• AOL
  • MAIL
    • You might also like: 
    • Music | 
    • Movies | 
    • TV | 
    • Celebrity News | 
    •  and More
    Sign In / Register
Spinner
  • Main
  • Spinner RPM
  • Features
    • The Hit List
    • Spinner Interview
    • Music Appreciation
  • Songs
    • Free MP3 of the Day
    • Play Full Albums Free
  • Videos
    • The Interface
    • Sessions
    • Video of the Day
    • All Videos
  • Radio
    • AOL Radio
    • AOL Radio Toolbar
    • Shoutcast
  • AOL Music Sites
    • The Boot
    • The Boombox
    • NoiseCreep
    • AOL Music Blog
  • Artists
  • Tours
  • Grammys
  • Send Feedback
  • Beyonce Super Bowl

    PETA Lashes Out at Beyonce
  • Skrillex

    Skrillex Signs Las Vegas Deal
  • Justin Bieber

    Watch Justin's 'SNL' Promos
  • Axl Rose

    Can You Guess This Famous Face?

Spinner Exclusives

  • The Interface - Live Performances
  • MP3 of The Day Free Downloads
  • Spinner Radio
  • Listening Parties - New CDS for Free

Features

  • Top Albums of 2012
  • Best Songs 2011
  • Sad Songs
  • Bizarre Musician Deaths
  • Celebs in Music Videos

All Categories

  • After Hours(4)
  • Call and Response(2)
  • EDM(73)
  • Monthly Mixtape(8)
  • RPM Mix(5)
  • RPM MP3 of the Day(81)
  • RPM/RCRD LBL Mixtape(1)
  • A Day in the Life(6)
  • All About Jazz(96)
  • Awards(306)
  • Free MP3 Download of the Day(2028)
  • Between the Notes(38)
  • Book Club(102)
  • Celebrity Doppelganger(20)
  • Clash of the Cover Songs(52)
  • Concerts and Tours(7268)
  • Count Five(87)
  • Exclusive(6863)
  • Guest Blogger(146)
  • Holy Hell(1152)
  • I Fought the Law(168)
  • I Freakin' Love This Song(253)
  • In House(35)
  • Movies(455)
  • Music Appreciation(260)
  • New Music(1318)
  • New Releases(981)
  • News(14371)
  • News Today, Oh Boy!(763)
  • PhotoSynthesis(89)
  • Politics as Usual(99)
  • Potent Quotables(777)
  • Q + A(594)
  • Quizzes & Trivia(6)
  • R.I.P.(581)
  • Road Report(68)
  • Rock Hall(54)
  • RPM(585)
  • Spinner Says(32)
  • Spinner Interview(234)
  • Television(280)
  • The Hit List(1461)
  • Video(2058)
  • Video of the Day(1480)
  • What's That Song?(135)

13 Mysterious Musician Deaths

  • Posted   by Dan Reilly
  • Comments
Email This

Getty | WireImage | Getty

May 29, 2012 marked the 15th anniversary of Jeff Buckley's accidental drowning. For whatever reason, some people believe that the singer-songwriter's death was "mysterious," possibly suicide, but the facts don't support this in any way: Buckley was there with a friend, had gone swimming there, wasn't intoxicated, etc.

But that got us thinking about musicians who actually died under mysterious circumstances. Whether the deaths were murders, overdoses, suicides or accidents, all are connected by murky details. From Robert Johnson and Sam Cooke to Kurt Cobain and Elliott Smith, check out our list of the most perplexing deaths in music history.

Musicians Who Died Mysteriously
  • Robert Johnson
  • Sam Cooke
  • Bobby Fuller
  • Brian Jones
  • Jim Morrison
  • Marvin Gaye
  • Kurt Cobain
  • Richey James Edwards
  • Tupac Shakur | Notorious B.I.G. | Jam Master Jay
  • Michael Hutchence
  • Elliott Smith
  • Rock and Roll Hoaxes
  • Paul Is Dead
  • Skrillex is Dead!
  • Keith Richards' Blood Transfusion
  • The Nine Inch Nails and Timbaland Collaboration
  • "I'm Still Here"
  • New York Times Guide to Grunge Slang
  • White Stripes Are Siblings
  • Elvis, Jim and Tupac Aren't Dead
  • The Masked Marauders
  • Mama Cass' Ham Sandwich
  • Marilyn Manson on "The Wonder Years"
See All Spinner Galleries »

