Jeremiah Clarke

Jeremiah Clarke was an English baroque composer and organist, most familiar for Trumpet Voluntary, a popular piece often played at wedding ceremonies.

Clarke is said to have fallen in love with a woman who was above his social class. Distraught over the impossibility of the romance, Clarke died by suicide in December of 1707. Jeremiah Clarke was thirty three years old when he died.

Jeremiah Clarke (1674 – December 1, 1707)

Mindy McCready

Malinda (Mindy) Gayle McCready was an American country music singer. She recorded five albums. Her debut album, 1996's Ten Thousand Angels, was released on BNA Records and was certified 2× Platinum by the RIAA, while 1997's If I Don't Stay the Night was certified Gold.

While her career was in a decline at the end of her life, this was not her only difficulty. She also received significant media coverage regarding her troubled personal life and suicide attempts.

On February 17, 2013, Mindy McCready died by suicide. She was 37 years old.

Mindy McCready

November 30, 1975 – February 17, 2013

John Lee

Jonathan Henry "Jon" Lee was a Welsh drummer. He was a member of Newport band The Darling Buds which underwent several name changes before the band signed to The Echo Label and changed their name to Feeder. Feeder experienced wide spread success.

Lee's family indicated that they felt that Jon was often happy, and they were surprised by his decision to take his life.

Jon Lee died by suicide on January 7, 2002. He was thirty three years old when he died.

Jonathan Henry "Jon" Lee 

March 28, 1968 – January 7, 2002

Vic Chesnutt

James Victor Chesnutt was an American singer-songwriter. Chesnutt released 17 albums during his career, including two produced by Michael Stipe. 

In 1996, Chesnutt was exposed to a wider audience with the release of the charity record Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the Situation, the proceeds from which went to the Sweet Relief Fund. The album consisted of Chesnutt covers by famous musicians including R.E.M., Madonna, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Soul Asylum, among others.

Injuries from a 1983 car accident left him partially paralyzed; he used a wheelchair and had limited use of his hands. Chesnutt suffered from depression throughout his life, and in the last years of his life he repeatedly told people that he was suicidal and/or had experienced failed attempts at suicide.

On Christmas day, 2009, James 'Vic' Chesnutt died by suicide. He was forty five years old.

James Victor Chesnutt 

November 12, 1964 – December 25, 2009

Doug Hopkins

Douglas Owen "Doug" Hopkins was an American musician and songwriter. He co-founded the Gin Blossoms, a popular modern rock band of the early 1990s, with Richard Taylor. He was the band's lead guitarist and a principal songwriter.

Hopkins' writing credits included the hits "Hey Jealousy", "Found Out About You", "Hold Me Down," and "Lost Horizons".  Throughout his adult life he struggled with mental illness and alcoholism. Shortly after receiving a gold disc for "Hey Jealousy", Doug Hopkins died by suicide. He was thirty years old when he died.

Doug Hopkins

April 11, 1961 – December 5, 1993

DAY 7 - One More Light

 

If they say
Who cares if one more light goes out?
In a sky of a million stars
It flickers, flickers
Who cares when someone's time runs out?
If a moment is all we are
We're quicker, quicker
Who cares if one more light goes out?
Well I do

- One More Light, Linkin Park

One More Light is a seminal song about suicide loss. Written by Chester Bennington of Linkin Park, its raw and emotional lyrics are an homage to Bennington's best friend, Chris Cornell, who died by suicide on May 18, 2017.

The video was produced posthumously, as Bennington himself died by suicide on July 20, 2017. 

Chester Bennington died on what would have been Chris Cornell's 53rd birthday. 

I am happy to share the song again. It is a beautiful statement of how important our lost loves are to us. 

Mădălina Manole

Magdalena-Anca Mircea better known by her stage name Mădălina Manole, was a Romanian pop recording artist.

As a child, Magdalena-Anca took lessons from Ana Ionescu Tetelea, a folk singer from Ploieşti. At age fifteen she became a member of the Cenacle Youth of Prahova, which was led at that time by the poet Lucian Avramescu. As a young singer she sought musical success by forming a group with Ştefania Ghiţă called Alfa şi Beta, and participated at the shows of Cenaclul Flacăra. Manole became the youngest member to participate in the circle festivities (Cenaclului Serbările Scânteii Tineretului).

Between 1982 and 1985 the folk singer attended Şcoala Populara de Arta, as part of the group that had mentored Mihaela Runceanu and Ionel Tudor. In late 1980 Dan Ştefan entrusted her with the song "Pentru noi nu poate fi alt cer" ("For Us There Cannot Be Another Heaven"), which was featured in the movie Nelu directed by Dorin Doroftei.

On July 14, 2010 - the day of her 43rd birthday, Manole, suffering from a depression, lost her her life to suicide.

