Was it Suicide or Murder?

Kurt Donald Cobain: Age 27  (20 February 1967 -5 April 1994, Seattle).

Kurt Cobain was born to Donald and Wendy Cobain on February 20, 1967 in Aberdeen, Washington and spent his first six months living in the village of Hoquiam, Washington before the family moved to Aberdeen.[2] He began developing an interest in music early in his life. According to his Aunt Mari, "He was singing from the time he was two. He would sing Beatles songs like 'Hey Jude'. He had a lot of charisma from a very young age.

Kurt was an American musician who served as lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter for the Seattle-based rock band Nirvana.

Courtney Love first saw Kurt perform in 1989 at a show in Portland, Oregon; the pair talked briefly after the show and Courtney developed a crush on him. According to journalist Everett True, the pair were formally introduced at an L7/Butthole Surfers concert in Los Angeles in May 1991. In the weeks that followed, after learning from Dave Grohl that she and Kurt shared mutual crushes, Courtney began pursuing Cobain. After a few weeks of on-again, off-again courtship in the fall of 1991.

Around the time of Nirvana's 1992 performance on Saturday Night Live, Love discovered that she was pregnant with Cobain's child. A few days after the conclusion of Nirvana's Pacific Rim tour, on Monday, February 24, 1992, Kurt married Courtney on Waikiki Beach, Hawaii. "In the last couple months I've gotten engaged and my attitude has changed drastically," Kurt said in an interview. "I can't believe how much happier I am. At times I even forget that I'm in a band, I'm so blinded by love. I know that sounds embarrassing, but it's true. I could give up the band right now. It doesn't matter, but I'm under contract." On August 18, the couple's daughter, Frances Bean Cobain, was born. The unusual middle name was given to her because Kurt thought she looked like a kidney bean on the first sonogram he saw of her.

In a 1992 article in Vanity Fair, Courtney admitted to using heroin while (unknowingly) pregnant. Courtney claimed that Vanity Fair had misquoted her, but her misquoted admission created controversy for the couple. While Kurt and Courtney 's romance had always been something of a media attraction, the couple found themselves hounded constantly by tabloid reporters and paparazzi. after the article was published. Many wanting to know if Frances was addicted to drugs at birth. The Los Angeles County Department of Children's Services took  Kurt and Courtney 's  to court, claiming that the couple's drug usage made them unfit parents. Two-week-old Frances Bean Cobain was ordered by the judge to be taken from their custody and placed with Courtney's sister Jamie for several weeks, after which the couple obtained custody, but had to submit to urine tests and a regular visit from a social worker. After months of legal wrangling, the couple were eventually granted full custody of their daughter. It’s horrific to think that because someone was misquoted that Kurt and Courtney were dragged through so much grief needlessly. This type of stress if devastating, to anyone who has tried to fathom their way through the system. Being hounded constantly by tabloid reporters and paparazzi is in itself a nightmare. Added to that the stress of having your life scrutinized by the public at large, is even more devastating. The horror of losing ones child is the ultimate nightmare.

Add to that

Throughout most of his life, Kurt battled chronic bronchitis and intense physical pain due to an undiagnosed chronic stomach condition. This last condition was especially debilitating to him emotionally, and he spent years trying to find its cause. However, none of the doctors he consulted were able to pinpoint the specific cause, guessing that it was either a result of Kurt 's childhood scoliosis or related to the stresses of performing.

Kurt as many of us know had a Heroin addiction. Which is for all intense and purposes is an illness, and should be treated as such. If one is to walk away from and addiction they need care, understanding and serenity in their lives.

Kurt 's heroin addiction worsened as the years progressed. Kurt made his first attempt at rehab in early 1992, not long after he and Courtney discovered they were going to become parents. Immediately after leaving rehab, Nirvana embarked on their Australian tour, with Kurt appearing pale and gaunt while suffering through withdrawals. Not long after returning home, Kurt 's heroin use resumed.

Following a tour stop at Terminal Eins in Munich, Germany, on March 1, 1994, Kurt was diagnosed with bronchitis and severe laryngitis. He flew to Rome the next day for medical treatment, and was joined there by his wife on March 3. The next morning, Courtney awoke to find that Kurt had overdosed on a combination of champagne and Rohypnol (Courtney had a prescription for Rohypnol filled after arriving in Rome (Used by Predators as a Date Rape Drug)

 Kurt was immediately rushed to the hospital, and spent the rest of the day unconscious. After five days in the hospital, Kurt was released and returned to Seattle. Love later stated that the incident was Kurt s first suicide attempt.

