Top 10 Musicians Who Died in Their 30s

Many rock stars are known for dying at age 27 and joining the unofficial "27 Club." However, what I'm trying to show is that even though you may get past age 30, you're not completely out of the woods yet.

Having said that, there are a lot more cases here of lives being lost to external circumstances than to drug or alcohol abuse. May all these musicians rest in peace. Feel free to add more examples.

1. Mozart

   

   Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, baptized as Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart, was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical era, born in Salzburg. He composed more than 600 works, including symphonies, operas, chamber music, and choral pieces. His most famous compositions include... read more

   Better than most artists today, for sure. It's really disgusting how people shake their booties just to get someone to listen to them. No class.

   Thanks for adding him, Metal_Treasure. It's crazy to think that a musician so prodigious and accomplished died so young.

   How can he even be compared to today's musicians? Their work pales in comparison to his masterpieces.

2. Stevie Ray Vaughan

   

   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

   What a guitarist! He figured life out, didn't he? Stop aging, but still live on. He and his music will always be here as long as he is fondly thought of and remembered.

   Stevie Ray Vaughan died at age 35 in a helicopter crash. The sad thing about his death was that he had sobered up a few years earlier and was playing better than ever.

   Stevie Ray Vaughan died in a helicopter crash in 1990 at the age of 35.

3. Bob Marley

   

   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

   One of the greatest. His songs never get old. Every time I listen to them, it feels like I'm hearing them for the first time.

   He's pretty good. My dad really likes him.

   Marley should at least be in the top 5.

4. 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

   Like Keith Moon, John Bonham (Bonzo) was also 32 when he died. According to his autopsy, he died after consuming 40 shots of vodka and choking on his own vomit.

5. Keith Moon

   

   Keith John Moon (1946-1978) was the English drummer for the rock band The Who. He was known for his energetic, unconventional style and eccentric, often self-destructive behavior. Moon's drumming continues to be praised for its influence on rock music and his showmanship is remembered as legendary.

   Possibly the best drumming style ever.

   Right after number 4 on this list.

   Keith died after taking 32 clomethiazole tablets, pills designed to alleviate alcohol withdrawal. He was 32 years old.

6. Chuck Schuldiner

   

   Charles Michael "Chuck" Schuldiner (1967-2001) was an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He was the founder and leader of the band Death, widely considered one of the pioneers of the death metal genre. Schuldiner passed away from brain cancer on December 13, 2001, and is often referred to as... read more

   Most metal fans know that Chuck Schuldiner was "The Godfather of Death Metal." He died at the age of 34 from pneumonia while dealing with a brain tumor. A tragic loss in the metal community.

   Music trends didn't bother Chuck Schuldiner or affect his songwriting. He was a self-taught guitarist with an original and driving musical vision.

   Such a shame he died so young. One of the biggest musical geniuses of all time!

7. Layne Staley

   

   Layne Thomas Staley was an American musician who served as the lead singer and co-songwriter of the rock band Alice in Chains, which he founded with guitarist Jerry Cantrell in Seattle, Washington, in 1987. Alice in Chains rose to international fame as part of the grunge movement of the early 1990s.... read more

   The most soulful, talented, and underrated singer of my generation - it's unforgivable that he's only number 13 on this list! There will never be anyone close to Layne's power and range. Alice in Chains died on April 5, 2002, with Layne. RIP Layne. Can't wait to hear you sing in person when I get there.

   Layne Staley died from a speedball overdose on April 5, 2002, eight years to the day after Kurt Cobain committed suicide on April 5, 1994. Kurt was only 27 years old when he died. Layne was 34 years old.

   Layne Staley died of an overdose of heroin and cocaine on April 5th, 2002, exactly eight years after Kurt Cobain's death.

8. Minnie Riperton

   

   Minnie Julia Riperton (November 8, 1947 - July 12, 1979) was an American soul singer and songwriter best known for her 1974 single "Lovin' You," her five-octave vocal range, and her use of the whistle register.

9. Jim Croce

   

   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.

   I completely forgot about Jim Croce. Thanks for adding him to the list.

   He died in a plane crash while on tour. He was 30 years old.

10. 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

    One of my favorite singers ever.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Florence Ballard

    
12. ?

    Mieszko Talarczyk

The Contenders

13. Dimebag Darrell

    

    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.

    I love Pantera. I buy every Dimebag shirt I can find, just in memory of him. I've been searching for a Vinnie item but can't find anything. I must say, Patsy Cline is a close second for me!

    As most metal fans know, Dimebag was murdered while performing on stage. He was only 38 years old.

    The most shocking musician death.

14. Eazy-E

    

    Eric Lynn Wright, better known by his stage name Eazy-E, was an American rapper who performed solo and as a member of the hip hop group N.W.A. Often referred to as "The Godfather of Gangsta Rap," he played a crucial role in popularizing West Coast rap. He was born in Compton, California, to Richard and... read more

    One does not simply forget "The Godfather of Gangsta Rap." Rest easy, Eazy (1964-1995).

    Eazy-E was 30 years old when he died of AIDS.

    Godfather of Gangsta Rap. Rest in peace.

