Music News: Rock Kills!

The New York Dolls: Low Survival Rate Poster Children

The Centre for Public Health at Liverpool John Moores University announced today that if you want to live, don't be a rock star. A study of 1,000 plus rock stars up to 2005 seems to show that they are two to three times more likely to die young than Joe or Jane Average. No word on whether wedding bands or unsuccessful musicians are at similar risk. Interestingly, about 25 years after their first success, British rocks stars mortality rates return to parity with the rest of the population but this is not the case with American rockers. Mark Bellis, lead author of the study suggests that America's fondness for reunion tours and lack of national health care could be the culprit. Look out J. Mascis!