Follow @Spinner on Twitter | Like Us on Facebook | Sign Up for Our Newsletter
  • Filed under: The Hit List
  • Email This

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum
60

80 Comments

Filter by:
novajzero2222

One thing is for sure:Jimi Hendrix was waterboarded with wine by the CIA.Morrison suicided, Cobain suicided as well,Brian Jones drowned by some criminals in a swimming pool, Lennon of course o b v i o u s l y killed by FBI in cohouts with CIA via their pretrained mindcontrolled "lonely" shooter.It will take a lot of guts, money and immunity issued by a newly cleansed US government to start a thorough investigation .These people were magnets, pioneers..too free.....Each time, someone becomes somehow threatening to the criminal controlfreaks that enslave governmnents, they kill them.They did it with Jesus, they did it with Buddha, they did it with Sokrates.People get jealous, if you don't fit in their bureaucratic system of control and manmade rules and when you are too unique (and beautiful!)

December 14 2012 at 11:22 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to novajzero2222's comment
shape up kiddo!

JIMI was NEVER WATER BOARDED..thats insane he died in the ambulance from shoking in his lseep on his own vomit literly drowing himself after a large meal..the idiot woman now dead Monica kept trying to wake him got finnaly frantic but didnt call an ambulance but called ERIC BURDON who called an ambulance and ran over to see whats going on..her stupidity killed Jimmy he died in the ambulance, Brian Jones was drowned in his pool by the handy man John Thourogood Kieth had the investagation opened foryears a fan was there who was friendly with Brian claimed to have seen something going on while walking in his garden on his estate built by AAMILE the writer of the famous childrens WINNIE THE POO books On his death bed Thourogood confessed he killed Brian who was firing him and he was jealoues of al lbrians had and achived Lennon was killed by a sick crazed stalker fan and Morrison died of a heart attack so abused was his body that guy took every drug underthe sun on top of another and could go through two large bottles of booze a day on top of it..the only strange thing is Pamala called someone and they bought tons of ice and packed his body over with ice till they called the autirities a french drug dealers idea a friend? of theres Cobain commited Suicide he was a sick ****** up unhappy drug messed up in the head man married to a lunatic he left a note proven to be his handwritting after leaving a rehab center again and also incase youve heard of him & if not sad 4 u Johnny Thunders was set up by the RIC brothers when he came to town to record in New Orleans ablues album word got out he had alot of cash ( 20,000 and expensive clothes guitars and John wanted to cop some dope or coke anything, he was found dead pushed under a dresser in his hotel room with some1 elses shoes they even took his handmade shoes I knew his family so dont even dout that it wasnt MURDER they robbed him of EVERYTHING in the room a local skuzz was seen later walking around wearing 1 of Johns hats

January 13 2013 at 8:45 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to shape up kiddo!'s comment
shape up kiddo!

sorry for the typos!...Sam Cooke was murdered by a jealoues girl friend in a hotel room...
all these rumors are rediculous the CIA the goverment the ILLUMANITTI
I do believe the goverment the Right wingers tried to kill ALL the Kennedy men including John Jr screwing with his plane ..I believe Chapaquidda Ted was slipped something in his drink Mary Jo was a puppet used to set him up, , Ted didnt just leave her to die I am sure he was blasted drugged and confused and tried to help and couldnt or just didnt know what was going on..it was a set up And Sid didnt kill Nancy they were a very passioniate pair loving and fighting if there had been a mumurder shed of been stabbed repatedly and slashed up I believe they were fighing again over drugs and she might of stabbed her self or fell on the open knife and there isstill the possiblity some one did come in the room and rob them but I dont think they killed her theyd stab her more than once to make sure..Sid didnt have it in him really to slash someone up let alone Nancey she could of killed him she was beserk Ithink the movie SID n Nancy comes pretty close to the truth to what happened later SID overdosed and died and it turned out his mother purposely shot him up with way way too much dope..she was a druggie hippie mom her self sincehe was a kid..she said he was too innocent for this world and lost with out Nancy but most think like a typical junkie she just wanted more dope and used his roalyties to have the money to get more and she did and then overdosed herself GOOD the mother from hell..and Charlie Mansons gang didnt kill Beach boys drumer Dennis wilson he drowned surfing and was prorably stoned..any more ludicris dumb ideas People in R &R die alot young... they lead crazy over worked lives Always traveleing surround by drugs and drink, taking small overloaded private planes and helicopters accidents bound to happen , it can also be a lonely and seclueded life trapped inside not being able to live and go about as anyone because of people chasing them they play large areas of 60 thousand and go back to a hotel room alone..the ones that make it and are happiest are the ones that marry and have a family and live a normal life off stage....I mean look at OZZY OSBORN where would he of been without his wife a kids..dead a long time ago the marriages that last are ones when they marry there childhood sweethearts and normal not in the biz woman and men a stable home life saves them and there own vanity can as well Look at Mick Jagger the man takes care of himself looks it and will no doubt live a long healthy life as his father did

