50 Horrific Crimes by Musicians

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at 50 terrible crimes allegedly committed by musicians that shocked the world and impacted their careers.

Arthur Lee (Love)

Arthur Lee rose to fame leading the psychedelic rock band “Love,” whose 1967 album “Forever Changes” eventually earned a Grammy Hall of Fame spot. While his music garnered acclaim, his personal life was plagued by crime. He’d already been jailed for arson and faced multiple arrests for drugs and assault among other offences. His troubles escalated leading to his most serious conviction in 1996. That year, he was arrested for illegally possessing and firing a gun in public. Lee denied it, and was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Though appeals saw him released early, the damage was lasting. Upon release, Lee tried to rebuild his career. His genius remained – but so did the shadow of his crime.

Billy Preston

The keyboard wizard Billy Preston was so talented he was famously dubbed the “Fifth Beatle” after lending his genius to that legendary group. Yet behind the spotlight, his personal life was anything but golden. Preston racked up charges ranging from indecent assault involving a minor to attacking someone with a weapon, and his drug problems only made things worse. In the ‘90s, he got arrested for cocaine possession and remanded to rehab, but violating probation landed him in prison. While locked up, he was even indicted for insurance fraud and pleaded guilty, serving additional time. Preston’s life proved that a chain of destructive choices can ruin your legacy.

Pete Doherty (The Libertines)

Music star Pete Doherty, co-frontman of The Libertines, may well be remembered not for his music but for his long dance with the law. From 2003 to 2017, he was arrested multiple times. From burgling his bandmate’s flat in 2003 to theft, drug possession, drunk or drug-fuelled driving and even cocaine or heroin use, his crimes knew no bounds. Pete tried time and again to break free from substance use disorder. Courts ordered rehabs and driving bans kept him off the road and he was even refused entry into the U.S. But each attempt at redemption was undone by another relapse. Pete finally claimed sobriety, but we can’t help but remember the footprint of chaos he has left behind.

Son House

Before he became a blues legend, Son House was a preacher who wanted nothing to do with secular music. But in 1927, he swapped sermons for songs, and stepped into the world of blues with a guitar in hand. With whiskey and trouble never far behind, House played in juke joints. One night, while House performed, a gunman opened fire, wounding him. House shot back, killed the man and was later convicted. Given a 15-year jail term at Parchman, he served just two before walking free. After release, he teamed up with Charley Patton, and later found fame in the folk revival. Ironically, the music that once dragged him into crime became the very thing that immortalized him.

Boy George (Culture Club)

Culture Club’s lead singer, Boy George, once had the world in his hands – chart-topping hits, bold style, and a persona that lit up the ‘80s. But beneath all that, his struggle with substance use disorder simmered dangerously. He’d been arrested for suspected drug possession, though never charged; but something darker was ahead. In 2007, George violently assaulted and unlawfully imprisoned a male escort, Audun Carlsen, after what began as a photo session. The gruesome encounter shocked fans worldwide. The following year, George was convicted and handed a 15-month prison sentence, though he served just four before release under curfew and monitoring. For George, who had once embodied glamor and success, his conviction remains a lasting disgrace.

Adam Ant (Adam & the Ants)

Stuart Leslie Goddard, better known as Adam Ant, was once the glittering face of the new wave era, leading his group, ‘Adam and the Ants’ to international fame. But away from the spotlight was a man with serious mental health struggles, something he spoke about openly. In 2002, things took a different turn when he smashed a pub window with a car alternator and later waved a starting pistol, frightening those inside. Adam was charged with property damage and disturbing public order, then sentenced to 12 months of rehabilitation under a suspended sentence. Just a year later, he was arrested again for suspected criminal damage, but directed to hospital care instead. For all of Adam’s brilliance, it’s the battles within that cast the darkest shadow.