On March 18, Love phoned police to inform them that Kurt was suicidal and had locked himself in a room with a gun.

Police arrived and confiscated several guns and a bottle of pills (did he find the Rohypnol ?) from Kurt, who”insisted that he was not suicidal and had locked himself in the room to hide from “Courtney”? Maybe he discovered he had been drugged by Courtney! But who would believe him if he told them the truth? He was in the eyes of many just a Heroin addict after all.

When questioned by police, Courtney admitted that Kurt had never mentioned that he was suicidal and that she had not seen him with a gun.

So why did she call the Police and lie to them?

Was this just another, stepping stone to Kurt’s death which followed on April 5, 1994?

We all should have questions?

Love was somewhat unpopular with Nirvana fans; her harshest critics said she was merely using him as a vehicle to make herself famous. Maybe they were right. Is it possible, she was doing things to make him look worse then what he really was?
She certainly wouldn’t be the first to do that to someone.  

 Courtney arranged an intervention concerning Kurt 's drug use that took place on March 25. The ten people involved included musician friends, record company executives, and one of Kurt 's closest friends, Dylan Carlson. Former Nirvana manager Danny Goldberg described Kurt as being "extremely reluctant" and that he "denied that he was doing anything self-destructive." However, by the end of the day, Kurt had agreed to undergo a detox program. Kurt arrived at the Exodus Recovery Center in Los Angeles, California, on March 30. The following night, Kurt walked outside to have a cigarette, then climbed over a six-foot-high fence to leave the facility. He took a taxi to Los Angeles Airport and flew back to Seattle. Over the course of April 2 and April 3, Kurt was spotted in various locations around Seattle, but most of his friends and family were unaware of his whereabouts. On April 3, Courtney contacted a private investigator, Tom Grant, and hired him to find Kurt.

On April 8, 1994, Kurt was discovered in the spare room above the garage at his Lake Washington home by Veca Electric employee Gary Smith. Smith arrived at the house that morning to install security lighting and saw him lying inside. Apart from a minor amount of blood coming out of Kurt 's ear, Smith reported seeing no visible signs of trauma, and initially believed that Kurt was asleep. Smith found what he thought might be a suicide note with a pen stuck through it beneath an overturned flowerpot. A shotgun, purchased for Kurt by Dylan Carlson, was found at Kurt 's side. Kurt 's death certificate concluded Kurt 's death was a result of a "self-inflicted shotgun wound to the head." The report estimates Kurt to have died on April 5, 1994.

Reason the Case should be Reopened for further Investigation.

THREE TIMES A LETHAL DOSE OF HEROIN?

Kurt apparently had 3 times the lethal 225 mgs dose of heroin (1.52 mgs per liter) in his blood system and intravenous puncture marks in both arms. Medical experts will tell you that such an amount, when injected directly into the bloodstream will leave you incapacitated and cause you to lapse into a coma within seconds, if not kill you instantly before the needle can even be removed from your arm. It's common for deaths of heroin overdoses to be found with the needle still sticking out of the arm. That's how quickly one lethal dose can kill a person, let alone three.

It's hard to believe that Cobain injected himself with an insane triple lethal dose of heroin, pulled the needle out of his arm, carefully put away that needle and the heroin paraphernalia neatly back into a cigar box a few feet away, rolled down and button his sleeves, then picked up a Remington 20-gauge shotgun  , placed it in his mouth and discharged it. There does not seem to be another case in history in which anything close to this has ever occurred and many researchers feel it is simply impossible.

The drug Diazepam (Valium), was also found in Cobain's blood system. A drug that is known to aggravate heroin, and makes an overdose that much worse. The question remains as to why Cobain would shoot himself after taking a triple lethal dose, which clearly would have been more than enough to cause death instantly. A triple overdose, followed by shooting yourself not only doesn't make sense, but is impossible according to the medical experts.

Canadian Chemist Roger Lewis read the Cobain autopsy report. Knowing that drug related "suicides" are often a staged cover up for a murder, he studied 98 similar deaths and their pathology, criminology and forensic tests. His research is titled "Dead Men Don't Pull Triggers", and it was published in Opinion Magazine. An online version is also available and is a must-read for anyone who wants to intelligently argue that Cobain was murdered. To be fair, there is a rebuttal to Lewis' findings, which has also been posted on the web, as well as Lewis' rebuttal to the first one. Links to that debate are available in the internet coverage section of this site.

NO FINGERPRINTS?

