Addiction and artistry: 10 stars lost to drugs.

Addiction and artistry: 10 stars lost to drugs.

Charlie “Bird” Parker

The legendary saxophonist is one of the towering figures of modern jazz, but he’s almost as well-known for his crippling heroin addiction. His drug use caused him to constantly miss gigs, and he would even busk on streets and pawn his instruments to pay for heroin. Also an alcoholic, “Bird” died at 34 of a bleeding ulcer and cirrhosis.


Recommended
You May Also Like
Join Our Newsletter
Picture of Stereo Williams
Stereo Williams
Todd "Stereo" Williams, entertainment writer based in New York City. He co-founded Thirty 2 Oh 1 Productions, an indie film company.
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Read more about: