Rock artists are notorious for leading crazy lives that are full of fame, wealth, and occasionally mayhem. Given such a lifestyle, it is not surprising that some of them end up in unexpected or completely strange places.
Some of the strangest rock star deaths happened to musicians who found fame in the 1970s. While not all of them passed away during that decade, there was something about that era that seemed to invite unusual fates. Some deaths were the result of hard living, while others were freak accidents. In a few cases, mysterious circumstances still leave fans wondering what really happened. Here are some ‘70s rockers whose deaths were as shocking as their music was legendary.
Claude François
While not as widely known in the U.S., Claude François was a superstar in Europe during the 1960s and ‘70s. Fans called him “Cloclo,” and over his 16-year career, he sold an impressive 20 million records. One of his most famous contributions to music was co-writing and recording Comme d’habitude, which later became My Way after Paul Anka adapted it into English for Frank Sinatra.
François wasn’t just a singer—he was a true entrepreneur. Long before it became common for musicians to branch out into business, he built his own empire. He launched magazines, his own record label, and even a perfume brand. He also embraced visual storytelling, pioneering music videos to accompany his songs. His live performances were legendary, featuring elaborate stage effects and glamorous backup dancers.
Tragically, his life was cut short on March 11, 1978. While preparing for a bath, he attempted to fix a flickering lightbulb, either with wet hands or while still standing in the water. The electric shock was fatal. Despite efforts to save him, François died from his injuries at just 39 years old.
Mike Edwards
Known for being the quirky cellist for Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), Mike Edwards added fun and vitality to the band’s early years. He became a fan favorite and played on some of their most famous records while they were on tour from 1972 to 1975. He wore a top hat, threw his cello off speakers, and even performed an act in which his instrument “exploded” in the middle of the play. His performances were anything but typical. Even though he was well-liked, Edwards felt that the band’s mainstays were taking center stage, so he ultimately decided to leave.
Following his departure from ELO, Edwards traveled, became a Buddhist, and finally made his home in rural England, where he performed with a local classical ensemble and taught music. He was no longer a rock star, but his love of music never faded.
Tragically, his life ended in a freak accident on September 3, 2010. While he was driving his van through Devon, a massive 1,300-pound hay bale rolled down a hill and struck his vehicle, killing him instantly. An inquest later confirmed that the farmers who had been baling the hay had followed all safety procedures, making his death a heartbreaking, unavoidable tragedy.
Harry Chapin
Harry Chapin wasn’t just a folk singer—he was a passionate activist, using his music to raise funds and awareness for important causes throughout the 1970s. While he had hits like Cat’s in the Cradle and Taxi, he was just as well-known for his humanitarian efforts as for his music.
His untimely death on July 16, 1981, remains somewhat mysterious. That day, the 38-year-old was set to perform a free concert when he was involved in a bizarre crash on the Long Island Expressway. Chapin, who had a history of traffic violations and was driving without a valid license, was reportedly going as slow as 15 mph with his hazard lights on, weaving between lanes. A tractor-trailer rear-ended his Volkswagen, igniting the vehicle. Bystanders pulled him from the wreck, but he was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Oddly, his autopsy revealed he had suffered a heart attack, which may have triggered or even preceded the crash.
Terry Kath
Terry Kath, the lead guitarist for Chicago, was widely respected for his raw talent. Even Jimi Hendrix was rumored to have said that Kath was better than he was. Despite being part of one of the most successful bands of all time, Kath struggled with personal demons, including heavy drug use and a growing obsession with firearms.
“Terry collected guns and started taking them everywhere,” Chicago drummer Danny Seraphine recalled. “And guns and drugs are a bad combination.”
On January 23, 1978, Kath’s fascination with firearms turned tragic. After a long cocaine binge, he was handling a gun, believing it to be empty. When roadie Don Johnson warned him to be careful, Kath showed him the clip as proof it wasn’t loaded. But he didn’t realize there was still a bullet in the chamber. His last words were chilling: “What do you think I’m going to do? Blow my brains out?” Moments later, the gun discharged, killing him instantly. He was just 31.
Graham Bond
Graham Bond was a gifted musician, but he never reached the level of success he felt he deserved. It stung even more when two members of his band, the Graham Bond Organization, went on to form Cream—one of rock’s greatest supergroups.
Bond struggled with drug addiction and had an intense obsession with the occult. He became convinced that he was the biological son of Aleister Crowley. Singer Pete Brown believed Bond’s fixation only deepened after he got sober. “Aleister Crowley just seemed like a f**ing creep to me,” Brown told Louder. “Graham started with so-called white magic, then I don’t know where it went. People make some bad choices.”
Toward the end of his life, Bond claimed he was turning things around. “Right at the end, Graham said to me: ‘I’m giving all the magic stuff up and I’m just going to play. I’m not going to do anything influenced by that anymore.’ Then a few days later he was dead,” Brown recalled.
On May 8, 1974, Bond fell in front of a London tube train. While some believe it was suicide, others speculate he was being chased by people he owed money to. Some even suspect his past with the occult may have played a role in his tragic end.
Keith Relf
Keith Relf, the former frontman of The Yardbirds, met a tragic end on May 12, 1976. Though the band’s heyday had passed, Relf remained deeply involved in music, founding a folk duo and two progressive rock bands. While he never achieved the same level of fame again, his passion for music never faded.
