# 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:** 4
**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 14, 2023, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/61 "2023-07-14T20:34:45Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > People will go bananas when Cliff Richard dies, even as the Americans go who? TIL that Cliff Richards (about whom the sum total of my knowledge is that he was a big, big pop star in Britain in the 1960s) is still alive. ---
**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 14, 2023, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/62 "2023-07-14T22:54:38Z")
Slim Whitman and Zamfir ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/63 "2023-07-14T22:58:29Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > > [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > > > People will go bananas when Cliff Richard dies, even as the Americans go who? > > TIL that Cliff Richards (about whom the sum total of my knowledge is that he was a big, big pop star in Britain in the 1960s) is still alive. Oh, Cliff Sometimes it must be difficult not to feel as if You really are a Cliff When fascists keep trying to push you over it Are they the lemmings? Or are you Cliff? Or are you, Cliff? Some of us will understand. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/64 "2023-07-14T23:11:28Z")
Paul and Ringo obviously top the list for many fans the world over. For me, losing Townshend and/or Daltrey (especially Pete) will be a major emotional blow. Not mentioned yet, but his loss will be huge to a lot of folks: Mickey Dolenz. ---
**Author:** ![LVBoPeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/858c86/32.png) [@LVBoPeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LVBoPeep)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/65 "2023-07-14T23:52:01Z")
I agree with the two Beatles then Dylan though I personally think Paul Simon is worth 10 Dylans and should be #3 at least. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/66 "2023-07-15T00:37:06Z")
The acts named so far are almost all post-British Invasion, but there’s still a couple of 50s and early 60s rock pioneers kicking. Connie Francis, Chubby Checker, and Pat Boone come to mind. I doubt any of them will make much of a splash when they go because the cultural awareness gap between pre- and post-invasion rock-and-roll performers is huge. ---
**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 15, 2023, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/67 "2023-07-15T01:13:14Z")
I believe you’re right. I thought about searching for living 50s stars, but came to the conclusion that if I couldn’t think of even one without searching then they wouldn’t move the public needle. ---
**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 15, 2023, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/68 "2023-07-15T01:39:18Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > Personally, with musicians, I find that they have a range of about 20 years, max… Or even less. I still remember where I was when I found out Jim Morrison died (on an island with spotty radio reception, just heard a snippet: “…orrison was 27.”) My first thought was “What a waste of an amazing voice.” The second thought was “Well, that was a good career move. Checked out before he ended up Fat In Vegas.” ---
**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 15, 2023, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/69 "2023-07-15T01:44:18Z")
> [@JohnGalt](#): > > I think Elton John would be on a few people’s list… You just know he’s recorded a song to be played at his funeral. Yet another version of _Candle in the Wind._ But about himself. ---
**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 15, 2023, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/70 "2023-07-15T01:56:55Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > I believe you’re right. I thought about searching for living 50s stars, but came to the conclusion that if I couldn’t think of even one without searching then they wouldn’t move the public needle. There would be much clutching of lace hankies at the Old Folks’ Homes when those early stars kick off. Which would be invisible on the internet. ---
**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 15, 2023, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/71 "2023-07-15T03:00:06Z")
You mean during the big Sock Hops at The Villages. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/72 "2023-07-15T03:50:04Z")
Tom Jones. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/73 "2023-07-15T03:52:54Z")
I would list Cher as well, in addition to Ozzy Osbourne and Keith Richards just because most people can’t believe they really did live that long. ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/74 "2023-07-15T13:31:20Z")
Another who started just a few years into the ‘70s but whose death will still make a big splash - Billy Joel. ---
**Author:** ![Toxylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@Toxylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxylon)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/75 "2023-07-15T13:44:14Z")
Agreed. Dylan’s death will be huge news, but nothing compared to McCartney, or even Ringo. ---
**Author:** ![Toxylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@Toxylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxylon)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/76 "2023-07-15T13:49:10Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > Personally, with musicians, I find that they have a range of about 20 years, max Agreed, but I find the majority of the greatest musical acts release their best stuff inside just 10 years. After that, it’s quality down, or a re-imagining, which may work but mostly doesn’t. ---
**Author:** ![lawoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/35a633/32.png) [@lawoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawoot)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/77 "2023-07-15T15:13:55Z")
> [@Dropo](#): > > Mr. Richards actually died a number of years ago, but no one seems to have noticed. Actually, the problem is that Mr Richards hasn’t noticed yet. 😃 ---
**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 15, 2023, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/78 "2023-07-15T15:37:39Z")
The circumstances of the death might matter. The traditional means of death for rock stars, overdoses and plane crashes, have been overdone. A new more interesting demise could elevate a rock star’s demise to new levels. ---
**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 15, 2023, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/79 "2023-07-15T16:52:25Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Dylan may have a huge impact to musicians of a certain age but he’s tried to hide from the world for decades. He’s made 10 albums since 2000. Some way to hide from the world. ---
**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 15, 2023, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997/80 "2023-07-15T17:50:43Z")
How many talk shows has he been on? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-60s-rock-stars-death-would-make-the-biggest-splash/986997.md?page=5)