The Death of Rock: Boating Accidents / Drownings

Key

Some entries have special notations prior to their names. They represent induction into one of the following Halls of Fame:

* denotes induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

# indicates induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

^ symbolizes induction into the Blues Hall of Fame.

Jeff Buckley

drowned at age 30 in the Mississippi River (1997). Once named one of People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People" (#12). Son of musician Tim Buckley (see 1975). For additional information about Buckley and the recognition his album, Grace, has received, visit The Archive's Tribute to Jeff Buckley. "So Real," "Last Goodbye," "Hallelujah"

Johnny Burnette

boating accident. Johnny, along with his brother, Dorsey (see 1979), enjoyed success as a teen-idol crooner during the early 1960s. In 1964, he was boating after dark when a cabin cruiser rammed his unlit fishing boat. The impact threw him from the boat and he drowned. He was 30. (Johnny's son, Rocky, would have a hit in 1980 with "Tired Of Toein' The Line.") Burnette was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. "Dreamin'," "You're Sixteen," "Little Boy Sad," "God, Country and My Baby"

Randy California

(Randy Craig Wolfe), drowned in 1997. California was guitarist for ‘60s group, Spirit. When he was 15 he briefly played with a pre-superstar Jimi Hendrix. California was rescuing his son from a strong ocean current when he was pulled under. He was 45. "Fresh Garbage," "Taurus" (borrowed by Led Zeppelin for "Stairway to Heaven"), "Elijah"

Barry Cowsill

body found among Hurricane Katrina's (2005) devastation in New Orleans. He was 51. He was a member of the '60s group, The Cowsills. (Mother Barbara passed away in 1985 and brother William would die in 2006.) Made up of six siblings and their mother, The Cowsills were the inspiration for television's "The Partridge Family." Barry left a message for his sister before Katrina struck: "I don't know how to get out of town except wait for a bus...I've been so...lonely...I hope I get in touch with you." He was never heard from again. Four months later, his body was found. The cause of death was determined to be drowning. "Hair," "The Rain, The Park, and Other Things," "Indian Lake"

Jimmy Hodder

drowned in a swimming pool in 1990. He was 42. Hodder was one of several session drummers for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, Steely Dan. Steely Dan: "Reeling in the Years," "Rikki Don't Lose That Number," "Deacon Blues," "Do It Again"

*Whitney Houston

drowned in 2012; age 48. Houston, an '80s pop sensation and an award-winning actress, claimed numerous awards, including two Emmys, six Grammys, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards and an NAACP Image Award. She appeared in several films including The Bodyguard, Waiting to Exhale, and The Preacher's Wife. Her personal life often made headlines that overshadowed her professional achievements, such as a tumultuous marriage to R&B singer, Bobby Brown, and her very public battle with substance abuse. Houston was found dead in the bathtub of her room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. The coroner listed the cause of death as "drowning due to atherosclerotic heart disease and cocaine use." (Toxicology reports also showed Benadryl, Xanax, marijuana and Flexiril in her system.) Houston was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2020. "How Will I Know," "Greatest Love of All," "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)," "I'm Your Baby Tonight," "I Will Always Love You," "I'm Every Woman"

*Brian Jones

(Lewis Brian Hopkins-Jones), drowned in 1969. He was 27. Jones was a co-founder of the Rolling Stones, who were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 and the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2004. Speculation remains that Jones may have been murdered. For the whole story, and to read about the renewed investigation into his death in August of 2009, follow this link. You can also read about Jones's connection to the Curse of 27. "Satisfaction," "Red Door," "Sympathy for the Devil"

Kirsty MacColl

severe head and chest injuries sustained when struck by a speeding powerboat in 2000. She was 41. While vacationing in Mexico, a powerboat sped into the restricted are where MacColl and her sons were diving. MacColl attempted to push one of her sons out of the path of the boat and was herself struck. She had several pop hits in the '80s and '90s, including "There's a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis," covers of "A New England," and "Days." She also appeared with The Pogues on "Fairytale of New York."

Dolores O'Riordan

drowned in the bath while intoxicated (2018). Toxicology tests found she had more than four times the legal alcohol limit for driving. She was 46. O'Riordan was the lead singer for the Irish rock/pop band, The Cranberries. "Zombie," "Linger," "Dreams" "Ode to My Family"

Scott Smith

drowned in 2000. He was 45. Smith was the bassist for '80s soft-rockers, Loverboy. Smith was boating with two friends when strong winds and high waves began battering the craft. He sent his friends below deck; a while later they realized both he and the steering mechanism were missing. His body was never found. "Working for the Weekend," "Lovin' Every Minute of It," "This Could Be the Night"

*Dennis Wilson

drowned at Marina Del Rey (1983). After drinking, he decided to dive into the shallow water to recover his ex-wife's belongings, which were previously thrown overboard from his yacht during their divorce. His body was buried at sea by the U.S. Coast Guard, off the California coast. Wilson was 39. Dennis was brother to Carl (see 1998) and Brian, all Beach Boys, inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998. "Surfin' USA," "Wouldn't It Be Nice," "God Only Knows"