# You can revive one dead rock musician, with ONE condition... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 28, 2003, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-revive-one-dead-rock-musician-with-one-condition/204276 "2003-09-28T10:01:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2003, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-revive-one-dead-rock-musician-with-one-condition/204276/21 "2003-09-28T15:54:47Z")
Nick Drake John Fahey Warren Zevon George Harrison John Lennon ---
**Author:** ![Brad\_Pittiful](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b3f665/32.png) [@Brad\_Pittiful](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brad_Pittiful)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2003, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-revive-one-dead-rock-musician-with-one-condition/204276/22 "2003-09-28T16:00:42Z")
some people added more then one and so shall i Kurt Cobain George Harrison John Lennon Joe Strummer Brad Nowell Stevie Ray Vaughn Joey Ramone Dee Dee Ramone James Honeyman-Scott Pete Farndon ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2003, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-revive-one-dead-rock-musician-with-one-condition/204276/23 "2003-09-28T16:34:53Z")
My gut says Hendrix, but my heart says Lowell George. It would be really interesting to see what Little Feat would have morphed into were he still with us. Also Townes Van Zandt. I wish we had a few more of his songs. What a writer! ---
**Author:** ![okielady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/fbc32d/32.png) [@okielady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/okielady)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2003, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-revive-one-dead-rock-musician-with-one-condition/204276/24 "2003-09-28T16:37:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Scumpup \* > \*\*Barry Manilow \*\* When did Barry Manilow die? I think with that criteria, I’d have to say Kurt Cobain or Stevie Ray Vaughan. There are others I’d pick to come back before either of them if they could be the same age they were when they died rather than the age they would’ve been if they’d lived till 2003. I don’t think Kurt Cobain ever fully realized the scope of his fame. It would also be interesting to see if the grunge movement would have lasted as long if he hadn’t died and become an instant legend. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Tiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Mama\_Tiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Tiger)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2003, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-revive-one-dead-rock-musician-with-one-condition/204276/25 "2003-09-28T17:00:22Z")
I think **Scumpup** was being snarky about Barry Manilow, **okielady**. Particularly since many people think Barry has about the personality of a barely-revived mummy. When I was 13 years old, I saw the Doors perform in my high school auditorium, of all places (we had a GREAT two years of concerts in that auditorium – but I digress). I stood right in front of the stage and nearly got my fingers stomped on by Jim Morrison. And even at that young age, I was struck by how totally _empty_ his eyes were. Like you looked into his soul – and there was absolutely nothing there. He was already a walking dead man. I would NOT want to see him back. ::shudder:: ---
**Author:** ![okielady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/fbc32d/32.png) [@okielady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/okielady)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2003, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-revive-one-dead-rock-musician-with-one-condition/204276/26 "2003-09-28T17:03:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mama Tiger \* > **I think Scumpup was being snarky about Barry Manilow, okielady. Particularly since many people think Barry has about the personality of a barely-revived mummy.** D’OH! :smack: I should’ve caught that. I’m a tad embarrassed now. Oh well. ---
**Author:** ![Gadfly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/aeb1de/32.png) [@Gadfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadfly)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2003, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-revive-one-dead-rock-musician-with-one-condition/204276/27 "2003-09-28T17:05:39Z")
John Lennon. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2003, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-revive-one-dead-rock-musician-with-one-condition/204276/28 "2003-09-28T17:17:35Z")
I certainly have to second (well, third or fourth) Duane Allman. If I only get one pick, he’s it: Hendrix and Morrison at least got 27 years. Duane wasn’t even 25. ☹ John Lennon and Bob Marley, in no order, after that. I think to myself a lot that the world needs someone like that. Bono’s doing a good job, but you know. 😉 Zappa too, for the music and for his outspoken advocacy. Stevie Ray Vaughan had recently cleaned up when he died, I bet he had a lot left in the tank. If we can step outside of rock, there are a lot of players like Robert Johnson, Coltrane, Charlie Parker and others who missed out on a lot of good years (if not their primes)… ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2003, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-revive-one-dead-rock-musician-with-one-condition/204276/29 "2003-09-28T18:00:43Z")
The real weirdness of **scumpup** suggesting Barry Manilow’s “resurrection” is 1. You think **he’d** be the one whose music you’d like to hear in its “new” phase ? and 2. When was he ever considered to be a rock and roll performer? ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2003, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-revive-one-dead-rock-musician-with-one-condition/204276/30 "2003-09-28T18:02:58Z")
John Lennon ---
**Author:** ![Ms\_Boods](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5e9695/32.png) [@Ms\_Boods](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Boods)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2003, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-revive-one-dead-rock-musician-with-one-condition/204276/31 "2003-09-28T18:50:25Z")
Buddy Holly ---
