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Rock stars that died driving like an asshole
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2025 7:33 pm
by HottKarl777
I'm not talking about a musician dying in a random crash. I'm referring to retards like Duane Allman and Cozy Powell who had a reputation for driving nuts all the time. There's got to be more of them but I'm drawing a blank....
Honorable mention to Rick Allen even though he lived.
Honorable fuck you to Vince Neil for surviving.
Re: Rock stars that died driving like an asshole
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2025 7:41 pm
by rubysdad
Marc Bolan is the only name that springs to mind.
Re: Rock stars that died driving like an asshole
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2025 10:07 pm
by HottKarl777
Another honorable mention to Allen Collins from Skynyrd. After countless nights driving black out drunk he killed his girlfriend but only managed to put himself in a wheelchair. In 1987 they would roll him out onstage like Timmy from South Park to tell their black out drunk audience to be careful on the way home.
Re: Rock stars that died driving like an asshole
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2025 10:37 pm
by GoodJudge
Not exactly a rock star, but Ian Stewart Donaldson was infamous as the singer and band leader for Skrewdriver, possibly still the best known white power band. He died (and IIRC so did his partner) when his car veered off the motorway and hit a bridge.
It inspired the MDC song Nazis Shouldn't Drive -- "Can't think left, they only think right".
Re: Rock stars that died driving like an asshole
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 3:07 am
by kwf
rubysdad wrote: ↑Mon Mar 17, 2025 7:41 pm
Marc Bolan is the only name that springs to mind.
He was a passenger, no?
Re: Rock stars that died driving like an asshole
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 3:39 am
by whammybar
HottKarl777 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 17, 2025 10:07 pm
Another honorable mention to Allen Collins from Skynyrd. After countless nights driving black out drunk he killed his girlfriend but only managed to put himself in a wheelchair. In 1987 they would roll him out onstage like Timmy from South Park to tell their black out drunk audience to be careful on the way home.
I saw them wheel him out one time for that stay out of prison public service announcement, you couldn't even understand him... he sounded like he had brain damage. It was strange and creepy.
Re: Rock stars that died driving like an asshole
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 4:02 am
by TravisBicklesMohawk
kwf wrote: ↑Tue Mar 18, 2025 3:07 am
rubysdad wrote: ↑Mon Mar 17, 2025 7:41 pm
Marc Bolan is the only name that springs to mind.
He was a passenger, no?
Yes, he was. His girlfriend at the time - Gloria Jones - was driving. For the longest time it was believed she was drunk at the time, although she denied it and everyone who hung out with them prior to the accident verified that she had not been drinking.
Ultimately, it was the car itself that was at fault; when tested there were several defects in the wheels and steering column. So she was basically driving way too fast - in a sports car

- and lost control on a wonky curve.
And yes, I know way too much about Marc Bolan.
On the other hand, Cozy Powell actually did die while driving crazy. So sad . . .
Edited because I spelled Powell wrong.
Re: Rock stars that died driving like an asshole
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 5:51 am
by Tenacious_Dio
Alex Nelson (Lizzy Borden)
Re: Rock stars that died driving like an asshole
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 6:36 am
by Love_Industry
HottKarl777 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 17, 2025 7:33 pm
Honorable mention to Rick Allen even though he lived.
Honorable mention to Peter Criss (1978) and Ace Frehley (1982).
Drunk idiots making the passenger (Fritz / Anton) take the blame.
Probably no coincidence that they didn't play on a Kiss record after that until Psycho Circus and that's just barely.
Re: Rock stars that died driving like an asshole
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 6:47 am
by tooth
GoodJudge wrote: ↑Mon Mar 17, 2025 10:37 pm
Not exactly a rock star, but Ian Stewart Donaldson was infamous as the singer and band leader for Skrewdriver, possibly still the best known white power band. He died (and IIRC so did his partner) when his car veered off the motorway and hit a bridge.
It inspired the MDC song Nazis Shouldn't Drive -- "Can't think left, they only think right".
Back in the day, there was one used record store that had tons of bootleg vhs, cassettes & records. They had a pretty sizeable amount of GG Allin & Screwdriver stuff, but they kept it behind the counter so you had to show an id to look at it.
Falco died in a car crash, he collided with a bus.
