8 Maniacal Musicians Who Exemplified The Word Rockstar

The music industry can be a deadly one.

Rather unsurprisingly, the combination of astronomical wads of cash accompanied by legions of adoring fans has led to a fair few talented musicians who have ended up going spectacularly off the rails.

Whether it be through substance abuse, unhinged and anarchistic behavior or a combination of the destructive pair, several iconic performers of the last 50 years have gained a reputation for exemplifying the term rockstar through their inimitable personalities and exploits.

Seriously, some of the stories surrounding these musical icons are quite literally unbelievable considering their level of utterly chaotic insanity. It's even crazier when you consider that all of them are still universally revered amongst music fans across a range of genres.

It speaks volumes that many of these notoriously wild, hard partying human beings are still more famous for their outrageous musical skill than their self destructive tendencies.

However, when compared to your average musician, some of the escapades of these virtuosos are so shocking it is hard to believe that the term "rockstar" was not conceived without them in mind.

The enigmatic frontman of legendary Los Angeles outfit The Doors, vocalist and poet Jim Morrison was one of the earlier examples of unlimited musical talent manifested in an out of control personality.

Also known for his spectacular songwriting ability influenced by Beat Generation standouts such as Jack Kerouac, Morrison's iconic leather pants are responsible for the image of the stereotypical rock star to this day.

Adding to his air of mystique, Morrison was a hellraiser. The singer became the first artist to be arrested on stage mid-performance after he attempted to incite a riot against a police officer who had pepper sprayed him before the show in a separate incident that saw Morrison politely invite the officer to "eat it".

He attempted to incite further riots at concerts by heckling fans and threatening to flash the audience, for which he was charged with indecent exposure in 1969. A roaring drunk Morrison caused so much chaos on a flight carrying him to a Rolling Stones concert that the plane was nearly turned around; all of these incidents resulted in a lengthy rap sheet for the frontman.

Morrison was found dead in his bathtub at the age of 27, with a coroner's verdict of heart failure. Drugs were suspected and adding to the swirling theories around his death were multiple accounts that heroin was involved.

His girlfriend, present in the flat when he died, died of a heroin overdose three years later, only adding to the rumors and Morrison's mythical rockstar status.