Punk Musicians Who Died Tragically
I know there's handful more then what's on this list (please feel free to add). But I think that the people's death on this list sent the biggest shockwave through the punk scene.John Macias
? /? /? - May 30 1991
While reading this story keep in mind John Macias was tall, muscular and intimidating. He was the guy that would knock out the bouncers at punk shows who beat on the kids. He normally wasn't violent unless he saw something he felt was unjust. Like a 200 lbs roided out jock bouncer beating a 130lb kid. He was the guy that would break up fights at shows. John was known as a peacekeeper. In his right mind he seemed like a good guy.
On May 30 1991. John was at a restaurant in Santa Monica California eating breakfast when he suddenly started talking at the ceiling. John had psychological problems and had to take meds for it. Turns out he was off his meds and hadn't taken them for awhile. Customers were freaked out so the manager called the police. The police asked him to leave which he did. Before leaving he told the cops, "God will see that you die pig! " and went on his way towards the Santa Monica bridge/pier area. When he got there he ...more
Dennes Dale Boon
April 1 1958 - December 22 1985
Another "27" club member. While traveling down I-10 in Arizona Boon was lying down in the back of a van when the van's axel broke. The van veered off the road and Boon was ejected out of the van and broke his neck. He died instantly.
David Rubinstein
September 5 1964 - July 3 1993
His girlfriend (Tiffany Bresciani) was the final victim of New York's most notorious serial killer Joel Ripkin. She was hooking to support their drug habit. He was standing around with her when Ripkin picked her up. He watched her drive off with him. When she didn't return, he went to the cops to report her missing. The cops didn't care (cause she was a prostitute and he was a junkie) and told him to get lost. Three days later, on June 28 1993, Ripkin was pulled over by the cops and they found Tiffany's decomposing body in the trunk. His Mother was killed in a car accident around the same time. On July 3 1993 Rubinstein committed suicide by drug overdose.
John Simon Ritchie
May 10 1957 - February 2 1979
After Sid posted bail after being arrested for assaulting Patti Smith's brother, Todd Smith, Sid and friends celebrated at a friend's Manhattan apartment. Before he was allowed to post bail he was enforced to do a 55 day detox. That night he had heroine delivered to him. He overdosed and died that night. He was found by his mother the next morning.
John Anthony Genzale Jr.
July 15 1952 - April 23 1991
Although the official death report claims drug overdose, many, including his good friend DeeDee Ramone, believe he was murdered and robbed. Autopsy showed he did not have a lethal amount of drugs in him at the time of his death. However, the autopsy did show he was riddled with cancer. Some in advance stages.
Wendy Orlean Williams
May 29 1949 - April 6 1998
Williams successfully committed suicide on her third attempt. The first attempt was in 1993 when she hammered a knife in her chest where it lodged in her sternum. Her second attempt was in 1997 when she tried to overdose off ephedrine.
On April 6 1998 Williams walked to a wooded area near her home and took her life with a self-inflicted gunshot.
Regarding her decision to take her own life she wrote in her suicide note:
I don't believe people should take their own lives without deep and thoughtful reflection over a considerable amount of time. I do believe strongly, however, the right to do so is one of most fundamental rights anybody in a free society should have. For me, much of the world makes no sense, but my feelings about what I am doing rings loud and clear to an inner ear where there is no self, only calm.
Thomas Roberts
November 4 1958 - January 31 2006
Roberts died in at his home in Portland Oregon. Cause of death was never disclosed. A few rumors float around about his death but nothing can be confirmed.