10 Darkest Moments in Music History

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today were looking at tragic events within the music industry that left a lasting cultural mark.

The Beverly Hills Supper Club Fire (1977)

On May 28th, 1977, a disastrous fire broke out at the Beverly Hills Supper Club before a show by singer John Davidson. Overcrowding, inadequate fire alarms, and a lack of emergency exits were cited as major factors in the devastation that unfolded. The fire that engulfed the building caused its poorly built structure to cave in on itself. With no way to help those trapped inside, 165 people lost their lives, while more than 200 suffered injuries. It was the worst multiple-death building fire in the U.S in 55 years and it highlighted the need for proper safety features and construction materials in the nightclub industry. It was a truly dark day for the United States.

The Astroworld Crush (2021)

The worst thing about 2021s infamous Astroworld Crush was the fact that it probably couldve been avoided. The events organisers were aware that fitting 50,000 people into a space designed for just under 35,000 was a dangerous proposition. But when Travis Scotts boisterous live performance went ahead, the problems became very clear. The crowd became physically overwhelmed during a particularly lively show, with no way to escape. Ten people tragically lost their lives; a further 25 were hospitalised; and more than 300 sustained some form of injury. Blame was directed at the shows organisers, Scott himself, and even guest performer Drake. Overall, it was hard to shake the feeling that someone should have seen this coming.

Phil Spector Commits Murder (2003)

Phil Spector was a producer-songwriter known for his innovative creation of the wall of sound method in popular music, and for credits ranging from The Beatles to The Ramones. These days, his reputation precedes him for a very different reason. Spector had been described as a violent man and a gun-toting menace in the years following his most prolific era. But in 2003, he shot and killed actress Lana Clarkson at his home in California, leading to a conviction for second-degree murder. During the trial, it was revealed that he had pulled a gun on at least four different women in the past, often when his romantic advances were rejected. He spent 12 years in prison before dying at the age of 81.

The Murder Of Selena (1995)

Selena was a true giant of Latin pop music, boasting a series of hits in the 1980s and 90s that saw her achieve breakout success globally. But just as her fame began to truly reach the next level, she was shot and killed by her friend Yolanda Saldívar, who managed Selenas fanclub and boutiques. When their business relationship began to deteriorate, Selena fired Saldivar. The former associate thus decided to make four separate attempts to kill the popstar, failing to find the right time and place. When she did eventually get Selena alone, a fatal shot rang out around the world for years to come. The idol was 23 years old at the time.

Jimi Hendrix Dies at 27 Years Old (1970)

The 27 Club refers to the troubling trend of famous musicians who passed away at the young age of 27. Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse, Robert Johnson, Jim Morrison, and many more fit into this bleak trend. One particularly impactful death was of the legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix, who passed away in 1970 from an overdose at the height of his stardom. Regarded as one of the greatest guitarists to ever touch the instrument, Hendrix was a force of nature on-stage and an innovator in the studio. But substance use disorder took hold of him in his mid-20s and when he finally pushed things beyond the limit, it left the world of music without one of its brightest lights.

Kurt Cobains Death (1994)

After an era when hair metal and the glamourisation of excess were becoming the norm, the grunge of Nirvana was a breath of fresh air. In their frontman Kurt Cobain, they had a singer who was becoming a figurehead for the disenfranchised youth of his generation. But his depression and growing dependence on substances was taking its toll on his personal life. After undergoing detox treatment during a particularly troubled period, he took his own life in April of 1994. This sent tremors throughout the music world as they watched yet another brilliant young musician join the 27 Club.

The Rolling Stones at Altamont (1969)

When the Rolling Stones tried to replicate the success of Woodstock with their own counterculture festival in late 1969, it seemed like a shoo-in for success. But hiring the notorious biker gang the Hells Angels as security was a disastrous move and the infrastructure was clearly not capable of handling the demands of all these people. Fights broke out, and many people were injured in the chaos. Four people lost their lives, including Meredith Hunter, who was killed by a Hells Angel for drawing a gun mid-show. The concert has since been described as one of the darkest days in music history, and a real moment of change in the 1960s.

The Murder of John Lennon (1980)

The death of John Lennon was no overdose or downward spiral. It was a legendary musician who was murdered in cold blood by a fan for no reason. Mark David Chapman hated Lennons suggestion that The Beatles were bigger than Jesus, and the hypocrisy of his activism when he was so privileged. But in reality, Chapman had conspired to murder several other celebrities. On December 8, 1980, he shot Lennon four times in the back in front of his wife Yoko Ono, and then waited calmly for the police to arrive, reading aloud from The Catcher In The Rye all the while. Lennon was 40 years old. It was a moment that brought the entire world to a standstill.

Great White at the Station Nightclub (2003)

When the heavy metal band Jack Russells Great White took to the stage at The Station in Warwick, Rhode Island, what should have been a fun night of music turned into a horrific tragedy. Soundproofing the venue with extremely flammable material was a huge mistake. When the bands pyrotechnics caused a fire during their set, it did not take long until the entire room was set ablaze. Poor emergency precautions left the crowd at the mercy of the flames. One hundred people lost their lives on this day including the bands guitarist Ty Longley while another 230 were injured. It remains the fourth-deadliest nightclub fire in U.S. history, and a day that affected thousands of people.

The Day The Music Died (1959)

The tragedy that later became known as the Day The Music Died involved a terrible plane crash in which three iconic musicians lost their lives. Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and J.P. The Big Bopper Richardson Jr., along with pilot Roger Peterson, all perished in this fatal accident near Clear Lake, Iowa. Poor conditions led to the pilot losing control of the vehicle, crashing it into a cornfield. Each of these musicians had so much more to give. The Big Bopper was 28, Buddy Holly was 22, and Richie Valens was 17. It was a truly heartbreaking moment for 1950s culture.

But what do you guys consider to be the darkest day in music history? Let us know in the comments section below.