Top 10 Musicians Whose Deaths Spawned Conspiracy Theories

I find these fun and interesting, but with the exception of two, maybe three of these listed, I don't really believe them.

The Top Ten

  1. Kurt Cobain

    Kurt Cobain (February 20, 1967 - April 5, 1994) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician, best known as the frontman of the grunge band Nirvana. Founded in 1987, Nirvana achieved global success in the early 1990s, reshaping rock music with albums like Bleach, Nevermind, and In Utero. Cobain died... read more

    Died: April 5, 1994

    Official Cause of Death: Suicide by gunshot

    Many believe his wife, Courtney Love, orchestrated his murder to look like a suicide. The documentary "Soaked in Bleach" does raise some interesting questions. The letter under the pillow, the suicide note, and Kurt telling friends he was going to divorce Courtney all raise questions. Courtney's inconsistencies also make me raise an eyebrow. However, I'm still not 100% convinced. What I am pretty sure about, though, is that Courtney Love is, at times, lying about what really happened.

    I don't know if Courtney was the one who killed him, but she was definitely involved in some way. It's obvious.

  2. Michael Jackson

    Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009) was an American singer, dancer, and songwriter. He passed away from cardiac arrest caused by acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication, which was ruled a homicide. Jackson is widely regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures... read more

    Died: June 25, 2009

    Official Cause of Death: Cardiac arrest induced by acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication

    Some believe (including some of his family members) that "they" murdered him. Who are "they"? Well, according to conspiracy theories, "they" are either AEG Entertainment, the "Illuminati," the Freemasons (Dr. Murray is a Freemason), or the CIA. Why? According to the conspiracy believers, he was going to expose some evil plot or plan that the "powers that be" are planning against humanity.

    Note: I personally don't believe the Freemasons are "evil" or behind every conspiracy, as many believe.

  3. Elvis Presley

    Elvis Aaron Presley was an American singer and actor, widely dubbed the "King of Rock and Roll" and regarded as a pivotal cultural icon of the 20th century. His energetic musical interpretation and provocative performance style, bridging racial music traditions in a shifting era, both fueled his fame... read more

    Died: August 16, 1977

    Official Cause of Death: Cardiac arrhythmia

    There are people who believe Elvis faked his death and is still alive today. Multiple alleged sightings are reported every year. Now, this one I believe. I see Elvis every time I go to Vegas. He drives a big, pink, convertible Cadillac, likes to skydive, and sometimes disguises himself as an Asian or African man.

  4. Jimi Hendrix

    Jimi Hendrix was an American rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Though his mainstream career lasted only about four years from 1966 to 1970, he's widely regarded as one of the most influential electric guitarists in popular music.... read more

    Died: September 18, 1970

    Official Cause of Death: Barbiturate overdose

    The conspiracy surrounding his death is quite complex, with many different stories and theories. Some say he was alive when he arrived at the hospital, while others claim he was dead when the paramedics arrived. There are also reports that he died at another location and was moved to where he was found. Various theories suggest that he overdosed on heroin, was murdered, or committed suicide.

    The basis for some of the conspiracy theories is that he was murdered by forced drowning in red wine. According to the doctors who first examined Jimi, he choked to death on red wine, not on his own vomit as is commonly believed. When his body arrived at the hospital, it is said that they turned him on his side and red wine poured out of his mouth. The doctors also noted that his throat was filled with red wine. An autopsy report indicated that his stomach and lungs were also filled with red wine. Strangely, he had very little alcohol in his bloodstream.

    The main suspects in these conspiracy theories range from the CIA to his manager, Michael Jeffrey, who at one time worked for MI6. Various theories exist as to why he might have been murdered.

    Additional notes on the story include that the last person to be with Jimi, Monika Dannemann, has changed her account multiple times. She was scheduled to give an interview to "tell the true story of what really happened to Jimi," but she committed suicide before the interview could take place. Some people theorize that she was silenced.

  5. Bob Marley

    Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley was a Jamaican reggae singer, songwriter, musician, and guitarist who achieved international fame and acclaim. He was a pioneering figure in reggae music and is considered one of the genre's most influential artists. His work with The Wailers helped popularize Jamaican music... read more

    Died: May 11, 1981

    Official Cause of Death: Metastatic skin cancer

    Some believe the CIA killed Bob Marley. They think the CIA gave Bob Marley his cancer, though I'm not sure if that's even possible. There are a few theories about how they might have given it to him. The most popular one seems to involve a CIA agent gifting Bob a pair of soccer shoes, or sometimes boots, that had a "laced" copper wire inside. This wire reportedly pricked his big toe, leading to his aggressive cancer.

    It is well-documented that the CIA saw Bob Marley as a threat. What's particularly unusual is that a 36-year-old black man developing melanoma is very, very rare.

    Another odd factor is that one of the doctors treating him for his cancer was an ex-Nazi physician using experimental and controversial treatments. Bob Marley survived an assassination attempt in 1976.

  6. Janis Joplin

    Janis Joplin (1943-1970) was an American singer who rose to fame as the lead vocalist of the psychedelic rock band Big Brother and the Holding Company. She was known for her powerful voice, emotive performances, and distinctive hippie style. Joplin remains an iconic figure of 1960s counterculture and... read more

    Died: October 4, 1970

    Official Cause of Death: Heroin overdose

    Some believe Janis Joplin was murdered. The first person to find Janis, who died in a hotel room, claimed that she had blood on her lips and in her mouth. Her face appeared purple and bruised, and her nose was broken. He also claimed that he found no drugs or drug paraphernalia in the room. The police on the scene also stated that no drugs or paraphernalia were found. However, they did note that she had 10 to 14 fresh needle marks on her left arm. Her friends claim she hadn't used drugs in months. There are also claims that on the night she died, she left a bar across the street from the hotel with an unknown person.