Chris Brown

American singer Chris Brown, known for his electrifying voice and jaw-dropping dance moves, had the world at his feet. He dated Rihanna and they became one of music’s power couples–but their relationship took a tragic turn in 2009. A heated argument spiraled out of control, and Brown physically assaulted her, leaving Rihanna hospitalized. The music world and fans were stunned. Brown pleaded guilty to felony charges and was sentenced to five years of probation with a restraining order. In a surprising twist, Rihanna confirmed in 2013 that they were dating again, though they eventually split for good. More than a decade later, the incident continues to overshadow his achievements. Brown's once thriving career has become a ghost of itself.

C-Murder

C-Murder was a fast-rising rapper on No Limit Records, a label founded by his brother, Master P. He was beginning to carve his own name in hiphop, but in 2002, his career derailed after a nightclub altercation turned deadly. Teenage fan Steve Thomas was beaten and fatally shot, and the rapper was arrested in connection. The case dragged on for years; witnesses changed their stories and a mistrial followed. While on house arrest, he released music, hoping his career could survive. Then in 2009, new witness testimony in a retrial sealed his fate. He was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to life behind bars. Though C-Murder maintains his innocence and continues to appeal, his once-promising career is long gone.

Lead Belly

Huddie “Lead Belly” Ledbetter is remembered as one of the most powerful voices in blues and folk music with his mastery of the 12-string guitar. But away from the stage, he was no stranger to crime. In 1915, he was arrested and sentenced for carrying a pistol, only to escape and live under an alias. Just three years later, he killed his relative, Will Stafford, in a fight and was locked away in Texas. Yet remarkably, he secured an early release in 1925 after writing a song that impressed Governor Pat Morris Neff. His freedom didn’t keep him straight. He later returned to jail for stabbing another man in yet another fight. Lead Belly’s musical genius was undeniable, but violence forever shadowed his life.

Tory Lanez

One of Canada’s brightest stars, Tory Lanez isn’t just any artist. He’s versatile, blending hip-hop and R&B into chart-topping hits. So you can imagine the shock in 2020 when his horrible crime made headlines. Turns out, after leaving a party in Hollywood Hills, Lanez, Megan Thee Stallion, and others argued in a car. Tensions escalated, and Lanez fired a gun, hitting Megan in the feet. She publicly named him as the shooter, while Lanez denied it, sparking fan divisions and intense media scrutiny. Years of courtroom drama followed until 2022 when Lanez was convicted on three felony charges. The following year, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Just like that, one reckless act tarnished a flourishing career.

Mystikal

With an unmistakable voice – loud, booming and full of fire – Mystikal lit up the charts with hits like “Danger.” But behind that powerful voice was years of violence and crime. In 2003, he pleaded guilty to sexual assault and extorting his hairstylist, earning six years behind bars. After his release, what followed were prison time for domestic abuse and probation violation, each dragging him further down. In 2017, he was again indicted for assault and kidnapping charges, though those were later dropped. Then finally in 2022, he was arrested on first degree assault charges and denied bond. As of September 2025, Mystikal’s still locked up awaiting trial, and faces life in prison if convicted. His music? It’s fading under the weight of a stained legacy.

Jan Latham-Koenig

BBC’s acclaimed conductor, Jan Latham-Koenig, seemed destined for a lasting legacy in classical music. His artistry earned him an OBE in 2020, celebrating his contributions to international cultural relations. However, in January 2024, his illustrious career came crashing down. Latham-Koenig was arrested for attempting to meet a minor he had contacted via a dating app. He pleaded guilty to two of the three charges, receiving a 14-month prison sentence, which was suspended for two years. In the aftermath, he was dismissed from his post at Teatro Colón and stripped of his OBE in August 2025. With this personal misconduct, Latham-Koenig brought ill repute to his once prestigious career.

