Thirty years ago this week, The Simpsons has had plenty of sad, even tearjerking moments since, it's not a show known for being terribly serious, especially in its early seasons. It also, to that point, didn't have long character arcs, or a ton of serious development.

That changed, however, with the first major death on the show six years in. It was a surprising, even shocking, turn of events for not just the audience, but also for the characters in the show. Several residents of Springfield were impacted, like Lisa, while other episodes of The Simpsons today.

The Simpsons Killed Off Bleeding Gums Murphy in 1995

It Was A Shock For Everyone

For a show that has killed off quite a few characters, it took a surprising six seasons until the first major character was killed. That dubious distinction goes to Bleeding Gums Murphy, who was killed in season 6, episode 22, "'Round Springfield" in an episode that first aired on April 30, 1995. It was a genuine shock to viewers, as no character had been killed off in such a way, especially not a character who had played such an integral ing role since the first season.

Bleeding Gums Murphy first appeared in the sixth episode of season 1, titled "Moaning Lisa."

Like so many of The Simpsons' Springfield residents, it just seemed as though Bleeding Gums Murphy would always be around; after all, in a show where the characters never age, why would they not also live forever? While he was a relatively minor character, the writers chose to kill him off because they wanted to create a meaningful arc for Lisa, and, short of killing off one of the Simpsons family – which obviously could not happen – Bleeding Gums Murphy was the next best option for that impact.

Bleeding Gums Murphy's Death Has An Indelible Impact On The Simpsons' Lisa

Lisa Was Forever Changed

Outside of her family (which often didn't understand her brilliance), there was no one Lisa loved more or looked up to like Bleeding Gums Murphy. As a saxophone prodigy, Lisa had been searching for a musical mentor and found one in Bleeding Gums, who was himself an obscure master jazz saxophonist who had trained under the legendary Blind Willie Witherspoon. Under his tutelage, Lisa came into her own as a soulful and ionate saxophone player for six seasons. Understandably, his death hit her harder than anyone.

"Bleeding Gums was my hero and I never got to tell him how I felt." - Lisa Simpson

It was even worse that Bleeding Gums died during Lisa's school recital. In a poignant and ironic twist, while on what would be his deathbed in the hospital, the old jazz musician gave his protégé his own saxophone to use in her recital, and it's that saxophone that gives her the courage to step up to the spotlight and perform a solo that makes a temporary star of her.

She only learns afterward that Bleeding Gums died while she was playing her heart out, and while it was horribly sad, it was also symbolically fitting that he ed right after handing the next great Springfield saxophonist the torch. The only one to attend his funeral, Lisa vowed that the name of Bleeding Gums Murphy would be known to all.

Bleeding Gums Murphy's Death Changed The Complexity Of The Show

It Brought Lisa & Bart Closer Together

Lisa wasn't the only one hit hard by Bleeding Gums Murphy's death: the audience was, too. It's not that The Simpsons hadn't occasionally strayed into more somber topics, but that wasn't really its style. It wasn't until the first major death in the show that viewers knew The Simpsons could tackle the weighty, serious topic of death with grace and thoughtfulness. Rather than a throwaway gag, Bleeding Gums' death was treated with the dignity and reverence it deserved. And, rather than a significant event that happens that is seemingly forgotten by the next episode, his death shaped Lisa forever.

On another poignant note, Bleeding Gums' ing brought Lisa and Bart closer. They have extremely different personalities and always squabble, but ultimately, throughout The Simpsons, they have had each other's backs. One of the most notable instances of that was after the jazz musician's death. To honor her late mentor, Lisa was determined to buy Bleeding Gums Murphy's one and only album, Sax on the Beach, to play on Springfield's jazz station, but didn't have enough money once Comic Book Guy jacked up the price. Selflessly, Bart surprises Lisa by secretly buying the album with $500 he'd won instead of the pog he coveted. It's a sweet moment that helps establish the dynamic between the siblings and illustrates their love for each another.