed at me in Berlin, and I just said, ‘Go on then… shoot me.’ What a ridiculously foolish thing to do.”
“You have to be somewhat mad to engage in what I do. I’m not suggesting it as an idea… but that was the reality… there’s always been a confrontation between me and the audience.”
“I’ve missed performing… I’ve missed touring… and now I want my crown back.”
by Wallace Mctavish