According to the police report, there were no "legible" fingerprints on the shotgun (which some sources say indicate the gun had been wiped or cleaned), none on the pen found with the "suicide" note, or the box of shotgun shells found beside Kurt. How can you write a note, load up a shotgun with 3 shells, and shoot yourself without leaving any fingerprints on anything? Also, his head was nowhere near "blown off", as mistakenly reported by the press. It was fully intact and not as gruesome as people close to the situation had made it out to be to the media and friends. The Remington Model 11 shotgun  is a very light shotgun that dealers recommend for home protection, because the shot won't penetrate walls and endanger those on the other side.

Sgt. Cameron admitted 2 years later that there were no markings on Kurt's hands indicating he had fired the weapon. "Yeah, there weren't any marks on his hands...Some rookie must've put that line in the police report." he said when speaking about the mistake in the police report. Tom Grant says: "I can say with confidence that there were no marks on Cobain's hands that would indicate he fired this weapon. I've had the police reports analyzed by other homicide detectives and criminalists. No one can figure out what these "marks" could have been. I can't explain further at this time, but I can tell you the authorities will never claim the marks were GS residue or soot. Some of the additional evidence I've obtained regarding these so-called "marks" cannot be disclosed until the case is reopened. If the Seattle authorities ever care to describe the "marks" in detail, I'll come forward with additional evidence that will prove those so--called "marks" did not really exist."

Since things were also so neatly put away at the scene and there were no fingerprints on key objects, this seems to indicate someone "swept" it before Cobain's body was discovered. He clearly was not alone in that greenhouse.

BUSINESS IN LOS ANGELES?

Courtney Love was in Los Angeles during the week preceding and up to Kurt's death and when asked by many to fly up to Seattle to help locate her husband, whom she had told others "had a shotgun" and was "suicidal," she replied, "I can't. I have business to take care of." When Tom Grant mentioned to Rosemary Carroll that Courtney had said she couldn't go to Seattle herself because she "had business in L.A", Carroll replied "She didn't have any business in L.A.!" While Kurt was in Seattle in supposed "suicide" mode, Love was arrested due to a 911 phone call reporting an overdose in her hotel room. Paramedics arrived and took her to the hospital before releasing her 2 hours later into police custody. She was charged with possession of a syringe and drug paraphernalia. Phone records show that the 911 call that got her arrested, originated from her own hotel room. Tom Grant believes this was Courtney's attempt to establish an alibi right before Kurt was found.

A SECRET SECOND NOTE?

Courtney produced a never-before seen second note to Seattle police, which she claims Kurt wrote in Rome during "his first suicide attempt". A police officer says it was not a suicide not, but rather a rambling and unflattering diatribe against her. Courtney admits the existance of this note in a December 1994 Rolling Stone interview, and to Tom Grant. Grant has her on tape saying that she burned it  . Courtney says the second note also mentioned a divorce.

THE ROME INCIDENT

Kurt was not a user of Rohypnol  , he also didn't drink alcohol. On March 4th 1994 in Rome, when he was on the verge of leaving Courtney and the tour he was on, he was suddenly hospitalized with these substances in his body. Many believe this was the first, failed, murder attempt as both Michael DeWitt and Courtney Love were also in that hotel room in Rome. By some miracle, Kurt survived the combination of Rohypnol and Alcohol, and told everyone, including the doctors that it was not a suicide attempt. Dr. Galletta, who treated him, agreed it was just an accident. Kurt also mentioned that he could not remember what had happened to cause the coma. This is a common side effect of Rohypnol  , better known as the "date rape drug" or "roofies". At the time, Rohypnol was a colorless, odorless drug which dissolves quickly into drinks, including water, and induces amnesia (loss of memory) when abused. The prescription for this drug belonged to Courtney. She was seen popping some during an interview with Select magazine in Rome on March 3rd and it's documented in the interview. Also, Tom Grant found empty packets of the prescription with her name on it when he searched the Cobain home on April 7th.

MONEY FOR MURDER?

Eldon Hoke  (aka "El Duce"), singer of a band called the Mentors, claimed he was offered $50,000 by Courtney Love three months earlier to kill her husband. On March 6, 1996, Hoke was administered a polygraph test by Dr. Edward Gelb, who is one of the country's leading polygraph experts. He was also teaching the advanced polygraph course for the FBI. Hoke passed a lie detector test with 99.7% certainty that he was telling the truth. Eldon Hoke briefly appeared in the Nick Broomfield "Kurt & Courtney" documentary.

