1966 Loved to Death

When I was in high school in Paris, for my English class we had to write an essay/short story about the dangers of fame.  My subject was Keith Relf, lead singer and founder of the Yardbirds, one of my favorite bands.  There was something mysterious about Keith. 

The story was written in a stream of consciousness style.  I got an A for content, an A for creativity, and a D for grammar.  My mother was so irate she was going to drive all the way to Louveciennes to confront my teacher.  I talked her into just writing a letter, which I never gave to my teacher.  I loved my story, so I really didn't care what anyone else thought.  Not only that, but I was one of three chosen by the teacher to read our stories out loud to the class.  It was not what the other students expected.  I wish I still had it.  

Keith Relf

"If there is any consolation to be taken from the tragic death of Keith Relf, it is that he died doing what he loves; making music.  The former Yardbirds frontman was playing an ungrounded guitar in his basement when he was electrocuted on May 14, 1976.  He was 33."

That isn't how he died in my story.  He was torn apart by his loving fans.