# Which 60s rock star's death would make the biggest splash? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [July 13, 2023, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997 "2023-07-13T18:00:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/21 "2023-07-13T20:04:38Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Brian Wilson is a problem. He’s an American icon but not a star-star. If I have second thoughts about anybody it’s him. Yeah, for me, he’s #1 of the folks on the list. But in terms of general public? Doubt it. McCartney for sure. Dylan probably #2. Even if you don’t care for him (I can’t get into his work), he’s a cultural superstar. I’m not even sure most people would even know who Brian Wilson is. ---
**Author:** ![Common\_Tater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/common_tater/32/13846_2.png) [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/22 "2023-07-13T20:18:48Z")
I thought Paul McCartney was already dead. I know he was in that one band before Wings. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/23 "2023-07-13T20:21:47Z")
Dylan’s six albums from _The Freewheeling Bob Dylan_ to _Blonde on Blonde_ may be the best six-album run ever. And they all came out within a 37-month period. We’ll never see anything like that again. If rock has a genius he’s it. The Beatles were in awe of Dylan. They changed their music because of Dylan. They competed with Wilson but didn’t change their thinking because of him. None of that matters. The Beatles tower over everyone from that period. McCartney’s death will stop the world. Not that’s he’s number one right now. If Taylor Swift died, the internet would melt down. Cats and dogs would hug. Time itself may stop. But she’s not 81 years old. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/24 "2023-07-13T20:23:11Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > I also left out Dolly Parton She can’t _DIE_! You monster! [runs away sobbing] ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/25 "2023-07-13T20:24:47Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Dylan changed music. The Beatles changed the world. Culturally nothing compares to them. It’s been a 60-year love affair. Dylan is a crotchety old man who’s been hiding from the public for 60 years. The distance between them is huge. Well said. Your OP asked about who’d make the biggest splash on the way out of the building. I bet the answer differs a bunch whether we’re talking about a splash among the whole world (or whole USA), or among the folks passionate about 1960s rock music specifically. I’m much more in the former group. I was age 2-12 in the 1960s. I listened to pop / rock music, but was never a fan or afficianado or obsessed with any of it. On that very much non-expert basis I vote the two Beatles, and Dylan in that order. Regardless of McCartney’s & Starr’s order of death, the Last Beatle will be a bigger deal than was the Next-to-Last Beatle. I also think the rock/pop distinction starts to bite real early. The experts / afficianados know the difference. The top 40 schlubs like me? Not so much. Why’s Jim Croce not on your list? (Besides having been dead now for 50 years? 🙂 ) Not a rocker. But certainly an important figure then. ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/26 "2023-07-13T20:28:10Z")
> [@Dropo](#): > > Buddy Guy To me he is the last of the original blues legends. I’m not sure how big a splash he will make with the general population, but certainly a huge one with blues lovers. A lot have moved on in recent years: > **[List of blues musicians](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_blues_musicians)** > > Blues musicians are musical artists who are primarily recognized as writing, performing, and recording blues music. They come from different eras and include styles such as ragtime-vaudeville, Delta and country blues, and urban styles from Chicago and the West Coast. In the last several decades, blues music has developed a less regional character and has been influenced by rhythm and blues, rock, and other popular music. > > Citations > Sources ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/27 "2023-07-13T20:37:51Z")
It’s almost like that group is really two groups - and I don’t think Brian Wilson , Frankie Valli and Diana Ross are in the same group as the others.Not because they weren’t popular in their time, not because they weren’t influential. But because they didn’t stay well-known ( that’s not really what I mean, but I’m having trouble describing it. ) My 33 year old son might have heard of Brian Wilson but I’m certain he’s never heard of Diana Ross or Frankie Valli . Although I know a few of my 60 ish peers have seen Jersey Boys , their reaction to Valli’s death would be surprise that he’s still alive. And I don’t think there will be a big splash regarding someone who is really only well-known/popular among the 70 + group ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/28 "2023-07-13T20:38:15Z")
> [@MrAtoz](#): > > For whatever it’s worth, Ringo is two years older than Paul. I don’t know about either one of their general states of health. Ringo (and his wife Barbara) went through rehab for alcohol abuse in the late '80s, and the sense I have is that they both really cleaned up their acts from that point forward. Given that he’s 83 (he’s a couple of weeks younger than my mother), he looks great, and seems to be in excellent health. Here’s a picture of him and Joe Walsh, from an appearance he made last week, on his birthday. He doesn’t look like an octogenarian. 😉 [![](https://variety.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/BUK_4578-e1688788516778.jpg?w=1000&h=563&crop=1&resize=1000%2C563) ](https://variety.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/BUK_4578-e1688788516778.jpg?w=1000&h=563&crop=1&resize=1000%2C563) Despite having been the oldest of the Beatles, my money is on him being the last one standing. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/29 "2023-07-13T20:44:42Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > birthday. He doesn’t look like an octogenarian. 😉 Damn. That’s some Picture of Dorian Gray shit right there. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/30 "2023-07-13T20:49:43Z")
