THE FATE OF ROCK STARS So, you wanna be a Rock 'n' Roll Star? Think again. consider how a lot of them lived and ultimately died. For them, fame, wealth and success did not bring happiness. They never dreamed they would end up like this. John "Bonzo" Bonham (1948-1980) Led Zepplin's Drummer. Drank heavily and took "speed balls" = a mixture of heroin and cocaine. Found dead after an all-night drinking binge. He choked on his own vomit. Alan Freed (1922-1965) The disc jockey who first coined the phrase "Rock 'n' Roll". He died drunk and broke after a money scandal ruined his career. Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970) Famous lead guitarist who choked on his own vomit after drinking wine, smoking dope, and taking a handful of pills. Brian Jones (1943-1969) Original member of the Rolling Stones who drowned as a result of a drug overdose. Janis Joplin (1943-1970) Blues singer who split her head open after overdosing on heroin. she said all she wanted was to party and get stoned. When she died her body was riddled with syphilis. John Lennon (1940-1980) The Beatles leader and song writer who once said, "Christianity will go...it will vanish...We are more popular that Jesus now". {1} He died, having been shot five times by an insane fan. Keith "Moon the Loon" Moon (1946-1978) The Who's drummer. He once smeared human waste on his living room walls, and ultimately died of a drug overdose. Jim Morrison (1943-1971) The Door's lead singer. He died of a heart attack after alcohol wrecked his body Elvis Presely (1935-1977) Called "The King" of Rock. During his last 5 years he was constantly stoned. When he died, his body contained 14 different drugs. Bon Scott (1947-1980) AC/DC's lead singer. Sang "I'm on a Highway to Hell." Died from alcohol abuse John Simon "Sid Vicious" Ritchie (1958-1979) A bisexual, Punk Rocker with Sex Pistols. He allegedly killed his girlfriend and then committed suicide. Dennis Wilson (1944-1983) Member of the Beach Boys who squandered millions, married five times, was an alcoholic and took drugs. He drowned while drunk. Jesus Christ (died at 33 years of age) His earthly ministry lasted only 3 1/2 years, but He freed multitudes. Today He has hundreds of millions of followers. You can be a Rock Star" of a different kind. The bible says that Jesus is the "Rock" {2} (someone solid to believe in), and that anyone who follows Him will shine as a "Star" forever and ever {3}. Don't waste your life like those we have just mentioned. Live for Jesus, "the Rock that doesn't Roll", and be really free {4}. For more information on Rock 'n' Roll, write to: Truth About Rock, Box 9222, North St. Paul, Mn. 55109 Footnotes: {1} Newsweek, 3/21/66, {2} 1 Cor. 10:4 {3} Dan. 12:3 {4} John 8:36 by Francis Anfuso Christian Equippers International, P.O. Box 1600, South Lake Tahoe, CA 95706 (916) 542-1509 - for tracts DRUGS & ROCK 'n' ROLL David Lee Roth, formerly of Van Halen, yelled out at the beginning of a concert in Detroit: "we are gathered together in celebration of drugs, sex and rock and roll". He was recently asked by USA Today what he thought of the use of drugs and alcohol in the entertainment industry. Roth confessed, "If you took away every musician...who drank or did drugs, you wouldn't have anybody left."{1} Therefore it comes as no surprise to see so many Rock Stars dying from drug and alcohol abuse: John Bonham (Led Zepplin), Darby Crash (Germs), Jimi Hendrix, Brian Jones (Rolling Stones), Janis Joplin, Keith Moon (The Who), Jim Morrison (The Doors), Elvis Presely, Bon Scott (AC/DC), and Dennis Wilson (Beach Boys), to name a few. John Lennon, the late leader of the Beatles, drank excessively, had a heavy heroin problem, and claimed to have dropped acid a thousand times. His mistress described him as nervous, paranoid, and insecure. Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, who was strung out on heroin for at least six years, has a ridiculous perspective of the benefits of his drug addiction. He says, "I don't recommend heroin for anybody... but I don't regret it for myself, I could have become just another horrible, bigtoted megastar... With junk, I was just another guy on the street trying to get a fix" {2}. That's absurd! God has a better way of dealing with our egos then for us to have to become junkies. Ozzy Osbourne acknowledges, "I am something of a madman. I can do nothing in moderation. It it's booze, I drink the place dry. If it's drugs, I take everything and then scrape the carpet for little crumbs. I took LSD everyday for years - I was spending about $1000 a week on drugs... I OD'd about a dozen times." {3} Later he further confessed, "I'm not sober. I still drink. I should try and quit booze...I should be totally sober. I can't get (a grip on it). It's a hard thing to do." {4} By his own admission he's out of control. Alice Cooper once described his life, "I was drinking