Big Lurch (Cosmic Slop Shop)

Antron Singleton Sr., professionally known as Big Lurch, was an American rapper whose talent emerged as early as age seven. He later joined the hiphop group Cosmic Slop Shop, but after they disbanded in 1999, he pursued a solo career. But in 2002, tragedy struck. Lurch murdered his roommate, Tynisha Ysais, in their shared apartment, and in a gruesome twist, committed acts of cannibalism on the victim. Ysais’ boyfriend claimed he had taken PCP with Lurch a day before, a chilling prelude to the violence that followed. The rapper pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity but was convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Ysais’ life and Lurch’s rising career were erased in an instant by that horrifying act.

Claudine Longet

Bursting into the acting and music scene in the 1960s, Parisian-born Claudine Longet settled into a life as a celebrity and her marriage to singer Andy Williams. After the marriage dissolved, in March 1976, Longet was in Aspen, Colorado, with her partner Vladimir "Spider" Sabich, an Olympic skier. According to Longet, Sabich was demonstrating to her how to use a firearm when he was fatally shot. However, she was convicted of negligent homicide in 1977. She received a fine and 30 day-jail sentence, but was allowed to decide when she went in. Upon release, Longet disappeared from public life and married her defense attorney, Ronald Austin.

Liam Gallagher (Oasis)

If you’re at all familiar with Oasis, you’re well aware the brothers that formed the band are often a step away from beating each other to a bloody pulp. However, Noel isn’t the only one who’s faced Liam’s wrath. While on tour in Australia in March of 1998, Liam didn’t take kindly to a fan named Benjamin Jones who tried to get a photo with the British rocker. According to the police report, Gallagher responded by punching and head-butting the fan, which resulted in a broken nose. Due to the seriousness of the injury, Liam faced up to 10 years in prison for his actions, but the charges were eventually dropped with Jones settling with the Oasis singer out of court.

Courtney Love (Hole)

Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love are defining figures from the era of Grunge music, and their bands Nirvana and Hole respectively are about as iconic as you can get. These groups broke the mold of 90s rock by touching on complex and dark subject matter, including gender issues and body image. Unfortunately, both suffered from substance use disorder, and it’s here where many of Love’s legal issues began. After an overdose in 1994, Love was charged with possession of a controlled substance and paraphernalia. Only 24 hours later, Cobain would be found dead at their Seattle home. Sadly, this was just the start of Love’s legal troubles who has since faced charges of assault, disorderly conduct and reckless endangerment.

Jimmy Chamberlin (The Smashing Pumpkins)

Going from one iconic rock band to the next, The Smashing Pumpkins were tremendously influential in the realm of alternative rock, but were also playing with fire as recreational opiate users. While touring the US in 1996, an overdose led to the death of Pumpkins keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin. Jimmy Chamberlin, the band’s drummer and Melvoin were in a separate hotel to the rest of the band, and after both went unconscious under the influence of illegal substances, Chamberlin would wake up hours later to find his friend and bandmate unresponsive. Because Chamberlin was in the presence of Melvoin at the time of his overdose, the drummer was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, but later reached a plea deal over the incident.

Tripp Eisen (Static-X)

The crimes committed by this former Static-X member are nothing short of horrific. Static-X, if you are not aware, is a heavy metal band that rose to fame during the nu-metal craze of the 90s. Fast forward to 2005 when the band’s main guitarist Tripp Eisen is facing a sex scandal involving two different minors, and he is promptly booted from the band. The band’s swift action towards Eisen was certainly the right move and it was only the beginning of Eisen’s downfall. He would do time in prison for his actions, for both the original charges and a parole violation.

Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots)

Once the lead singer of Stone Temple Pilots, Weiland’s one of a kind vocal delivery and charismatic stage presence made him part of the elite class of 90s rock frontmen. As with other rockstars on this list however, Scott Weiland’s life and legal history is sadly intertwined with substance use disorder. Having been arrested for buying illegal drugs in 1995, he would soon face charges of domestic violence and DUI. Throughout all this, the singer was making his mark on gold, platinum and multi-platinum albums with Stone Temple Pilots, but was eventually booted from the band. That didn’t stop him from continuing on with Velvet Revolver for several years, before the vocalist’s unfortunate death from an overdose in 2015.

