23 April 1960 - 1 August 1991
Drink and drugs and rock 'n' roll...
In
1991, Clark was found dead on his couch by Janie Dean -- his girlfriend at the time. The autopsy revealed he died from a mixture of anti-depressants, painkillers (used for a rib injury), and alcohol. There was no evidence of suicidal intent. Daniel Van Alphen, Clark's drinking companion the night before, testified that the two went to the local pub and returned to the guitarist's home at midnight to watch a video. Van Alphen said Clark drank a triple vodka, a quadruple vodka and a double brandy within 30 minutes. When Clark passed out on the couch, Van Alphen said he left. Dr. Iain West, the pathologist who performed the autopsy, testified that Clark's blood alcohol level was three times the British legal limit and an antidepressant drug and a painkiller were both found at levels exceeding normal therapeutic doses. He said valium was detected at normal levels.
His girlfriend sold his famous Gibsons as collector's items.
At the time of his death, he was on a six-month leave of absence from Def Leppard. The band had allegedly grown despondent over their repeated, failed efforts to help Clark and decided time off was the only solution.
Steve's remains are buried at Wisewood Cemetery in Hillsbrough, Sheffield, near his family's house.
(from Wikipedia)
see 'Checking Out Too Soon' from Friday 6th June for more great rock deaths...
