The final days of more than 100 world-famous pop music personalities are recounted here--not only the relentless rockers of the 1960s, '70s, and later, but also stars like country singer Hank Williams, blues artist Robert Johnson, and many others who fell prey to tragic circumstances--and often, to self-destructive impulses. Here are the facts behind the deaths by drug overdose of Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin in 1970, and of Sid Vicious in 1979. Here too is John Lennon's tragic death at the hands of a demented gunman, and the details behind the premature deaths of singers like Elvis Presley, Jerry Garcia, and Karen Carpenter. Among the many stars now resting in Rock & Roll Heaven are--

* Buddy Holly *Sid Vicious *Sam Cooke * John Lennon * Otis Redding * Brian Jones * Dennis Wilson * Jimi Hendrix * Marvin Gaye * Janis Joplin * Freddie Mercury * Jim Morrison * Kurt Cobain * Bobby Darin * Jerry Garcia * "Mama" Cass Elliot * Tupac Shakur * Keith Moon * Jeff Buckley

Rock & Roll Heaven is an eminently browsable book, filled with absorbing facts about music legends, and supplemented with a selection of memorable photos. Here too are stories behind the headlines for trivia fans, details of each artist's career highlights, and a handy fast-reference index for serious music history researchers. Rock & Roll Heaven is must-reading for everyone interested in rock history. Photos in color and in black and white.

Robert Dimery is a freelance writer and editor who specializes in popular music and has worked for a variety of magazines, including London Time Out and Vogue. He lives in London.

Bruno MacDonald has edited and contributed to many books and magazines that cover pop music and its celebrities.