On April 19th 1997, eight days after having his story filmed by Broomfield, Hoke was found dead in Riverside, California by the California Highway Police. A source described the events as "highly suspicious. He showed up at his house in Riverside with this guy who he introduced as his new friend none of his roommates had ever met before and said they were going out to the liquor store and would be back soon. He never returned. The 'friend' was never seen again and Hoke was found squashed on a railroad track, apparently hit by a train. Anybody who knew Hoke, according to his friends, knew that the best way to befriend him was to offer to buy him a drink. So the scenario is quite obvious."

While Grant and others believe Hoke was offered money by Courtney and was telling the truth about that, he did not personally, nor did he know who killed Kurt. Hoke used the situation to drum up publicity for himself and for a band he apparently started called "Courtney Killed Kurt". In the end, it might have been the thing that got him killed. A popular hoax has popped up in recent years where people claim they know who killed both Cobain and Hoke. Read more detailed information about Hoke including a brief transcript of the conversation he had with Courtney Love in Eldon Hoke, AKA El Duce - By Frances Barnett

A CANCELED CREDIT CARD & FLAT TIRES

There is evidence that circumstances were manipulated to prevent Kurt from using his own car and gaining access to his own money in the days leading up to his death. Courtney canceled his credit card right after he used it to purchase a flight back home to Seattle on April 1st, and according to the police report, all 4 tires of his car were flat  .

MEDIA MANIPULATION

After Kurt was found dead a month later in Seattle, and could not set the record straight anymore, Courtney tells everyone that the Rome incident was actually "a suicide attempt". This went against everything Kurt, and the doctors that treated him had said about the incident. The media goes with Love's side of the story for some reason and don't question it. The few that tried had gotten legal threats tossed their way or were just pressured to back off.

Peter Cleary, a friend of Kurt's from Seattle said the following in an interview: "The thing you have to remember about all the talk of Kurt being suicidal is that all the talk only started when Courtney came out after the death and said Rome was a suicide attempt and the media picked up on all her examples of Kurt being suicidal. That's when all these people started saying,'Of course he was suicidal, just listen to his music.' But that's a bunch of crap. Sure he was a moody guy and got depressed quite often. That applies to a hell of a lot of people, including me. But nobody ever talked about Kurt being suicidal before he died, Nobody. Why do you think everybody who knew him was so surprised when Courtney said that Rome was a suicide attempt? I've read all this ignorant bullshit in the media pointing to the fact that Kurt wanted to call In utero 'I Hate Myself and I Want to Die.' It was a joke, for chrissake. That was his warped sense of humour. He was the most sarcastic guy you'll ever meet. He was not suicidal, at least not when I knew him, and I knew him for the last year of his life."

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The medical examiner, Dr. Nikolas Hartshorne insists Cobain died from a self-inflicted shotgun wound. He was interviewed in 2000 for a VH1 Confidential  story on the theories. Hartshorne is adamant that Kurt's death was "an open and shut case of suicide". "Kurt died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. I have no doubt in my mind, not one shred of doubt, that this is in fact a suicide." he says.

However, Hartshorne's credibility has been questioned due to a conflict of interest. He knew Cobain and Love personally. Hartshorne booked shows in Seattle in the late 80s. He was also a "party friend" of Courtney Love.

During a 1996 lecture by the authors of Who Killed Kurt Cobain? in Montreal, they showed video taped interviews of Hartshorne admitting he and Love were friends. Hartshorne left Seattle shortly after Kurt's death.

August 22nd 2002 Update: Mr. Hartshorne passed away on August 6th 2002 in a BASE jumping accident.

NO BEHAVIOURAL PATTERN OF SUICIDE 

Kurt's friends said he preparing to leave Seattle to join friends on the East coast. Kurt apparently had made plans to see one of his favorite bands who were touring the East coast at the time. He also made plans with his grandfather, Leland Cobain, to go fishing. Michael Stipe, of R.E.M., says Kurt was going to visit him to work on music. They had struck up a friendship and planned to record something together. Why would someone that is about to commit suicide make these types of plans? When Tom Grant asked Kurt's best friend Dylan Carlson if he thought Cobain was suicidal, he was adamant, saying, "No. Not at all," and added that despite the major changes imminent in his life, Cobain was "pretty upbeat." Mark Lanegan (of the band Screaming Trees), another of Cobain's close friends, expressed the same sentiment to Grant, and later told reporters for Rolling Stone, "I never knew Kurt to be suicidal." In a Rolling Stone interview a few months earlier, Kurt was quoted as saying "I've never been more happier in my life". Not one of the therapists who spoke with Cobain just a few days before his death at the Exodus Treatment Center (one of the most renowned drug rehabilitation facilities in the country) considered him suicidal. Finally, Tom Grant and Rosemary Carroll had an impassioned conversation in which she exclaimed, "He wasn't suicidal, Tom. Kurt wasn't suicidal!" For more documented quotes from friends and family close to Kurt in the final weeks, please read Kurt Was Not Suicidal by Frances Barnett.

