Posted in: Rock by Bren Parks on December 23, 2008 | 21 Comments
The life of a rock and roll superstar can best be described as “living in the fast lane.” While some legendary icons have managed to find a balance while dealing with their celebrity status, others were tragically unable to cope.
Being a star isn’t as easy as one would think. Fame takes its toll on personal lives and even drove some to taking their own lives. These rock and roll legends tragically succumbed to the pressures of stardom.
Joe Meek was a 1960’s record producer of a band called The Tornadoes. His innovative recording methods changed the recording industry forever. Unfortunately, he had an unhealthy fixation on his idol, Buddy Holly, and was obsessed with the occult. His life was further complicated by the fact that his homosexuality was a crime at the time in the United Kingdom. He was also deeply effected by his paranoia, drug use and attacks of rage and depression. On February 3, 1967, on the eighth anniversary of Holly’s death, Meek shot his elderly landlady before turning the gun on himself. At the time of his death, he was being investigated as a possible suspect in the murder of a homosexual prostitute named Bernard Oliver, who had been previously linked to him.
In the 1950’s, he formed a band that was later called the Big Little Show Band and added keyboard player Max Crook, who brought his brainchild called the Musitron along with him. The Musitron was an early synthesizer that added a whole new dimension to music and revolutionized the industry. After forming his own label called Burlee, Del went on to record several top ten hits and was known in the U.S. as the Do Wop king.
He recorded “Hats Off To Larry” before blowing his own hat off with a .22 caliber rifle on February 8, 1990. Del was recovering from dental surgery and was taking pain pills as well as Prozac. It is believed that the combination of the two caused him to take his own life. Check out these YouTube videos featuring Del Shannon.
Unofre Pili December 23rd, 2008 at 2:33 am
Enjoyed it much Bren.Don’t know why artists are inclined to suicide.
Yovita Siswati December 23rd, 2008 at 5:15 am
Very informative. Most of the singer, I have never heard of. I enjoy reading this article.
nutuba December 23rd, 2008 at 6:29 am
Interesting and informative! I didn’t know about these folks before, and my rock and roll knowledge has just been expanded. Thanks!
Peter Cimino December 23rd, 2008 at 10:23 am
Cool stuff. Well done!
Marli Diz December 23rd, 2008 at 5:20 pm
I nevr knew that Courtney Love was w/ Kurt Cobain!?
Hmmm.. can’t believe that he shot himself in the face!
**looks down at feet**
Well, Ian i totally sense that..
As soon as i read the caption of Ian Curtis…it totally hit me.
I can see..it.
eddiego65 December 25th, 2008 at 6:50 am
Interesting read!
Mmbo December 27th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
The reason they are inclined to such acts is due to something called the Sylvia Plath effect…look it up
shaky January 2nd, 2009 at 12:45 pm
not bad
John McDonnell January 6th, 2009 at 10:56 am
Great article, Bren! I was surprised at a lot of the people in this article. I thought you were going to mention people like Kurt Cobain, but not The Singing Nun. I remember watching her on the Ed Sullivan show. I didn’t know she killed herself.
Mary Jo January 6th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Very interesting article! I hade never heard of many of the artists mentioned. It’s hard to believe it’s been so long since Kurt Coabins suicide. The 90’s seemed to vanish in the blink of an eye. Sad that all of them took their own lives. I will look up what someone above me posted about “the Sylvia Path Effect”.
Fegger January 8th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
The “Singing Nun”–there dies a childhood fantasy! Always hoped she’d kick the habit and come tuck me in at night. Well formed article.
Alistair Briggs January 9th, 2009 at 1:24 am
Great piece
Lorna Dykstra January 14th, 2009 at 1:41 am
Very informative. Apart from Kurt Cobain and Sid Vicious, I was not aware that the others had committed suicide.
A2 Armory January 16th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
You should add Elliot Smith, he stabbed himself in the chest.
Smiler January 19th, 2009 at 10:58 am
Are you sure of the Sid Vicious one? It was reported in the past as an accident. His mother(!) had bought him some heroin, which happened to be of a higher quality than he was used too. And he accidently OD’ed.
Kim Buck January 22nd, 2009 at 9:00 am
I dig it…thanks for sharing.
sister della January 27th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Bren, Thanks for your comment(s. I’m a music fan so I checked out this article – very informative.
Bren Parks January 27th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
Thanks, I am editing this one today, as a matter of fact. Look for additions, edits adding detail and an upcoming Volume II.
Chambo February 23rd, 2009 at 1:12 am
Thought for a moment you had left out Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain. But I thought wrong. Nice work Bren.
RJ
44444115 April 2nd, 2009 at 10:14 pm
when are the jonas brothers going to commit suicide, please do it now
chris73 May 24th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Thanks for sharing.About Sid Vicious, yes his mother bought some heroin but as far as i know it is not clear till now what exactly happend.