And the beat goes wrong...
Veterans of the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Doobie Brothers, Kansas, Dead Kennedys, Foo Fighters & Blink-182 are among the drummers who've "died suddenly" or had non-fatal injuries since early 2021
Time was when rock drummers died untimely deaths because of the excesses of “the road” (which also killed too many others in that world). That’s how we remember John Bonham of Led Zeppelin, and the spectacularly messed-up Keith Moon of the WHO (the band, and not the spectacularly messed-up “public health” colossus). Here’s some grainy video of Moon’s collapse (actually, two collapses) at the Cow Palace on the night of November 20, 1973, brought on by his pre-performance snootful of animal tranquilizers:
Times sure have changed. What’s now killing and disabling drummers (and rockers generally, along with countless others all around the world) is not their debauchery, but their stupidity; and not their drugs, but those “vaccines.”
Heartbreak as 58-year-old drummer dies suddenly after suffering heart attack while performing show in France
November 6, 2022
FRENCH band Smashing Burritos reported that their 58-year-old drummer Eric died suddenly while playing at a show at the Café de la Terrasse, in Marseillette, in Aude (France).
The band took to social media to share the heartbreaking news that drummer Eric had died after suddenly collapsing on his drum kit during the middle of the second set.
According to 20minutes.fr, the 58-year-old died after suffering a heart attack.
Several people tried to revive the musician with CPR until the ambulance arrived.
However, he died at the scene.
https://euroweeklynews.com/2022/11/06/drummer-dies-suddenly-heart-attack-while-performing-france/
DH Peligro, Dead Kennedys drummer, dies in fall
October 31, 2022
The drummer for Dead Kennedys, DH Peligro, has died at the age of 63.
The musician, born Darren Henley, died shortly after hitting his head in a fall at his home in Los Angeles on Friday, and his death was confirmed on Saturday.
After his brief tenure with the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1988, he joined The Dead Kennedys, who announced his passing online. “Dead Kennedys drummer D.H. Peligro (Darren Henley) passed suddenly yesterday, October 28th, in his Los Angeles home.
“He died due to brain damage sustained in a fall accident.” Plans are pending and will be announced within the next several days.
OFF! Cancel First Leg Of North American Tour As Drummer Is Hospitalized
October 25, 2022
Hardcore band OFF! announced they've been forced to cancel the first leg of their North American tour, as drummer Justin Brown was hospitalized with an unspecified condition. OFF! released the latest LP Free LSD last month to critical acclaim.
In a post to Instagram, the band wrote: "Due to our drummer being hospitalized for a non-Covid-related emergency, we unfortunately must postpone the first leg of our North American Tour (Phoenix through Minneapolis). We’re in the process of rescheduling the affected shows and will re-announce ASAP so please hang on to your tickets. All December dates are still happening. Thanks for understanding."
https://metalinjection.net/news/bummer-alert/off-cancel-first-leg-of-north-american-tour-as-drummer-is-hospitalized
Classic Rock Band's Drummer Facing Career-Changing Injury
October 22, 2022
Kansas, the classic rock staple and not the state, has had a rough few months. After being forced to postpone shows in August due to a COVID-19 outbreak among the band's crew, drummer Phil Ehart has now been sidelined by an injury that could affect his playing future. Ehart, who co-wrote the hits "Point of Know Return" and "Play the Game Tonight," had to miss the band's sold-out Oct. 15 show at Parx Casino in Bensalem, Pennsylvania.
"Kansas drummer Phil Ehart has sustained an arm injury. Because of this, he is under doctor's orders to temporarily refrain from playing drums," the group said in a statement on Oct. 13. The group still performed in Bensalem Saturday, with drum technician Eric Holmquist playing Ehart's drum kit. "Phil looks forward to returning behind his drum kit as soon as possible," the group's statement continued.
https://popculture.com/music/amp/news/kansas-drummer-phil-ehart-suffers-arm-injury
Ringo Starr cancels North America tour with Covid
October 14, 2022
Sir Ringo Starr has cancelled the rest of his North American tour after testing positive to Covid-19 again.
The Beatles drummer, 82, had earlier cancelled some dates with his All Starr band after catching the virus, but returned after a negative test.
On Thursday, he tweeted "the rest of the tour is off", signing off with his trademark "peace and love".
Dates had been planned in California - including Los Angeles - and Mexico.
https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-63251925
Sir Ringo Starr: I have had both my shots of the vaccine
March 18, 2021
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/sir-ringo-starr-had-both-190254894.html
Doobie Brothers founding member, drummer John Hartman dead at 72
September 24, 2022
Musician John Hartman, co-founder and original drummer for the Doobie Brothers, has died at 72 years old.
The band announced Hartman’s death Thursday on their official social media pages calling Hartman a “wild spirit, great spirit and showman.”
https://variety.com/2022/music/news/john-hartman-dead-doobie-brothers-drummer-1235382641/
Hartman was “vaccinated”:
Doobie Brothers Postpone 4 Shows Due To COVID-19
September 1, 2021
The Doobie Brothers have postponed four concerts this week “out of an abundance of caution” after someone on the tour tested positive for COVID-19….
