Most Tragic Musician Deaths

Love em or hate em, the idols who teach us about sex, drugs, and rock n roll sometimes take things too far. Here’s a list of the artists who were gone too soon. Don't agree with the list? Place your vote or if you are a logged in, add a new item for others to vote on.

1) Michael Jackson - Homicide

“RIP”

kconn94

“He was a beautiful person inside”

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2) Kurt Cobain (Nirvana) - ?

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3) Freddie Mercury (Queen) - AIDS

“One of the greatest singers of all time, true art is what he created and will always be remembered as a master of his craft.”

chriskurtz

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4) John Lennon (The Beatles) - Homicide

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5) Tupac Shakur - Homicide

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6) Elvis Presley - Drugs

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7) Buddy Holly - Plane Crash

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8) The Notorious B.I.G. - Homicide

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9) Marvin Gaye - Homicide

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10) Bradley Nowell (Sublime) - Drugs

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11) Aaliyah - Plane Crash

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12) Jimi Hendrix - Drugs

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13) Janis Joplin - Drugs

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14) John Bonham (Led Zeppelin) - Drugs

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15) Jimmy 'The Rev' Sullivan (Avenged Sevenfold) - Natural Causes

“One of the best drummers of all time. True master of his craft, he could play anything ranging from a heartfelt song to hard rock.”

jamie30jamer

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16) Selena - Homicide

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17) Rory Gallagher (MRSA)

“One of the greatest rock blues guitarists ever!”

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18) Jerry Garcia (Grateful Dead) - Heart Attack

19) Cliff Burton (Metallica) - Bus Crash

“Cliffs death was very tragic... and we lost one of the greatest musician.”

metal-leaker

20) Eazy-E - AIDS

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21) Jeff Buckley - Drowning

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22) Layne Staley (Alice in Chains) - Drugs

“I’m utterly shocked he wasn’t already on the list. Such a talented musician lost so young.”

kitty1722casie

23) Jim Morrison (The Doors) - Drugs

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24) Ian Curtis (Joy Division) - Suicide

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25) Stevie Ray Vaughan (Helicopter Crash)

“Surprising, untimely, and tragic helicopter crash. He just got his act together, and was struck down.”

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26) Bon Scott - AC/DC (Alcohol Poisoning)

27) Sid Vicious - Sex Pistols (Drugs/Possible Suicide)

“everyone says he wasnt good at anything. you are probably right but he was the embodiment of punk”

iknowmyshit

28) Michael Hutchence (Inxs) - Suicide

29) Dee Dee Ramone (The Ramones) - Drugs

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30) Mama Cass - Heart Attack

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31) David Ruffin (The Temptations) - Drugs

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32) Ricky Nelson - Plane Crash

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33) Pete Ham (Badfinger) - Suicide

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34) Tom Evans (Badfinger) - Suicide

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35) Tim Buckley - Drugs

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36) Tim Hardin - Drugs

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37) Peter Ivers - Homicide

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38) Paul Gray (Slipknot) - Drugs

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39) Randy Rhoads (Ozzy Osbourne) - Plane Crash

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40) Lowell George (Little Feat) - Heart Attack

41) Jeff Porcaro (Toto, session drummer) - Heart Attack

42) Jobriath - AIDS

43) Townes Van Zandt - Heart Attack

44) Sam Cooke - Homicide

“This man was murdered and the only thing the stupid police can classify it as is "justified homicide"? He DID NOT rape anybody and he sure as hell did not get aggressive with no hotel manager! They assasinated him and the police force - the force that supposedly protects us- covered the whole thing up. I hope whoever killed him burns in hell for all eternity.”

mstruthseeker007

45) Steve Marriott - Humble Pie (Accidental Smoke Inhalation/Drug Related)

46) Mike Starr (Alice In Chains) - Drugs