Too Fast To Live Too Young To Die

 

'Too Fast To Live Too Young To Die', a slogan that links the spirit of teenage rebellion from James Dean through to punk. Vivienne and Malcolm certainly did very well out of the phrase and there is even a compilation by original punk Marco Pirroni of the same name that features tracks that were on the jukebox within the 'Sex' boutique on the King's Road.

Early demise seemingly has been part of rock 'n' roll from the outset... Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran etc. Of course some folks lived their albeit short lives by this mantra, silly Sidney, Johnny Thunders, Kurt Cobain and Amy Winehouse to name but a few. However, it is not the case that all of our musical 'heroes' have had such a nihilistic approach to their time on this mortal coil. In the 48 years since 1976, the generally accepted punk Year Zero in the UK, we have lost so many of the musicians that made the late '70's and early '80's the best era in music that this country has known. Many have lost their lives to the same illnesses that afflict us all, the likes of cancer and heart disease. We are all getting older...

So in the coming months I will endeavour to post 50 recordings of bands who have lost a member. I don't do this a a morbid exercise, rather as a genuine tribute to some of the talent that we have lost.