It was Morrissey on the marvellous Smiths song "Paint A Vulgar Picture" who sang about the sickening greed of record companies seeking to profit over the death of rock stars.
"At the record company meeting
On their hands - a dead star
and oh, the plans that they weave," noted Moz.
I think he possibly had Marc Bolan in mind for that song.
Since Marc died in a car crash, record companies have sought to cash in with endless T Rex greatest hits albums.
It was once suggested that "Death is a good career move" - meaning that for pop stars their status as 'rock gods' grow if they die prematurely.
Billy Mackenzie, lead singer with 80's new wave band The Associates, is one guy that hasn't so far been mentioned on this thread.
Mackenzie, from Dundee, had a striking falsetto voice which he used to good effect on top 20 hits like 'Party Fears Two' and 'Club Country'.
The precise reasons for his tragic suicide are unclear, although the earlier death of his mother was said to be one factor. Shortly before his 40th birthday, Billy became withdrawn and depressed - only venturing outside his house to walk the greyhounds that he loved.
There has since been a biography written called: "The Glamour Chase: The Maverick Life of Billy Mackenzie" , which I haven't yet read myself, but which may shed some light on Billy's depression.
The book can be seen at:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0747536155/ref=ase_wwwlink-software-21/202-2610371-7191859 (I know that you shouldn't really speak ill of the dead - but personally I thought that 'Divine' - who was mentioned by AndrewR on the opening post of this thread was quite dreadful as a singer. His/Her Top 40 hits "Walk Like A Man" and "You Think You're A Man" were in my opinion two of the worst records of the 1980's. I thought they were ghastly.)
