Country Musicians & Singers Share Their Stories About Addiction And The Road To Recovery

Da Paola Montis

A program that may have addressed any co-occurring disorders and helped with coping mechanisms to handle the stresses of their career. Townes Van Zandt (March 7, 1944 – Jan. 1, 1997), was a singer and songwriter. Died of a heart attack after years of alcohol and drug abuse.

musicians who died from alcohol

These Famous Musicians Will Forever Live On

He attempted many times to get sober, but it never lasted long. Many of music’s most famous and beloved singers and rock stars have suffered from alcohol addiction. For these musicians with alcohol addition, death is a very real and very scary possibility. An apprenticed art, jazz styles and improvisation techniques have long been passed between generations. Bop and post-bop musicians, witnessing the damage of widespread substance abuse, warned the next round of artists against the romantic myth of the heavy-drinking creative genius. For some days prior to his death, Hendrix had been in poor health due to fatigue from overwork, an influenza-related illness, and a chronic lack of sleep.

Organizers tap into the power of art, community to boost mental health

There was an attendee who hadn’t been on the set list but who asked, on the spot, to perform. Liano said in the future, she might carve out space for audience members to also contribute. She’d likely also set aside more time for people to hang out after the performances. Family members and friends who’ve lost someone to suicide, due to the trauma and unexpectedness of the death, often grapple with many difficult emotions. They’re also at increased risk themselves for thoughts or attempts of suicide, according to Harvard Health Publishing. Lynch experienced deep depression in the aftermath of a divorce.

Jimi Hendrix (Died in

Clyde McPhatter (Nov. 15, c. 1932 – June 13, 1972) was a rhythm and blues, soul, and rock and roll singer. Died from damage to his kidney, liver, and heart caused by years of alcohol abuse. Ron “Pigpen” McKernan (Sept. 8, 1945 – March 8, 1973), known as Pigpen, was a singer and musician.

Drug and Alcohol Rehab at Resurgence Behavioral Health

Although musicians are surrounded by people on tour (promoters, managers, roadies, minders), these people may have no genuine interest in their welfare. Some of the systemic musicians who died from alcohol problems in the pop music industry were outlined in a previous article in the Death and Dying series. Added here are some more specific issues reported by musicians.

#6: Michael Jackson

Burch, the chair of the suicide prevention task force, said he was at first reluctant to attend the party because “I’m a sunshine and rainbows person” and thought it’d be too sad.
In 1978, The Who drummer Keith Moon overdosed on the prescription drug clomethiazole.
She started drinking alcohol at just 12 years old and struggled with alcohol addiction for most of her life.
Both male and female mortality curves far exceeded those for the general population up to the age of 65.
In 2004, he died of an accidental drug overdose due to a lethal mix of cocaine and the prescription drug Tramadol.

Jani Lane (Feb. 1, 1964 – Aug. 11, 2011) was the lead singer and main songwriter for the band Warrant. James Hetfield (born Aug. 3, 1963) is a singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is an original member, lead singer, and rhythm guitarist of the band Metallica. Lester Bangs was an influential American rock ‘n’ roll critic. He died from a combined drug and alcohol overdose at the age of 33. West Arkeen was a co-writer for legendary rock band Guns N’ Roses.

The Day the Music Died: Musicians and Addiction

For these musicians with alcohol addition, death is a very real and very scary possibility.
Jay Bennett was an American musician, engineer, and producer best known as a key member of Wilco, an alternative rock band, from 1994 to 2002.
When he died at 42 years old, his cause of death was Cardiac Arrhythmia, but he also had 14 different drugs in his system including codeine, methaqualone, morphine, and meperidine.
Morrison had developed alcoholism throughout his career as a way of coping with traumatic events, depressive moods, and also because he felt it helped his creativity.
He credits music for not only stopping him that night, but also helping to propel him along his healing journey ever since.

Due to his concert injuries, he was in constant pain, which led him to start taking pain pills. Bon Scott is best known as the lead vocalist and lyricist for AC/DC from 1974 until his death in 1980. Scott had always been a heavy drinker, even for rockstar standards.