Scott Stapp (Creed)

While not a Christian band, Creed’s music does contain some religious and moral messages, which made it all the more surprising that the band’s lead singer Scott Stapp was at one time under the eye of the United States Secret Service because he threatened to assassinate Barack Obama. This all appeared to be a psychiatric episode of some kind, wherein the “My Sacrifice” singer was apparently riding a bicycle around his neighborhood carrying hundreds of CIA documents and other paraphernalia. While far from being his first run in with the law, the threat probably was not 100% genuine considering Stapp’s mental state at the time.

Marilyn Manson

The severe allegations of abuse made against Marilyn Manson in 2021 by actor Evan Rachel Wood and many others are disturbing to say the absolute least. But that’s just the latest string of controversies the industrial musician finds himself in. Back in 2001, he was charged with criminal sexual assault of a security guard. This case was eventually dropped, but it was a sign of many more things to come. Multiple women filed lawsuits alleging abuse in addition to the aforementioned Wood case, although a criminal assault investigation that concluded in 2025 did not result in filed charges. However, Manson was dropped by his record label and talent agency, and despite continuing to tour, the career he once had clearly hasn’t been the same since.

Anthony Kiedis (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

It’s never fun to learn that some of your favorite artists are guilty of downright deplorable acts. Red Hot Chili Peppers were about as big as you could get in the 90s and onward, and songs like ‘Californication’ epitomize 90s culture. But not long after that song’s release in 1999, lead singer Anthony Kiedis published a memoir where he detailed, among other things, a sexual relationship with a young woman who Kiedis learned was a minor at the time. It was a shocking admission of guilt. Unsurprisingly, Kiedis soon after asked members of his family not to read the book.

Fred Durst (Limp Bizkit)

In 2021, a pair of documentary series about the Woodstock ‘99 music festival and subsequent riot arrived on streaming platforms, with one red-capped figure featured prominently in both: Limp Bizkit lead singer Fred Durst. While it’s clear that his ‘break stuff’ chants had an effect on the crowds, Durst didn’t get charged with any crimes at the time, as the festival was a giant organizational failure. But it was characteristic of the nu-metal singer who in 1999, kicked a security guard in the head and was arrested after the show. He also ran down a few people with his car in LA in October of 2006. It’s surprising he’s never been sent to an anger management class.

Sebastian Bach (Skid Row)

Hard rock band Skid Row was a prominent part of the hair metal craze of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. In December 1989, the group played as one of the opening acts for Aerosmith at the Springfield Civic Center in Massachusetts. While performing, frontman Sebastian Bach was hit in the head with a bottle thrown by one of the audience members. Enraged, Bach flung the bottle back and it hit an innocent girl. He then lunged into the crowd and kicked another fan repeatedly before being pulled back by some of the stage crew. Bach was arrested after the show and was eventually mandated to pay a cash settlement of around $500,000.

Axl Rose (Guns N’ Roses)

On July 2nd 1991, LA band Guns N' Roses played at the Riverport Amphitheater Missouri. While performing their song “Rocket Queen,” frontman Axl Rose noticed a fan who was supposedly taking pictures. He initially called for security to seize the camera, but when it seemed quite impossible, he jumped into the crowd and did so himself. After being pulled back onstage, Rose smashed his mic and walked out, followed by the rest of the band. Angry fans broke into a violent riot that injured 65 people and resulted in property damage worth about $200,000. Rose was eventually arrested on charges related to the riot and was sentenced to two years probation.