January 13 2013 at 9:08 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down
sandralee9023

ya he does

November 14 2012 at 11:48 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
joenoco

Ji m Morrison rules !!!!!!!!!!!!

June 19 2012 at 3:06 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
morrisonproject

May I have your permission to reprint this piece on www.jimmorrisonproject.com?

June 05 2012 at 7:42 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
hwitchesbrew

There is a rumour that Sam Cooke was murdered because of his reluctance to have any connections to the mob. At the time of his death, he was one of the very few Black entertainers who had a contract with a major label (RCA Victor) and control of his own music publishing company (Kags Music). The mob wanted a piece of the action and his finances and he told them, "No way."

June 05 2012 at 3:01 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Osbo Gosley

its not a mystery, its a secret.

June 05 2012 at 9:59 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Kaly

==BlackWhitePlanet.C/0/M===offering real and successful opportunities to meet your right person.Here____Is____the___place___where___you___can___meet____interr/acial_single___who____are___searching____for___their__- __special____someone
#1Community for interracial dating and support.
Date_sexy_beautiful_women,---rich man_for_marriage.

June 04 2012 at 10:47 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
omalleydp

Urban legend says that Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his musical talent.

My musical talent was being unused because I had no time to work on music. I had to buy my soul back from the devil (my employer) so that I could spend my time writing and recording my songs.

June 04 2012 at 8:05 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to omalleydp's comment
shape up kiddo!

The devil soul story is just bull..it very well may be he died of alcohol poisening either drinking some bad homemade crap or another jealous musician poisening him I think it was drinking that did him in not the devil...come on get real...

January 13 2013 at 8:31 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
omalleydp

Pamela Courson never publicly stated that Jim Morrison died from a heroin overdose. A conversation she had with Danny Sugerman back in Los Angeles was the source of the story. Sugerman published his account of the conversation in his book "Wonderland Avenue"

June 04 2012 at 8:01 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
T REXX

i just want to know what"s holding keith richards up and how can you tell he"s alive..I think he's been dead for years

June 04 2012 at 4:49 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to T REXX's comment
joenoco

Keith Richards is one of the best in the business. He's very much alive.

June 19 2012 at 3:08 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to joenoco's comment
shape up kiddo!

Keith is alive dispite his drug abuse because he had someone cop for him and get quaility stuff, no hot shots and he never shot up alone and he was dam lucky and quit while he wqas ahead just went cold turkey on it though he continued to smoke weed snort coke thanks to Ron woods obbsession with cocaine and thats all over now the coke I guess a bit of weed and I dont think he drinksa anymore...he remarried a stong wonderful woman had more kids and I think Patti Hansen his wife really helped straighten him out or she wouldnt marry him or see him anymore ..Loves a great motive so is growing up

January 13 2013 at 8:29 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down
Load more comments

Follow Us

  • Newsletter
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS

Sign Up for Spinner's Newsletter! Get free MP3s, play a selection of each week's new albums free, read features, win sweet music swag and more!

  • Contact Us
  • Send News Tips
  • Advertise with Us

SIGN UP FOR SPINNER'S NEWSLETTER

  • Get free MP3s, play a selection of each week's new albums free, read features, win sweet music swag and more!

  • Sign Up!

