http://www.geocities.com/sunsetstrip/3674/pid.html
I learned of this one a few years ago back when I was about 11. I was convinced it was true for a good few months, but then I read another site (which I don't have a link to at the mo) that went through each piece of evidence and tore it apart, aparantly he really did have a crash and suffered cracked teeth and head injuries and photos from interviews proove this, but he never died.
The thing about the sudden change in his bass playing and songs is aparantly down to the fact that he learnt different styles of play about different rock genres in a few months he took out between concerts that year.
The beatles were crap, I don't care what anyone says. If he is dead, who cares? Means one less rubbish musician in the world.
My dad sometimes says jokingly whenever he sees tributes to John Lennon and George Harrison "2 down 2 to go" lol.