These are the main reasons why this case should be reopened and looked into again. For more information, check out the Frequently Asked Questions section, and the detailed Timeline of Events.

On April 10, a public vigil was held for Kurt at a park at Seattle Center which drew approximately seven thousand mourners. Prerecorded messages by Krist Novoselic and Courtney Love were played at the memorial. Love read portions of Kurts's suicide note to the crowd and broke down, crying and chastising Cobain. Near the end of the vigil Love arrived at the park and distributed some of Kurt's clothing to those who still remained. Kurt's body was cremated.

Will the true ever be known? Seems there is more here then meets the eye.

For more information on  Kurt Donald Cobain

 Peter William Ham: Age 27  (27 April 1947-24 April 1975)

Peter  was born in Swansea, Wales

On a personal and social level, Peter  expressed concern over environmental issues and poverty

Peter formed a local rock group called The Panthers around 1963. This group would undergo several name and lineup changes until it became The Iveys in 1965. After several mis-starts as The Iveys, the group changed its name and sound, while enjoying several years of chart success and best known as the leader of the group Badfinger.

Badfinger signed to Apple in 1969 and their first single, a Paul McCartney song, Come and Get It, reached the top five.

They retained close links with the Beatles, with George Harrison co-producing one of their albums, Straight Up, and guitarist Joey Molland and bassist Tom Evans playing on John Lennon's Imagine.

Nilsson's version of Without You, written by Evans and fellow guitarist Pete Ham, went to number one in 1972, as did Mariah Carey's in 1990.

But despite more of their own hits Badfinger's career went sour over finances. They signed to Warner Bros, but their third album for the label was never released and in 1975 their contract was ended.

Peter hanged himself in the garage of his Surrey home, three days shy of his 28th birthday. He left behind a pregnant girlfriend (his daughter was born one month after his death) and his personal estate was nearing foreclosure.

His suicide note accused Badfinger's manager, Stan Polley, of stealing the band's royalties. It read: "Anne, I love you. Blair, I love you. I will not be allowed to love and trust everybody. This is better. Pete. P.S. Stan Polley is a soulless bastard. I will take him with me."

Most of Polley's artist-clients also accused him of corruption, and Polley much later pleaded Nolo contendere to unrelated embezzlement and money laundering charges.

Labels- Apple, Warner Bros. Records, Rykodisc

For more information on Peter William Ham

Thomas Evans: Age 36 (5 June 1947 — 19 November 1983)

Thomas Evans was born in Liverpool, England, of Welsh parentage, and began as a member of a Liverpool mod/soul group called Them Calderstones, which originated in 1963 by Phil Inskip, and included Alan Moss, Norman Bellis, and Doug Hatfield. Singing lead and playing rhythm guitar for the group, Evans was spotted by a Welsh band called The Iveys in 1967. He was asked by The Iveys to join their band and relocate to London, which Tom did within a few days of consideration. Tom was a musician who was most notable for his work with the power pop band, Badfinger.

Tom co-wrote the song "Without You" with bandmate Peter Ham, and the composition became a huge hit for the Apple Publishing division when it was covered by Harry Nilsson in 1971, Paul Anka and later Mariah Carey in 1993.

Badfinger dissolved following Peter Ham's death in 1975, after which Tom joined a group called The Dodgers with Badfinger bandmate Bob Jackson. Tom was eventually asked to leave the band, and he briefly retired from the music industry.

Tom resurfaced in 1977 to join Joey Molland for two Badfinger "comeback" albums. The second album, Say No More spawned the Evans single "Hold On," which reached #56 on Billboard in 1981. Tom and Joey went their separate ways after this second album was released, and the two put together rival "Badfinger" touring bands and played throughout several U.S. states.

In 1982, Bob Jackson rejoined Evans in the latter's version of Badfinger. Original Badfinger drummer Mike Gibbins was also enlisted in Evans' band for a time. But after signing an ill-advised management contract with a Milwaukee businessman, Tom and Bob claimed the group was stranded in the U.S. without tour dates or food money. When the duo returned to England before the contract expired, they were sued (Tom for $5 million U.S. dollars).

