When It Was Cool Dark

We pick back up our on-going series: 100 darkest moments in pop culture history and we travel back to the early 1990s. Comic books and trading cards were booming. Speculators were buying both in bulk with hopes of one day owning something valuable. The bubble was ready to burst when along came DC Comics with a publicity stunt that almost killed the comic book industry - The Death of Superman. 

We take a one show break this week from our 100 darkest moments in pop culture history to reflect back on what I have learned after 300 episodes, so far, of the DragonKing Dark Podcast. Have any of our shows changed my opinion on UFOs, cryptids, ghosts, or societal issues? The answer is, yes! Yes, I do feel less convinced of some more convinced of others. Host Karl Stern takes a look back at some of the topics covered and where we stand now, plus the he names his most memorable segment of the show and replays the creepy news segment.

He was Superman for an entire generation. He's faster than a locomotive and can leap a tall building in a single bound but George Reeves was dead at the age of 45. There has been much mystery around the death of George Reeves, officially ruled a suicide many people skeptical and it seems like they may have had reason to be. This week as part of our 100 darkest moments in pop culture history series, host Karl Stern takes a look at the death of Superman - George Reeves.

Who was Terry Kath? He was one of the most influential singers and guitarist of the early 1970s starring with the band Chicago. If all you know about Chicago are the Peter Cetera era ballads then let me introduce you to a time when they were experimental, influential, and lead by one of the most dynamic guitarists in rock. A guitarist who, none other than Jimi Hendrix said was better than him. Then, he was dead at the age of 31 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Why? And what might have been?

While this series is called the 100 darkest moments in pop culture history, the death of Len Bias is even more than that. It is one of the 100 darkest moments in AMERICAN history because of what came next. I firmly believe this is one of the most important DragonKing Dark podcasts I've ever done and, after listening, I hope you agree. While many non-sports fans may not know who Len Bias was, his death greatly effected American culture and society in ways still felt today.

The rock music world was shaken in February 1980 when the distinctive lead singer of the rising rock group AC/DC was found dead in a car. The cause of death was apparently alcohol related, though specifically how has been debated for 40 years now. It seemed impossible that a rising rock group with such a distinctive sound could possibly carry on after the death of it's frontman, yet, the next album by AC/DC became one of the top 5 selling albums of all time. This is the story of the death of Bon Scott.

The death of Jamaican music legend Bob Marley is our next entry into our 100 darkest moments in pop culture history. Bob Marley was more than just a singer who popularized reggae music, he was a culture icon and heavily influence the music world and beyond. At 36 years old he died of an aggressive, but largely treatable skin cancer. However, citing his religious beliefs, he rejected treatment. This is the story of a music icon who, still to this day, is an iconic cultural figure in Jamaica.

Join The Desert Rat today, as we discuss the controversial life and death of "Behold A Pale Horse" author Bill Cooper. Support the platform that houses this podcast, whenitwascool.com. Lift up my tag team partner Eric Darcy as well on Patreon. Dirty Dawg Darcy. This one is for you Eric. Fellow fan of the unexplained. Stuck in the Desert is part of the WhenItWasCool.com podcast network.

Actor River Phoenix was only 23 years old when he died of a drug overdose outside of the nightclub belonging to Johnny Depp on Halloween morning 1993.  He had been there playing in a band alongside members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The River Phoenix story is a cautionary tale for sure. He was a rapidly ascending young Hollywood star, already with several prestigious awards and iconic movies to his name. His siblings went on to success on their own including younger brother Joaquin Phoenix. This is the tragic story of a young life snuffed out too soon. Part of our 100 Darkest Moments in Pop Culture History series.

We continue our 100 darkest moments in pop culture history by looking at the death of 28 year old actor Heath Ledger. Heath Ledger had a couple of breakout moments, first in the movie Brokeback Mountain and then an even more iconic portrayal of The Joker in the Batman movie The Dark Knight. Then he died suddenly from a drug overdose. The tragic story of an actor who had just broken through to a whole other level only to be struck down in his prime.