Re: Rock stars that died driving like an asshole
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 6:53 am
by AlexVonHaig
Betty Blowtorch
Re: Rock stars that died driving like an asshole
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 7:46 am
by CrankerBait
Cozy Powell. Driving 100+ MPH in the rain, over the legal blood alcohol limit, and not wearing a seatbelt. On his way to meet his girlfriend who was married to another guy.
Re: Rock stars that died driving like an asshole
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 8:10 am
by Wednesday 13 Fan
AlexVonHaig wrote: ↑Tue Mar 18, 2025 6:53 am
Betty Blowtorch
That was a drunk fan, and anyway, her name was Bianca Butthole, Bianca Halstead was her real name.
Re: Rock stars that died driving like an asshole
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 8:57 am
by Gibsonite
Harry Chapin was weaving back & forth across lanes on the Long Island Expressway at 15 mph before getting wiped out by a grocery truck. I think that counts as driving like an asshole
Re: Rock stars that died driving like an asshole
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 9:32 am
by Wednesday 13 Fan
Gibsonite wrote: ↑Tue Mar 18, 2025 8:57 am
Harry Chapin was weaving back & forth across lanes on the Long Island Expressway at 15 mph before getting wiped out by a grocery truck. I think that counts as driving like an asshole
And according to Wikipedia, his wife got $12 million.
Re: Rock stars that died driving like an asshole
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 9:59 am
by Traxan
HottKarl777 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 17, 2025 7:33 pm
Honorable mention to Rick Allen even though he lived.
Rick was driving normally. He was run off the road by an asshole jealous of his success.
Re: Rock stars that died driving like an asshole
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 10:18 am
by Gibsonite
Traxan wrote: ↑Tue Mar 18, 2025 9:59 am
HottKarl777 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 17, 2025 7:33 pm
Honorable mention to Rick Allen even though he lived.
Rick was driving normally. He was run off the road by an asshole jealous of his success.
Can Pete Willis even see over a steering wheel?
Re: Rock stars that died driving like an asshole
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 10:49 am
by MetalSludgeCEO
Leif Garrett, and while he did not die, he did crash a Porsche at age 17 just days before turning 18 which left his passenger and friend a paraplegic.
I watched a BEHIND THE MUSIC some years ago... and they reunited Leif with his friend, who he had NOT seen since that accident decades earlier.
A quick Google search found this....
______________________________
Here's a more detailed account:
The Accident:
On November 3, 1979, Garrett, driving a Porsche 914 leased to his mother, crashed after a midnight party, while driving to buy more cocaine.
Injuries and Aftermath:
The accident left his friend and passenger, Roland Winkler, paralyzed from the waist down. Garrett's blood alcohol level was three times the legal limit, and he was also under the influence of quaaludes.
Legal Consequences:
Garrett was sued by Winkler, and a judgment of $7.1 million was eventually awarded.
Reunion and Forgiveness:
Garrett and Winkler were reunited 20 years later, and Garrett learned that Winkler had forgiven him and that Garrett's actions following the accident had saved his life.
Winkler's Life After the Accident:
Winkler, despite his injuries, lived a full life, regaining some mobility through surgery and rehabilitation, and even becoming a successful water polo player. He also helped other paraplegics and sponsored alcoholics and drug users.
Garrett's Career:
The accident and subsequent legal issues marked a turning point in Garrett's career and life.
Seatbelt Negligence:
Neither Garrett nor Winkler was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident.
----------------------------------------
$ludge
Re: Rock stars that died driving like an asshole
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 12:26 pm
by eddie lee roth
Love_Industry wrote: ↑Tue Mar 18, 2025 6:36 am
HottKarl777 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 17, 2025 7:33 pm
Honorable mention to Rick Allen even though he lived.
Honorable mention to Peter Criss (1978) and Ace Frehley (1982).
Drunk idiots making the passenger (Fritz / Anton) take the blame.
Probably no coincidence that they didn't play on a Kiss record after that until Psycho Circus and that's just barely.
Bad analogy. A lot of people could look at that album absence and think they got lucky.
