The Show Won't Go On: The Most Shocking, Bizarre, and Historic Deaths of Performers Onstage

I just finished reading this gem. Well researched, and articulately written, somewhat like a documentary narration – which is exactly what I had hoped for. Well worth the cover price – will not disappoint. Lots of people have heard bits & pieces of these accounts, in hazy focus. Abraham & Kearns bring a microscope to this forensic mission to get to the factual paydirt on these all too true unfortunate final curtains. My only want was for a more extensive photo section, not for morbid purposes, but for a finer visual historical context – but those are all over the web anyway. Get this book!

It’s been difficult to put this book down. From showbiz favorites to names I’d never seen before, The Show Won’t Go On is a briskly written tribute to both famous and lost performers, many of whom would perhaps be otherwise forgotten. Fascinating and addictive, these are stories of people spending their lives on the stage, then ending their lives on the stage, often without the chance to take that final bow or say that last, “Thank you, goodnight.” There’s no business like show business, but what a way to go.

Fans of show biz history will relish as I did the untold details behind the shocking demise of the famous (Dick Shawn, Tiny Tim, Wallendas) and the obscure. Houdini was stricken on stage but did not die there. He’s here though along with magicians and escape artists like “Amazing Joe” Burrus who DID perish before a shocked audience. Never maudlin and always entertaining, the writers keep the pace brisk and the attitude strong. Helpful to a casual reader like myself, the material is categorized—sections for magic, opera, rock n’ roll and country music, TV and not to be forgotten, fatalities while broadcasting on…radio. Or as that chapter begins: the history of “dead air!”

Given the subject of this book, I was expecting sensationalistic stories told in a tone somewhere between morbid and tongue-in-cheek. What I found was a book well researched, smartly written, and presented in a neutral tone. Authors Jeff Abraham and Burt Kearns allowed equal “billing” between various entertainment professionals such as circus performers, magicians, singers, musicians, comedians, TV actors, theater actors, and others. They also covered an impressive range of time. One of the earliest examples is from 1673, with the majority being from the 20th century, and a few in the 21st. Spoiler alert – most died from heart attacks, while others suffered from some kind of stage accident/incident related to their performance (pity the lion “tamer”!). At 224 pages – which includes an appendix of abbreviated stories entitled “50 More Who Died Onstage” – this is an engaging and informative read. For me, there are morals to be found in these stories: Take care of yourself physically and mentally, have a “spotter”, and self-check your props! Otherwise, show business can be hazardous to your health!

I'm really enjoying it! I had no idea so many people died during performances. Great stories.

Good writing, interesting subject...this read will give you a cache of anecdotes to get yo through cocktail party chatter for the entire year!

Very interesting book! I like books I can jump around in and read in small hits. This fits the bill! I had no idea so many people had passed while performing!

As soon as I heard about this book, I pre-ordered it on Amazon. Sure, you can watch Tommy Cooper drop dead onstage via YouTube, but this covers not only him (with much more detail), but just about everyone else who died onstage... and I'm not referring to bombing. Much more detail about performers such as Harry "Parkyakarkus" Einstein and Dick Shawn, plus a slew of others I never even heard of. If you're into classic show-biz stories and events, as I am, this book is highly recommended.