Chronicling the demise of legends including John Lennon, Kurt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Karen Carpenter, Marvin Gaye, and Buddy Holly, Casualties of Rock also records more obscure catastrophes: the disappearance of a member of England's Manic Street Preachers; the bizarre allergic reaction that afflicted Toto's Jeff Porcaro; and the total identity makeovers of Prince and Cat Stevens. Investigating "curses" that plague the Beach Boys, the Grateful Dead, the Pretenders, Red Hot Chili Peppers -- and even Spinal Tap -- this smart and uniquely entertaining book explores the impact of countless horrendous happenings on the history of rock, and pays tribute to the stars who burned too brightly for too short a time. Packed with photos and fatal facts, it is an essential read for any music fan.