The Death of Rock: The Alphabetical Archive
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Musicians are listed individually. Search by the artist's last name. Artists commonly referred to by a stage or street name (such as "The Big
Bopper," Freddie Mercury, and Jam Master Jay) are listed under those names. Musicians who performed under a single name (like Aaliyah,
Nico, and Selena) will be found under those single names. There are a few instances where two or more members of the same band perished in a
single incident; you will find those artists listed under the group's name. (Examples are Banda Fugaz, The Bar-Kays,
Chase, Passion Fruit, and The Reba McEntire Band.) One notable exception to this rule is Lynyrd Skynyrd. Members of Skynyrd are listed
individually; although three perished in the 1977 plane crash, others have since died in unrelated incidents. (The three who died in the
crash are grouped as "Lynyrd Skynyrd" on the Causes of Death and Chronology pages.)
Key
Some entries have special notations prior to their names. They represent induction into one of the following Halls of Fame:
- * denotes induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
- # indicates induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
- ^ symbolizes induction into the Blues Hall of Fame.
G
Cassie Gaines
Cassie Gaines
plane crash in Mississippi (1977); she was 29. Cassie was one of The Honkettes, the backing vocalists for Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, Cassie's brother, guitarist Steve Gaines, and manager Dean Kilpatrick were also killed.
Gary Rossington (died 2023), Allen Collins (see 1990), Billy Powell (see 2009), Artimus Pyle and Leon Wilkeson (see 2001) survived,
but not without serious injuries. Lynyrd Skynyrd were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. (The Honkettes
were not included in the induction.) Visit the Archive's Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute.
"Free Bird," "Sweet Home Alabama," "Gimme Three Steps," "Simple Man"
Steve Gaines
*Steve Gaines
plane crash in Mississippi (1977); he was 28. Steve was a guitarist for Lynyrd Skynyrd. Lead singer Ronnie Van Zant,
Steve's sister, backing vocalist Cassie Gaines, and manager Dean Kilpatrick were also killed. Gary Rossington (died 2023),
Allen Collins (see 1990), Billy Powell (see 2009), Artimus Pyle and Leon Wilkeson (see 2001) survived, but not without
serious injuries. Lynyrd Skynyrd were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. Visit the Archive's
Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute. "Free Bird," "Sweet Home Alabama," "Gimme Three Steps," "Simple Man"
*Tommy Gaither
car accident in 1950. He was 20. Gaither was the guitarist and second tenor for The Orioles, who were inducted into the
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as an "Early Influence" in 1995. After a New York show, an exhausted Gaither drove the group's
yellow Dodge into the front wall of a restaurant. Orioles' vocalist George Nelson survived the fatal crash (see
1959). "Crying In The Chapel," "Tell Me So," "Forgive and Forget," "It's Too Soon To Know"
Rory Gallagher
Rory Gallagher
complications following a liver transplant in 1995. He was 47. Gallagher is considered one of the premiere Irish
blues/rock guitarists of all time. He formed the band, Taste, in 1966 and later persued a phenomenal solo career.
He collaborated with legendary bluesman, Muddy Waters, in the 1970s. Gallagher's albums include Rory Gallagher,
Deuce, Tattoo, Blueprint, and Irish Tour.
Mel Galley
(Melville John Galley), esophageal cancer in 2008; he was 60. Galley was the guitarist for Whitesnake. He severely injured his arm in a fairground accident in Germany and unable to play guitar, he was forced to quit the band. He regained his mobility using a specialized device known as "The Claw" and formed the band Phenomena. With Whitesnake: "Love Ain't No Stranger," "Slow an' Easy"
Mike Gannon
gunshot wound in 1972. Gannon was guitarist for the Electric Prunes on their 1967 hit, "I Had Too Much To Dream Last Night."
He died of a gunshot wound while on R&R in Hawaii, after a tour of duty in Vietnam. Suicide was speculated but not confirmed;
Gannon was 24. (Thanks to Vernon G. for the information.)
