6. Grammy-Winning Artist Jim Gordon Had Schizophrenia
In the 1960s and 1970s, Jim Gordon was one of the most sought-after drummers in the music world. He worked with groups like The Beach Boys, the Byrds, Eric Clapton, and even John Lennon. His drumming can be heard in the hit “Classical Gas,” which is still enjoyed on many retro radio stations today.
Later in life, Gordon developed schizophrenia, but it was misdiagnosed as alcohol abuse, common among those who were prominent in the music world. Probably because of his alcohol abuse, Gordon had several violent encounters, one being when he beat his girlfriend in a hotel room. In 1983, he fatally stabbed his mother with a butcher knife after first beating her with a hammer. Following his arrest, he was finally diagnosed with acute schizophrenia.