Add three to your list, to make thirteen, with a couple extra for alternates, and you have a fine DeathPool list. I may save it for this December. ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/31 "2023-07-13T20:54:57Z")
Elvis What? You didn’t buy that fake news… [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/5DcTY9i-fx8/maxresdefault.jpg "Mojo Nixon - Elvis is Everywhere") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DcTY9i-fx8) ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/32 "2023-07-13T20:55:16Z")
> [@MrAtoz](#): > > I think Ringo may get a bigger reaction than most drummers might. No question about it. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/33 "2023-07-13T20:55:23Z")
> [@MrAtoz](#): > > For whatever it’s worth, Ringo is two years older than Paul. I don’t know about either one of their general states of health. Decades ago I thought Ringo would be one of the first to go, as he had a big problem with alcohol for quite a few years. But he got himself sober, and in shape, and he’s still touring constantly. He does not look anywhere near his age. McCartney looked immortal for a long time, retaining his ‘boyish’ looks well into his 50’s. Now he’s looking older, but still fit and still performing. Of all the people on that list, I’d probably pick McCartney and Ringo as the two who are likely to be alive after the others have passed. Maybe not live to the oldest age; Frankie Valli is already 89 and still going. However, Paul has apparently had recent mental health issues and some drinking issues, while Ringo survived two bouts of Covid-19 in the last two years. I agree that if anyone should be taken off that list, it’s Valli. When he passes I think it will be a small story. Many of his fans are already dead, and he hasn’t been a cultural factor for 50 years. Valli was already considered an ‘oldies’ act in the 70’s when he had a resurgence with “Oh What a Night”, “Grease” and “My Eyes Adored You”. Then he faded back into oldies territory soon after. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/34 "2023-07-13T20:57:12Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > And I know who I’m leaving off. […] Keith Richards… We all know why you left him off: because he’s obviously _never_ going to die! ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/35 "2023-07-13T21:00:48Z")
I’m one step behind you. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/36 "2023-07-13T21:29:34Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > McCartney looked immortal for a long time, retaining his ‘boyish’ looks well into his 50’s. Now he’s looking older, but still fit and still performing. Twenty years ago, when he was married to Heather Mills (which, as it later came out, was an acrimonious marriage, to say the least), he started to suddenly look old to me; I now suspect that the stress of that marriage had a role in that. After he got out of that relationship, I think he did start to look better. ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/37 "2023-07-13T22:01:17Z")
For me, Jeff Beck’s death has already eclipsed everyone on your list except for Dylan and Jagger. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/38 "2023-07-14T03:54:25Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Your OP asked about who’d make the biggest splash on the way out of the building. And that’s going to differ for each person. I’d propose a world-wide poll, but does anyone know what their subjective list would be when someone dies? I know that if I made a list, I’d end up being surprised by how much the death of someone not on my list affected me. It’s happened to me, both ways. People whose deaths I assumed would affect me… didn’t (Ever since Cream, I was a huge Jack Bruce fan, but oh, well… as a prog fan, same with Greg Lake, Tony Banks, Keith Emerson and Chris Squire). And vice-versa (Don’t listen to much blues, but really miss B.B.King; and I hate banjo, but Pete Seeger was so much more). The deaths of Bowie, and the other Davy Jones, Chris Cornell, Dr.John, Neil Innes and George Martin would not have been on my list, but hit me hard. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/39 "2023-07-14T04:05:37Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Who would make the biggest splash, knock social media for a loop, dominate memories for the longest time? Whichever one gets killed by murder hornets. That is, the _way_ in which they die could make a difference. But if we don’t worry about that… The list given in the OP is not bad at all—not unassailable, but there’s nothing about it that stands out as obviously wrong to me. I agree that Stevie Wonder at least deserves consideration. Maybe John Fogerty does too. Personally, either of the Davies brothers would hit me hard, but they’re probably not a bigger deal to the world at large than the names on your list. ---
**Author:** ![Disinfectus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/disinfectus/32/11085_2.png) [@Disinfectus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disinfectus)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/40 "2023-07-14T04:37:54Z")
Some honorable mentions (that haven’t been mentioned): Rod Stewart Bob Weir John Densmore and Robby Krieger And although not entirely meeting the criteria of the thread, two more icons: Tony Bennet Berry Gordy [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997.md?page=3)