Mădălina Manole

July 14, 1967 – July 14, 2010

Phyllis Hyman

Phyllis Linda Hyman was an American singer and actress. Hyman is best known for her music during the late 1970s through the early 1990s, some of her most notable songs were: You Know How to Love Me, Living All Alone, and Don't Wanna Change the World. Hyman also performed on Broadway in the 1981 musical based on the music of Duke Ellington, Sophisticated Ladies. The musical earned her a Theatre World Award and a Tony Award nomination for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical.

Despite her success Hyman was known to suffer from depression. On June 30, 1995, Phyllis Hyman died by suicide.

Her suicide note read in part:

"I'm tired. I'm tired. Those of you that I love know who you are. May God bless you."

Phyllis Hyman was 45 years old when she died.

Phyllis Linda Hyman 

July 6, 1949 – June 30, 1995

Dédé Fortin

André "Dédé" Fortin was a founding member, frontman, and vocalist of the Québécois band Les Colocs, formed in 1990.

Fortin was a musician and song writer. In 1990 he formed Les Colocs, after meeting Patrick Esposito Di Napoli and a couple of the other band members. They wrote, recorded, and performed Québécois folk rock music. They released their first album in 1993. Les Colocs' festive melodies often hid more serious issues which Fortin addressed in his lyrics, such as poverty (Passe-moé la puck), loss of community (La rue principale), emotional dependence (Juste une p'tite nuite), and drug dependence (Tassez-vous de d'là). During this period Fortin was instrumental in the making of several Félix Award-winning music videos for Les Colocs.

Fortin was deeply affected by the 1994 death due to AIDS-related complications of bandmate and friend Patrick Esposito Di Napoli, and Fortin struggled with depression in the ensuing years. On May 8, 2000, Fortin died by suicide. He was thirty seven years old.

Dédé Fortin 

November 17, 1962 – May 8, 2000

Dave Lepard

Dave Lepard (born David Roberto Hellman) was the lead singer and guitarist in the Swedish Glam metal band, Crashdïet.

He formed the band Crashdïet in 2000. In 2002 the band members split up. Dave Lepard continued with a new lineup. Their music was based on 1980s 'hair metal' bands, such as Mötley Crüe and Twisted Sister. Crashdïet gained a cult following, especially in Sweden.

Lepard's family said he may have been suffering from depression, but they still felt his death was unexpected.

Dave Lepard died by suicide on January 13, 2006. He was twenty five years old.

Dave Lepard

May 28, 1980 - January 13, 2006

Memories

Toast to the ones here today
Toast to the ones that we lost on the way
'Cause the dreams bring back all the memories
And the memories bring back, memories bring back you

- One Voice Children's Choir cover of Memories, Maroon 5

Sometimes suicide loss survivors are moved to do beautiful things in remembrance of those they have lost. Such is the case with the One Voice Children's Choir in Sandy Utah.

One Voice's achievements are significant. They performed at the 2002 Utah Summer Olympics. They were finalists on 'America's Got Talent'. And they have performed at the White House.

In 2019, the director of the choir, Masa Fukuda, was devastated to learn of the loss of Megan Knorr, one of the original members of the choir. Megan died by suicide and Mark wanted to do something to honor her memory.

In addition to participating in several suicide prevention activities, the choir sang a song for Megan.

One More Light is a Linkin Park song that was written by Chester Bennington, in memory of his friend and fellow musician Chris Cornell. Cornell died by suicide in May of 2017. Chester himself would die by suicide just two months later in July of 2017. For suicide loss survivors, the poignancy of the song is profound. And for those who are struggling with thoughts of suicide, the message in the song One More Light is so important.

One Voice's songs also include a recording of Maroon 5's song 'Memories'. I think this song is equally important for Suicide Loss Survivors. As we approach a holiday that focuses on gratitude, this song reminds us that the good memories of the one we have lost are something to hold onto, and something to be grateful for too.

Megan Naomi Knorr 

December 5, 1995 - May 16, 2019

Megan's voice mattered, and Megan was needed in this world. 

She was 23 years old when she lost her life to suicide.

*Photo at top is of the One Voice Children's Choir in Sandy Utah, performing Linkin Park's One More Light.

DAY 24 - Peter Bellamy

 

Peter Franklyn Bellamy was an English folk singer. He was a founding member of The Young Tradition but also had a long solo career, recording numerous albums and touring folk clubs and concert halls.

Despite significant early success and acclaim, Bellamy did not like to market himself and his performance career declined. Family and friends say that he became increasingly depressed over his lack of scheduled concerts. In September of 1991, Peter Bellamy died by suicide. Bellamy was 47 years old when he died.

Peter Franklyn Bellamy 

September 8, 1944 – September 24, 1991

DAY 5 - Simone Battle

Simone Sherise Battle was an American actress and singer from Los Angeles, California. She was a finalist on The X Factor US in 2011 and a member of the pop group G.R.L.

Despite her accomplishments, Battle suffered from insurmountable depression. On September 5, 2014, Simone Battle lost her life to suicide. She was 24 years old when she died.

