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 of mid-1950s rock and roll. He was a rising star when a tragic plane crash struck him down at age 22. ...read more.

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

When holly, the big bopper, and richie valens died on the same plane, musicians started taking the bus.

I had no idea so many musicans were killed in plane crashes. This is a sad list.

Poor guys, God bless 'em all.

2 Randy Rhoads 3/19/82 Randall William "Randy" Rhoads was an American heavy metal guitarist who played with Ozzy Osbourne and Quiet Riot. He was killed in a plane crash.

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 then covering my laundry room now. 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 most certainly 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! RIP. 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

Randy, If he was still around my Dad may have gotten to meet him, I would own his solo albums, and so much more music would have been made.
(P.S The day the music died rely refers to all the musicians who died in plane crashes during the 1960s-mid 902.

3 Stevie Ray Vaughn 8/27/1990

I was born after the crash, I wish I could have seen him live! RIP
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.

I'm a 16 year old girl and I am OBSESSED with Otis Redding. I've been sing and danceing along to his songs since I was 3 years old. hands down besting 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.

Ronnie's writing & his music in general 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 & Cassie proud.

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

Simply the best

6 Aaliyah 8/25/2001 Aaliyah Dana Haughton was born on January 16th 1979 and died August 25th 2001. She was a dancer, an actress and an R&B singer. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, raised in Detroit, Michigan and died at Marsh Harbour, Bahamas. ...read more.

I will miss her... I always watching Romeo must die... Aaliyah and Jet li... she was my favorite singer... she died at very young age... I idolized her very much... Aaliyah I will surely miss you...

This is one of the saddest death 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 death was a schock to everyone I think that we will never get over that tragic story still till this day that is still a shock to hear especially when Aaliyah was beautiful, she was a good singer, she had dance skills and rich and acting ability in films she will always be missed R.I. P Aaliyah.

Beautiful women great personality she in our hearts and will all ways be missed her spirit will always live on god bless you... We love you aaliayh

7 Ricky Nelson 12/31/1985

A legend , that died way to young.

Underrated He could sing!

8 Ritchie Valens 2/3/1959

Ritchie is simply awesome! Try to watching "la bamba" movie, then you'll see how soon 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, Croce released five studio albums and singles. His songs "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" and "Time in a Bottle" 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.

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

The Contenders
11 Glenn Miller 12/15/1944
12 Patsy Cline 3/15/1963 Patsy Cline was born Virginia Patterson Hensley on September 8, 1932, in Winchester, Virginia. She became a professional country singer in the 1950s, and became 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 inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1973.

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.

13 Steve Gaines 10/20/1977
14 J.P. Richardson (Big Bopper) 2/3/1959
15 Bill Chase 8/9/1974
16 James Horner 7/22/2015
17 Cassie Gaines 10/20/1977
18 Walter Hyatt 5/11/1996
19 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

20 Melanie Thornton La Bouche 11/24/2001

She was hoping for good in 2001 with Thanksgiving after the 9/11 attacks, but sadly it all ended days before she got to celebrate. R.I.P.

21 Marília Mendonça 11/5/2021

Still can't believe the biggest female Brazilian music artist as well as the lady with the most watched non-English livestream on YouTube (with 3.3 million views during streaming) along with the most subscribed female on YouTube in 24 hours (1.8 million) was killed 3 weeks before Thanksgiving while she had a journey to continue. She was 26 & was known as the queen of suffering. An inspiration to many artists including Anitta. R.I.P. too soon.

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