Great White

Although LA metal band Great White formed in 1977, their commercial success largely came during the ‘80s. After dissolving in 2001, some of the group’s members kept performing together. They received national attention in February 2003 for a show at a Rhode Island nightclub called The Station that went horribly awry. Part of their act featured a fireworks display that unfortunately lit up the flammable foam used in the room and started a fire. While most of the band members made it out alive, a large number of the audience was trapped in the building and a hundred of them lost their lives. The band paid the victims and their families a settlement of $1 million, but were publicly absolved of the crime.

GG Allin

Born in Lancaster, New Hampshire in 1956, GG Allin grew up to become one of rock music’s most polarizing figures. Having performed with multiple bands over the years, Allin gained notoriety for his controversial stage antics, some of which are too repulsive to even mention. Throughout his career, he was involved in several legal issues, most notably in 1989 when he was arrested on assault charges. Apparently, Allin had inflicted bodily harm on a woman who decided to press charges. The rock star countered her claims by pointing out inconsistencies in the woman’s story and maintaining that she had given him consent. Regardless, he pled guilty to felonious assault and served fifteen months in prison.

Rick James

Rick James ruled the charts in the early ‘80s with his unique blend of funk, rock and new wave, churning out hits like “Give It to Me Baby” and “Super Freak.” But while he saw success in the ‘80s, the following decade proved to be a tumultuous one. In 1991, James and his girlfriend Tanya Anne Hijazi were arrested and charged with the forced imprisonment and assault of a young woman. James was awaiting trial for that incident when he assaulted yet another woman, this time a music executive named Mary Sauger. For both crimes, he faced a possible life sentence, but was luckily acquitted of a torture charge. He ended up spending five years in prison.

Ozzy Osbourne (Black Sabbath)

As the frontman of Black Sabbath and later, as a solo artist, Ozzy Osbourne helped bring heavy metal to the fore in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Throughout his decades-long career, Osbourne publicly struggled with alcohol and substance use disorders that put him in trouble with the law on multiple occasions. He was once arrested for relieving himself at the Battle of the Alamo Cenotaph in San Antonio, Texas while intoxicated. But perhaps his most egregious offense occurred in August 1989, when he reportedly attacked his wife Sharon in a drunken state, with the intention of killing her. He was picked up by police and charged with attempted murder. However, after spending six months in a rehabilitation program, Sharon decided to drop the charges.

Tommy Lee & Nikki Sixx (Mötley Crüe)

When they weren’t selling millions of records of their debauchery-riddled tunes, the members of Mötley Crüe were seemingly deep in legal trouble. In October 1997, the band played a show at the Greensboro Coliseum in North Carolina that quickly devolved into chaos. Apparently, founding members Tommy Lee and Nikki Sixx had incited a riot at the show and then turned fans on one of the security guards who tried to contain the situation. Sixx reportedly yelled racial slurs at the guard and doused him with alcohol, alongside Lee. The two were arrested and eventually fined and sentenced to probation for the incident. Around the same time, Lee also served a six-month jail sentence for striking his then-wife Pamela Anderson.

Vince Neil (Mötley Crüe)

Speaking of Mötley Crüe, in 1984, frontman Vince Neil also made headlines for all the wrong reasons. Neil was hosting the Finnish rock band Hanoi Rocks at his LA home, while they were on tour in the U.S. Both band members partied at Neil’s house for days and eventually ran out of booze. Neil, alongside Hanoi Rocks drummer Nicholas “Razzle” Dingley, went out on a liquor run while being heavily intoxicated. On their way back, Neil drove right into an oncoming car, severely injuring both passengers and killing Dingley, eventually. The Mötley Crüe vocalist survived the accident and was later sentenced to 30 days in jail, and made to pay a $2.6 million settlement to the victims.

Sean “Diddy” Combs

Where do we even begin with Sean “Diddy” Combs? For decades, he was hiphop royalty, launching stars through Bad Boy Records and building an empire that stretched far beyond music. But in November 2023, the world was rocked when his former longtime girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, filed a lawsuit against him. She accused him of years of abuse, assault, and manipulation–even alleging he had her ex, Kid Cudi’s car blown up. Though that case was settled, federal charges which were even more damning soon followed in 2024. By May 2025, he was standing trial, pleading not guilty while being held in custody. Now, as the cases unravel, Diddy’s behind bars fighting for his freedom–and watching his legacy crumble beyond repair.

