Music is part of our everyday lives. Whether we listen to it casually or we cry our hearts out, it’s always been one of the best ways for people to express themselves. But behind the music that you enjoy so much can sometimes be a kind of person you’d never really like to meet. Sure, you probably enjoy the music but the guy who wrote,produced, and recorded it might even be a convicted criminal. Heck, that same person you’ve listened so many times might even be locked up while you’re reading this. Here are some of the most notable examples of famous musicians who are currently serving time in prison.
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Jim Gordon
You like Eric Clapton‘s “Layla”? Well, who doesn’t? It’s one of the finest rock ‘n’ roll songs of all time. But this famous tune has its own dark secret. More precisely its second part, the so-called “piano coda.”
Originally written by Clapton for his band Derek and the Dominos, the song only had what we now know as its first movement. After recording it, the guitarist went back into the studio where he heard the drummer Jim Gordon play this beautiful original piano piece. After some persuading from Clapton’s side, this became the second movement of “Layla.”
But Jim Gordon was not what you would call a stable kind of guy. Besides being a really talented musician, over the years Jim developed schizophrenia. By the time 1983 came, voices in his head started telling him to kill his own mother. Which he eventually did. Gordon is currently serving time in a psychiatric prison in California.
DMX
Earl Simmons, also known professionally as DMX, is without a doubt one of the most influential rappers of the 1990s. But since becoming famous, DMX’s behavior took a turn for the worse and he was constantly in and out of prison. After numerous offenses like DUI, failing to pay child support, animal cruelty, resisting arrest, and drug possession, he was charged with tax fraud in the summer of 2017. Originally, he was free pending sentencing but was arrested again in January 2018 for leaving a drug treatment program. In March 2018 he was sentenced to one year in prison and was ordered to pay around $2.3 million to the government.
Bobby Beausoleil
By now, we’re all pretty much familiar with the whole “Helter Skelter Scenario” and the murders committed by the Manson Family cult. One of the people associated with the group was a musician named Bobby Beausoleil, also known as a member of 1960s rock bands Love, Orkustra, and The Milky Way.
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Beausoleil was involved in one of the Manson Family’s first crimes, a murder of Gary Allen Hinman. Hinman was often described as a kind person who offered a place to stay for all those who were in need. During the 1960s he befriended some of the Manson Family members. Somehow thinking he was actually really rich, Charles Manson wanted to get Hinman into the cult thus handing his resources to the Family. After some failed attempts at persuading him to join, Beausoleil stabbed Hinman to death on Manson’s orders.
The group tried to make this look like a Black Panther crime, but Beausoleil was eventually arrested and sentenced to life in prison. Over the years, while serving his sentence, he composed music which eventually even saw official release. His best-known project was a soundtrack for Kenneth Anger’s film “Lucifer Rising.
Vybz Kartel
Jamaican artist Vybz Kartel is often referred to as “Worl’ Boss” due to his immeasurable contribution to dancehall music. He also became widely known after collaborating with some of the world’s leading performers, such as Jay-Z and Rihanna.
He was first arrested for possession of marijuana in 2011 but it turned out he was responsible for some more serious stuff. Kartel was first on trial for murdering Jamaican businessman Barrington Burton but was found not guilty of the crime. However, after a 65-day long trial that ended in March 2014, he was found guilty of murdering Clive “Lizard” Williams and was sentenced to life in prison with eligibility for parole after serving 35 years.
Despite being imprisoned, Vybz Kartel still continues to make and release music. In 2016 alone he released 50 new song.
Phil Spector
One of the people responsible for changing the face of the music industry with his revolutionary “Wall of Sound” production system is also known for committing one of the most horrible crimes in showbusiness. In 2008 he was found guilty of murdering of a 40-year-old model and actress Lana Clarkson. The murder took place in Spector’s mansion in early 2003 and he was sentenced to 19 years to life sentence. He will be 88 years old when he’ll get the first chance for parole.
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Big Lurch
If you think the whole Mayhem and Varg Vikernes thing in Norway was messed up, you should check out what American rapper Antron Singleton, known as Big Lurch, did back in 2002. 25-year-old Tynisha Ysais was found dead in her apartment with her chest open and lungs torn out. It turns out Singleton murdered Tynisha and ate parts of her flesh. He is currently serving a life sentence without any possibility of parole in California’s Salinas Valley State Prison.
Bobby Shmurda
Young rapper Bobby Shmurda became widely known in 2014 after the success of his controversially named debut single “Hot Nigga” (also referred to as “Hot Boy”). As Shmurda was only 20 years old at the time, having his song peak at position No. 6 on Billboard Hot 100 list was quite a triumph. However, that same year he was arrested for conspiracy to commit murder and was sentenced to seven years in prison in 2016 after pleading guilty for the crime.
Garry Glitter
Back in the day known as one of the most popular entertainers in British history, singer Garry Glitter is now one of the most hated public figures in the country’s history. He was first imprisoned in 1997 for the possession of child pornography and after serving his time in prison he moved all around the world. Gary was eventually imprisoned in Vietnam for sexual relations with minors. He was deported to Britain in 2008 and was added to the Sex Offenders Register.
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In the summer of 2014, Gary Glitter was charged with sexual offenses against two underage girls that happened sometime in between 1977 and 1980. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison in 2015 and is currently serving his sentence in HM Prison Albany in Isle of Wight, England.
Ian Watkins
Those who have been reading news from the rock world for some years now are mostly familiar with what Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins did and how he was sentenced to 35 years in prison. For those who don’t know, Watkins is responsible for some of the most horrible acts of child abuse. More details about his crimes can be found online.