15. Cass Elliot

    

    Ellen Naomi Cohen, known professionally as Mama Cass and later as Cass Elliot, was an American singer and voice actress. She was a member of the singing group the Mamas and the Papas. After the group disbanded, Elliot released five solo albums and was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall... read more

    Cass Elliot died in her sleep at the age of 32 from heart failure. She ended up dying in the same room and at the same age as Keith Moon did a few years later.

    Cass Elliot is considered one of the greatest female singers of the 1960s.

16. Franz Schubert

    

    Franz Peter Schubert (January 31, 1797 - November 19, 1828) was an Austrian composer known for his extraordinary productivity during a short life. He died before turning 32 but left behind more than 600 secular vocal works, seven complete symphonies, sacred music, operas, incidental music, and extensive... read more

    He left us a lot of beautiful music, much of which was only discovered years later! Illegal drugs aren't the only addictions that have cost the world a lot.

    He died just shy of 32 and left more than 900 works. Many of them have been used in movies - both arthouse and blockbusters. For example, the Rosamunde Quartet, D 804, was used in the first Avengers movie, and the second movement of the Trio, D 929, was used in The Hunger Games, among others. The String Quintet, D 956, is widely regarded as one of the greatest chamber compositions of all time.

17. Harry Chapin

    

    Harry Forster Chapin was an American singer-songwriter, humanitarian, and producer best known for his folk rock and pop rock songs. He achieved worldwide success in the 1970s and became one of the most popular artists and highest paid performers of that decade. His best-known songs include Cat's in the... read more

    He died in a car accident at the age of 38.

18. Mike Bloomfield

    

    One of the first preeminent blues-rock guitar players, Mike Bloomfield, was found dead in his car in 1981, sitting in the driver's seat. The exact circumstances of his death remain unknown, except for two unnamed sources who claimed that he died during a party in San Francisco and was driven to another location by two of his fellow partygoers. He was 37.

19. Jeff Buckley

    

    Jeffrey Scott "Jeff" Buckley (November 17, 1966 - May 29, 1997), raised as Scott "Scottie" Moorhead, was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist.

    Buckley was born in Anaheim, California, into a musical family. His mother, Mary Guibert, was a classically trained musician, and his father, Tim... read more

20. Phil Lynott

    

    Philip Parris "Phil" Lynott was an Irish musician, singer, and songwriter. He was a founding member of the rock band Thin Lizzy, where he served as the principal songwriter, lead vocalist, and bassist. Lynott was one of the first Black Irishmen to achieve significant success in rock music and remained... read more

    After collapsing in his home and being rushed to the hospital, Phil Lynott died in the ICU at the age of 36. He was a frequent heroin user during his last years.

21. Frédéric Chopin

    

    Frédéric François Chopin (March 1, 1810 - October 17, 1849), born Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin, was a Polish composer and virtuoso pianist of the Romantic era. He composed almost exclusively for solo piano and developed a distinctive and poetic musical style.... read more

    Thanks to whoever added him. He deserves to be way higher up this list, as does Franz Schubert.

22. Patsy Cline

    

    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

    Killed in a plane crash, aged just 30.

23. Karen Carpenter

    

    Karen Anne Carpenter was an American singer and drummer. She and her brother, Richard Carpenter, formed the 1970s duo Carpenters. Known for her contralto vocals, Karen Carpenter is regarded as one of the greatest female vocalists of all time.

    One of the best voices of all time.

24. Paul Gray

    

    Paul Dedrick Gray, also known as The Pig or by his number #2, was an American musician best known as the bassist and one of the founding members of the Grammy Award-winning metal band Slipknot. He contributed to the band's aggressive sound and image. Gray passed away in 2010, and his influence remains... read more

25. Lowell George

    

    For those who don't know, Lowell George was the original vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter for Little Feat. He died from a heart attack caused by an accidental cocaine overdose. He was only 34.

    Yes, a great singer and songwriter. Jackson Browne's song "Of Missing Persons" was written after Lowell George's death. A tragic loss.

26. Terry Kath

    

    Terry Alan Kath was an American musician and songwriter, best known as the original guitarist, one of the lead singers, and a founding member of the rock band Chicago. He was highly regarded for his guitar playing, which was praised by fellow musicians, including Jimi Hendrix. Kath contributed to many... read more

    During the last year of his life, Terry infamously developed a dangerous habit of playing with real guns. He accidentally shot himself with a .38 revolver, thinking that it was completely empty. He was 31 years old, only 8 days shy of his 32nd birthday.

    This is a man who should be in the top guitarist discussion. Jimi Hendrix heard Kath playing with Chicago and told the people around him that Terry Kath was better than anyone, including himself.

27. Keith Relf

    

    Keith Relf was an English musician best known as the lead singer and harmonica player for the 1960s rock band The Yardbirds. He contributed to several of the band's popular songs, including Shapes of Things and Over Under Sideways Down.... read more

    Keith Relf died from an electric shock at the age of 33 while playing a guitar that wasn't properly grounded. He suffered from emphysema and asthma, which hindered his ability to survive the shock.