Sadly, when he died, he was doing what he loved—playing guitar. At just 33 years old, Relf had already faced serious health struggles, including chronic asthma and emphysema. He had nearly died three times before, making his passing both shocking and eerily unsurprising to those close to him.
That day, Relf was practicing guitar in the basement of his London home. The instrument was ungrounded, and when he stepped on a metal pipe, a surge of electricity ran through his body, killing him instantly. It remains uncertain whether his fragile health made him more vulnerable to electrocution.
After his death, his family kept many details private, leading to lingering rumors. Some mistakenly believe he died on May 14, while others claim he was playing guitar in a bathtub. Another unconfirmed report suggests his 8-year-old son was the one who found him. Despite the mystery, one thing remains certain—Relf’s love for music never wavered.
Al Jackson Jr.
Al Jackson Jr., the powerhouse drummer of Booker T. & the MGs and a highly sought-after session musician, had a thriving career but a troubled personal life. His marriage to Barbara Jackson was anything but peaceful, and on July 31, 1975, a heated argument between them turned violent. Barbara later claimed she shot her husband twice in self-defense, and Al, who survived, admitted to physically assaulting her.
Just a few months later, on October 1, 1975, Jackson was not so lucky. He was shot five times in the back during a home invasion. His wife, who was present, claimed she had been tied up while a burglar ransacked their house. According to Barbara, Al had walked in on the robbery and was told to cooperate, but the intruder killed him anyway. Jackson was just 39 years old.
Authorities were vocal about their suspicions. One officer told The Guardian, “Whoever killed him really wanted him dead.” In April 1976, Sergeant Jim Hester stated, “We are very close to seeking indictments against those responsible for his death. We expect to move soon.” Another officer, Captain Tommy Smith, confirmed that “four suspects are under investigation.”
Despite these statements, no arrests were ever made. One theory suggests that the murder was orchestrated by a boyfriend of Barbara’s, but the case went cold. As of 2025, Al Jackson Jr.’s murder remains officially unsolved.
Billy Murcia
Billy Murcia was the original drummer for the New York Dolls, a band that helped define glam rock and influence punk. Sadly, like many rock legends, his story ended far too soon. While the mystery surrounding Johnny Thunders’ death still lingers, Murcia’s passing was just as heartbreaking.
In 1972, while the Dolls were touring England, Murcia attended a party with a group of wealthy socialites. He had taken too many barbiturates and passed out. Instead of calling for medical help, partygoers panicked and tried to revive him in bizarre ways—forcing coffee down his throat and placing him in a bathtub. Some sources say he choked, others claim he drowned, while some list an overdose as the cause. Regardless, Murcia was just 21 when he died.
His bandmates were devastated. Drummer Jerry Nolan, who believed Murcia drowned, said, “Billy’s death may not have been foul play, but it was real abuse. These f**ing rich kids freaked out and ran away. They all split on the guy. What a waste” (via Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk).
Guitarist Sylvain Sylvain had the heartbreaking task of informing Murcia’s mother. “It was hard when Billy died—I had to call his mother and tell her since I knew the whole family. She just couldn’t believe it—I never heard anybody screaming that much in my life.”
Peter Ivers
Peter Ivers was a unique talent—a singer-songwriter with a cult following and a life as unconventional as his music. But his story took a dark turn when he was found brutally bludgeoned to death in his Los Angeles apartment on March 3, 1983. He had chosen to live in a rough neighborhood, a decision that may have cost him his life.
The investigation was handled so poorly that police let producer David Jove, a key suspect, walk away with bloody evidence. Friends unknowingly wandered through the crime scene, and crucial leads were ignored. Not surprisingly, no arrests were made.
Retired LAPD detective Cliff Shepard later revealed that authorities had at least one suspect: “They came up with a suspect, who was a rooftop burglar who fell off a roof…” However, many believe that Jove had both the motive and the temper to commit such a violent act.
Author Josh Frank, who co-wrote a biography on Ivers, recalled a conversation with Shepard: “Josh, I want you to know you were very thorough. You found a lot of important pieces that were never looked into, and I just want you to know that I promise you it’s not over.”
Shepard’s research led to the case being reopened in 2008, but as of 2025, Ivers’ murder remains a mystery.
Les Harvey
Leslie “Les” Harvey, guitarist for Stone The Crows, became another member of the infamous “27 Club” after a freak accident claimed his life. On May 3, 1972, at a gig in Wales, Harvey was electrocuted on stage in front of a waiting audience. Over the years, some details of his death have been misremembered—stories of a rainstorm, puddles, and a dramatic final solo have circulated. However, the reality was much different.
The band hadn’t even started playing yet. A technical issue had delayed the show, and Harvey was addressing the crowd when tragedy struck. “It was a fluke,” recalled singer Maggie Bell. “We were standing at the side of the stage; we hadn’t even started yet. Leslie said to the audience: ‘There’s a technical hitch,’ and he touched the [ungrounded] microphone and the guitar. And that was it.”
Drummer Colin Allen described the horrifying moment: “We heard this deep humming sound. Leslie had the microphone in one hand and his guitar in the other; they kind of went together, and then like an arc-shaped thing appeared. I was up really quickly and kicked the guitar out of his hand as he was lying on the floor.”
Sadly, it was too late. Harvey was killed instantly, making his death one of the most shocking tragedies in rock history.