Re: Rock stars that died driving like an asshole
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 1:15 pm
by LeeRatbag
TravisBicklesMohawk wrote: ↑Tue Mar 18, 2025 4:02 am
kwf wrote: ↑Tue Mar 18, 2025 3:07 am
rubysdad wrote: ↑Mon Mar 17, 2025 7:41 pm
Marc Bolan is the only name that springs to mind.
He was a passenger, no?
Yes, he was. His girlfriend at the time - Gloria Jones - was driving. For the longest time it was believed she was drunk at the time, although she denied it and everyone who hung out with them prior to the accident verified that she had not been drinking.
Ultimately, it was the car itself that was at fault; when tested there were several defects in the wheels and steering column. So she was basically driving way too fast - in a sports car

- and lost control on a wonky curve.
Wasn't really a sports car, it was a Mini 1275GT. Sportier than a regular Mini, granted, but not exactly a Lamborghini.
Re: Rock stars that died driving like an asshole
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 1:35 pm
by Love_Industry
eddie lee roth wrote: ↑Tue Mar 18, 2025 12:26 pm
Love_Industry wrote: ↑Tue Mar 18, 2025 6:36 am
HottKarl777 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 17, 2025 7:33 pm
Honorable mention to Rick Allen even though he lived.
Honorable mention to Peter Criss (1978) and Ace Frehley (1982).
Drunk idiots making the passenger (Fritz / Anton) take the blame.
Probably no coincidence that they didn't play on a Kiss record after that until Psycho Circus and that's just barely.
Bad analogy. A lot of people could look at that album absence and think they got lucky.
Peter not playing on their biggest song and one of the better selling albums (Dynasty) wasn't exactly getting lucky. He played on one song only and it bombed as a single.
Re: Rock stars that died driving like an asshole
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 1:56 pm
by GoodJudge
Rob Collins, keyboard player for The Charlatans (add a (UK) if you're in the US). He wasn't a background guy, he was a big part of their sound. Just as the band reached their commercial peak (2 #1 UK albums in a row), he took a fast car on winding country roads whilst drunk and without a seatbelt. The crash caused him to involuntarily exit the car via the sunroof.
Re: Rock stars that died driving like an asshole
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 2:34 pm
by HottKarl777
Traxan wrote: ↑Tue Mar 18, 2025 9:59 am
HottKarl777 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 17, 2025 7:33 pm
Honorable mention to Rick Allen even though he lived.
Rick was driving normally. He was run off the road by an asshole jealous of his success.
In the movie he was driving like an asshole. With his own album blasting on the tape deck. That's the way we should remember it. Much cooler.
Re: Rock stars that died driving like an asshole
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 3:20 pm
by Wiseacre
MetalSludgeCEO wrote: ↑Tue Mar 18, 2025 10:49 am
Leif Garrett, and while he did not die, he did crash a Porsche at age 17 just days before turning 18 which left his passenger and friend a paraplegic.
I watched a BEHIND THE MUSIC some years ago... and they reunited Leif with his friend, who he had NOT seen since that accident decades earlier.
A quick Google search found this....
______________________________
Here's a more detailed account:
The Accident:
On November 3, 1979, Garrett, driving a Porsche 914 leased to his mother, crashed after a midnight party, while driving to buy more cocaine.
Injuries and Aftermath:
The accident left his friend and passenger, Roland Winkler, paralyzed from the waist down. Garrett's blood alcohol level was three times the legal limit, and he was also under the influence of quaaludes.
Legal Consequences:
Garrett was sued by Winkler, and a judgment of $7.1 million was eventually awarded.
Reunion and Forgiveness:
Garrett and Winkler were reunited 20 years later, and Garrett learned that Winkler had forgiven him and that Garrett's actions following the accident had saved his life.
Winkler's Life After the Accident:
Winkler, despite his injuries, lived a full life, regaining some mobility through surgery and rehabilitation, and even becoming a successful water polo player. He also helped other paraplegics and sponsored alcoholics and drug users.
Garrett's Career:
The accident and subsequent legal issues marked a turning point in Garrett's career and life.
Seatbelt Negligence:
Neither Garrett nor Winkler was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident.
----------------------------------------
$ludge
That long-lost meetings was one of the most awkward things I have ever seen on TV. Painfully cringe to watch.
