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KEXP Documentaries: Death, Drugs and Rock n Roll

Recent episodes:
#1: Marc Bolan of T Rex
#2: Janis Joplin
#3: Jim Morrison
#4: Jimi Hendrix
#5: Nico
#6: Bob Stinson
#7: Mia Zapata
#8: Mark Sandman
#9: Kurt Cobain
#10: Elliott Smith


Why did Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain all die at the age of 27? What's the connection between celebrity and death? Are addiction-prone people more sensitive and likely to become musicians? Does death give an artist credibility? What are the pressures that drive someone to a dangerous place?

KEXP Documentaries producer Michele Myers takes a look at the people behind the image, and asks questions about our own mortality and vulnerability.

With musical hits from each artist, and audio from the Northwest's own Mia Zapata and Elliott Smith, along with T. Rex singer Marc Bolan, Nico from the Velvet Underground, the Replacements' Bob Stinson, and a man who died onstage during a performance – Marc Sandman of Morphine.
#1: Marc Bolan of T Rex
Electric Warrior - T Rex (1972)
Electric Warrior - T Rex (1972)


The Slider - T Rex (1972)
The Slider - T Rex (1972)



In the 1970's Marc Bolan's band T Rex was bigger than the Beatles. Check out the man behind the fame in this story of one of rock's greatest icons.

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#2: Janis Joplin
Janis Joplin - Pearl Album (1971)
Janis Joplin - Pearl Album (1971)


Janis Joplin's Greatest Hits
Janis Joplin's Greatest Hits



Janis Joplin opened herself up with every note she sang. Take a look behind the image of the Queen of Rock n Roll.

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#3: Jim Morrison
The Doors - Debut Album (1967)
The Doors - Debut Album (1967)


The Doors - L.A. Woman
The Doors - L.A. Woman



Jim Morrison of The Doors brought a darkness to music of the late 60's. His vision and style paved the way for punk and indie acts of today.

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#4: Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix - Electric Ladyland
Jimi Hendrix - Electric Ladyland


Jimi Hendrix - Bold As Love
Jimi Hendrix - Bold As Love



Jimi Hendrix is the most influential rock guitarist of all time. This is impressive when you realize his career spanned only 4 years and he recorded only 4 studio albums. But who is the man behind the guitar?

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#5: Nico
Nico Solo Album
Nico Solo Album


Velvet Underground and Nico
Velvet Underground and Nico



German model and singer Nico was most famous for her work with the Velvet Underground. Join KEXP for a look at Nico's entry into the music world, her battle with heroin and her mysterious death.

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#6: Bob Stinson
Stinson second from left on Let It Be
Stinson second from left on Let It Be


Stinsons' last record with the band
Stinsons' last record with the band



Bob Stinson was the guitarist for the hard partying alt-rock legends the Replacements for 8 years before getting kicked out for excessive drug use. Join KEXP Documentaries and “Replacements: It's All Over But The Shouting” author Jim Walsh for a look at this mysterious artist's rise and fall.

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#7: Mia Zapata
Enter The Conquering Chicken - Gits album released after Mia's death
Enter The Conquering Chicken - Gits album released after Mia's death


Frenching The Bully - The Gits debut album
Frenching The Bully - The Gits debut album



Mia Zapata was brutally murdered in 1993 just when her band The Gits were about to hit it big. In this KEXP Documentary, her friends and family tell the story of this strong, magnetic punk rocker and how she inspired the self-defense organization Home Alive.

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#8: Mark Sandman
Sandman Died On Stage in 1999 at Age 46 - From Myspace
Sandman Died On Stage in 1999 at Age 46 - From Myspace


Morphine - From Myspace
Morphine - From Myspace



Morphine was a Boston trio who liked to keep things simple. Marc Sandman led the band with a 2-string bass guitar and baritone vocals. There was no guitar in the group, they just added sax and drums. In 1999 Sandman died onstage during a performance near Rome.

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#9: Kurt Cobain
Nirvana - From Myspace
Nirvana - From Myspace


The album Nevermind jettisoned Nirvana into stardom
The album Nevermind jettisoned Nirvana into stardom



Who is the man behind the image of Nirvana's superstar frontman Kurt Cobain. In this short radio documentary you'll hear Kurt tell in own words what he thinks of addiction, fame and the image created for him by the media.

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#10: Elliott Smith
Photo by Paul Heartfield - From Myspace
Photo by Paul Heartfield - From Myspace


Piano Photo by Autumn Dewilde - From Myspace
Piano Photo by Autumn Dewilde - From Myspace



Singer, songwriter Elliott Smith was found dead in his Los Angeles apartment when he was only 34 years old. The circumstances of his passing are still a mystery. Join KEXP Docs for an inside look at this reluctant rock star.

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