Music

Seventeen-year-old Ritchie Valens had a huge singing career ahead of him—until a simple coin toss brought it to a tragic end.

Whether he was destroying hotel rooms, bags of illicit substances, marriage vows, or his drum kit—both literally, by setting it on fire and metaphorically with his virtuosic pounding—Led Zeppelin’s explosive drummer was a wild man with a very dark side.

There was no band as dysfunctional as the Mamas & the Papas—and Michelle Phillips may be the most tortured member of them all.

Even though Marc Bolan is known for bringing androgyny and glitter to the dark, edgy world of rock, his own personal life was far from glamorous.

One of the greatest guitarists of all time, Jimmy Page was the genius behind Led Zeppelin's iconic, hard rock sound. But behind the rock god image, Page cultivated enought dark secrets, questionable behavior, and interpersonal problems to fill a stairway

"(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" is Otis Redding’s most beloved song—but few know that he tragically died before its release.

Brian Jones was the first in a string of musicians to die at the age of 27. What most people don’t know is that Jones’ demise is still shrouded in mystery.

Metallica, the only band that has played on all seven continents, has a long history filled with tragedy, overindulgence, and making a lot of people really, really angry.

The wild life of the Who's drummer Keith Moon makes the rock stars who came after seem downright saintlike in comparison.

With her spray-painted silver hair and provocative dresses, Joyce Bryant was often compared to Marilyn Monroe—but few know her devastating story.

Big Mama Thornton was the 20th century blues singer who became the first real rock and roller. Her life, however, was all blues.

Dinah Shore dazzled the country with music hits and an impressive TV career—but behind all the glitz and glamor, she hid the details of a turbulent life.