R. Kelly

What do you remember about R. Kelly? For years, it was his magnificent voice and award-winning hits. He even took home three Grammys and was dubbed the King of R&B. But while fans sang along, dark truths about the singer loomed. In 1994, he illegally married teenage star Aaliyah, sparking concerns. Then in 2002, he was charged with indecent assault and possessing explicit materials involving minors, but walked away acquitted. For a while, it seemed he’d dodged accountability–until 2019, when “Surviving R. Kelly” reignited public scrutiny. This time, the law caught up–and between 2021 and 2022, he was convicted on multiple counts and sentenced to 31 years in prison. Now, our memories are no longer about R. Kelly’s music, but his hideous crimes.

Spade Cooley

As the self-styled King of Western Swing, Spade Cooley was one of the biggest country musicians in the 1940s into the 50s. He even got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960. But in April 1961, Cooley tarnished his reputation forever. His wife, Ella Mae Evans, was reportedly looking to leave him. Filled with rage, Cooley attacked and killed Evans in front of their daughter, Melody, who testified against her father in court. He received a life sentence. With the support of California Governor Ronald Reagan, Cooley was set to be paroled in 1970. However, during a brief release to perform at a benefit concert, Cooley had a heart attack and passed away offstage.

Bobby Beausoleil (The Grass Roots)

After carving out a career in music and acting, Bobby Beausoleil’s life changed for the worse in 1968 when he met Charles Manson and his family. In July 1969, Beausoleil, Susan Atkins, and Mary Brunner were sent by the cult leader to demand money from Beausoleil’s former housemate, Gary Hinman. However, he didn’t have the cash. Hinman was held captive and attacked over 3 days by Manson and his followers. On Manson’s orders, Beausoleil killed Hinman. Over a week later, Beausoleil was arrested while sleeping in Hinman’s vehicle, which he took from the scene. He was found guilty of murder. His 1970 death sentence was later changed to life imprisonment and he has been denied parole over a dozen times.

Joe Meek (Producer)

A trailblazer in experimental music mixed with space-age themes, this producer was best known for his work in creating the Tornados’s smash hit “Telstar” in 1962. But he also had a troubled side. In his last years, paranoia and mood swings seemed to consume him. In February 1967, at his home studio in London, Meek was allegedly behaving erratically. He got into an argument with his landlady, Violet Shenton, over noise complaints and unpaid rent. The producer took out a firearm he had confiscated from ex-Tornados member Heinz Burt and shot Shenton before taking his own life.

Jim Gordon (Derek & the Dominos)

As one of the most in-demand session drummers and writers around, Jim Gordon worked with massive names such as Eric Clapton, John Lennon, Barbra Streisand, and Tom Petty. But behind the scenes, Gordon was struggling with schizophrenia. Despite trying to get medical help, he was never properly diagnosed so his problems continued. In June 1983, Gordon killed his mom at her Los Angeles home, claiming to hear her voice tormenting him in his head. He was later sentenced to 16 years to life in prison. Over the years, he was denied parole many times, typically because he didn’t go to his hearings. In March 2023, Gordon passed away in jail from natural causes.

Bård “Faust” Guldvik Eithun (Emperor)

Bård Guldvik Eithun, better known as Faust, was a drummer for the Norwegian black metal band Emperor. But in August 1992, a year after the band was formed, his career took a dark swing. While in Lillehammer, Faust met Magne Andreassen, who allegedly flirted with him. The drummer went with Andreassen to the woods. There, Faust stabbed him to death. In later interviews, Faust insisted he wasn’t motivated by homophobia. Instead, he described this slaying as an “impulse killing.” After admitting to his guilt, he was sentenced to 14 years in prison in 1994. Faust was released in 2003 and restarted his music career.