**Author:** ![International\_Playboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/48db29/32.png) [@International\_Playboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/International_Playboy)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2003, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-revive-one-dead-rock-musician-with-one-condition/204276/32 "2003-09-28T18:56:19Z")
Cub Coda (always wanted to see Brownsville station live) Frank Zappa (one of my teenage heroes) John Lennon (liked his edge better than McCartney’s “granny music.” I think they balanced each other out well.) Freddie Mercury (Queen rocked) Glen Buxton (though probably wouldn’t been much musically himself, the original Alice Cooper group will always be number one with me) ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2003, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-revive-one-dead-rock-musician-with-one-condition/204276/33 "2003-09-28T18:56:34Z")
I’d pick John Lennon. One of the best Doonesbury series was when Elvis did come back to life, but would only play the tunes of his “good friend” John Denver! ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2003, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-revive-one-dead-rock-musician-with-one-condition/204276/34 "2003-09-28T19:27:05Z")
Freddy Mercury - died way too young. Perfect male voice. John Lennon - the best writer of the Beatles. Jim Croce - folk never ages. All the dead Van Zants and friends - Southern Rock perfection. Hank Wlliams (Sr.) - just because. ---
**Author:** ![ianzin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ed655f/32.png) [@ianzin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianzin)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2003, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-revive-one-dead-rock-musician-with-one-condition/204276/35 "2003-09-28T20:16:43Z")
As a few posters have noted, rock legends who are known primarily for their instrumental talent are probably better choices than singers. With a singer, you just get an old version of the singer, and the voice is seldom if ever anything like as great as when they were young (pace Elvis). On the other hand a guitarist, for example, can refine and improve and expand his technique for a lifetime, and many of them get _better_ after their early, youthtful and fame-frenzied years. For this and many other reasons, I go with Hendrix. It would be wonderful to see what he would have done with that awesome guitar talent, had his career not been cut short so tragically. Sure, he might have just burned out. On the other hand, he might have channelled his unique talent into countless fruitful directions. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Scrivener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2003, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-revive-one-dead-rock-musician-with-one-condition/204276/36 "2003-09-28T20:19:12Z")
Hendrix or Lennon? Flip a coin… Marvin Gaye’s another sterling choice. Worth a mention: Pete Ham [of Badfinger], Bryan MacLean [Love]. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2003, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-revive-one-dead-rock-musician-with-one-condition/204276/37 "2003-09-28T20:50:12Z")
See, the 1978 Morrison was already rotting in his grave in Paris. You’d want at least the 1970 Morrison, when he was still alive. I dunno, I have this theory that if the Lizard King were still alive, he’d be an alumnus of the Betty Ford Center, and the Doors would be relegated to the casino nostalgia circuit. That said, I don’t think I’d want anyone back from the dead. Robin ---
**Author:** ![nitroglycerine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c5a1d2/32.png) [@nitroglycerine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nitroglycerine)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2003, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-revive-one-dead-rock-musician-with-one-condition/204276/38 "2003-09-28T21:09:00Z")
Sid Vicious and Darby Crash (of the Germs). Both of these nihilistic punkers were full of star quality charisma if not talent. Sid wasn’t quite the dumbass the media portrays. He just had bad luck with drugs, and real bad taste in women. If it wasn’t for Nancy, I bet he would’ve been bigger than Elvis. I’ll throw my vote in for FZ too. Maybe we’d be talking about President Zappa right now if he was still here. I often wonder what Robert Palmers stuff would sound like if he was still with us. 😃 International Playboy, I’m with you on Glen Buxton. Alice Cooper, the band, was probably the most influential and underrated band in the history of music. \< hijack\> I’m listening to the new Alice album right now, and it’s actually GREAT! Its better than the last couple of albums by the original group. \< /hijack\> jon ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2003, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-revive-one-dead-rock-musician-with-one-condition/204276/39 "2003-09-28T21:21:34Z")
Lennon I guess, if only for the big-girls-blouse bickering with Macca. How about a mention for poor old Mick Ronson? ---
**Author:** ![Lisa-go-Blind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Lisa-go-Blind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lisa-go-Blind)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2003, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-revive-one-dead-rock-musician-with-one-condition/204276/40 "2003-09-28T21:35:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Marley23 \* > **If we can step outside of rock, there are a lot of players like Robert Johnson** Robert Johnson was my first thought when I read the OP (even though he’s blues), but he’d be 92 years old. Not exactly in his prime. > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by The Scrivener_ > **Worth a mention: Pete Ham [of Badfinger], Bryan MacLean [Love].** Brian MacLean is dead? Noooo! (Actually, I think I did know that, but I forgot it.) My personal choice would be someone like Jeff Buckley or Kurt Cobain, who died young in the past ten years. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-revive-one-dead-rock-musician-with-one-condition/204276.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-revive-one-dead-rock-musician-with-one-condition/204276.md?page=3)