Sometimes, tragedy (and a tragic life in general) can lead to some of the most incredible creative works. These musicians from the 1970s, in particular, turned their tragedy, mental health struggles, and physical illnesses into some of the greatest music of a generation. Let’s take a look, shall we?
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1. Arthur Russell
Few musicians have had as tragic of a life as Arthur Russell, and even fewer have matched his talent. This singer/songwriter was a master at blending jazz, punk, and even avant-garde together beautifully. His sound was certainly unique, but his personal struggles weren’t.
The Iowa-born artist ran away from home at only 16 years old and collaborated with greats like Allen Ginsberg in New York City. Russell was diagnosed with AIDS before dying from the disease in 1992, without a penny to his name. Today, he finally has the respect he deserved.
2. Karen Carpenter
Karen Carpenter is likely one of the most famous 1970s musicians to turn tragedy into music. A famed drummer, deeply talented vocalist, and core member of The Carpenters, Karen Carpenter’s talents in soft rock and pop were on another level. Sadly, many of her more poignant and heartwrenching songs came from a place of personal pain.
Carpenter struggled with an eating disorder for years, and the disease would eventually take her from us far too soon at the age of 32. Still, despite her chronic loneliness and health problems, Caprenter’s music touched countless people in the 70s and beyond.
3. Judee Sill
Every fan of 1970s singer/songwriter tunes should know who Judee Sill is. Outside of her incredible records Judee Sill and Heart Food, this folk star had quite a dramatic life.
Sill struggled with drug addiction and committed an armed robbery or two back in the day. Despite being so rough around the edges, her music was heartwrenching and moving. Sill passed at 35 years old due to her struggle with addiction, but the music she made will live on forever.
4. Nick Drake
Nick Drake deserves a spot on our list of 1970s musicians who turned tragedy into music, even though much of his personal life remains a mystery. The multi-instrumentalist made haunting folk masterpieces that started to gain traction in the late 1960s.
Drake struggled with severe shyness and rarely ever performed live because of it. That likely contributed to his lack of deserved commercial success. Eventually, after three timelessly gorgeous albums, Drake’s struggle with depression led him to hide away in his parents’ home. He died there, at the age of only 26, from an overdose of antidepressants.
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