For Las Tough, Simon, and Garfunkel The sound of the sirenE is more than a melancholy classic – it is a first-person reflection. The song's opening line – “Hello Darkness, My Old Friend” – evokes the struggle between alcoholism and relapse, leading his image into a lonely hotel room, and returns to the addiction pits once again after singing about Christ to a sold-out crowd.
“I think you've disappointed everyone, but he I never left me,” Tuff said. Jesus. “And I tried to get away from him.”
Tough's latest album, Cover StoreyA collection of cover songs that reflect his life's journey. – Bad, good, and stimulating. The sound of the sirenE is one of them, but Depeche mode is the same People are peoplecitizens devil And the song of BB King/U2 When love comes to town. 11 tracks included.
Tough, 71, is a legend of Christian music, six Grammy Awards and 18 Dove Award winners, whose rise is defined by vocals both His long running careers as Imperial, Gator vocal band, and solo artists.
His battle with alcoholism is also part of his story, as told in the book and film with each title. I still believe.
Lyrics of The sound of the sirene, he said, “Familiar“ Places from his past – even when touring the country during the Christian concert stage, remember his battle with alcoholism.
“You opened that door to that hotel room again, you were there many times and you left there, and you drank for a long time, then something will happen,“ He said. “…Unfortunately it was a familiar place, but I knew the place, and I understood the place.“
Even in his darkest momentssaid TuffGod never gave up on him.
“Don't come here, don't come here, I'm very embarrassed. you I walked into this hotel room and met me.' But he quickly walked there. You know, “Russ, I love you, Russ, I want to help you.' And, oh man, that was very difficult. I was at this lowest point.
“And he said, “Russ, so I'm dead, to give you the power to do it right.”'”
Tough included a song from 1971 Grandma's hand As a homage to him, by Bill Wizards on the album My own Grandmother, Tuff's childhood shelter. She knew that the others in town hadn't done so – The tough father, the preacher, fought alcoholism.
“I remember going, and I sat at that entrance, I talked to my grandma, and she was an elderly Pentecostal woman,“ He said. “She would lean in and comb the silver hair that had descended on her waist – and she rolled it up and put it in the bread, and then put it in the bread. She would do that 'Son, that's alright. I know it doesn't look like that, the I'm going it's okay.' And I hung it on her. She passed away when I was 12 years old. …For the first 12 years of my life, she was my sanctuary.“
Tough My own Recovery spans years and years with the help of anonymity and treatment of alcoholism, he said.
“But I didn't think you could be this happy – I didn't know. These 18-19 years – they were just a gift from God. And I love my wife so desperately, and I I I'm having fun every day. “
His openness about his past prompted fans to share their painful stories – confessions about drug addiction, affairs and deep personal wounds, he said. At concerts, fans sometimes whispered his struggles and thanked him for being understood.
“Someone I have courage Be honest, encourage it Other people To tell you the truth. “
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Photo credit: ©Imagine House/Vere Music
Michael Foot For 20 years, I have covered the intersection of faith and news. His stories appear in the Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Leaf, Toronto Star, Knoxville News Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's podcast! He is the host of Cross Walk Talka podcast where he talks to Christian movie stars, musicians, directors and more. Listen to famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian films, books, television and other entertainment. You can find Cross Walk Talk Above lifeaudio.comor subscribe apple or Spotify So you won't miss an interview that will surely encourage your faith.
It was originally published on April 1, 2025.
