I’ve always been passionate about music; there’s just something captivating about the rhythms, the lyrics, the emotions that prod and pull at your heartstrings.
But let’s face it, along with all its beauty and allure, music also happens to be surrounded by quite a fair share of myths.
This is where I come in to debunk some of these widely held beliefs with a list of 10 true music myths.
Ever wondered if what you’ve been told about your favorite rock band is authentic or if classical music really does make babies smarter?
As someone who adds an ear to every genre, It’s my responsibility – and pleasure – to separate facts from fiction on these hot topics.
Buckle up as we traverse tales of superstardom, strange rituals, and everything in between as I bring you the inside scoop on the realities behind music myths.
10 True Music Myths: You Won’t Believe These
A captivating collection of music-related legends, anecdotes, and rumors awaits your exploration.
Be prepared to dive into a world of bizarre stories – some too ludicrous to be true and others surprising in their authenticity.
Strap in, because here are ten true music myths that will certainly get you second-guessing what you think you know about your favorite artists and tunes.
1. Keith Richards Snorted His Dad’s Ashes
One might argue that legendary Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards has always walked on the wild side, strumming the strings of controversy more often than not.
However, no tale is as mind-blowingly baffling as the claim that he snorted his father’s ashes. During an interview with NME in 2007, Keith Richards admitted to this strange act saying it was “the strangest thing he’d ever snorted”.
He explained that as he was preparing to spread his father’s ashes under a tree, some ended up on the table and rather than wasting them, he decided to snort them along with his cocaine.
A sentiment both shocking and peculiar that leaves us wondering if it could be true!
2. John Lennon was Targeted by the FBI
John Lennon, a member of the world-famous Beatles, was known not only for his contribution to music but also for his avid participation in anti-war movements.
So much so, that he became a person of interest to the FBI, who allegedly spied on him in the early 1970’s.
The agency reportedly knew everything from his ice cream consumption habits to his favorite bookstores.
They even sent undercover agents to keep tabs on him at social events.
This relentless tracking seemed absurd at first, until freedom-of-information requests revealed hundreds of pages of surveillance files on Lennon, confirming that this supposed myth was indeed a grim reality.
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3. KISS Bleeds for the Comics
True fans consider KISS to be more than just a rock band – they view them as superhuman entities that have marked a distinctive chapter in rock history.
To solidify this perception, members of KISS decided to stir up an enigmatic tale – they declared that their own blood was mixed with red ink and used in printing Marvel’s “A Marvel Comics Super Special! #1” featuring KISS themselves published in 1977.
In an over-the-top publicity stunt, band members were photographed depositing their blood into vats of red ink at Marvel’s print shop.
A notary public certified these documents validating this act as legitimate and thus aligning it closer to bizarre truth than simple myth.
4. Dave Gahan’s Sleeping Chambers
For ’80s electro-pop sensations Depeche Mode, frontman Dave Gahan served as their chaotic lead vocalist who lived life on the edge with all things occult and supernatural dazzling him immensely.
It’s been stated numerous times and circulated widely amongst fans that Gahan used to sleep in a coffin! Apparently believing it brought him closer to paranormal energies.
As absurd as it sounds, multiple sources indicate that for some time during his stint with fame and new-found stardom, Gahan indeed kept an antique coffin in which he allegedly loved to take naps or even spend entire nights!
While one might chalk this behavior up as eccentricity associated with stardom, others would see this strange sleeping preference turning myth into strange reality.
5. Ted Bundy Abducts Debby Harry
In one of the most intriguing stories in the music industry, Blondie’s lead singer Debby Harry, claimed to have had a run-in with notorious serial killer Ted Bundy in the early 1970s.
In several interviews, she described a suspicious encounter with a man in a car with removed interior handles – an unsettling detail often linked to Bundy’s modus operandi.
However, historians and fact-checkers have pointed out inconsistencies in her chronology, indicating that it might be merely another elaborate music myth.
Take it with a grain of salt, because as they say – reality is stranger than fiction.
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6. Ozzy Osbourne Bites Head Off Bat
And now, let me recount one of rock history’s most bizarre tales: Ozzy Osbourne biting off a bat’s head during a concert.
This legend-turned-fact unfolded in Des Moines, Iowa at Veterans Memorial Auditorium on January 20th, 1982 when an overzealous fan threw what Osbourne believed was a rubber bat onto the stage.
Being the outrageous performer he was known to be, he picked it up and bit off its head – only to realize it was indeed real and alive! This shocking display cemented his reputation as one of rock’s wildest artists.
