While the allure of rock stardom captivates many, a recent study indicates that living the dream might come at the cost of a shorter lifespan.

According to the research, rock stars tend to live about four years less than the average person, despite belonging to typically wealthier social classes known for higher life expectancy.

Researchers highlight that it remains unclear whether fame itself, the pressures of the music industry, or the lifestyle choices commonly associated with musicians are responsible for this increased mortality risk.

The study examined 324 celebrity singers active from 1950 to 1990, comparing them with a control group of 324 non-celebrity singers. Both groups were matched for variables such as birth year, gender, nationality, ethnicity, music genre, and whether they performed solo or as part of a band.

The sample predominantly consisted of males, accounting for 83.5%, with 61% hailing from North America, and the rest from Europe and the UK.

Most singers (65 per cent) were rock artists, followed by RnB (14 per cent), pop (9 per cent), New Wave (6 per cent), rap (4 per cent) and electronica (2 per cent).

Fifty-nine per cent of the singers were in a band, 29 per cent were solo artists, and 12 per cent had careers spanning both.

Analysis of the data showed that, on average, famous singers survived until they were 75; less famous singers survived until they were 79.

While band membership was associated with a 26 per cent lower risk of death compared with going it alone, the inclusion of this variable didn’t influence the overall effect of fame, as famous singers were still 33 per cent more likely to die earlier than their less well-known counterparts.

“Together, the analyses indicate that an elevated risk emerges specifically after achieving fame, which highlights fame as a potential temporal turning point for health risks including mortality,” the researchers said.

“Beyond occupational explanations, our findings suggest that fame adds further vulnerability within an already at-risk group.”

The heightened risk associated with fame is comparable to other known health risks, such as occasional smoking, which confers a heightened risk of death of 34 per cent, they said.

A possible explanation for the findings may lie in “the unique psychosocial stress that accompanies fame, such as intense public scrutiny, performance pressure, and loss of privacy,” they suggested.

“These stressors may fuel psychological distress and harmful coping behaviours, making fame a chronic burden that amplifies existing occupational risk,” they said.

“Being famous appears so detrimental that it overrides any potential benefits associated with high socioeconomic status. Again, this highlights the increased vulnerability of famous individuals, suggesting a need for targeted protection and support for this population.”