Top 10 Musicians Killed in Plane Crashes

The Top Ten

  1. Buddy Holly 2/3/1959

    Buddy Holly, born Charles Hardin Holley (September 7, 1936 - February 3, 1959), was an American musician and singer-songwriter who was a central figure in mid-1950s rock and roll. He was a rising star when a tragic plane crash killed him at age 22.... read more

    It would have been amazing to see what would have happened had he lived. What he left behind are all masterpieces.

    When Holly, the Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens died on the same plane, musicians started taking the bus.

  2. Randy Rhoads 3/19/1982

    Randall William "Randy" Rhoads was an American heavy metal guitarist who played with Ozzy Osbourne and Quiet Riot. He was widely regarded for his innovative guitar work and neoclassical metal style. Rhoads was killed in a plane crash on March 19, 1982, at the age of 25.

    He was the absolute love of my life at that time. His music was phenomenal! I was 13 then, and I still have my posters that covered my bedroom walls. They're now covering my laundry room because my husband wouldn't let me put them in our room! Laugh out loud. He seemed to be just as beautiful on the inside as he was on the outside. I can only imagine the music that he never got to make! I will never stop being a fan and will die an old lady with Randy Rhoads posters on my walls somewhere! Rest in peace. You will never be forgotten!

    Great guitarist, and he just shredded. I was not born at the time, but I did listen to many of his solos. What a beast. He was great. I really respected and admired the way he played, both him and Van Halen. RIP.

  3. Stevie Ray Vaughan 8/27/1990

    Stephen "Stevie" Ray Vaughan (October 3, 1954 - August 27, 1990) was an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Despite a mainstream career that lasted only seven years, he's widely considered one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of music. He played a key... read more

    I was born after the crash, and I wish I could have seen him live. Rest in peace. I wish I could vote for everyone, especially the members of Lynyrd Skynyrd (this is how you spell it).

  4. Otis Redding 12/10/1967

    Otis Ray Redding, Jr. was an American singer, songwriter, record producer, arranger, and talent scout. He is considered one of the greatest singers in the history of American popular music and a seminal figure in soul music. His posthumously released hit (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay became his most... read more

    I'm a 16-year-old girl, and I am obsessed with Otis Redding. I've been singing and dancing along to his songs since I was three years old. Hands down, he's the best singer in the world.

    Wow! This guy could light up a stage!

  5. Ronnie Van Zant 10/20/1977

    Ronald Wayne "Ronnie" Van Zant was an American lead vocalist, primary lyricist, and a founding member of the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. He was known for his distinctive voice and storytelling lyrics. Van Zant died in a plane crash in 1977 along with other band members.

    Ronnie's writing and his music are standing the test of time. Who would have thought, well, me, that they would be as big as they still are now. Gary, Johnny, Rickey, and the guys are doing Ronnie, Steve, and Cassie proud.

    What a loss! Lynyrd Skynyrd could've made a lot more kick-ass stuff if it weren't for this accident.

  6. Aaliyah 8/25/2001

    Aaliyah Dana Haughton was born on January 16, 1979, and tragically died on August 25, 2001. She was a dancer, actress, model, and R&B singer. Born in Brooklyn, New York, she was raised in Detroit, Michigan, and died in a plane crash near Marsh Harbour, Bahamas.... read more

    I will miss her. I always watch Romeo Must Die. Aaliyah and Jet Li. She was my favorite singer, and she died at a very young age. I idolized her very much. Aaliyah, I will surely miss you.

    This is one of the saddest deaths in the music business. Aaliyah was such a nice, sweet, and special girl. She was taken away from us too soon. Like her song says, "I Miss You."

    Aaliyah's death was a shock to everyone. I think we will never get over that tragic story. Still, to this day, it's shocking to hear, especially when Aaliyah was so beautiful. She was a good singer, she had dance skills, she was rich, and she had acting ability in films. She will always be missed. Rest in peace, Aaliyah.

  7. Ricky Nelson 12/31/1985

    A legend who died way too young.

  8. Ritchie Valens 2/3/1959

    Richard Steven Valenzuela (May 13, 1941 - February 3, 1959), known professionally as Ritchie Valens, was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. A pioneer of rock and roll and a founding figure in the Chicano rock movement, his career lasted only eight months.... read more

    Ritchie is simply awesome! Try watching the "La Bamba" movie, and you'll see how quickly he stopped making good music.

  9. Jim Croce 9/20/1973

    James Joseph Croce was an American folk and rock singer-songwriter. Between 1966 and 1973, he released five studio albums and a number of singles. His songs "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" and "Time in a Bottle" both reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.

    One of the best songwriters in modern music. Whether beautifully simplistic love songs (Time in a Bottle, Lover's Cross, etc.) or hilarious quasi-novelty (Bad, Bad Leroy Brown, Workin' at the Car Wash Blues).

  10. John Denver 10/12/1997

    Henry John Deutschendorf Jr., known professionally as John Denver, was an American singer-songwriter, actor, activist, and humanitarian, whose greatest commercial success was as a solo singer starting in the 1970s.

    He was known for hits such as Take Me Home, Country Roads, Annie's Song, and Rocky... read more

    As well as being a recognized musician of note, he was a highly regarded composer.

    11. The Newcomers
  11. ?

    Marília Mendonça 11/5/2021

    Still can't believe the biggest female Brazilian music artist, as well as the woman with the most-watched non-English livestream on YouTube (with 3.3 million views during streaming), and the most subscribed female on YouTube in 24 hours (1.8 million), was killed three weeks before Thanksgiving while she had a journey to continue. She was 26 and was known as the Queen of Suffering, inspiring many artists, including Anitta. Rest in peace. Gone too soon.

  12. ?

    James Horner 6/22/2015

    James Roy Horner (1953 to 2015) was an American composer, conductor, and orchestrator of film scores, writing over 100 soundtracks. He integrated choral and electronic elements and frequently drew on Celtic musical motifs. Horner won two Academy Awards for his score and song for Titanic (1997).

    13. The Contenders

  13. Glenn Miller 12/15/1944

  14. Patsy Cline 3/5/1963

    Patsy Cline was born Virginia Patterson Hensley on September 8, 1932, in Winchester, Virginia. She became a professional country singer in the 1950s and emerged as one of the most important artists in American music history. Patsy died on March 5, 1963, in a plane crash in Camden, Tennessee. She was... read more

    Her music touches my soul. There has never been another voice like hers since she's been gone. The world lost a true artist.

    The best singer in history, of any genre, male or female. My not-so-humble opinion.

  15. J.P. Richardson (Big Bopper) 2/3/1959

  16. Steve Gaines 10/20/1977

  17. Bill Chase 8/9/1974

  18. Cassie Gaines 10/20/1977

  19. Walter Hyatt 5/11/1996

  20. Jenni Rivera 12/9/2012

    R.I.P., Jenni, and the others that were with her on the fatal flight. You didn't deserve it.

  21. Melanie Thornton (La Bouche) 11/24/2001

    She was hoping for good things in 2001 with Thanksgiving after the 9/11 attacks, but sadly, it all ended days before she could celebrate. Rest in peace.

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