two quarts of whiskey a day after my three-month treatment (in a sanitorium) just to keep going". {5} You can be high without drugs... and on the "real" thing, not some synthetic junk that will destroy your body and mind. I personally did drugs for years, but didn't come to know the "pure" high of knowing God until I let Jesus be #1 in my life. The Devil can't create anything, he only attempts to counterfeit what's genuine. Jesus can give you the real peace you're looking for. Let your life come "under the influence" of Jesus and you'll understand why they call "junk and dope", junk and dope. For more information on Rock n'Roll, write to: Truth About Rock, Box 9222, North St. Paul, MN. 55109 Note: Since there is a constant turnover of new Rock groups some of those mentioned above may not currently be "hot". However, be assured that other groups have taken their place and continue to present a similar message. FOOTNOTES: {1} National Federation of Decency Journal, 10/86, p9 {2} USA Today, 5/15/86, p.6D, 4:4 {3} People Magazine, 9/7/81, p.60 {4} Spin, 9/86 {5} Bob Larson, Babylon Reborn, Carol Stream, Il: Creation House, 1977, p63 by Francis Anfuso Christian Equippers International, P.O. Box 1600, South Lake Tahoe, CA 95706 (916) 542-1509 - for tracts VIOLENCE & ROCK 'n' ROLL Why are 70% of all violent crimes in the U.S. committed by persons under the age of 17? Is it an accident that destructive acts regularly occur at Rock concerts? Perhaps people are just manifesting the violent emotions produced by Rock music. What about the startling fact that out of the 18 violent scenes depicted every hour on MTV, less than half pertain to the lyrics. {1} Is it a coincidence that the reported favorite punk rock group of the unsuccessful presidential assassin, John Hinckley Jr., was the Kamikaze Klones? Consider Iron Maiden's fiendish lyrics: "beat her, mistreat her, do anything that you please/...Abuse her, misuse her, she can take all you've got...""A knife at your throat, another body on the pile / a contract to keep, and it's service with a smile / murder for vengence, or murder for gain..." Motley Crue says in "Bastard". "Out go the lights, In goes my knife, Pull out his life, consider the bastard dead." The Police sing about blatant sadism in "Murder by Numbers". "Once that you've decided on a killing / first you make a stone of your heart. / And if you find that your hands are still willing, / then you can turn a murder into art." Alice Cooper heralds his dememted purpose, by saying "Rebellion is the basis for our group" {2} That's insane! The Bible says "...rebellion is as bad as ... witchcraft..." {3} Do you really want to be involved in the occult? Gene Simmons of KISS has vomited cow's blood on stage, as well as demonstrated sadomasochistic enactments of their lyrics. But isn't it just and act? Judas Priest's lead singer Rob Halford admitted that he is involved in sadomasochism in real life. {4} Ozzy Osbourne, considered "the madman of rock..." {5}, has biten off the heads of live doves and bats. But does hearing violent music provoke people to do violent acts? "...according to the Canadian Press Wire Service, the effect of heavy metal rock music so influenced a young Canadian named James Jollimore, that '...on New Year's Eve -1983, he went out and stabbed someone. A friend of the defendent testified that Jollimore, 20, who is charged with the first-degree murder of a 44 year old woman and her two sons, felt like stabbing people when he heard music such as Ozzy Osbourne's 'Bark at the Moon'. 'Jimmy said that every time he listened to the song he felt strange inside,' the friend told the court. 'He said when he heard it on New Year's Eve he went out and stabbed someone.'"{6} Evil forces, called "demons", entice people to do violent acts like this. {7} The Bible says the Devil has come to steal, kill and destroy people's lives. {8} Don't be the next victim! If you've had violent feelings inside of you, cry out to Jesus to free you from your anger. Then go to a church of people who will help you find the peace you are looking for. For more information of Rock 'n' Roll, write to: Truth About Rock, Box 9222, North St. Paul, Mn. 55109 For more information on Rock n'Roll, write to: Truth About Rock, Box 9222, North St. Paul, MN. 55109 Note: Since there is a constant turnover of new Rock groups some of those mentioned above may not currently be "hot". However, be assured that other groups have taken their place and continue to present a similar message. FOOTNOTES: {1} Campus Life, 3/84, p.61, T115 {2} Us Magazine {3} 1 Samuel 15:23 {4} Rolling Stone, 9/15/80, p.14 {5} Circus, 7/31/83, p.37 {6} "Rock Sparks Stabbing", Canadian Press Association: Halifax, Canada, 9/26/84 {7} Eph. 6:12 {8} John 10:10 by Francis Anfuso Christian Equippers International, P.O. Box 1600, South Lake Tahoe, CA 95706 (916) 542-1509 - for tracts