AOL Radio

Listen to AOL Radio Now
play arrow
Top Indie - Today's best indie rock and pop
play arrow
Indie Rock Mix - A mix of new and old indie rock
play arrow
New Indie First - The latest in indie music
Online Radio Guide

Listen to Full CDs

  • Jim James, 'Regions of Light and Sound of God'
  • Eels, 'Wonderful, Glorious Eels'
  • The Virginmarys, 'King of Conflict'
  • The Bronx, 'The Bronx IV'
  • Nico Vega, 'Fury Oh Fury'
  • Play More Albums Free

Most Popular

  • Reg Presley Dead: Troggs Singer Dies After Battle With Lung Cancer
    Like

    1K

  • Mindy McCready Committed to Treatment Facility After Children Taken by Child Services -- Report
    Like

    122

  • CBS Grammy Memo Forbids Bare Breasts, Buttocks, Nipples, Genitals, Etc.
    Like

    633

  • King Gordy Shot Five Times in Detroit
    Like

    92

  • Marilyn Manson Collapses on Stage (VIDEO)
    Like

    207

  • Jessica Lost 107 Pounds: 'My Life Has Been One Hell Of A Race'
    Like

    978

  • Lady Gaga Backstage Rider: Strawberry Jam, Special K and a 'Mannequin With Puffy Pink Pubic Hair'
    Like

    55

  • Michelle Williams Breaks Super Bowl Silence
    Like

    571

  • Willow Smith, 'Annie': Singer Walks Away From Movie Role ... But Why?
    Like

    41

  • Manhunt Underway For Alleged Cop Killer
    Like

    12K

  • Kenny Chesney 'Pirate Flag' Video Premiere
    Like

    13K

  • 10 Jobs Where You're Most Likely To Hook Up With Co-Workers
    Like

    955

  • Donald Byrd Dead: Legendary Jazz Musician Dies at 80
    Like

    344

  • New Survey Discovers What Singles Care Most About Appearance
    Like

    147

  • Can You Recognize This Rocker Who's Celebrating His Birthday Today?
    Like

    185

  • Take Home This Human-Faced Dog
    Like

    21K

  • Bad Day At The Office For Beyonce?
    Like

    441

  • The Longest Married Couple In The U.S. Is...
    Like

    2K

  • WATCH: Come On, Bill
    Like

    3K

  • 7 Celebrity Husbands Who Took Their Wives' Last Names
    Like

    7K

  • Emaciated Teen Handcuffed In Parents' Basement Cries To Cops, 'I Didn't Do Anything'
    Like

    3K

  • 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer' Actor Dies At Age 61
    Like

    2K

  • 9-Year-Old Reportedly Gives Birth In Mexico, Police Investigating
    Like

    27K

  • Blizzard Barrels Towards New England
    Like

    2K

  • The Ever-Changing Face Of Lil Kim
    Like

    526

  • And The World's Most Expensive City To Live In Is ...
    Like

    434

  • Who's Got A New Face?
    Like

    3K

  • Annual Poll Finds Fox News' Credibility Rapidly Declined
    Like

    18K

  • LOOK: The Photo That Got A Russian Flight Attendant Fired
    Like

    458

  • Courageous Grandmother Stands Up To Anti-LGBT Pastor
    Like

    8K

  • Inspiration Struck in the Bathroom, Now She’s Flush With Cash
    Like

    33

  • Charles Manson Allegedly Murdered 'A Bunch Of Other People': Lawyer
    Like

    886

  • Ala. Hostage Taker Had Homemade Bombs In Bunker: Report
    Like

    236

Also on AOL

Quick Links

  • Slipknot Masks
  • Saddest Songs
  • Funny Music Videos
  • SXSW 2011

Also on AOL Music

  • Concert Tickets
  • Grammys 2012
  • Music Videos
  • New Music Releases

Blogs on AOL

  • Country Music
  • Hip Hop Music
  • Metal Music
  • Pop Music News

More on AOL

  • Best Lyrics
  • Best Metal Songs
  • Break Up Songs
  • Online Radio

More on AOL

  • Christmas Music
  • Classic Rock Songs
  • Best Songs of 2010
  • SHOUTcast

Help Links

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Trademarks
  • About Our Ads
  • Follow Spinner on Twitter
  • The Interface
  • Free MP3
  • Full CDs
  • RSS

Spinner.com © 2013 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.