If you are in the mood for learning morbid details about the final moments of famous musicians, we have compiled a spooky list highlighting some of the weird and truly horrifying deaths within the sphere of classical, rock and metal music. I am not going to finish this introduction with an encouraging ‘Enjoy’, because that would be beyond creepy.

Classical Music Unusual Deaths

Starting off with classical deaths – bizarre, sad and occurring later on in life (which cannot be said about metal and rock music).

Anton von Weber

Who was he?
A radical and innovative Austrian composer, famous for his grasp of the twelve-tone technique.

When and how did he die?
Weber was shot in 1945 by an American Army soldier while lighting a cigar outside as he was unaware of the curfew in post – World War II occupied Austria. Talk about bad luck.

Age 62

Charles Valentin Alkan

Who was he?
Alkan was a composer of a French-Jewish descent, a genius at the piano and a student at the Conservatoire de Paris before the age of 6. He was close friends with Frederic Chopin and Franz Liszt.

When and how did he die?
It is believed that Alkan died in 1888 from pulling down a heavy coat and umbrella rack on himself after grabbing at it for support.

Age 72

Ernest Chausson 

Who was he?
Chausson was a French romantic composer.

When and how did he die?
In 1899 he drove his bicycle down a hill into a brick wall while staying at one of his French retreats. Some have suggested this was no accident, but a suicide, as Chausson had a history of depression.

Age 44

Jean-Baptiste Lully

Who was he?
A French composer and dancer, who in partnership with playwright Moliere created the comedy-ballet, a style, which combined all things jolly – theater, comedy and ballet.

When and how did he die?
Lully died from a gangrene after refusing to have his leg amputated on account of his love for dance. His foot got infected after he struck it with a conducting baton during a performance. Conducting can be a dangerous business.

Age 54

Alessandro Stradella

Who was he?
An Italian composer, famous for his freelance work which allowed him to collaborate with many poets in a variety of fields.

When and how did he die?
In 1682 he was killed in the street by a hitman, hired by the Lomellini family. The reason for his death was perhaps his infidelities, which were widely known.

Age 43

Rock n’ Roll Music Unusual Deaths

Les Harvey

Who was he?
Guitarist for blues-rock band “Stone the Crows” back in the 70s.

When and how did he die?
Harvey electrocuted himself at a performance in 1972 by touching an ungrounded microphone with wet hands.

Age 27

Dimebag Darell

Who was he?
Guitarist and songwriter, known as the founder of groups Pantera and Damageplan.

When and how did he die?
Darell was shot three times in the head while on stage with Damageplan in 2004. The shooter was a former marine who took the lives of four other people at the concert before being shot dead by police.

Age 38

Randy California

Who was he?
A guitarist in the band Spirit, who got his stage name from Jimmi Hendrix.

When and how did he die?
California drowned in 1997 while helping his son, who was caught in a riptide. California managed to push his son to safety.

Age 45

Selena

Who was she?
Although, not so much in the rock ‘n’ roll genre, Selena was a famous American singer and songwriter, known as the Queen of Tejano music.

When and how did she die?
Selena was shot in the head by the president of her fan club, who Selena’s family was accusing of having embezzled $60 000. Her death caused a national uproar in America.

Age 23

Metal Music Deaths

Now, this is where it gets really grizzly.

Cliff Burton

Who was he?
As I am sure you know, Burton was Metallica’s bass player in the 80s and a musician, considered by some, to have been the heart-and-soul behind the group’s first three albums.

When and how did he die?
Burton died in 1986 in a freak bus accident. As Metallica’s tour bus slid off the road due to black ice, Burton was thrown out of the window and onto the pavement, then crushed by the bus. Whether the driver was intoxicated in some form or fell asleep is unknown.

Age 24

Randy Rhoads

Who was he?
A legendary guitarist who played with Ozzy Osbourne and Quiet Riot.

When and how did he die?
In 1982 Rhoads boarded a small plane and decided to prank the band’s bus by flying dangerously close around it. The plane clipped the back of the bus which lead it to spiral out of control and crash in a nearby house.

Age 25

Per “Dead” Ohlin

Who was he?
Vocalist and lyricist to the notorious Norwegian black metal group, Mayhem.

When and how did he die?
Ohlin was found dead in his home in the woods, after having slit his wrists and throat and fired a shotgun at his face. Before calling the police one of his Mayhem band members took a photo of the scene and used it as a cover to the band’s subsequent album as a way to further promote Mayhem’s image. I think that is too much death even for metal.

Age 22

As I would not like to leave you in the grip of such abundance of tragedy, I will end this article with a video about birth, as life and death always go hand in hand: