10 Rock Legends Who Tragically Died From AIDS

Ten rock legends. Ten lives taken by AIDS, most of them before anyone would even say the word out loud. Some of these names you'll know instantly. Freddie Mercury, who kept his secret until the final 24 hours. Tom Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival, infected through an unscreened blood transfusion and barely reconciled with his brother John before the end. Ricky Wilson of The B-52's, the guitarist behind "Rock Lobster," who hid his illness from his own sister while the band recorded what would be his last album. Others you've heard a thousand times without ever knowing who they were. Dan Hartman wrote and sang "Free Ride," then watched an actor lip-sync his biggest solo hit on the big screen. Billy Lyall co-wrote "Magic," one of the sunniest songs of the seventies, and died a name nobody remembered. Alan Murphy played guitar for Kate Bush, who later remembered him in song. And then there are the stories history almost erased: Jobriath, sold to the world on a Times Square billboard and found alone at his piano ten years later. Klaus Nomi, who carried David Bowie to the mic on Saturday Night Live and never got a second chance. Ray Gillen of Black Sabbath and Badlands, who never told his bandmates. Robbin Crosby of Ratt, whose cause of death people still argue about today. This is a countdown about the music they left behind, the secrets they carried, and the liner notes most of us never bothered to read. Which story hit you hardest? Tell me in the comments. #RockHistory #FreddieMercury #ClassicRock rock,biographies,rock and roll,rock music,rock documentaries,retromusic,top 10 songs,60s music,1960s music,psychedelic rock,60s psychedelic rock,classic rock,rock history,psychedelic songs,classic rock 60s