Rock & Roll Cemetery I Trivia Quiz

Answer: Died from a heart attack

Even though Ellen Naomi Cohen, a.k.a. Mama Cass, died of a heart attack, some still believe the urban legend regarding the sandwich, which is false. A reputable coroner determined that the official cause of death was "heart failure due to fatty myocardial degeneration due to obesity".

Her tox screen was clean, and no foreign bodies were found that would cause choking. In fact, it was determined that she had eaten very little the day before her death. A newspaper report that a half eaten ham sandwich was found at her Mayfair appartment triggered the myth that trivialized her reputation for decades. I hope this lays it to rest. Referenced from her official website.

Answer: Ronnie Van Zant

Before finding music, and fronting Skynyrd, Ronnie aspired to be either a boxer (Ali was his hero), a professional baseball player, or stock car racer. Ronnie, Cassie Gaines, and Steve Gaines all perished, along with both pilots and band roadie Dean Kilpatrick. Twenty others were injured. Johnny Van Zant replaced his brother as frontman.

Answer: helicopter crash

On August 26 Stevie played at the Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy Wisconson with fellow fret-burners Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy, and his brother Jimmie. Just after midnight he boarded a chopper bound for Chicago that crashed in fog, killing all on board.

Answer: Sweden

The band was traveling from Stockholm to Copenhagen. The accident occurred in Ljungby Municipality, Sweden.

Answer: Gunshot

Dimebag was performing on stage with Damageplan when he was shot in the head by Nathan Gale, a 25 year old with a history of mental health issues. Ironically the song they were performing when the attack took place was "Breathing New Life". On an even weirder note, it was also the anniversary of John Lennon's death.

Answer: The Dakota

John Lennon was brutally murdered December 8, 1980, by Mark David Chapman, outside The Dakota building where John and Yoko had an appartment. Shot five times, John was rushed to Roosevelt Hospital where he died of massive blood loss.

Answer: Chubby Checker

Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens lost their lives that fateful day, but things could have been a lot different. Valens flipped a coin with Holly's guitarist Tommy Allsup, while Waylon Jennings exchanged his seat with the Bopper. Holly remarked "I hope your bus freezes up" to which Jennings replied "Well, I hope your plane crashes", a phrase which would haunt him for years.

Answer: Hanoi Rocks

Nicholas "Razzle" Dingley was the drummer for glam metal band Hanoi Rocks. The Finnish rock band rose to popularity in the early 80s, selling nearly 1000,000 albums worldwide. They were also the first western rock band to play in Delhi. The band broke up after the death of their drummer. "Razzle" died of head injuries sustained in a car crash when Vince lost control of his car and smashed into an oncoming vehicle, just blocks from Neil's California home.

Answer: Renton, Washington

Born and raised in Seattle, James Marshall Hendrix was a phenom. Jimi had asked to be buried in England where he rose to stardom, but was laid to rest in Greenwood Memorial Park, in his home state of Washington, at his family's request.

Answer: Gunshot

Marvin Gaye was shot and killed by his father, Marvin Gaye Sr. After years of alcohol and drug abuse as well as other personal problems, he and his father entered into a violent argument which ended with Sr. shooting and killing Jr. Some speculate it was a form of suicide, with Marvin Jr. placing himself in a situation that could have only one outcome.