SEPTEMBER 15, 1974 – Uriah Heep bassist Gary Thain (May 15, 1948 – December 8, 1975) was nearly electrocuted onstage at the Moody Coliseum in Dallas, Texas during a rainstorm. The band members didn’t immediately realize what was happening, and continued playing until he hit the floor. A silence descended over the audience, and then people started to talk, but in an almost hushed tone. After a quick medic exam, two guys carried him out before the show was announced cancelled, but the group promised that they would play a free show later.
Thain soon began to experience health issues that were apparently the result of this incident. His increasing use of heroin became a problem and the combination of medical maladies and drug addiction led to his being let go from Uriah Heep. His difficulties came to an end in late 1975 when he overdosed on heroin in his apartment in England and died at age 27.
September 15, 1974 Uriah Heep bassist Gary Thain was nearly electrocuted onstage at the Moody Coliseum
