30 years ago, The Simpsons killed off a major character — and Lisa was never the same

The Simpsons has an indisputable reputation for its irreversibly slapstick humor and its profuse amount of satirical portrayals of American culture. Because of this, no one The Simpsons was set to deliver gut-wrenching emotion in its early seasons.

But the fans of this long-running animated blockbuster were utterly taken aback on April 30, 1995, when a segment of the show depicted an emotionally filled plot line where the fan-favorite supporting character dies.

This section was not just the moment of loss for the characters in the show, but rather set the scene for a pivotal emotional shift in the show. And for one resident of Springfield in particular, nothing would be the same.

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The death that changed everything

In Season 6, Episode 22 of The Simpsons, “Round Springfield”, fans of the series were hit with the shocking news that Lisa Simpson’s beloved mentor, jazz musician Bleeding Gums Murphy, had died. Then, animated sitcoms often portrayed death as a source of humor, but this turned out to be the first time The Simpsons addressed death and mortality in a more heartfelt manner.

Bleeding Gums Murphy first sicked a saxophone in Moaning Lisa, a wise and soulful jazz saxophonist who emotionally guides a young Lisa. He may not have been a regular, but his impact was difficult to ignore. Lisa Simpson was able to grow emotionally, and that’s why the writers chose to kill him off.

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Why bleeding gums had to go

The choice to eliminate Bleeding Gums Murphy was as strategic as it was emblematic. By Season 6, The Simpsons had cemented its status as a cultural juggernaut, known more for its pathos than its wit. The writers wished to pursue some storylines that were far more gripping in the sense that they intricately examine how one deals with complex emotional issues as grief, growth, and legacy.

John, a core member, was obviously not up for discussion. But Murphy, as Lisa’s spiritual mentor and emotional guide, was perfect to fill such a narrative. His demise not only contributed further to the complexity of Lisa’s character but also showcased the show's shifting landscape.

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Lisa’s loss, Lisa’s legacy

Lisa Simpson—the compassionate, smart, and frequently overlooked middle child of the Simpson Family—had always hoped to find a spirit. That connection was given to her by Bleeding Gums Murphy, who guided her through her early years as a budding saxophonist, emotionally supporting her the ways her family and peers never could.

Learning of his passing devastated her. He had just gifted her his saxophone in preparation for her school recital, which she performed a heart-wrenching solo for, unknowing that her mentor was dying in a hospital nearby. It was a symbolic passing of the torch, and the irony and tragedy of the moment were striking, for both her and the audience.

“I never got to tell him how I felt,” says Lisa in a moment of truthful vulnerability. A line that summarizes the unfortunate regret so many people carry after losing someone they care about. It was not played for buzzed comedic relief; rather, it was raw grief. She grieved, which was used to show that in such a long time, it would change you forever.

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A brother’s kindness: Bart steps up

One of the most poignant moments in ‘Round Springfield’ does not come from Lisa’s perspective alone. In an unusual act of sibling kindness, Bart surprises Lisa by spending the $500 he received in a legal settlement (of course, stemming from a defective Krusty-O, right?) on helping her get Bleeding Gums Murphy’s sole album, Sax on the Beach, which was overpriced by Comic Book Guy.

The intention behind Lisa wanting to dedicate the album to her late friend was to broadcast it on air, and Bart’s kind act made that possible. This incident served as a glimpse revealing the softer layers of Bart and Lisa’s relationship, often concealed beneath the surface of constant quarrels, yet deeply, tenderly, rooted in affection.

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A new kind of Simpsons episode

Up until this episode, The Simpsons had played with certain feelings, always in a humorous sense. “Round Springfield” changed that. Bleding Gums’ funeral, which Lisa was the only attendee, was executed with the silence and somber dignity usually reserved for prestige dramas. There was no punchline, no reversal in Lisa’s simple reality of saying goodbye.

This proved to be the first time The Simpsons showed that its stories could cause enduring changes. Although many are resolved in the show’s episodic structure, Lisa’s grief — and the way she mourned her teacher — was something that made her. Later seasons would even add Lisa’s bop culture phases, in which he continued to influence and be referenced through his musical journey.

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The long shadow of Bleeding Gums Murphy

Even after thirty years, Bleeding Gums Murphy is still one of the most significant side characters on The Simpsons — not, as most would assume, because he appeared in many episodes, but because of how his absence impacted the story. His death changed the show’s tone to allow for richer, more sophisticated, character-driven tales.

That loss transformed and deepened Lisa’s character. She poured more of herself into her music, her activism, and her search for purpose in a world that ofttimes misapprehends her. And while she’s had other emotional arcs since, none were quite as foundational as the one triggered by losing her first true mentor.

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A legacy of Jazz and heart

The Simpsons has also gotten rid of other characters - Maude Flanders, Edna Krabappel, and even Dr. Marvin Monroe (although he did reappear for some reason).

Still, none of them cast as large an emotional impact as Bleeding Gums Murphy. His passing wasn’t merely the end of a character; it was the start of Lisa changing from a precocious child into a sensitive, thoughtful young woman.

In a series renowned for “restarting” itself each week, Murphy’s memory is still there, like the lingering sound of a saxophone solo – somber, stunning, and surreal.