The Encyclopedia of Dead Rock Stars: Heroin, Handguns, and Ham Sandwiches. (original) (raw)

Known for such hits as "Twenty Flight Rock" and "Summertime Blues," rockabilly pioneer Eddie Cochran "had been nursing a premonition that he would die dramatically�troubled as he was by the death of his friend Buddy Holly. As Cochran travelled to Heathrow Airport from Bristol, the Ford Consul that carried him and fellow touring rock 'n' roll great Gene Vincent had a high-speed blow-out�Cochran was thrown through a door after the car skidded 150 yards on the wet road, striking a concrete lamp-post; the singer received a massive blow to his skull as he landed�Vincent suffered a fractured collarbone and severe injuries to his legs�Cochran was less fortunate. Admitted to a Bath hospital, he died�on Easter, 17 April 1960, from extensive brain lacerations, instantly assuming the status of rock 'n' roll's second martyr." So asserts Jeremy Simmonds in this clearly written, at times darkly humorous, and completely captivating examination of deceased musicians.

Despite its title, this fascinating tome includes not just rock 'n' rollers, but rap, country, folk, soul, blues, funk, and jazz artists. Simmonds covers all the luminaries-among them Patsy Cline, Kurt Cobain, Sam Cooke, Cass Elliott, Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, Freddie Mercury, Elvis Presley, Joe Strummer, and Otis Redding-as well as numerous lesser-known performers. Fans of Lone Star music will find much to explore in this massive volume; Simmonds discusses many Texas-born singers, including Jesse Belvin (San Antonio), Jimmy Dean (Olton), Freddy Fender (San Benito), Bobby Fuller (Goose Creek), Buddy Holly (Lubbock), Lightnin' Hopkins (Centerville), Waylon Jennings (Littlefield), Janis Joplin (Port Arthur), Roger Miller (Fort Worth), Roy Orbison (Vernon), Ray Peterson (Denton), Jim Reeves (Panola County), The Big Bopper (Sabine Pass), Jesse Mae Robinson (Call), Selena (Lake Jackson), Joe Tex (Rogers), Townes Van Zandt (Fort Worth), and Stevie Ray Vaughan (Oak Cliff). Unfortunately, some singers perished in Texas. Ricky Nelson, for example, died in a plane crash near De Kalb on December 31, 1985.

In a publication this size, mistakes are bound to surface. For instance, the author erroneously maintains that artist DJ Screw was born in Houston; actually, his birthplace was Bastrop. Simmonds contends that his encyclopedia is "the ultimate chronology of pop's dead." Errors aside, I agree. Music enthusiasts will undoubtedly enjoy this engaging work. "Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll!"