    The presence of 10 to 14 fresh needle marks is indeed puzzling. It doesn't make sense to me. If all these claims are true, it sounds like someone might have beaten her and given her a "hot shot," which refers to someone administering a lethal dose, or doses, of heroin with the intent of murder.

  7. Biggie Smalls

    Christopher George Latore Wallace, born May 21, 1972, better known by his stage name The Notorious B.I.G. (sometimes Biggie Smalls or simply Biggie), was an American rapper from Brooklyn, New York. On March 9, 1997, he was murdered in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles, California, at the age of only... read more

    Died: March 9, 1997

    Official Cause of Death: Homicide by gunshots

    Many believe there is a blatant cover-up in his murder investigation. Some evidence points to an LAPD officer as the shooter. Unlike the Elvis text, I'm being serious here. I believe an LAPD officer (hired hitman) shot and killed Biggie. If you disagree, please look at the evidence before forming a firm belief.

  8. Tupac Shakur

    Tupac Amaru Shakur, also known as 2Pac, was an American rapper and actor born on June 16, 1971, in East Harlem, New York. Tupac sold over 75 million records worldwide and has been referred to in multiple major publications such as Rolling Stone as one of the greatest music artists of all time. 2Pac was... read more

    Died: September 13, 1996

    Official Cause of Death: Homicide by gunshots

    Tupac is the modern generation's Elvis. Some believe he faked his death and will return. As with Elvis, multiple sightings have been reported. Another conspiracy theory associated with his death is that Suge Knight had Tupac killed because Tupac discovered that Suge (Death Row Records) owed him millions of dollars. Tupac was planning to leave Death Row Records and sue the company.

  9. Chester Bennington

    Chester Charles Bennington (March 20, 1976 to July 20, 2017) was an American musician, singer, songwriter, and actor, best known as the lead vocalist of Linkin Park.

    Before he became known for his work with Linkin Park, Bennington was the lead singer of the post-grunge band Grey Daze, which was... read more

    Died: July 20, 2017

    Official Cause of Death: Suicide

    Whoa. So yeah, I just found this out. Apparently, there's a theory that Chester was murdered because he and Chris Cornell had information on, and were planning to expose, an elitist pedophile ring.

    I don't know much about this or about Chester, but I know there are many fans of his on this site. What do you guys think? Have you heard about this before? Is there anything to this theory? Because I can't really find any substance to support it.

  10. XXXTentacion

    Jahseh Dwayne Onfroy (January 23, 1998 - June 18, 2018), known professionally as XXXTentacion and often referred to as X, was an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He rose to prominence with his unique blend of genres including hip hop, rock, and R&B. Despite a controversial personal life and criminal... read more

    11. The Newcomers
  11. ?

    Coolio

    Artis Leon Ivey Jr. (August 1, 1963 - September 28, 2022), known professionally as Coolio, was an American musician, rapper, actor, chef, and record producer. He achieved mainstream success in the mid-1990s with his debut album It Takes a Thief, which featured the hit single Fantastic Voyage. His 1995... read more

  12. ?

    Robert Johnson

    Robert Leroy Johnson was an American blues singer-songwriter and musician. His landmark recordings in 1936 and 1937 display a powerful combination of expressive singing, skilled guitar work, and original songwriting that has deeply influenced later generations of musicians. Johnson died in 1938 at the... read more

    13. The Contenders

  13. John Lennon

    John Winston Ono Lennon, MBE (born John Winston Lennon, 9 October 1940-8 December 1980), was an English singer, songwriter, musician, and political activist. He rose to worldwide fame as the co-founder, co-lead vocalist, and rhythm guitarist of the Beatles, the most commercially successful band in the... read more

    Died: December 8, 1980

    Official Cause of Death: Homicide by gunshot

    This one is, well, okay, here we go. Some people believe his assassin was a victim of the MK Ultra mind control program, orchestrated by the CIA, to kill Lennon for his anti-war views and his role in the peace movement.

    I know it's a fact that MK Ultra was (or is?) real, but this theory has no substance. It's all speculation. And anyway, if the government wanted to kill him for his influence on the anti-war and peace movements, why would they wait until 1980? Wouldn't they have done it in the 1960s, at the height of the peace movement?

  14. Paul McCartney

    Sir James Paul McCartney (born June 18, 1942) is an English singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and composer. With John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, he gained worldwide fame as a member of the rock band The Beatles, one of the most popular and influential groups in the history of pop... read more

  15. Jim Morrison

    James Douglas "Jim" Morrison (December 8, 1943 - July 3, 1971) was an American singer, songwriter, and poet best remembered as the lead vocalist and lyricist of The Doors. He became a counterculture icon of the 1960s, known for his flamboyant stage presence and poetic lyrics. Morrison died in Paris... read more

  16. Chris Cornell

    Christopher John "Chris" Cornell (July 20, 1964 to May 18, 2017) was an American rock musician and singer-songwriter. He was best known as the lead vocalist, primary songwriter, and rhythm guitarist for Soundgarden and as the frontman of Audioslave. Renowned for his powerful voice, he possessed a wide... read more

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