Beasts of Satan

For years, Italy was plagued by a streak of crimes committed by the Beasts of Satan. While not all members of this group were musicians, they were all allegedly Satanists. In 1998, Chiara Marino and Fabio Tollis were stabbed to death by group members while they were reportedly under the influence and carrying out a supernatural rite. Then, in 2004, Mariangela Pezzotta was shot. From 2005 to 2006, eight members were tried for their roles in the crime spree, with one member cleared while the rest received sentences ranging from 16 years to life imprisonment. Ferocity and Psycho Blasphemy band member Andrea Volpe and his girlfriend Elisabetta Ballarin, who helped the former, were ultimately released from prison. It’s believed the Beasts of Satan could be responsible for over a dozen other unsolved cases, either directly or indirectly.

Bertrand Cantat (Noir Desir)

Formed in 1980, French rock band Noir Désir was one of the biggest in the country. Led by Bertrand Cantat, the band’s reputation would change in July 2003. Cantat had traveled to a hotel in Vilnius, Lithuania, with married actor Marie Trintignant, with whom he was having an affair. During an argument, a jealous Cantat allegedly attacked Trintignant. After losing consciousness and being taken to the hospital, Trintignant died from her injuries a few days later. Cantat was sentenced to eight years in jail. After serving half his sentence, he was released in 2007. Three years later, Cantat’s ex-wife, Krisztina Rády, who had supported Cantat during the trial, took her own life after months of suspected abuse from the musician. However, authorities didn’t press charges.

Sid Vicious (The Sex Pistols)

Punk music was burning bright in 1978, and Sid Vicious, the wild bassist of the Sex Pistols, embodied its reckless energy. But the scene got grimmer in October, when his love story headed for disaster. After a wild night of partying, Sid’s girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, was found dead the next morning, stabbed in the abdomen. Sid appeared restless and confused, and then later confessed they’d argued and he stabbed her, though he claimed it wasn’t intentional. He was arrested, spiraled into despair, even attempting to take his own life twice. Then in February 1979, just out on bail, Sid overdosed and died. A note in his jacket revealed a chilling death pact with Nancy, with their chaotic romance ending as Punk’s most haunting tragedy.

Dave Holland (Judas Priest)

With the 1979 exit of Les Binks from heavy metal band Judas Priest, former Trapeze drummer Dave Holland was brought on as his replacement. Holland stayed with the band for ten years, playing on some of their most successful albums such as “Screaming for Vengeance” and “Turbo.” His legacy however received an indelible stain in 2004, when he was convicted of the indecent assault of his underage drumming student. Holland vehemently denied any wrongdoing but the case made headlines, leading Judas Priest to put out a statement denouncing his actions. He served an eight-year prison sentence and died reportedly from complications due to lung cancer in 2018.

Tim Lambesis (As I Lay Dying)

Vocalist Tim Lambesis led the popular metalcore outfit “As I Lay Dying” as they achieved chart success and garnered various awards. However, the band nearly came to a permanent end due to his actions. Lambesis once asked a criminal to assassinate his ex-wife while the vocalist was watching his kids. But the musician didn’t know that he was actually speaking to a detective who immediately reported the meeting. Lambesis eventually pleaded guilty and spent a little over a decade in jail for his grim solicitation. After serving his time, he managed to reunite with the band and release more music. In the years since his attempted crime, Lambesis has admitted that his actions were wrong.

Norwegian Black Metal Artists

The Norwegian Black Metal Scene gained worldwide attention in the early 90s thanks to some truly infamous crimes. One of the most visually arresting and notorious crimes from the scene was the rash of church burnings perpetrated by members of the scene. According to several interviews and reports, members of the musical collective resented various religious groups. Throughout the 90s, a number of Norwegian churches were burnt down. Individuals like Varg Vikernes of the band Burzum and Samoth from a group called Emperor were both caught. However, many cases still went unsolved. Both historic churches and at least one life was lost during these arson attacks.

