Music Myths Debunked: 10 Phony Facts You Thought Were True

The music industry is a whirlwind of fame, wild stories, and juicy gossip. From tabloids to social media, we can’t get enough of our favorite superstars. But not everything you hear is the gospel truth. With secrecy and scandal all around, it’s no wonder that countless myths and urban legends have popped up. Today, we’re diving into ten notorious music myths that are totally phony—even if some fans have spread them for decades. Let’s set the record straight!

10. Jimi Hendrix: Not a Parakeet Pusher

Great Britain has a parakeet problem. The ring-necked version of the bird is everywhere. They aren’t native and don’t migrate. So how did they get there? A rumor claims it was Jimi Hendrix’s fault. The story goes that he released a pair of parakeets on Carnaby Street during his 1968 London trip.

No one has ever been able to confirm if that happened. Even if it did, Hendrix wouldn’t be responsible for the entire population. Parakeet sightings in Britain go back to the 1800s. Biologists believe the first big release was likely in the early 1930s when “parrot fever” hit. English owners let their pets loose, and the rest is history. The Great Storm of 1987 wrecked birdhouses across the country, which is also how many parakeets became feral. So, Jimi Hendrix is cleared! Even if he let some birds go in 1968, he didn’t cause Britain’s parakeet infestation.^[1]

9. The Monkees: Not Bestsellers

The Monkees are a beloved band. But in 1967, did they really outsell the Beatles and the Rolling Stones combined? Of course, the claim was false! But the origin of this falsehood is an interesting early entry into the world of “fake news.”

Monkees member Mike Nesmith admitted in 2015 that he made up the sales claim. He called it a “complete fabrication” and a “lie.” The falsehood started in a 1977 interview in Australia. Nesmith was tired of media appearances, so he decided to mislead the interviewer by mixing fact with fiction.

“Then came a point where he asked me about the sales of the Monkees records, and I saw the chance,” Nesmith recalled. “I said flatly that we sold over thirty-five million records in 1967. More than the Beatles and the Rolling Stones combined… he diligently wrote all this down, and I wondered for a moment if I had chosen too outrageous a lie to tell, but it turned out it had been just right.” Oops!^[2]

8. The 27 Club: Not Real

The 27 Club links musicians like Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain, and Amy Winehouse, who all died at 27. By the time of Cobain’s death in the ’90s, the concept had already gained steam. Winehouse’s death in 2011 reminded the world of this eerie pattern.

Other musicians like Brian Jones, Robert Johnson, and Alan “Blind Owl” Wilson have also been associated with the 27 Club. Why are so many rockers dying at 27? Well, they’re not, really.

Scientific studies have debunked the idea that musicians are more prone to die at 27. Researchers analyzed the deaths of over 11,000 musicians spanning 60 years and found that only 1.3% died at that age. Surprisingly, the number of deaths was higher at 28. The mortality rate increased with age, reaching its peak between 55 and 65 years old. The deadliest age is 56, claiming the lives of 2.3% of musicians. So, the 27 Club isn’t really a thing.^[3]

7. Jim Morrison: Not Alive

There’s a rumor that Jim Morrison, the frontman of The Doors, pulled off the ultimate disappearing act. Morrison died in 1971 under mysterious circumstances. That fueled the flames of speculation. He passed away in his Paris apartment, apparently from a drug overdose. But his partner, Pamela Courson, feared legal repercussions, so she told cops he died from a heart attack.

Without any signs of foul play, authorities skipped an autopsy and hastily buried Morrison. Then, they informed grieving fans after the funeral. Naturally, that bizarre series of events led to skepticism.

Some suggested Morrison was assassinated. Others claimed he overdosed in a Parisian nightclub, and his body was transported home. The most audacious theory? Jim Morrison staged his death, got himself a fresh start, and abandoned his former life. Ray Manzarek, co-founder and keyboardist of The Doors, even supported this notion. But it’s not true. Morrison’s burial was very real, regardless of his official cause of death.^[4]

6. Keith Richards: Not Immortal

Keith Richards is known for his history of drug abuse. He has outlived many of his peers who followed a similar path. One myth suggests Richards achieved his longevity by replacing his entire blood supply with fresh blood at a Swiss medical facility to overcome his heroin addiction.

