Trifter

Brian Jones
(1942-1969)

Priory Road Cemetery,
Prestbury, Gloucestershire

It was shortly after being fired from the Rolling Stones that Brian Jones was found dead in the swimming pool of Cotchford Farm. He had drowned. Because his death was ruled to be a suicide, the Church of England declined to find burial room and instead, he was interred at this municipal cemetery. Fans travel to the plot every year in February and July to commemorate his birth and death.

Dusty Springfield
(1939-1999)

St Mary’s Church,
Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire

Having died from breast cancer, Dusty Springfield’s funeral took place in her home-town of Henley-on-Thames. Only some of her ashes were scattered here, the rest being scattered off the cliffs of Moher in County Clare, Southern Ireland. Her grave is marked by a rather modest stone that gives her name and dates. It also mentions that she was awarded the OBE.

Ian Curtis
(1956-1980)

Macclesfield Cemetery and Crematorium,
Cheshire

Curtis committed suicide at his marital home in 1980, he was cremated nearby. His gravestone read the immortal words ‘Love will tear us apart’. The one that is now there is not the original one though; it has replaced one that was stolen in the summer of 2008. Someone got a souvenir at least!

John Bonham
(1948-1980)

St Michael’s Church,
Rushock, near Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire

The drummer of Led Zeppelin, John Bonham died on 24th September 1980 after a 24 hour binge on alcohol that included around 40 vodkas. He was cremated, his gravestone sits in a churchyard that is near his one time home of Old Hyde Farm. His gravestone is often covered in mementos left by fans.

Keith Moon
(1946-1978)

Golders Green Crematorium,
Hoop Lane, London NW11

Renowned for having problems with drink, drugs and behaviour that verged on the ridiculous, Keith Moon died from an overdose of the sedative Heminevrin. After cremation, some of his ashes were scattered over a huge lawn in the Crematorium. Although people are not meant to go on the grass (because of the scattered ashes!) some people go on and do weird things to commemorate Moon’s live.

Image via Wikipedia

Marc Bolan
(1947-1977)

Golders Green Crematorium,
Hoop Lane, London NW11

Lead singer of T.Rex, Marc Bolan was killed at Barnes Common after the Mini he was a passenger in hit a tree. At the crematorium there are three different focuses for remembrance. There are two plaques in the West Memorial Court (one was funded by his fan club). There is also a rose bush in the West Statue Beds which is marked by a small plastic sign. Many fans take a pilgrimage to the crematorium on 16th September, the date of his death.

Nick Drake
(1948-1974)

St Mary Magdalene Church,
Tanworth-in-Arden, Warwickshire

Drake’s death was classed as suicide but there has been much debate since; cause of death was an overdose of antidepressants. After his body was cremated, his ashes were scattered beneath an oak tree in the village where he was brought up. His gravestone is inscribed with the words ‘Now we rise and we are everywhere.’. It was taken from the lyrics from his last ever album.

Sandy Denny
(1947-1978)

Putney Vale Cemetery,
Stag Lane, London SW15

Once a member of Fairport Convention, Sandy Denny died of a brain haemorrhage four weeks after falling down the stairs. She was buried as close to her family home in Wimbledon. Her headstone simply reads ‘The Lady’; in reference to a song from her 1972 album Sandy.