Famous Musicians Who Survived Near-Death Encounters and Assassination Attempts

People might think that being famous is all about red carpets, big payouts, and admirers chanting your name, but there is a dark side to fame that most people don’t notice. Celebrities are constantly around strangers, trailed by paparazzi, and sometimes stalked by admirers who think they “know” them. Sometimes admirers go too far, and sometimes threats come from those who don’t care about celebrity at all. Fame doesn’t protect anyone from harm, and crime doesn’t stop just because someone is famous.

Many musicians have survived close scrapes that could have killed them throughout the years. There are many reasons for stalking, such as mental illness, gang problems, theft, political upheaval, or just being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Here are some of the craziest, weirdest, and scariest times when famous musicians almost died.

Justin Bieber

When Justin Bieber was at the height of his early success, he was often surrounded by admirers who were yelling. But one fan went too far. Dana Martin, a convicted murderer, became obsessed with the teenage pop singer. He sent Bieber letter after letter, tattooed the singer’s name on his leg, and convinced himself that he knew him personally.

Martin’s obsession turned violent when Bieber didn’t respond. He tried to recruit accomplices to abduct and harm Bieber. Fortunately, the plan fell apart, and Bieber continued performing, unaware of how close he had been to danger.

50 Cent

There has been a lot of violence in hip-hop history, and 50 Cent’s story is one of the most famous. In 2000, before he became famous, he was sitting in a car outside his grandmother’s house when a shooter fired nine bullets at him, hitting his legs, arm, face, chest, and hand.

He survived and spent months recovering. One bullet remained lodged in his tongue, giving his voice a distinctive slur, which became a recognizable part of his music. Despite the trauma, 50 Cent turned the experience into inspiration and went on to become one of rap’s biggest stars.

Bono

In the mid-1990s, Bono and Jimmy Buffett flew to Jamaica for a vacation, only to have their plane mistaken for that of drug traffickers. Jamaican police opened fire as it landed. Bullets tore through the plane, but by sheer luck, no one was injured. Bono and his family returned to the U.S., grateful to have escaped unscathed.

Mick Jagger

After the chaotic 1969 Altamont Free Festival, tensions ran high. The Rolling Stones had recruited Hells Angels for security, and after a stabbing incident, some members allegedly plotted to kill Mick Jagger at his Long Island mansion. A storm thwarted the plan, saving Jagger, who didn’t know how close he had come to danger until years later.

George Harrison

George Harrison faced a terrifying attack in 1999 when Michael Abram, who was mentally ill, broke into his home with a knife and a sharp piece of a shattered statue. Harrison fought back, and his wife, Olivia, struck Abram with a lamp to protect him. Harrison suffered a chest stab and lung collapse but survived until police arrived.

Alice Cooper

Alice Cooper had a near-miss with Elvis Presley in Las Vegas in 1971. Presley handed him a loaded gun to demonstrate a disarm technique. For a brief moment, Cooper entertained a dangerous thought, but Elvis quickly took control, leaving Cooper shaken but unharmed.

Bob Marley

In the 1970s, in Jamaica, political violence threatened Bob Marley’s life. He volunteered to play at a peace-promoting event, but gunmen targeted him, shooting him in the arm and injuring his wife and manager. Miraculously, Marley still performed at the event, bandages and all, to spread a message of unity.

Björk

Icelandic singer Björk was nearly targeted by an obsessed fan, Ricardo Lopez, who sent her a lethal package containing acid. Lopez committed suicide after mailing it, and authorities intercepted the package in time, preventing a disaster.

Frank Zappa

Musician Frank Zappa had multiple close calls in one month, including being attacked on stage by a jealous fan. Zappa fell into a concrete pit, shattering bones and injuring his larynx. He needed a year to recover and always required bodyguards afterward.

Marc Cohn

In 2005, singer Marc Cohn was shot in the temple when a carjacker fired into his tour van. The bullet grazed his head after passing through the windshield, and Cohn survived with a full recovery.

Joss Stone

In 2011, British singer Joss Stone learned that two men were plotting to kidnap and kill her. Neighbors noticed suspicious activity, alerted the authorities, and prevented the attack before it reached her home.

Trace Adkins

Country musician Trace Adkins survived a violent encounter at home in 1994 when his then-wife shot him. The bullet passed through both his lungs and heart. Adkins survived after being airlifted to safety.

Miles Davis

In 1969, jazz legend Miles Davis was hit by a bullet during a drive-by shooting. The attack was related to conflicts between concert promoters. Though the injury was not serious, it could have been fatal.

These stories—crazy, terrifying, and sometimes hard to believe—show that fame does not guarantee safety. Musicians may live in the spotlight, but danger can strike anywhere. For these stars, survival was never certain; it was just fortunate.