Top 10 Biggest Losses to the Music Industry
Some artists, love them or hate them, have made a tremendous mark and influence on the music industry that their deaths have affected everyone in some way.
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 Michael should be #1 - MJ was a songwriter, composer, arranger, dancer, and singer. He was inducted into the Dance Hall of Fame, Songwriters Hall of Fame, and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice. Michael was an artist who wrote nine #1 songs and created the biggest-selling album of all time (Thriller). He holds the Guinness World Record for the most awards. Michael created music - MJ is the King of Music. Period.
For real. He's the only artist I miss.
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 I'm sorry to any Michael fan, but Freddie should be number one. He was both a Queen and a King to the music world, and having him die at such a young age was one of the worst things. He made so much great music and had so many ideas, but due to his untimely death, his ideas are forever lost in his mind, never to be retrieved. Michael at least had half of his life and career behind him, but not Freddie - hardly even half. He didn't even live to see the release of Made In Heaven.
RIP Freddie. You were truly the greatest... now, the greatest loss.
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... read more Greatest human and musician we've ever had!
Number one biggest loss, hands down!
One of, if not the best musician ever.
Chester Charles Bennington (March 20, 1976 - July 20, 2017) was an American musician, singer, songwriter, and actor, best known as the lead vocalist of Linkin Park... read more
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 Nevermind. Cobain died by suicide in April... read more This man was the temporary leader for a generation of kids. Sad as it may be that he took his own life at the age of 27, it doesn't mean he wasn't great at making music. He must have been really good if he continues to influence people today. To me, his death has impacted me the most, and I was born more than two years after his death.
The dark side's plan to ruin music: Kill off the lead singer of Nirvana, let Bieber live, and indirectly bring forth "What Do You Mean?"
Whitney Elizabeth Houston was an American singer, actress, producer, and model. She holds the Guinness World Record as the most awarded female artist of all time, with over 400 career awards as of 2006, and was named the most awarded female act in 2009... read more She had the most brilliant voice I've ever heard. Losing her to drugs is so sad. The saddest thing.
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 One of the greatest drummers of all time.
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
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 How can we forget Cliff? Arguably the best and most innovative bassist of all time. Unlike many people on this list, Cliff didn't die of drug abuse or some crazy suicide. He died in an accident at just the age of 24. This makes it all the more sad. I can't even imagine the great heights Metallica and the whole genre of metal would have reached if he were alive today.
No doubt Metallica regained their ground once again after Burton's death, but there shall never be any bassist with the style of Cliff Burton.
Tupac Amaru Shakur, also known as 2Pac, was an American rapper and actor born on June 16, 1971, in East Harlem, New York. Tupac sold over 75 million records worldwide and has been referred to in multiple major publications such as Rolling Stone as one of the greatest music artists of all time. 2Pac... read more
The Newcomers
Roger Keith Barrett was an English musician, composer, singer, songwriter, and painter. He was a founding member of the band Pink Floyd and served as their original lead singer, guitarist, and principal songwriter. Barrett is also credited with naming the band and was influential in the early psychedelic... read more What a unique artist Syd was. There will never be anyone like him.
Prince Rogers Nelson (June 7, 1958 - April 21, 2016) was an American musician, widely regarded as one of the most popular and influential artists of the 1980s. He was known for his eclectic musical style, flamboyant stage presence, and mastery of multiple instruments. Some of his most iconic songs include... read more
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 had nowhere to go but up. He already proved himself a legend, yet he wanted to move on and get a degree in classical guitar playing. I'm a guitarist, and I can tell you classical is not easy. All this by the age of 24. Rest easy, and thank you for the music.
He was so great! Songs like "Mr. Crowley," "Crazy Train," and "Flying High Again" are so magical! The way the guitar "lifts" up the song is amazing! It was such a shame that he died.
Rest in peace, Randy Rhoads! Always remembered, never forgotten.
Why isn't he in the top 10? He was so good!
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
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
Christopher George Latore Wallace, born May 21, 1972, better known by his stage name The Notorious B.I.G. (sometimes Biggie Smalls or simply Biggie), was an American rapper from Brooklyn, New York. On March 9, 1997, he was murdered in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles, California, at the age of only... read more
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... read more
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
Amy Jade Winehouse was an English singer and songwriter known for her deep, expressive contralto vocals and her eclectic blend of soul, rhythm and blues, and jazz. She is a well-known member of the 27 Club, having died from alcohol poisoning at age 27 on July 23, 2011. Her album Back to Black remains... read more So special, gifted, and talented in a time when originality was so scarce.
James Owen Sullivan (February 9, 1981 - December 28, 2009), better known by his stage name "The Rev," short for "The Reverend Tholomew Plague," was an American musician, singer, and songwriter. He was best known as the drummer, backing vocalist, and co-founder of the American heavy metal band Avenged... read more How can we forget The Knife Master? Arguably the best and most innovative drummer of all time. Not only was he a drummer, but he was also a singer, played keyboard, piano, and guitar, and was a songwriter for Avenged Sevenfold. His loss is a big one for Avenged Sevenfold and its members. They are still together without The Rev... We love you, Rev, foREVer.
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 Her voice gave such a raw feel to the music she created. All her songs are instant attractions, and she would have kicked even more ass if only she had lived to see today.
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.
John Alec Entwistle was an English singer, songwriter, composer, musician, and producer for both film and music. He is best known as the bassist for the rock band The Who, where his innovative style and powerful playing contributed significantly to the group's sound.
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 An amazing guitarist and will never be forgotten (well, he better not be forgotten or there will be hell to pay).
Stevie Ray Vaughan was one of the best guitarists to walk the planet. His loss will always be a sad one.
Kishore Kumar was an Indian film playback singer, actor, lyricist, composer, producer, director, and screenwriter. He is considered one of the most successful playback singers in the Hindi film industry. His versatile voice and charismatic personality left a lasting legacy in Indian cinema.
Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley was a Jamaican reggae singer, songwriter, musician, and guitarist who achieved international fame and acclaim. He was a pioneering figure in reggae music and is considered one of the genre's most influential artists. His work with The Wailers helped popularize Jamaican music... read more