Chuck Berry

This godfather of rock ‘n roll was infamous for committing several serious crimes. A woman once accused Berry of attacking and injuring her at a hotel. A few years later, he was accused of illegally recording people within bathrooms of his restaurant that bore his name. Officers were able to find tapes that supported those claims as well as marijuana. Berry ultimately spent a small fortune in fines and for his defense to address the case. Decades before that scandal, the musician was brought to court after he brought a girl from Mexico to Missouri. Although he claimed it was to give her a job opportunity, she claimed he had darker intentions. The jury found Berry guilty after a trial and he received a three-year-sentence.

Gary Glitter

Gary Glitter enjoyed great success as a glam rock musician in the ‘70s and ‘80s, only to be disgraced in the late ‘90s when he was found in possession of explicit materials involving minors. Glitter was arrested and sentenced to four months in prison. After his release, he fled to Cambodia, where his predatory actions continued. He subsequently moved to Vietnam, where he was also implicated on charges related to molestation and handed a three-year prison sentence. Glitter was deported back to the UK following his release and placed on the sex offender registry for life. In 2014, he faced additional charges of indecent assault for crimes committed back in the ‘70s. His conviction came with a prison sentence of 16 years but was released early after serving only 8 years.

Karl Logan (Manowar)

Karl Logan was a long time guitarist for American heavy metal legends Manowar. His tenure with the band was brought to an abrupt end when he was arrested in 2018. During an investigation, it was found that Logan had multiple illegal recordings of young people being assaulted. Within a week of the arrest, Manowar officially severed all ties with the guitarist. Logan eventually stated that he knowingly possessed the exploitative content in a court. Ultimately, he was tasked with spending just over a decade of his life in prison in 2022. Manowar’s swift reaction to Logan’s arrest makes it highly unlikely he’ll reunite with the band again.

Ian Watkins (Lostprophets)

Charges against former Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins were so severe that he was the subject of a sting operation dubbed Operation Globe. The investigation uncovered that the musician had participated in a number of malicious crimes. During court proceedings, Watkins admitted that he had assaulted victims who could not consent to adult activity on multiple occasions. Authorities also discovered that he had a large amount of videos of illegal acts in his possession. Additionally, the former musician’s co-defendants were also mothers of a few of his alleged victims. After receiving a 29 year prison conviction, Watkins was still caught trying to to reach and exploit women outside of his facility.

Varg Vikernes (Burzum & Mayhem)

While the crimes of the rock stars mentioned here are certainly shocking, if there were one case that was truly infamous, it would be that of Varg Vikernes. Vikernes, already mentioned for his role in church burnings, fronted up several Norwegian black metal acts in the 90s, most notably Burzum. Before that though he was part of another group called Mayhem. When Mayhem’s lead singer suddenly took his own life in 1991, the guitar player of the band, who went by the name Euronymous, exploited this sad turn of events, using it to enhance the band’s macabre image. More drama ensued, leading to the fatal stabbing of Euronymous in 1993 by Vikernes, who claimed the killing was in self defense.

Phil Spector (Producer)

There aren’t many people who had as much of an influence on popular music as Phil Spector. The producer and songwriter worked with numerous legendary acts, including the Beatles, the Ramones, Tina Turner, and The Ronettes. In February 2003, actor Lana Clarkson was with Spector at his mansion in California when she was fatally shot. Spector claimed that Clarkson accidentally took her own life. However, his chauffeur claimed that Spector admitted he had killed someone. In 2009, he was found guilty of Clarkson’s murder and sentenced to 19 years to life. Spector attempted to appeal the decision numerous times, but each was rejected. In 2021, he passed away in jail.

Which of these musicians’ crimes shocked you the most? Let us know in the comment section.