7. The Cursed London Flat
Our next stop takes us across the pond to Swinging London – specifically to 23 Brook Street in Mayfair, dubbed ‘the cursed London flat’.
It was once home to two famous musicians: classical composer George Frideric Handel and later on Jimi Hendrix.
The rumor goes that anyone who lived there led an incredibly creative yet tragically short life – both Handel and Hendrix died aged just 27.
While Handel’s death could arguably be put down to life expectancy of his time period, Hendrix’s untimely passing has led some superstitious fans to sense a curse surrounding this London flat.
8. The Paul McCartney Death Conspiracy
Perhaps one of the most enduring music-related conspiracies, which attracted massive public attention, centres on the alleged death of Beatles star Paul McCartney.
This urban legend, known as ‘Paul is dead’, started circulating extensively in 1969, stating that McCartney had died in a car crash back in 1966 and was cunningly replaced by a look-alike.
The theory suggests that the remaining Beatles members planted cryptic clues about McCartney’s death within their album covers and song lyrics.
For instance, their seminal cover art for Abbey Road features Paul walking barefoot – allegedly representing a corpse in some cultures – while his bandmates were clad in traditional funeral attire.
Additionally, if played backward, certain songs supposedly reveal secret messages about Paul’s demise.
While it’s tempting to buy into this fascinating theory, Paul McCartney himself has regularly debunked it and even titled his 1993 live album “Paul Is Live”, poking fun at the bizarre rumor.
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9. Elvis Presley’s Encounter with Aliens
Legendary musician Elvis Presley, synonymous with rock ‘n roll itself, was reportedly a firm believer in extraterrestrial life.
Various reports claim that his interest began early—he allegedly experienced his first brush with aliens as an 8-year-old boy.
Presley claimed to have been telepathically given a glimpse of his future fame during an encounter with beings whom he described as having shining blue eyes—a description often used for ‘Grey’ aliens.
Elvis’s subsequent encounters are said to have occurred throughout various landmark moments of his life—his twin brother’s death, on the nights preceding landmark concerts—as if these encounters were tied to critical points of his journey.
Despite their incredulity or veracity—as no credible evidence exists—these stories remain a charming part of Elvis mythology.
10. Jim Morrison’s Fake Death
The captivating allure around Door’s frontman Jim Morrison lives on years after his tragic demise at just 27 years old—an enigma wrapped around multiple conspiracy theories around his supposed fake death.
Proponents cite questionable circumstances involved—his sudden demise in Paris followed by an immediate closed-casket burial without autopsy sparks intrigue about him potentially staging his death to escape fame or legal problems back home in the US.
While there are countless fan theories and anecdotal stories suggesting Morrison might still be alive and living incognito (Argentina seems to be popular), all evidence suggests that Morrison did indeed tragically pass away too soon, making this myth enticing yet unfounded.
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FAQ About Music Myths
Did Keith Richards really snort his father’s ashes?
Yes, this truly bizarre story stem from an interview with NME in 2007, where Richard himself claimed to have mixed his father’s ashes with cocaine and snorted it.
Was Paul McCartney really rumored to be dead?
Yes, “Paul is dead,” is a popular conspiracy theory that suggests the Beatle died in 1966 and was replaced by a look-alike. However, McCartney himself has debunked this numerous times.
Did Elvis Presley have an encounter with aliens?
This myth was sparked by Presley’s fascination with UFOs and his numerous public statements about encounters and sightings.
Is there any truth to rock star Ozzy Osbourne biting the head off a bat?
According to several sources including Osbourne himself, on January 20th, 1982 during a concert, he bit the head off a bat that he believed was rubber.
Who were targeted by The FBI in the music industry?
One example is John Lennon from The Beatles; FBI files reveal they monitored Lennon due to his anti-war activities during the Nixon administration.
Conclusion
In this modern era, fact-checking is a crucial practice, especially when navigating the world of prevailing rumours and stories that blanket our beloved music industry.
From tales of Keith Richards‘ bizarre ash-snorting procedures to the seemingly far-fetched Paul McCartney death conspiracy, these true music myths serve as a testament to both the wild imaginations and equally wild lives of our musical heroes.
It’s important to remember that there’s often more than just a kernel of truth hidden behind even the most outlandish rock ‘n roll legends.
So, as I conclude this venture into ten true music myths, I leave you beautifully startled, hopefully more informed and with keen intrigue for what lies behind these epic melodies we all hold so dear.