In 1983, Tom argued with Joey on the telephone regarding the publishing division of the lucrative "Without You" song. Following this phone call, Evans hanged himself from a tree in his backyard. He left behind no note. Family and friends have speculated he was overwhelmed by the lawsuit against him, by his conflict with Joey over "Without You" royalties, and a suspected (although unsubstantiated) tumor in his throat. Tom was survived by a wife and son.

The Badfinger story is uniquely tragic and among its greater ironies is the now morbid chorus of the song with which Pete Ham and Tom Evans are best associated: ‘I can't live, I can't live anymore’ (Without You).

Labels- Apple, Warner Bros. Records, Elektra Records

For more information on Thomas Evans

Michael Gibbins:  Age 56  (March 12th 1949 - October 4th 2005) Not suicide but felt this where he should be with his friends.

Badfinger was one of the most respected songwriting bands to have come out of the UK, on the heels of the British invasion.  Writing songs used by the likes of Mariah Carey, Nilsson and even having the top 10 hit: "Come and Get It" penned by arguably the greatest songwriter ever known:  ex Beatle Sir Paul McCartney.

Badfinger always moved in the biggest musical circles.  Performing live on stage with George Harrison at the Bangladesh concert, or sharing the stage with The Who, Badfinger were famous for bringing subtlety and soul to their music, while always retaining the hard edge that made them a firm favorite with musicians and fans alike.  So respected were they that their very first record deal was to be the first band handpicked by the Beatles for their new "Apple" label.

However Badfinger will mostly be known for the events after the music.  Badfinger often lived in poverty, living one day to the next, believing that there were royalties and finances waiting for them at the end of their grueling touring and recording work.  There were none. 

Due to forces seemingly out of their control, Badfinger was exploited every step of the way.

This exploitation took it's toll, and manifested itself in the very worst way.  Badfinger's soulful songwriter, and Mikes best friend and fellow Welshman Pete Ham, took his life as he bent to the pressures of the worst face of the music scene.  Leaving behind Petera, his daughter who he would never get to see, as his death preceded her birth. 

And the story does not end there.  Horrified by his soul mate's death, Tom Evans.  Tom left behind wife Marianne and son Steven. 

 Badfinger was the highlight of his life, coming out of Wales, having success, touring America... but the tragedy of the loss of two of his bandmates to suicides weighed heavily on him. "A lot of things happened that were difficult for Michael to deal with, the loss of Pete Ham especially, his close friend from Wales
 
He lived in the United States for many years, but Dan Matovina, who wrote the biography Without You: The Tragic Story of Badfinger, said while Michael was happy-go-lucky, he also found it difficult to come to terms with the deaths.

Badfinger drummer Michael Gibbins died in his sleep at his home in Florida . His official website says: "To all of Mike's fans, it is with deepest regret to inform all that he passed away 4 October, in his sleep by natural causes. He will be terribly missed by all."

From his his son Owen: "I needed to post my thoughts the day after the passing of my dad. I am still in deep shock from him leaving me so early and so suddenly. He was and is my hero and he was a constant source of laughter, support and love. He was talented, a complete original and someone who is irreplaceable. Luckily, he does leave me with Ellie, my step mother and my two younger brothers who I love every bit as much as I loved my dad. And in my brothers I see a big part of him, both in their eyes and in their actions, so he will always live on both through his music and through them. I love and miss him too much."

An exclusive glimpse of life as a member of Badfinger. 
Dozens of never before seen photo's taken during the span of Badfingers fame.

For more information on Badfinger Also known as The Iveys, The Wild Ones,The Black Velvets, The Panthers

Roy Buchanan: Age 47  (23 September 1939- August 1988).

Born in Ozark, Alabama, Roy Buchanan's musical career began in Pixley, California. His father was a sharecropper (not a Pentecostal preacher as Buchanan himself had claimed). Buchanan told how his first musical memories were of racially-mixed revival meetings his family would attend. "Gospel," he recalled, "that's how I first got into black music". Roy in fact drew upon many disparate influences while learning to play his instrument (although he later claimed his aptitude was derived from being "half-wolf"). Roy initially showed talent on the steel guitar before switching to the standard instrument in the early 50's.

In 1957, Roy made his recording debut, playing the solo on Dale Hawkins' "My Babe" for Chicago's Chess Records. Three years later, Buchanan headed north to Canada, where he took charge of the guitar role in Ronnie Hawkins' band (a group later to gain fame as The Band). The group's guitar player, Robbie Robertson, studied guitar under Buchanan, and took over the lead guitar spot when Buchanan left the group.

