Top 10 Greatest Deceased Rock Artists

Some artists just seem to define an era, a genre, or even an emotion. That's especially true when it comes to rock music.

Whether you grew up spinning vinyl, rocking out to CDs, or streaming tracks on your phone, you've likely been moved by the captivating performances and enduring legacies of some incredible musicians who are no longer with us. The world has lost a number of rock legends who've shaped the very fabric of the genre.

The Top Ten

  1. Freddie Mercury

    Freddie Mercury was a Zanzibari‑born British singer of Indian descent, songwriter, and record producer, best known as the lead vocalist and lyricist of the rock band Queen. He achieved fame for his flamboyant stage persona and remarkable four-octave vocal range.... read more

    Farrokh died when I was in high school. It was a time for all of us where we were sponges for artistic influence, and I soaked in Queen the most.

    Every year that passes since he died, I feel both more in touch with his music and more saddened that we lost Freddie. Though he is someone I've never met, it really does hurt when I realize his impact.

    Well-deserved place. He was the best. Much more talented than Lennon and Elvis in singing and songwriting.

    And I don't even speak about stage presence. He was miles ahead of Lennon and Elvis. He was amazing!

  2. Elvis Presley

    Elvis Aaron Presley was an American singer and actor, widely dubbed the "King of Rock and Roll" and regarded as a pivotal cultural icon of the 20th century. His energetic musical interpretation and provocative performance style, bridging racial music traditions in a shifting era, both fueled his fame... read more

  3. John Lennon

    John Winston Ono Lennon, MBE (born John Winston Lennon, 9 October 1940-8 December 1980), was an English singer, songwriter, musician, and political activist. He rose to worldwide fame as the co-founder, co-lead vocalist, and rhythm guitarist of the Beatles, the most commercially successful band in the... read more

    John Lennon transcended music. He changed our culture and our world! Music and the world have felt the void created on 12/8/80.

    Visit Central Park's "Strawberry Fields," and you WILL feel the connection! Visit the Dakota Building, and your blood will chill when you see how trapped John was that horrible night. It appears so much bigger on TV. This wonderful man had no chance to defend or protect himself. What a cowardly and senseless act of violence!

    John Lennon was magic! Thank God we've had Paul McCartney for so long. He keeps it all alive and well!

  4. Hideto Hide Matsumoto

    Hideto Matsumoto, better known by his stage name Hide, was a Japanese musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is primarily known for his work as the lead guitarist of the heavy metal band X Japan. He also had a successful solo career before his death in 1998.

    He's Japan's most influential guitarist. He's unique, brilliant, colorful, and sparkling. Miyavi is dull compared to him.

    Legendary guitarist. The greatest ever.

  5. Jimi Hendrix

    Jimi Hendrix was an American rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Though his mainstream career lasted only about four years from 1966 to 1970, he's widely regarded as one of the most influential electric guitarists in popular music.... read more

  6. Kurt Cobain

    Kurt Cobain (February 20, 1967 - April 5, 1994) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician, best known as the frontman of the grunge band Nirvana. Founded in 1987, Nirvana achieved global success in the early 1990s, reshaping rock music with albums like Bleach, Nevermind, and In Utero. Cobain died... read more

    Millions of people miss him even though they weren't born when Nirvana was around, like me. Kurt is able to connect with people long after he died, and that's what makes him a legend to this day.

    Kurt was a genius and is responsible for some of the greatest songs ever, like Smells Like Teen Spirit, Come as You Are, Heart-Shaped Box, In Bloom, and many, many more.

    Lots of people miss Kurt. Not only were his songs good, but they also had deep messages in them. Take Pennyroyal Tea, for example.

  7. Jim Morrison

    James Douglas "Jim" Morrison (December 8, 1943 - July 3, 1971) was an American singer, songwriter, and poet best remembered as the lead vocalist and lyricist of The Doors. He became a counterculture icon of the 1960s, known for his flamboyant stage presence and poetic lyrics. Morrison died in Paris in... read more

  8. Michael Jackson

    Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009) was an American singer, dancer, and songwriter. He passed away from cardiac arrest caused by acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication, which was ruled a homicide. Jackson is widely regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures... read more

    I miss MJ! It was a happy day until I heard of his death. R.I.P., Michael!

  9. Duane Allman

    Howard Duane Allman was an American guitarist, session musician, and co-founder of the Allman Brothers Band. He was known for his slide guitar work and contributions to Southern rock. He died in a motorcycle crash in 1971 at the age of 24.

    Duane is arguably one of the five best guitarists of all time. He passed away too early.

