Budda G,
Yes he was a cool dude and had that hippie mentality of peace and love ( at least what I have seen)
But when you say
"nobody else could handle as well as he did. and for that i consider him a role model of sorts,"
I cant agree with that. He was a junkie, led a trouble life and battled with addiction for many many years until ultimately it shortened his life.
Maybe in the beginning and for a long while the drugs worked for him but at some point he started working for the drugs.
Many others could handle being in a big band, run a business, keep a cool persona without ruining thier lives with drugs. Although I would trade segments of my life for his, in general he was very very troubled for decades.
Now dont get me wrong, I love the guy more than any other musician, he is one of my guitar heros but not a lifestyle role model hero.
On tour '76 - '81
Clean & Sober since '87