Despite many long periods of walking a 'street called straight', Roy's long-term alcohol and substance problems worsened with time. Police, who arrested Roy. On August 14, 1988. There are several stories as to why he was arrested, but police did arrest him. Several hours later Roy was found hanged in his cell found in his cell, apparently it was suicide. A finding disputed by some of Roy's friends and family, based upon injuries noted at his death.

A friend of his, Marc Fisher, claimed to have seen the body afterwards and stated there were bruises all over his head. Some suspect the cops killed him when trying to deal with him and staged a suicide.

Roy's stature as one of blues-rock's all-time great guitarist grew even greater after his tragic death, resulting in such posthumous collections as Sweet Dreams: The Anthology, Guitar on Fire: The Atlantic Sessions, Deluxe Edition, and 20th Century Masters.

For more information on Roy Buchanan

Brad Delp: Age 55 (June 12, 1951 - March 9 2007)

Brad was born in Danvers, Massachusetts, to Canadian immigrants.

He was soft-spoken, yet very quick and funny.

Brad was married and divorced twice, and had two children by his second wife. Brad had been a vegetarian for over thirty years and had contributed to a number of charitable causes.

He was best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Boston.

Brad died of an apparent suicide and the cause of death was carbon monoxide.

Labels- Epic Records, MCA Records, Artemis Records

For more information on Brad Delp

Michael Hutchence: Age 37 (22 January 1960, - November 20 1997).

Michael was born in Sydney Australia , son of Kelland ("Kell") and Patricia Hutchence, but was subsequently raised in Hong Kong. He began performing at the age of eight in a local toy store commercial. He attended King George V School and was in the house Crozier.

INXS had been rehearsing for their 20th anniversary tour.  All those close to the singer report that he had been in high spirits in the days prior to his apparent suicide. He was also planning to marry his girlfriend, Paula Yates, the mother of his 18 month old daughter, Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily.

On the morning of November 22, 1997, Hutchence, aged 37, was found dead in his room at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Double Bay, Sydney (now the Sir Stamford). A belt found at the scene suggested that he had died by hanging. The body was discovered around noon by a hotel employee. 

Labels -Atco Records/Atlantic Records Epic Records Mercury Records

For more information on Michael Hutchence

Richard Manuel: Age 42  ( 3 April 1943, -.7 March 1986).

Richard Manuel was born in Stratford, Ontario, Canada. His father Ed was a Chrysler mechanic and his mother was a schoolteacher. He grew up singing in the church choir with his three brothers, and took piano lessons starting at the age of nine. He grew up in a music friendly environment playing piano and rehearsing with his friends at his home.

Richard was best known for his contributions and membership in The Band.  

Richard Manuel took his own life, his death by hanging in a Florida motel room, stripped the world mercilessly of one of its finest, most soulful singers.

Label -Capitol Records owned by EMI

For more information on Richard Manuel

Phil Ochs: Age 35  (19 December 1940, - 7 April 1976)

Phil was a U.S. protest singer (or, as he preferred, a "topical singer"), songwriter, musician and recording artist who was known for his sharp wit, sardonic humor, earnest humanism, political activism, insightful and alliterative lyrics, and haunting voice. Phil performed at many political events, including anti-Vietnam War and civil rights rallies, student events, and organized labor events over the course of his career, in addition to many concert appearances at such venues as New York City's The Town Hall and Carnegie Hall. 

Phil was found hanged at his sister's home on 7 April 1976.

Labels- Elektra, A&M, Smithsonian Folkways, Rhino, Vanguard, Hannibal

For more information on Phil Ochs

Danny Rapp: Age 41  (10 May 1941-. 4 April 1983).

Bonnie was born in Philadelphia, the youngest of seven siblings. Although his birth certificate states his birth was May 10, he was born at home on May 9 and registered the following day.

Danny was an American musician and the front man for the group Danny & the Juniors. The group is best known for their 1957 hit "At the Hop". Danny & the Juniors was a group of high school friends who recorded in the late 50's and came up with some rock-and-roll mainstays, including a number one song.  The group was formed in 1955 in Philadelphia and consisted of Danny Rapp on lead vocals, Frank Maffei, Joe Terranova and Dave White, all of whom were born in 1940 or 1941.

Danny died of an apparent suicide by gunshot in a hotel in Arizona and was survived by his wife and three children.

Lable- Swan Records a subsidiary of Cameo Parkway

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Del Shannon: Age 55  (Charles, 30 December 1934 -8 February 1990) 

Del was born Charles Weedon Westover in Grand Rapids, Michigan the son of Bert and Leone, Westover. He grew up in Coopersville, a small farming community near Grand Rapids, where he married his childhood sweetheart when he was seventeen. In 1954, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. When his army service ended, he returned to Battle Creek, Michigan, and worked in a furniture factory, as a truck driver, and selling carpets. He also found part-time work as a rhythm guitarist in singer Doug DeMott's group, working at the Hi-Lo Club

Del’s singing career spanned from 1958 — 1990.  He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999, and his pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.

On February 8, 1990, Del committed suicide by shooting himself in the head with a .22 caliber rifle. Del 's wife, Bonnie, found his body at 11:25 P.M. in their Santa Clarita, California home, 35 miles north of Los Angeles. The rifle was found next to his body in the den. Bonnie has expressed the opinion that his death might have been related to his recent use of the prescription drug Prozac.

Label -Island Records.

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Mel Street: Age 45  (21 October 1933 -12 October 1978).

Country music legend Mel Street was born at Garden Creek in Buchanan County,, Virginia to a coal mining family in 1933, although his family maintains that he was born in 1935. He began performing on western Virginia and West Virginia radio shows at the age of sixteen. From 1968 to 1972, Street hosted his own show on a Bluefield, West Virginia television station.

Mel recorded his first single "Borrowed Angel" in 1970 for a small regional record label. A larger label, Royal American Records, picked it up in 1972, and it became a top-10 Billboard hit. He recorded the biggest hit of his career, "Lovin' on the Back Streets" in 1973.

Mel took his own life on October 21, 1978, his forty-fifth birthday he shot himself in Hendersonville, Tennessee. He had been scheduled that day to record the final couple of tracks for his first album at Mercury, which was due to be released the next month. Upon his death, Mercury released the album, Mel Street, borrowing two tracks from his previous Polydor album to fill the void. A single from the album entered the country charts the very day he died. Its title-"Just Hangin' On"- turned out to be sadly prophetic.

Label- Royal American Records, Mercury

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Paul Williams: Age 34  (1939 - 17 August 1973).

Paul was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama.

Paul is noted for being one of the founding members and original lead singer of the popular group The Temptations. Paul himself was a member of the group from its founding in 1960 until 1971, when personal problems and failing health forced him to retire.

Paul suffered from sickle-cell disease, which would keep him in poor health at times. In April of 1971, Williams was finally persuaded to go see a doctor. The doctor found a spot on Williams' liver, and demanded that the singer retire from The Temptations. 

Paul apparently shot himself in 1973.. The Paul Williams family does not believe it, due to undisclosed reasons, that Mr. Williams killed himself.

Label- Motown

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Wendy O. Williams: Age 48  (1949 - April 7, 1998,)

Wendy was born in Webster, New York. She attended R.L. Thomas (public) High School in Webster at least partway through the tenth grade, but apparently left school before graduating.

Despite Wendy’s reputation as a fearsome performer, Williams in her personal life was deeply devoted to the welfare of animals, a passion that included a vegetarian diet, working as a wildlife rehabilitator and being a natural foods activist.

The Plasmatics formed in 1979 in New York City, USA, the Plasmatics were a theatrical hardcore band. Assembled by and masterminded by Rod Swenson.. After releasing two EPs on the independent Vice Squad label in 1979, the Plasmatics signed with Stiff Records in the USA and the UK, releasing New Hope for the Wretched in 1980.  Wendy  recorded solo albums following the Plasmatics’ mid-80s break-up.

Wendy died in 1998 in a wooded area near her home apparently of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

 Labels- Vice Squad, Stiff Records

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Alan Wilson:  Age 27 (4 July 1943- September 3, 1970).

Alan  was born in Boston, Massachusetts.

He used to sleep outside, so he could be closer to nature and often carried plant samples around with him in his pockets. He loved to read books on botany and ecology. Alan was also a fanatical conservationist.

In 1969, Alan wrote and recorded a song, "Poor Moon", which expressed concern over potential pollution of the moon. Alan also wrote an essay called 'Grim Harvest', about the coastal redwood forests of California, which was printed as the liner notes to the Future Blues album by Canned Heat.

The band members of Canned Heat were rocked by the suicide of Alan, whose body was found in Hite's backyard on 3 September 1970.

Labels- Warner Bros Records, Liberty Records, Janus Records, Wand Records , World Pacific Records , Vequel Records , Takoma Records

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