All of us always look up to someone. Someone who influences us, someone whom we try to pattern our lives on and it is almost a fact that we could never – never, ever achieve the way they lived their lives.

And musicians – I look up to them. I admire how they write their music; how they perform onstage; and how they keep an endearing life despite the uncanny rock and roll lifestyle that they have.

I may not be the greatest instrumentalist and I may have a voice of a hyperventilating chipmunk, but I do keep a playlist for each and every mood I have.

And I do know the bio’s of musicians whom affected me the most. So here is my list of music people whose lives are making me green with envy.

Flea (Bassist, Red Hot Chili Peppers)

The bassist of highly acclaimed band Red Hot Chili Peppers is always a sight to behold. Most of the time, he’d wear out-of-this world outfits like a giant lightbulb atop his head, or a skeletal cover-all or just nothing but a Bass guitar to cover his uhmm… manhood.

But really,more than his comical façade is one of the best live performers that ever lived.

Zack dela rocha (Vocalist, Rage Against the Machine)

Being a front-man for a politically charged band requires balls of steel.
And in every performance, he doesn’t fail to be hyped up.
Two of my favorite lines of his are: “They say jump, you say how high?” (Bullet In The Head) and “Anger is a gift” (Freedom).

See, I am no fan of political activism, but with catchy beats and the aforementioned energy of Zack, I might as well am.

Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Symphony X, Avenged Seven Fold)

Is the best drummer in my lifetime. But what makes him the best drummer ever does not stop within the gazillion things his feet and hands could do.

This 23-time Modern Drummer awardee still has time to care. There’s a DVD wherein he grants a wish of a sick kid to play his drumset – he even sat down with the kid and exchanged drum fills with him.

Seeing the flickering eyes of that kid really proved that a man could be more than happy in music alone. And Mike gave the kid a chance to be the happiest person in the world.

Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots, Velvet Revolver)

He is theatrical. The way he moves and dances to the now immortal tunes of STP onstage is a bit odd and alluring at the same time.
He has become a symbol of care-free, f-you attitude and he also radiates a sense of exclusivity which makes his personality all the more interesting.

Fascinating, indeed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxS4lqppZ6Y

Chris Martin (Vocalist, Coldplay)

Is the husband of Gwyneth Paltrow. ‘Nuff said.

It might be bizarre to look up to rock and rollers – rugged as they are – as role models. Yes, they might look like tattoos with limbs, they may smoke mountains of cigs, and they might not be the wealthiest, most intellectual chaps on earth.

But these men who are fueled primarily by music float my termite infested boat.

Written by: Joel James Cubillas