Re: Rock stars that died driving like an asshole
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 3:21 pm
by HueyRamone
Love_Industry wrote: ↑Tue Mar 18, 2025 1:35 pm
eddie lee roth wrote: ↑Tue Mar 18, 2025 12:26 pm
Love_Industry wrote: ↑Tue Mar 18, 2025 6:36 am
Honorable mention to Peter Criss (1978) and Ace Frehley (1982).
Drunk idiots making the passenger (Fritz / Anton) take the blame.
Probably no coincidence that they didn't play on a Kiss record after that until Psycho Circus and that's just barely.
Bad analogy. A lot of people could look at that album absence and think they got lucky.
Peter not playing on their biggest song and one of the better selling albums (Dynasty) wasn't exactly getting lucky. He played on one song only and it bombed as a single.
Had to scroll up to see if Farce was back.
Re: Rock stars that died driving like an asshole
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 3:23 pm
by Wiseacre
.
Re: Rock stars that died driving like an asshole
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 9:09 pm
by HottKarl777
MetalSludgeCEO wrote: ↑Tue Mar 18, 2025 10:49 am
Leif Garrett, and while he did not die, he did crash a Porsche at age 17 just days before turning 18 which left his passenger and friend a paraplegic.
I watched a BEHIND THE MUSIC some years ago... and they reunited Leif with his friend, who he had NOT seen since that accident decades earlier.
A quick Google search found this....
______________________________
Here's a more detailed account:
The Accident:
On November 3, 1979, Garrett, driving a Porsche 914 leased to his mother, crashed after a midnight party, while driving to buy more cocaine.
Injuries and Aftermath:
The accident left his friend and passenger, Roland Winkler, paralyzed from the waist down. Garrett's blood alcohol level was three times the legal limit, and he was also under the influence of quaaludes.
Legal Consequences:
Garrett was sued by Winkler, and a judgment of $7.1 million was eventually awarded.
Reunion and Forgiveness:
Garrett and Winkler were reunited 20 years later, and Garrett learned that Winkler had forgiven him and that Garrett's actions following the accident had saved his life.
Winkler's Life After the Accident:
Winkler, despite his injuries, lived a full life, regaining some mobility through surgery and rehabilitation, and even becoming a successful water polo player. He also helped other paraplegics and sponsored alcoholics and drug users.
Garrett's Career:
The accident and subsequent legal issues marked a turning point in Garrett's career and life.
Seatbelt Negligence:
Neither Garrett nor Winkler was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident.
----------------------------------------
$ludge
Fantastic example. I had forgotten about that but remember that whole show.
Re: Rock stars that died driving like an asshole
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 9:53 pm
by Blumpkin King
Not a rock star at all, but I always found this the strangest death by driving like an asshole -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoaWZ-7D9Ek
https://ktla.com/news/local-news/person ... rea-crash/
Turns out the family had a lamb sacrifice just days before to protect the guy, but then he landed himself on a freeway sign. Didn't seem to work.
https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la- ... story.html
Re: Rock stars that died driving like an asshole
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 10:30 pm
by Hellsinkey
GoodJudge wrote: ↑Tue Mar 18, 2025 1:56 pm
Rob Collins, keyboard player for The Charlatans (add a (UK) if you're in the US). He wasn't a background guy, he was a big part of their sound. Just as the band reached their commercial peak (2 #1 UK albums in a row), he took a fast car on winding country roads whilst drunk and without a seatbelt. The crash caused him to involuntarily exit the car via the sunroof.
He was an interesting character. Prior to his accident, he did time in prison for an armed robbery. He drove the getaway car.
Re: Rock stars that died driving like an asshole
Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2025 12:07 am
by Ziggy Sawdust
Hellsinkey wrote: ↑Tue Mar 18, 2025 10:30 pm
GoodJudge wrote: ↑Tue Mar 18, 2025 1:56 pm
Rob Collins, keyboard player for The Charlatans (add a (UK) if you're in the US). He wasn't a background guy, he was a big part of their sound. Just as the band reached their commercial peak (2 #1 UK albums in a row), he took a fast car on winding country roads whilst drunk and without a seatbelt. The crash caused him to involuntarily exit the car via the sunroof.
He was an interesting character. Prior to his accident, he did time in prison for an armed robbery. He drove the getaway car.
Yes, he was key to their sound, they weren’t the same after he was gone.