We've all heard it before: "My best friend's uncle who works as a janitor at the {insert rocker's name here}'s sister's school told me that.." and then a bunch of nonsense spews out. Today, we're taking a look at 10 of the most absurd, outrageous, and improbable rock myths and see whether they're true or not.
10Elvis, Tupac, Cobain, and other musicians are Alive On a Secret Island
FALSE
These myths tend to pop up often, especially with musicians who died young. Elvis Presley, Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison, Tupac Shakur, Aaliyah, and anyone else who is believed to be living on the secret island is unfortunately dead. Most of the rumors are sparked by hopeful fans who don't want to give up their idols, or by people confusing look alikes as seen in the picture below.
9Marilyn Manson / Prince removed a pair of ribs to be able to perform self-fellatio
FALSE
Originally, this myth started with Prince but later it was believed that Marilyn Manson partook in a operation to remove his ribs in order to be able to give himself a blowjob. The fact that there are two artists in this rumor should be a clear indication that it's false. Marilyn has also gone on record and said that he never underwent such an absurd operation but we're sure he's thought about it...who hasn't?
8Jack White and Meg White are brother and sister
FALSE
This one actually started by Jack White, who originally claimed that he and Meg White were siblings during the early days of The White Stripes. The reality is that Jack White and Meg White are not related at all. They were married for a while but divorced many albums ago. Jack, born Jack Gillis, took Meg's last name during the marriage and decided to keep it following their split.
7Keith Richards smoked his father's ashes
FALSE
During an interview with NME, Keith Richards made claim that he once snorted his father's ashes. He would later rectify the statement to say that he used part of the ashes to fertilize an oak tree. Richards added that he would never do cocaine again, unless he wished to commit suicide. Did he burn down the oak tree and smoke it? That remains to be seen.
6Paul McCartney is dead
FALSE
In January 1967, Paul McCartney was in a car accident that didn't kill him; however, shortly after, rumors spread that Paul had died, and that he was replaced by a look-alike. Many "clues" that he was dead surfaced following the incident. These ranged from mysterious lyrics in The Beatles songs when played backwards ("turn me on, dead man" in Revolution 9), to cover art of Abbey Road being a funeral procession--John (in white) is the preacher, Ringo (in black) is the mourner, George (in jeans) is the gravedigger, and Paul is the corpse. Paul is not only alive and well but he will also be opening the Olympic Games with Ringo in London in 2012.
Only five more myths to go. Keep on reading to see who tops the list.
5The singer of Don't Worry, Be Happy killed himself
FALSE
Don't worry, be happy; Bobby McFerrin is still alive, kicking it, and apparently ready to form a supergroup in 2012. This rumor began several years ago as an ironic joke and resurfaces from time to time. On a similar yet more tragic note, Felix Powell, who gained fame for singing the World War 1 marching song Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag and Smile, Smile, Smile," commited suicide during World War 2.