Fame Linked to Shorter Lifespans for Singers,Study Finds
A new study published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health indicates that famous singers may face a considerably increased risk of premature death.Researchers at Witten/Herdecke University in Germany found that famous soloists and lead singers lived, on average, 4.6 years less than their less famous musical counterparts.
The research team, led by Professor Michael Dufner, compared 324 famous singers active between 1950 and 1990 with a matched group of less well-known musicians. Matching criteria included age, gender, nationality, ethnicity, and musical genre. the study population predominantly consisted of white male rock musicians from the US, with 19% being Black and 16.5% female.
Analysis revealed that famous singers typically lived to age 75, while their less famous peers averaged 79 years. Despite band membership being associated with a 26% lower risk of death compared to solo careers, famous singers remained 33% more likely to have died during the study period than their less famous matches.This increased risk was observed after singers achieved fame, suggesting a direct link between celebrity and mortality.
Researchers hypothesize that factors contributing to this increased risk include intense public scrutiny, loss of privacy, performance pressure, and the normalization of substance abuse. Dufner also suggested that pre-existing vulnerabilities, such as tough childhoods, might drive individuals already at risk to pursue fame.
Dr. Sally Anne Gross, co-author of Can Music Make You Sick?: Measuring the Price of Musical Ambition, highlighted the isolating nature of modern fame, notably within the hyper-competitive landscape of social media-driven music production. She described fame as “toxic” and emphasized that addressing the issue extends beyond individual choices, requiring systemic changes within the music industry.
Dufner recommends that singers prioritize regular breaks from the demanding touring lifestyle,reconnect with family and friends,and critically assess their overall well-being.He stressed the importance of recognizing the unhealthy aspects of the industry,including readily available drugs and social isolation.
