5. Philip Taylor Kramer (Iron Butterfly) – Prolonged Declaration Of Death
Iron Butterfly are best known for their 1968 hit “Inna-Gadda-Da-Vida,” but the mysterious last days of bassist Philip Taylor Kramer are nearly as psychedelic. Taylor didn’t join the band until 1974, years after the group’s biggest hit, only a member for Scorching Beauty and Sun And Steel. Neither of the records were successful and are mostly forgotten in the band’s echelon, but the ending to Kramer’s story is bombastic enough to befit a true rock star.
Years after hanging up the guitar, Kramer was in the multimedia technology business, preparing for a relaxing evening with friends on February 14, 1995. On the way to pick up his friends, Kramer suddenly made several short, disturbing phone calls, finally telling a 911 operator that he was going to kill himself. There didn’t seem to be much mystery as to what could have happened, but it was over four years before a body was found. His death was ruled a probable suicide, but the family still has their doubts over the suddenness of the situation.
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