Overview
- Researchers from Witten/Herdecke University analyzed 648 singers in a peer‑reviewed study, matching 324 famous vocalists to 324 less‑famous peers by birth year, gender, nationality, ethnicity, genre, and solo/band status.
- Famous singers lived to an average of 75 versus 79 for matched counterparts and had about a 33% higher mortality risk.
- The increased mortality risk appeared only after fame was achieved, and just 0.6% of stars became famous posthumously, reducing concerns about reverse causation.
- Band membership was associated with roughly a 26% lower risk than performing solo, yet the fame‑linked risk remained.
- The effect size was comparable to the risk from occasional smoking (~34%), and authors point to fame‑related psychosocial stressors while urging targeted support and further research given regional and time‑period limits.