Synopsis
The final days of more than 100 world-famous pop music personalities are recounted here--not only the relentless rockers of the 1960s, '70s, and later, but also stars like country singer Hank Williams, blues artist Robert Johnson, and many others who fell prey to tragic circumstances--and often, to self-destructive impulses. Here are the facts behind the deaths by drug overdose of Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin in 1970, and of Sid Vicious in 1979. Here too is John Lennon's tragic death at the hands of a demented gunman, and the details behind the premature deaths of singers like Elvis Presley, Jerry Garcia, and Karen Carpenter. Among the many stars now resting in Rock & Roll Heaven are--
* Buddy Holly *Sid Vicious *Sam Cooke * John Lennon * Otis Redding * Brian Jones * Dennis Wilson * Jimi Hendrix * Marvin Gaye * Janis Joplin * Freddie Mercury * Jim Morrison * Kurt Cobain * Bobby Darin * Jerry Garcia * "Mama" Cass Elliot * Tupac Shakur * Keith Moon * Jeff Buckley
Rock & Roll Heaven is an eminently browsable book, filled with absorbing facts about music legends, and supplemented with a selection of memorable photos. Here too are stories behind the headlines for trivia fans, details of each artist's career highlights, and a handy fast-reference index for serious music history researchers. Rock & Roll Heaven is must-reading for everyone interested in rock history. Photos in color and in black and white.
From the Inside Flap
(back cover)
Rock & Roll Heaven is a fascinating look at over 100 of popular music s most famous fatalities, from legendary rockers who lived fast and died young to tragic and self-destructive poet-musicians.
Discover whose body was washed up at the foot of Beale Street, home of the blues. Find out why country legend Gram Parsons corpse was stolen. Read about the grisly coincidence that links Keith Moon and Mama Cass.
Artist portraits feature career highlights along with details of their untimely demise, accompanied by stunning photographs.
(front flap)
This is your graveside guide to the final days of some of popular music s legends. Featuring 120 late-but-great icons that have knocked on heaven s door or driven down the highway to hell, each entry includes a revealing account of the star s death, along with a wealth of fascinating facts and tantalizing trivia. Here s how the end came for . . .
Buddy Holly . . .Died Feb. 3, 1959 . . . Cause: plane crash
Sam Cooke . . .Died Dec. 11, 1964 . . .Cause: gunshot
Jimi Hendrix . . . Died Sept. 18, 1970 . . . Cause: asphyxiation
Janis Joplin . . .Died Oct. 4, 1970 . . .Cause: drug overdose
 Mama Cass Elliot . . .Died July 29, 1974 . . .Cause: heart attack
John Lennon . . .Died Dec. 8, 1980 . . . Cause: gunshot
Marvin Gaye . . .Died Dec. 28, 1983 . . . Cause: gunshot
Jeff Buckley . . .Died May 29, 1997 . . .Cause: drowned
You ll get inside stories on these tragedies and many more in Rock & Roll Heaven.
(back flap)
Robert Dimery is a freelance writer and editor who has worked on several books covering the rock music scene. He has worked for a variety of magazines, including London Time Out and Vogue.
Bruno MacDonald has edited and contributed to many books and magazines that cover pop music and its celebrities.
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