Primal Scream missed US fame because of drugs

PRIMAL SCREAM ruined their chance to make it big in America because of their drug addiction.

Steven Van Zandt from Bruce Springsteen's E-Street Band, said they could have been "biggest band in the world".

Van Zandt said he tried to bring Primal Scream to the States but added that but frontman Bobby Gillespie couldnt' commit to a long tour because of his reliance on drugs.

The rocker-turned-radio DJ said: "I tried to get Primal Scream to come over to America several times. I thought their album before this last one (2006's Riot City Blues) was one of the greatest records in 10 years.

"I begged them to come over. I had a whole tour for them. Their agent talked me out of it. He said: 'They can't do 20 shows.' I'm like, 'Come on, man. We do 20 shows a month'.

"Primal Scream could be the biggest band in the world. They are fantastic when they make rock records - once every 10 years. But they can't tour because of drug problems, or whatever.

"I don't have patience for it. I'm like, all right, you want to be a drug addict, go be a drug addict. Don't waste my time."