Simone Sherise Battle

June 17, 1989 – September 5, 2014

Ian Curtis

Ian Kevin Curtis was an English singer-songwriter and musician. He is best known as the lead singer and lyricist of the post-punk band Joy Division. Joy Division released their debut album, Unknown Pleasures, in 1979 and recorded their follow-up, Closer, in 1980. 

Despite Curtis's major professional success at an early age, he suffered from depression, as well as epilepsy. On May 18, 1980, the night before Joy Division's first North American tour and shortly before the release of their second album, Ian Curtis lost his life to suicide. He was twenty three years old.

Ian Kevin Curtis 

July 15, 1956 – May 18, 1980

Dalida

Iolanda Cristina Gigliotti - better known as Dalida, was a French singer and actress. 

Known for her beauty, in 1954 Dalida won the Miss Egypt beauty contest. She performed and recorded in 11 languages (French, Italian, German, Spanish, English, Egyptian, Levantine Arabic, Japanese, Hebrew, Dutch, and Greek). Twice honored with the “Oscar mondial du succès du disque” (World Oscar of Recording Success), she is the only singer to have won this award more than once.

Her 30-year career ended with her last album in 1986 She has sold 110 million albums and singles worldwide.

Toward the end of her life, Dalida suffered the loss of several close friends to suicide. She herself experienced a major depression that was exacerbated by her grief. In the early hours of May 3, 1987, Dalida lost her own life to suicide.

She left behind a note which read, "La vie m'est insupportable... Pardonnez-moi." ("Life is unbearable for me... Forgive me.")

Dalida was 54 years old when she died.

Iolanda Cristina Gigliotti 

January 17, 1933 – May 3, 1987 

Billy MacKenzie

William MacArthur MacKenzie (Billy) was a Scottish singer, with a high tenor voice. He was a member of The Associates

In 1976 he formed the Ascorbic Ones, which would eventually become the Associates. He began releasing music under his own name in the 1990s. Mackenzie also collaborated with many other artists during his career. In 1987, he wrote lyrics for two tracks on Yello's album One Second: He also collaborated with B.E.F. (British Electric Foundation) for their two albums Music of Quality and Distinction Volume I (1982) & Volume II (1991).

On 22 January 1997, depression and the death of his mother are believed to have contributed to Mackenzie's death by suicide. He was 39 years old when he died.

.

Billy MacKenzie 

March 27, 1957 – January 22, 1997

Keith Emerson

Keith Noel Emerson was an English musician and composer. He played keyboards in a number of bands and was internationally acclaimed when he became a founding member of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, which become one of the best-known progressive rock groups of the 1970s.

During the 2000s, Emerson resumed his solo career. He reunited with ELP bandmate Greg Lake in 2010 for a duo tour, culminating in a one-off ELP reunion show in London to celebrate the band's 40th anniversary. Emerson's last album, The Three Fates Project, was released in 2012.

Emerson reportedly suffered from depression, and in his later years developed nerve damage that hampered his playing, making him anxious about upcoming performances. Keith Emerson died by Suicide on March 11, 2016. He was seventy one years old when he died.

Keith Noel Emerson 

November 2, 1944 – March 11, 2016

Richard George Manuel

Richard George Manuel was a Canadian musician, best known as a pianist, lead singer, and occasional drummer of the Band. His songs were widely covered, including by Cass Elliot and Joan Baez.

Manuel was well known to struggle with depression and addiction. On March 4, 1986, Richard George Manuel died by suicide. He was 42 years old.

Richard George Manuel 

April 3, 1943 – March 4, 1986

Lee Hye-Ryeon

Lee Hye-Ryeon best known as U;Nee was a South Korean singer, rapper, dancer and actress.

In 2005, her record label began focusing more on her image, while transforming her dance-pop style music into a sexy R&B sound, as heard in her 2005 single, "Call Call Call". U;Nee underwent plastic surgery. She remained successful and performed frequently. Her records were in the Top 10 of Korean Music Charts. However, U;Nee's record company then tried to advertise her more as a sexy singer, which gave her harsh criticism from netizens. U;Nee, who was personally soft-spoken and reserved, found this difficult to bear. 

U:Nee began to experience significant depression. On January 21, 2007, she died by suicide. She was twenty five years old when she died.

U:Nee

May 3, 1981 – January 21, 2007

Donny Hathaway

Donny Edward Hathaway was an American jazz, blues, soul and gospel singer, songwriter, arranger and pianist. Hathaway signed with Atlantic Records in 1969 and with his first single for the Atco label, "The Ghetto", in early 1970, Rolling Stone magazine "marked him as a major new force in soul music." He often collaborated with Roberta Flack. His song "Where Is the Love" won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 1973. At the height of his career 

Hathaway was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and was known to not take his prescribed medication regularly enough to properly control his symptoms. On January 13, 1979, Donny Hathaway died by suicide.  He was thirty three years old.

Donny Hathaway 

October 1, 1945 – January 13, 1979