People close to Richards initially validated the rumors. However, the guitarist confessed that he fabricated the entire story out of boredom.

Richards’ ability to withstand the effects of his lifestyle has captivated the public’s imagination. Was it really true? Sadly, it was a fictitious account. In an interview, Keith fessed up to the fake. “Someone asked me how I cleaned up, so I told them I went to Switzerland and had my blood completely changed,” he admitted. “I was just fooling around. I opened my jacket and said, ‘How do you like my blood change? That’s all it was, a joke. I was f**king sick of answering that question. So I gave them a story.”^[5]

5. Avril Lavigne: Not Dead

According to a conspiracy theory, the real Avril Lavigne died in 2003, shortly after her debut album, Let Go. Before her supposed death, Avril had reservations about her newfound stardom, so she occasionally employed a body double named Melissa Vandella for public appearances.

After Avril’s supposed death, her record company decided to keep the momentum going by promoting Melissa to assume Avril’s identity. The new Avril purportedly dropped hints about the switch in her songs. She even wrote the name “Melissa” on her hand in a publicity snapshot. These clues fueled conspiracy theorists.

Avril has brushed off the conspiracy theory, viewing it as nothing more than a frivolous internet rumor. Idle minds are yearning for fresh gossip. She has acknowledged the theory in recent years, but only to dismiss it as baseless and phony. The real Avril is still alive, and she hasn’t been replaced.^[6]

4. The “Love Rollercoaster” Scream: Not a Murder

In 1975, the Ohio Players released their hit song “Love Rollercoaster,” which featured a scream in the middle. Soon, a rumor spread that the band accidentally captured the final cry of a woman being murdered in the recording.

Some said the woman was killed just outside the studio; others claimed it happened in a different room or a neighboring apartment. Another version suggests the woman was scalded by hot honey. In that version, the scream belonged to Ester Cordet, a model who posed nude and dripping with honey for the album cover.

The scream was created by Billy Beck, the keyboardist of the Ohio Players. He wanted to add an extra touch to the track.^[7]

3. Phil Collins: Not a Death Voyeur

Fans often debate the hidden meanings behind songs. One example is Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight.” Many fans are uncertain about its true message, leading to rumors. One story says Collins witnessed a man drown while another person stood by, refusing to help. Some claim Collins hired a detective to track down this heartless person. Then, the musician invited the man to one of his concerts and exposed him to the audience. But that’s wrong!

“When I was writing this, I was going through a divorce,” Collins explained. “And the only thing I can say about it is that it’s obviously in anger. It’s the angry side or the bitter side of a separation. So what makes it even more comical is when I hear these stories, which started many years ago, particularly in America, of someone coming up to me to say, ‘Did you really see someone drowning?’ I said, ‘No, that’s wrong.’”^[8]

2. The Beatles: Not Royal Stoners

The Beatles were an integral part of the music scene in the 1960s. Legend says that during a visit to Buckingham Palace in 1965, where they were awarded MBEs by Queen Elizabeth II, the Fab Four sparked up a joint together in the bathroom to calm their nerves.

Paul McCartney and George Harrison have dismissed the claim. They say they merely indulged in regular cigarettes. John Lennon later recanted his initial statement boasting of the doobie day. Instead, he implied that this event was a lie.

Were the Beatles under the influence when they met the queen? The truth may forever remain uncertain. To hear the band members themselves explain things, the weed story is phony. Still, it has become an enduring part of the Beatles’ folklore, forever etching their rebellious spirit into the annals of music history.^[9]

1. John Denver: Not a Sniper

John Denver was known as the friendly folk musician with a passion for nature. But he has been falsely accused of being a ruthless killer during his time in the U.S. Army. In 1964, Denver received an Army induction notice. However, his health issues rendered him classified as 1-Y, limiting his eligibility for service to only times of war or national emergencies.

He never served in the military. His severe visual impairment would have made him unfit for the role of a sniper. So, despite the online spread of these baseless claims, John Denver’s gentle image and love for his fellow man remain untarnished.^[10]

So there you have it—ten music myths totally debunked! From parakeet releases to false deaths, the music world is full of crazy stories. Remember to take everything with a grain of salt and always question what you hear!