He was a genius with a guitar in his hands—raw, fearless, untamed.

His band changed the sound of American rock, blending beauty and power in a way no one had ever heard.

He should have had a lifetime of music ahead of him. But one night, in a haze of laughter and whiskey, brilliance met tragedy. And the silence that followed still echoes decades later.
This is the story of the man some called “better than Hendrix.”

Written by Jonny Hartwell
Voiced by Jonny Hartwell
Music Credit: Reel World Audio.
A iHeart Radio Production

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains discussions of sensitive topics...Listener discretion is strongly advised. While the stories you’ll hear are rooted in real events, not every detail is strictly historical—some moments are dramatized with creative license to bring the narrative to life. Please keep this in mind as you listen.

Jonny’s Dead Air Podcast
Written, hosted, and produced by Jonny Hartwell.
A production of iHeartRadio Pittsburgh.

Thanks for listening—and for keeping the light on.