  10. Cliff Burton

    Clifford Lee "Cliff" Burton (February 10, 1962 - September 27, 1986) was an American musician best known as the second bass guitarist for the American thrash metal band Metallica. He performed on the band's first three studio albums: Kill 'Em All (1983), Ride the Lightning (1984), and Master of Puppets... read more

    If only he were still alive, Metallica might have been even better.

    Rest in peace. The greatest bassist ever.

    11. The Newcomers
  11. ?

    Dave Mason

  12. ?

    Country Joe McDonald

    13. The Contenders

  13. John Bonham

    John Henry Bonham (31 May 1948-25 September 1980) was an English musician best known as the drummer of the rock band Led Zeppelin. Born in Redditch, Worcestershire, Bonham, nicknamed "Bonzo," is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential drummers in history. Noted for his speed, power, fast... read more

    John Bonham was the greatest rock drummer who ever lived. His death meant the end of the king of all rock bands: Led Zeppelin.

    Bonham, Hendrix, and Lennon should top this list if we're talking about tragically lost talent.

    Base this list on skill, innovation, and influence on their respective instruments, and you have John Henry Bonham sitting easily at #1 - the greatest rock drummer who ever lived.

    I hope he is on the Stairway to Heaven.

  14. George Harrison

    George Harrison (25 February 1943-29 November 2001) was an English musician, singer, and songwriter who achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of the Beatles. Sometimes called "the quiet Beatle," Harrison embraced Indian culture and helped broaden the scope of popular music through his incorporation... read more

  15. Bon Scott

    Ronald Belford "Bon" Scott was a Scottish-born Australian rock musician, best known as the lead singer and lyricist of the hard rock band AC/DC from 1974 until his death in 1980. He was born in Forfar, Scotland, and lived in Kirriemuir for five years before moving to Melbourne, Australia, in 1952 at... read more

  16. Randy Rhoads

    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.

  17. Ronnie James Dio

    Ronnie James Dio (born Ronald James Padavona. July 10, 1942 - May 16, 2010) was an American heavy metal singer, songwriter, and musician. He led and performed with several bands including Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio, and Heaven & Hell.... read more

    This guy is one of the gods of metal, with an amazing voice. I was very surprised and disappointed not to see him in the top 10.

    The absolute best in true rock. Hard and heavy.

  18. David Bowie

    David Robert Jones, known professionally as David Bowie (January 8, 1947 - January 10, 2016), was an English singer born in London, the son of a sales promotion officer and a housewife.

    He earned praise for his experimental and creative music, winning numerous awards and gaining admiration from... read more

  19. Jon Lord

    Jonathan Douglas "Jon" Lord was an English composer, pianist, and Hammond organ player. He was known for pioneering the fusion of rock with classical and baroque forms. Lord was best known for his work with Deep Purple, as well as his contributions to Whitesnake, Paice Ashton Lord, The Artwoods, and... read more

  20. Dimebag Darrell Lance Abott

    Darrell Lance Abbott, also known as Diamond Darrell and Dimebag Darrell, was an American guitarist and songwriter. He co-founded the bands Pantera and Damageplan with his brother Vinnie Paul. Abbott was tragically shot and killed during a performance in 2004 by a mentally unstable fan.

    Best metal guitarist. RIP Dimebag.

  21. Chuck Berry

    Charles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry was an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter, and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music. He is known for songs such as "Johnny B. Goode," "Roll Over Beethoven," and "Maybellene." Berry died on March 18, 2017.

  22. Gary Moore

    Robert William Gary Moore was a Northern Irish musician, celebrated as a singer, songwriter, and virtuoso rock/blues guitarist. His solo career included the hit album Still Got the Blues (1990).

  23. Buddy Holly

    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

    Buddy Holly actually inspired some famous people. He should be at least in the top 10.

  24. Jerry Garcia

    Jerome John "Jerry" Garcia was an American musician best known for his lead guitar work, singing, and songwriting with the band the Grateful Dead, which came to prominence during the counterculture era in the 1960s.

    Garcia was also involved in various side projects and was respected for his improvisational... read more

  25. Johnny Cash

    John R. "Johnny" Cash (1932-2003) was an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, actor, and author. He is widely considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century and one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with more than 90 million records sold worldwide.... read more

  26. Lemmy Kilmister

    Ian Fraser Kilmister, known as Lemmy, was an English musician, singer, and songwriter who founded and fronted the rock band Motörhead. He was a bassist and a singer known for his raspy voice and aggressive playing style. He died in 2015 from prostate cancer, cardiac arrhythmia, and congestive heart failure... read more

  27. Janis Joplin

    Janis Joplin (1943-1970) was an American singer who rose to fame as the lead vocalist of the psychedelic rock band Big Brother and the Holding Company. She was known for her powerful voice, emotive performances, and distinctive hippie style. Joplin remains an iconic figure of 1960s counterculture and... read more

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