Contagious rhythm: infectious diseases of 20th century musicians

Abstract

Infectious diseases have led to illness and death for many famous musicians, from the classical period to the rock 'n' roll era. By the 20th century, as public health improved and orchestral composers began living more settled lives, infections among American and European musicians became less prominent. By mid-century, however, seminal jazz musicians famously pursued lifestyles characterized by drug and alcohol abuse. Among the consequences of this risky lifestyle were tuberculosis, syphilis, and chronic viral hepatitis. More contemporary rock musicians have experienced an epidemic of hepatitis C infection and HIV/AIDS related to intravenous drug use and promiscuity. Musical innovation is thus often accompanied by diseases of neglect and overindulgence, particularly infectious illnesses, although risky behavior and associated infectious illnesses tend to decrease as the style matures.

Figure 1.

This photograph of Frederic Chopin was taken in 1849, shortly before his death at age 39. His facial features and posture suggest a long-standing pulmonary illness. (Photo by Louis-Auguste Bisson, 1849)

Figure 2.

In this photograph of Mahler from 1909, taken two years before his death, the composer shows no sign of chronic illness. (Photo by A. Dupont, NY, 1909; provided courtesy of the US Library of Congress.)

Figure 3.

Bix Beiderbecke’s clean-cut appearance belied the fact that he was an alcoholic who slowly drank his way to an early death from pneumonia at age 29. (Photograph is believed to have been taken in early 1924; the photographer is unknown.)

Figure 4.

Charlie Parker set the mold for bebop artists in the post-World War period, with his quicksilver saxophone solos and frantic lifestyle. He died of pneumonia at age 35 after two decades of alcohol and drug abuse. (Photo by James J. Kriegsmann (taken between 1940–1955); provided courtesy of the US Library of Congress. Reproduced with permission from James J. Kriegsmann, Jr.)

Figure 5.

Steven Tyler is a prototypical rock ‘n’ roll singer whose drug addiction led to chronic viral infection. He has publicly discussed his successful treatment for hepatitis C. (Photo by DaigoOliva. Reproduced under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.)

Figure 6.

Freddie Mercury’s outsized stage persona was in contrast to his closeted private life. He was one of the early rock casualties of the HIV epidemic. (Statue by Irena Sedlecka. Photo by Bernd Brägelmann. Reproduced under the GNU Free Documentation License.)