Rockers That Left Us Way Too Soon

Recent rock and roll deaths include Bill Ham (the first ZZ Top manager), Leon Russell, and Tony Barrow (former Beatles press agent credited for coining the term ‘Fab Four’ nickname). How is it that a few of our favorite stars who drank and dabbled in drugs could still be alive, while others died?

Many notable stars have left us early.

Sadly, gun advocate and collector Terry Kath of ‘Chicago’ accidentally shot himself after pointing a gun to his head, acclaiming to family members “hey don’t worry, it’s not loaded.”

Randy California of the 60s group ‘Spirit’ drowned in Hawaii while saving his son from the same fate.

Brian Jones, Sid Vicious, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, and many others died from drug or alcohol abuse and or overdose.

This year Keith Emerson of Electric Light Orchestra died, but many don’t know that former ELO member Michael Edwards died decades earlier from head trauma when a bale of hay hit him on the head.

Bobby Fuller (“I Fought the Law”) was found set on fire while in his car in LA – rumored to be having an affair with a criminal’s wife. Randy Rhoads purposely flew a stunt plane over the tour bus, but didn’t see the house behind it and crashed into the structure.

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Photo credit: Legacy Recordings