Artists Who Died While Performing on Stage
We have often heard that popular saying that one must die while doing what they love the most. So, going by this saying, what do you think musicians, actors, or singers would want to be doing before breathing their last breath? Of course, singing and performing for audiences. Right?
And, believe it or not, many such performers actually died while performing for their fans, live on stage or television. Isn’t it a blessing in disguise that they breathed their last doing what they loved and were passionate about? At least, their families and loved ones would be at peace knowing that the deceased was happy and content with life. Their death didn’t occur under mysterious circumstances. But, what about those who witnessed the incident? Wouldn’t they be traumatized for life? Well, let’s check out some of the celebs who died while working.
‘Dimebag’ Darrell Abbott
The good thing about holding a concert in a small venue or club is that the artist can interact with the audience quickly. The level of intimacy between the performers and the audiences is gratifying. The crowd is pleased, and the organizers can make the most out of their time and investment. But, there’s a downside of this entire scenario: the lack of emphasis on spending on the venue’s security. This could sometimes lead to detrimental outcomes such as what happened on 8 December 2004, when the renowned band Damageplan’s guitarist Darrell ‘Dimebag’ Abbott came to perform on stage at a club in Columbus, Ohio- Alrosa Villa.
The 25-year-old former Mariner Nathan Gale took advantage of security lapses and reached the stage with a gun. Gale opened fire on the 38-year-old Abbott, just ninety seconds into the band’s performance. Abbott died on the spot and three other people, a crew member of the band, Jeff Thompson, concert attendee Nathan Bray, and club employee Erin Halk. According to Gale’s mother, he was recently discharged from the military because of his mental health condition. He also died after a cop shot him. It is yet unclear why Gale shot Abbott.
Tiny Tim
One of the most unusual performers of his time, Tiny Tim, is the only one to score a hit record ever. He was a tall and stringy-haired guy with a lilting, high-pitched voice. His rendition of an old standard dubbed Tip-Toe Thru’ the Tulips With Me reached number 17 on the Billboard pop chart, 1968.
One year later, he married a seventeen-year-old fan called Vicki, live on The Tonight Show. This moment was viewed by as many as 21.4 million home viewers, and for Johnny Carson, the show had record ratings. In November 1996, Tim played for a benefit show organized for the Women’s Club of Minneapolis. While Tim was playing his famous song, the singer abruptly stopped and told his then-wife Susan Khaury that he wasn’t feeling well. The performer, 64, suffered a cardiac arrest and died while performing.
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