Marge Ganser
breast cancer (1996); she was 48. Member of girl group, The Shangri-Las. Her twin sister and band mate, Mary Ann,
succumbed to encephalitis (or drug overdose) in 1970. "Leader Of The Pack," "Remember Walking In the Sand," "Give Him a
Great Big Kiss"
The Shangri-Las: Mary Ann Ganser (d. 1970), Betty Weiss, Marge Ganser (d. 1996), and Mary Weiss
Mary Ann Ganser
encephalitis (1970); she was 23. (Some sources report the cause of death as a drug overdose.) Member of girl group, The
Shangri-Las. Her twin sister and band mate, Marge, would be stricken with breast cancer and pass away in 1996. "Leader
Of The Pack," "Remember Walking In the Sand," "Give Him a Great Big Kiss"
Francisco Garcia
died after an undisclosed illness in 1996. He was 49. Garcia was the lead singer for Cannibal and the Headhunters, who
opened for the Beatles, the Temptations, the Miracles and the Supremes. 1965's "Land Of 1000 Dances"
Jerry Garcia
*Jerry Garcia
(Jerome John Garcia), heart attack in 1995; he was 53. Garcia was co-founder of the New
Riders of the Purple Sage, but is most famous as a founding member, vocalist, and guitarist for the Grateful Dead. Garcia
was found dead in his room at a rehabilitation facility. He had checked in earlier that day to deal with his heroin
addiction. Garcia also struggled with diabetes and sleep apnea. In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine named Garcia one of the
greatest guitarists of all time (ranking #13). In 1987, Ben & Jerry's came out with the ice cream flavor, Cherry Garcia,
in honor of the musician. For a month after his death, the ice cream was made with black cherries as a sign of mourning.
In 2005, the city of San Francisco named the amphitheater in McLaren Park the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater. The Grateful
Dead were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. "Truckin,'" "St. Stephen," "Casey Jones," "Friend of the
Devil," "Touch of Grey"
Carlos Gardel
Carlos Gardel
plane crash in 1935. He was 44. Gardel enjoyed notoriety in Argentina as part of a folk-singing duo. In the 1920s, he went solo
with his "tango singing," and this brought him international fame. Gardel was killed when the Ford Tri-Motor airplane he
was travelling in collided in midair with another Ford Tri-Motor plane over Columbia. Fans grieved from New York to
Puerto Rico, and a woman in Havana committed suicide. The singer's body made the journey to its final resting place in
Buenos Aires, traveling first to Colombia, New York and Rio de Janeiro so that fans could pay respects. To this day, a
devoted following keeps the legend alive, playing his music daily, placing a lit cigarette in the hand of the life-sized
statue at his tomb and keeping his films in circulation. "Por Una Cabeza," "Cuesta Abajo," "Volver"
Judy Garland
Judy Garland
(Frances Ethel Gumm), barbituate overdose in 1969; she was 47. Singer/actress from Hollywood's Golden Age. Appeared in
several hit musicals, including "The Wizard of Oz" (for which she won a special juvenile Academy Award),
"Meet Me in St. Louis," "Easter Parade," and "A Star is Born." Mother to entertainers Liza Minelli and Lorna Luft.
"Over the Rainbow"
*Sherman Garnes
died during surgery in 1977. Garnes was the bass in the vocal group, Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers. He died while on
the operating table for open heart surgery; he was 36. Within ten years, three members of the group would be dead:
Garnes, Frankie Lymon (see 1968) and Joey Negroni (see 1978). Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers were inducted into the
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2000. "Why Do Fools Fall in Love?" "I Want You to
Be My Girl," "Who Can Explain?"
Bruce Gary
lymphoma (2006). He was 55. Gary was the original drummer for the Knack ("My Sharona") and recorded with solo artists
including George Harrison (see 2001), Bob Dylan, Stephen Stills, Yoko Ono, and Harry Nilsson. (Read about the
Curse of Harry Nilsson.)
Stephen Gately
pulmonary edema caused by an undiagnosed heart condition. Gately was a member of the Irish boy band, Boyzone. He died while vacationing with his
partner in Majorca, Spain, in 2009. Boyzone made history in the United Kingdom by scoring sixteen consecutive top five hits. The
group had six UK number one singles and four number one albums. Gately was 33. "Picture of You," "A Different Beat," "All
That I Need"
Danny Gatton
self-inflicted gunshot wound (1994). He was 49. Gatton fused jazz, blues, and rockabilly and was nominated for a Grammy
for "Elmira Street Boogie." Among Gatton's admirers are Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson, Chris Isaak (Gatton appeared on his
album, San Francisco Days), Les Paul, Steve Vai, and Slash. In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine named him one of the
greatest guitarists of all time (ranking #63). Gatton's albums include: American Jazz, Redneck Boogie, Blazing
Telecasters (live), 88 Elmira Street and Cruisin' Deuces.
Marvin Gaye
*Marvin Gaye
(Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr.), shot by his father in 1984. Gaye was one of Motown's most successful artists, and his career spanned
three deacades. His early singing partner, Tammi Terrell, collapsed in his arms at a concert. Three years later (1970)
she died from a malignant brain tumor. Gaye and his father had a volatile and reportedly abusive relationship. After
an allegedly physical argument, Gaye, Sr. entered his son's room with a pistol and shot him. Marvin Gaye, Jr. was 45 at the time of his death.