Patrick Simmons told the crowd [that Michael] McDonald was “recuperating and isolating” and expected back on stage “in a week or so.” The band and its crew are vaccinated and traveling with a COVID compliance officer.
https://www.iheartradio.ca/news/doobie-brothers-postpone-4-shows-due-to-covid-19-1.15977138
Jaclyn Hill’s ex-husband, Jon Hill, pronounced dead on sidewalk
August 16, 2022
The circumstances surrounding Jon Hill’s death remain a mystery.
The famed drummer was pronounced dead on a sidewalk, a rep for the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner told Page Six via email.
His cause of death has been deferred pending further testing. The autopsy results will take “months,” the rep said.
https://pagesix.com/2022/08/16/jaclyn-hills-ex-husband-jon-hill-pronounced-dead-on-sidewalk/
Here’s The Reason Blink-182 Drummer’s Been Hospitalized: Report
June 29, 2022
The reason for Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker’s sudden hospitalization has been revealed as reportedly due to pancreatitis after pictures surfaced online of the rocker being taken to the hospital on Tuesday.
The 46-year-old musician and husband of reality star Kourtney Kardashian made headlines after reports surfaced that Barker was rushed to West Hills Hospital and Medical Center and later to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles with Kardashian right by his side, as The Daily Wire previously reported. At the time, it was unclear what mystery illness was afflicting the rocker.
On Wednesday, TMZ reported that multiple sources with the family have told the outlet that the reason for Barker’s hospital stay is due to his pancreas reportedly becoming inflamed following a recent procedure.
The symptoms of such medical emergency include things like vomiting, intense stomach pain, and nausea.
https://www.dailywire.com/news/heres-the-reason-blink-182-drummers-been-hospitalized-report
Rocker Travis Barker has COVID-19 just months after hospitalization for pancreatitis
August 19, 2022
Drummer Travis Barker has COVID-19, contracting the virus nearly two months after he was hospitalized for pancreatitis.
The Blink-182 rocker shared the news Thursday on Instagram, posting an artsy throwback photo of him handling drumsticks with a caption that said: “Covid sucks🤬 I’d rather be playing drums.”
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2022-08-19/rocker-travis-barker-has-covid-19-nearly-two-months-after-hospitalization
In June of 2021, Blink-182 frontman Mark Hoppus was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer.
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/mark-hoppus-undergoes-fifth-round-213923147.html
Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins dead at 50: The inside story on what likely caused his death
R.I.P. legendary drummer Clifton "Fou Fou" Eddie
February 14, 2022
We sadly inform SoulTrackers of the passing of legendary R&B/jazz drummer Clifton "Fou Fou" Eddie, at the age of 78.
Eddie’s wife posted on Facebook today: My Dear and Beloved Husband Clifton L. Eddie aka Fou Fou the Drummer passed away last night in his sleep....I would like to say we cherished every moment together....You loved your drums, music, life and people. You were always there to lend a hand to anyone in need....You would always tell me God put us together for a reason and I always felt the same way. We had similar interests and had fun wherever we went because you had a beautiful spirit. And I wont forget that gorgeous smile.
Eddie began in the 1960s as a big band and jazz drummer, but soon became an in-demand stix man for the R&B world. Originally from Chicago, Eddie worked with such artists as The Dells and Patti LaBelle, and can be heard on such major R&B recordings as The Dells’ “Give Your Baby A Standing Ovation” and the Jerry Butler/Bettye Everett duet “Ain’t Undertanding.”
https://www.soultracks.com/story-clifton-fou-fou-eddie-dies
Charlie Watts, drummer for the Rolling Stones, dies at 80
August 21, 2021
Charlie Watts, the unassuming son of a truck driver who gained global fame as the drummer for the Rolling Stones, has died. He was 80.
The band had announced earlier this month that Watts would miss the band’s upcoming North American leg of its “No Filter” tour after undergoing a medical procedure for an unknown condition.
https://edition.cnn.com/2021/08/24/entertainment/charlie-watts-dead/index.html
While the cause of death is still not clear, there has been an increase in searches regarding the symptoms of throat cancer since Sunday's announcement, according to Google trends.
Watts was diagnosed with the disease in 2004 but went into remission after a course of radiotherapy.
…. and one that got away:
Offspring drummer booted from band over failure to get COVID vaccine
August 3, 2022
Pete Parada, drummer for the veteran rock band the Offspring, has been booted from the group after refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine due to a pre-existing medical condition.
The 48-year-old “Come Out and Play” musician announced the news Monday in a lengthy Instagram post, in which he made clear he harbored no ill feeling toward his bandmates — but maintained that “the shots carry greater risks than the virus” for him.
“Given my personal medical history and the side-effect profile of these jabs, my doctor has advised me not to get the shot at this time,” said Parada, claiming that he contracted COVID more than a year ago but the symptoms were “mild.”
https://nypost.com/2021/08/03/offspring-drummer-pete-parada-fired-over-failure-to-get-covid-vaccine/
Re the Doobie Brothers: "The band and its crew are vaccinated and traveling with a COVID compliance officer."
A Covid compliance officer. WTF is that? Is that what Rock and Roll has come down to? Traveling with virus sniffers? And the one guy, the one DRUMMER who wouldn't take the shot has to make up excuses for it and exonerate his bandmates for booting him off the tour. Boy, do Van Morrison and Clapton look like heroes these days.
It's like a Spinal Tap scene come to life. Drummers spontaneously exploding. Great job, MCM.
You always do a great job organizing these posts. Thank you Mark!