Top 10 70's Bands With Tragic Backstories

#10: The Doors

It can be easier, sometimes, to discuss various conspiracy theories concerning a beloved rock icon’s death, rather than facing the reality of their passing. Jim Morrison’s legacy with The Doors is, of course, secure today as one of the founding fathers of modern psychedelia. Yet, his tragic passing in 1971 remains shrouded in mystery, thanks largely to a French law that makes postmortem autopsies optional, rather than required. This essentially meant that fans continue to debate whether or not Morrison suffered heart failure, as it says on the death certificate, or something more sinister. Meanwhile, Morrison’s girlfriend Pamela Courson would die only three years later, at the same age of 27.

#9: New York Dolls

The passing of David Johanson in 2025 effectively put an end to the proto-punk legend of the New York Dolls. All original members of the group may have passed on, yet many fans who were there to witness the Dolls at their peak often speak of their charisma, aggression and charm. Yet, there also remains a dark cloud surrounding their fraternity, from the mysterious and conspiracy-theory laden death of guitarist Johnny Thunders in 1991 to original drummer Billy Murcia’s drug-fueled drowning in ‘72. The music will always be the most important thing, of course, and the New York Dolls managed to capture a defiant spirit of individuality within their glamorous hard rock sound.

#8: T-Rex

Glam, psychedelia, and hard rock all received a boost of adrenaline once T-Rex hit the field in 1967. This brainchild of songwriter Marc Bolan initially inhabited a folkier space under the moniker of Tyrannosaurus Rex, but would eventually go fully electric for the 1970s. Bolan’s work during this period would inspire many, but unfortunately this prototypical rock star would suffer a tragic fate. Marc Bolan, who never learned to drive and was allegedly frightened of dying in an automobile crash, died from injuries sustained in this very sort of accident. The car in which he was riding struck a post, with Bolan dying at the scene.

#7: The Who

The aftermath of an inter-band death can often be a chaotic and tumultuous time. Fans and associates alike often feel as if they have the answers as to whether or not a group should soldier on with their careers…or all it a day. The Who, to their credit, did not break-up after the untimely demise of drummer Keith Moon in 1978. They continued to tour and perform under The Who name, although many critics have discussed the validity of this decision with regards to the band’s long-lasting legacy. Ultimately, only surviving members of The Who were able to make these decisions, after Moon expired after accidentally consuming too many clomethiazole pills that had been prescribed for his alcohol detox.

#6: AC/DC

Bon Scott wasn’t a founding member of Aussie rock legend AC/DC, but he is quite possibly the voice most associated with their success. Yet, it was Brian Johnson’s adoption of the lead vocal position in 1980 that also inspired many after AC/DC tragically lost Scott to alcohol poisoning that same year. The resulting album, “Back in Black,” almost felt like a funeral dirge, a way of coping with the loss of Scott while also symbolizing AC/DC’s continued resilience. Today, most fans embrace the entirety of AC/DC’s recorded history, but there’s no denying the special place that Bon Scott era retains within those same fans’ hearts.

#5: Led Zeppelin

They’re often regarded as one of, if not the finest rock bands to ever hit a stage. Progenitors of heavy metal with an almost mystical aura and a complicated legacy. This isn’t only due to Led Zeppelin’s penchant for underage-groupie snatching and infamously bad backstage behavior, but also their alleged occult leanings. And this was all prior to the death of Zeppelin drummer John Bonham in 1980. The impossibly influential skinsman had battled substance use disorder in the past, specifically heroin, but unfortunately consumed large amounts of vodka in the hours prior to his death. Bonham aspirated in his sleep, and Led Zeppelin only performed a small number of times in the years following his passing.

#4: The Band

This Canadian-American group gained fame for their support of folk-rock icon Bob Dylan, but also endured their fair share of tragedy along the way. The Band employed no less than two replacement keyboard/pianists in quick succession in the wake of their early eighties reformation. This was due to the tragic death of founding member Richard Manuel in 1986. The talented singer and instrumentalist had long struggled with substance use disorder, dating back to The Band’s collaborations with Dylan. Unfortunately, Richard Manuel could not conquer his demons and he committed an act of self-destruction after playing a gig with The Band in Florida.

#3: The Allman Brothers Band

The sound of The Allman Brothers Band was gloriously impossible to fully nail down. Was it country? Rock? Folk? The answer to all of these questions is “yes,” of course, but unfortunately the story of The Allman Brothers Band is also one full of accidental deaths. Founding member Duane Allman would perish from a horrific motorcycle accident in 1971, while bassist Berry Oakley would suffer the exact same fate, at the exact same age, only blocks from Allman’s original accident a year later, in 1972. Fans would largely prefer to celebrate The Allman Brothers Band’s recorded legacy than dwell upon the negative, however, since so much of the band’s work was beautifully melodic, expertly composed and musically timeless.

#2: Badfinger

It feels reductive to only remember the Welsh group Badfinger solely for the seemingly omnipresent black cloud of bad luck that seemed to follow their entire career. This was, after all, a band that was often labeled as “the next big thing,” a natural successor to The Beatles that many critics felt were primed to carry on the torch. Yet, tragedy seemed to befall Badfinger at every turn, from internal squabbles with record companies, to band management stealing funds from the coffers. No less than two separate members of Badfinger would commit self-destructive acts less than ten years apart, while issues with musical availability affected Badfinger’s back catalog with Apple Records.

#1: Lynyrd Skynyrd

The first hand accounts of this story feel like something out of a horror movie. That fatal plane crash from 1977 that claimed the lives of Lynyrd Skynyrd frontman Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and his sister Cassie, assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, as well as both pilots, Walter McCreary and William Gray Jr. The Convair CV-240 airliner in which the band was travelling was well past its sell-by date, and was actually due to be replaced by Skynyrd in short order. Unfortunately, the Convair ran out of fuel during its flight on October 20, 1977, crashing not far from its final destination in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Is there anything you wish you could tell any of these rock survivors? A message of hope or love for all of the music shared over the years? Share your favorite memories from any of these bands in the comments.