For a more detailed account of Gaye's life, career, and death, visit The Archive's Tribute to Marvin Gaye. Gaye was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in
1987. "What's Goin' On," "Ain't No Mountain (High Enough)," "Let's Get It On," "Sexual Healing"
Lowell George
heart attack from a cocaine overdose in 1979; he was 34. George was a slide guitarist who left The Mothers of Invention to form Little
Feat. With Little Feat: "Dixie Chicken," "Rock and Roll Doctor," "Spanish Moon"
Samuel George, Jr.
stabbed during a family argument in 1982. He was 39. George was the lead singer of the Capitols, who had a hit in 1966 with "Cool Jerk." Fellow Capitol, Richard McDougall, died in 1984 of unknown causes. His age at death is also unknown.
George Gershwin
George Gershwin
brain tumor in 1937. He was 38. Astounding American composer who won a Pulitzer for the musical comedy "Of Thee I Sing."
"Rhapsody in Blue," "An American in Paris," "Porgy and Bess"
Andy Gibb
Andy Gibb
(Andrew Roy Gibb), viral infection of the heart (1988). Gibb was the younger brother of Bee Gees Maurice, Robin and
Barry, and he was the host of the '80s dance show, "Solid Gold." He was the first male solo artist to chart
three consecutive #1 singles in the US. He was 30 at the time of his death. Visit the Archive's
Tribute to Andy Gibb. "Shadow Dancing," "Don't Throw It All Away (Our Love)," "I Just Want
to Be Your Everything"
The Bee Gees: Robin (d. 2012), Barry, & Maurice (d. 2003) Gibb
*Maurice Gibb
cardiac arrest suffered in 2003. Gibb collapsed and was rushed to the hospital for an intestinal blockage, but died from
heart failure. He was 53. Maurice was one-third of the phenomenal Bee Gees who scored hits in the 1960s through the
1990s. Maurice's twin and fellow Bee Gee, Robin, died in 2012 after a battle with cancer. He was 62. The Bee Gees were
the older brothers of entertainer Andy Gibb. The Bee Gees were inducted into the Rock & Roll
Hall of Fame in 1997 and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2001. "Stayin' Alive," "Alone," "More Than A Woman," "How Do
You Mend a Broken Heart"
Badfinger: Mike Gibbins (d. 2005),
Pete Ham (d. 1975), Tom Evans (d. 1983), & Joey Molland
Mike Gibbins
brain aneurysm; 2005. He was 56. Gibbins, drummer for the tragedy-plagued Badfinger, died in his sleep. His bandmates,
Pete Ham (see 1975) and Tom Evans (see 1983), both hanged themselves. Harry Nilsson's
(see 1994) cover of Badfinger's "Without You" reached #1. (Read about Badfinger's connection to the
Curse of Harry Nilsson.) For the tragic story of a promising band that was on a fast path to greatness, but within a decade would be shattered, visit The Archive's Tribute to Badfinger. "Day After Day," "If You Want It (Come and Get It)," "No Matter What"
Ray Gillen
AIDS-related illness in 1993. He was 34. Gillen was briefly the singer for Black Sabbath. He recorded 1987's
The Eternal Idol album, but after leaving the group, his vocals were replaced. Gillen formed the Badlands,
recording the albums, Badlands, Voodoo Highway, and Dusk.
Brian Gillis
cause of death not disclosed (2023); he was 47. Gillis was a founding member of '90s boy band, LFO (short for Lyte Funkie Ones).
Two other members of the group, Rich Cronin (see 2010) and Devin Lima (see 2018) also died at a young age. "Summer Girls," "Girl On TV"
John Glascock
congenital heart valve defect, exacerbated by an infection caused by an abscessed tooth. It was 1979 and he was 28. Glascock was the
bassist for the rock band Carmen from 1972 to 1975, and the bassist for Jethro Tull from 1976 until his death. Jethro Tull: "Too Old to Rock N' Roll, Too Young to Die!"
(pre-Glascock: "Aqualung," "Locomotive Breath," "A Song for Jeffrey")
*Keith Godchaux
car accident in 1980; he was 32. Keyboardist for the Grateful Dead, who were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.
Godchaux was leaving a toll plaza and drove into the back of a flatbed truck. He was the second of four Grateful Dead
keyboardists to die prematurely. Godchaux replaced Ron "Pigpen" McKernan (see 1973) and was succeeded by Brent Mydland
(see 1990) and Vince Welnick (see 2006). "Truckin'," "St. Stephen," "Casey Jones," "Friend of the Devil"
*Glenn Lamont Goins
systemic disorder (1978); he was 24. Goins was a member of Parliament-Funkadelic, who were inducted into the Rock & Roll
Hall of Fame in 1997. Goins would later be joined by fellow band members, Eddie Hazel (1992) and Garry Shider (2010).
"Flash Light," "One Nation Under a Groove," "Aqua Boogie," "(Not Just) Knee Deep"
Andrew Gold
heart failure in 2011; he was 59. Gold was a composer and performer.
