ABSTRACT
This chapter explores several markers of occupational stress inherent in the death records of popular musicians – shortened life expectancy, suicide, homicide, accidental death, and increased morbidity throughout the lifespan. It examines sex differences and differences by music genre membership. The chapter highlights the very different health and mortality profiles of musicians belonging to different genres of popular music. While there were few differences between the younger male musicians and the same-aged US male population in causes of death, there were very marked differences in older musicians. In the 14–30 year age-group, female musicians and same-aged females in the US population showed very similar death rates for cause of death as the male musicians and the US same-aged male population. Data on gender, year born, age at birth, age at death, decade of death, cause of death and music genre membership were compiled for all musicians who met inclusion criteria. It was particularly difficult to determine inclusion/exclusion for older musicians.
