September 4, 2007 6:00

Rock stars face young death, say doctors

Being in a band is very bad for you

Photo Gallery: Nirvana

A new study has concluded that musicians are set to more likely to die an early death then the rest of the population.

Research published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health today (September 4) said that musicians are more likely to pass away young.

The findings are based on 1,050 American and European musicians and singers who were active between 1956 and 1999. The average age of death was 42 for US musicians, and 35 for European musicians.

Long term drug or alcohol problems accounted for the early demise.

Authors of the report Professor Mark Bellis and Professor John Ashton said: “Public health consideration needs to be given to preventing music icons promoting health-damaging behaviour amongst their emulators and fans.

“Stars could do more to actively promote positive health messages, but these need to be backed up by example.

“Where pop star behaviour remains typified by risk taking and substance use, it is unlikely that young people will see any positive health messages they champion as credible.”

Still it's not all bad news, if they can survive the early years, European stars were returned to the same levels of life expectancy as the rest of the population some 25 years after finding fame, although US musicians were still liable to die younger.