He had a top ten hit with "Lonely Boy" and composed the song "Thank You for Being a Friend" which later became the
theme song to the television series, The Golden Girls. He collaborated with numerous artists including
Linda Ronstadt, Art Garfunkel, Carly Simon, Brian Wilson, John Lennon (see 1980) and Paul McCartney. Gold died in
his sleep from heart failure while being treated for renal cancer.
"Never Let Her Slip Away"
Steve Goodman
leukemia; he was 36 when he died in 1984. Goodman was a popular songwriter who made Chicago the folk capitol of the
1970s. "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request," "Go Cubs Go" (The Chicago Cubs theme song), "City of New Orleans" (hits for
both Arlo Gutherie and Willie Nelson), "You Never Even Call Me By Name" (a country hit for David Allan Coe), "Banana
Republics," "Frank and Lola," "This Hotel Room" (all hits for Jimmy Buffet)
Paul Gray
drug overdose in 2010. Gray (also known as "#2" or "The Pig"), was bassist for the metal outfit, Slipknot. The band only
appeared publicly wearing grotesque masks and jumpsuits. Gray was found dead with a hypodermic needle and a bottle of
pills in a hotel room in Iowa. Reportedly, he and his wife were expecting their first child at the time of his death.
He was 38. Slipknot was nominated for seven Grammy Awards and a Video Music Award; the group took home a Grammy in 2006 for Best Metal Performance
("Before I Forget"). (Fellow Slipknot member, Joey Jordison, died "in his sleep" in 2021.) "Wait and Bleed," "Psychosocial," "Duality"
Ric Grech
(Richard Roman Grechko), liver failure due to alcoholism; 1990. He was 44. Grech was a British musican who played bass for the rock groups, Family, Blind Faith, and Traffic.
Jeremiah Green
cancer (2023); he was 45. Green was a founding member and the drummer for Modest Mouse, famous for their 2004 hit, "Float On".
My photo of the grave of Leroy Griffin in
Hamden, Connecticut. Taken 20 August 2021.
The Nutmegs. Griffin is seated in the center.
Leroy Griffin
incinerated. Lead singer of the '50s doo-wop group, The Nutmegs. Originating from New Haven, Connecticut, the
group charted several regional hits ("Ship of Fools", "Let Me Tell You", "The Way Love Should Be",
"Why Must We Go to School", "Down in Mexico", and "You're Crying"). In 1955, The Nutmegs gained national
attention with "Story Untold", which reached #2 on the charts. In 1966, Leroy Griffin had returned to the
Koppers coke factory where he occasionally worked. Sadly, on September 1st, he had an altercation with a colleague
and his body was later found in one of the facility's large furnaces. He was 32. (Fellow Nutmeg, Leroy McNeil,
was also murdered. See 1975.)
Johnny Guitar
(John Byrnes), motor neurone disease (1999). He was 59. Guitar was a member of The Hurricanes with Rory Storm (see 1972)
and future Beatle Ringo Starr. "Dr. Feelgood," "America"
*Cornell Gunter
shot. Gunter was one of the original Coasters and, in 1980, reformed the band as The Fabulous Coasters. (This was the
same year that manager Patrick Cavanaugh murdered their bassist, Nathaniel Wilson.) In 1990, after a show in Vegas,
Gunter pulled up at an intersection in his '78 Camaro. An argument ensued with an unidentified man who was standing at
the curb. Then Gunter's car was sprayed with bullets; he was hit twice. He tried to speed away but his injuries were too
severe and he crashed into a wall. He was 53. His murder was never solved. The Coasters were inducted into the Rock &
Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999. "Yakety Yak," "Poison Ivy," "Charlie Brown"
Woody Guthrie
*Woody Guthrie
(Woodrow Wilson Guthrie), Huntington's Chorea; 1967. Folk hero. Wrote over 1000 songs, folksy-protest ballads. By the
mid-1940s, Guthrie began experiencing bouts of depression and disorientation that signaled the onset of Huntington's
Chorea (a genetic disorder that had afflicted his mother). His health slowly deteriorated and he was eventually
confined to hospitals. He died at the age of 55, leaving behind 3 wives and eight children, including folk singer
Arlo Guthrie. Woody Guthrie was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. He was honored again in 1996 with
the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame American Music Masters Series. In 1997, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of
Fame. "This Land is Your Land," "Dust Bowl Refugees," "So Long,
It's Been Good to Know You," "Grand Coulee Dam"
Eddie Guzman
complications of diabetes (1993). He was 49. Guzman played the conga for rock/soul group, Rare Earth.
Fellow band members Mark David Olson died of chronic alcohol consumption (1991), and John Persh succumbed to a staph infection
(1976). "I Just Want to Celebrate," "Hey, Big Brother," and covers of The Temptations' "(I Know) I'm Losing You" and "Get Ready"