Top Ten Most Missed Musicians
The most missed musicians. Great musicians that died. Who do you miss the most?
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 One of the best rock singers of all time. I wish he had lived longer, as he was very influential with an amazing vocal range. Queen had a large variety of rock music.
Love you, Freddie. Your legend lives on!
If only you'd stuck around long enough to give us Hair, Nose and Teeth, the world would be a better place. Miss you.
I heard Under Pressure on the radio today and was in tears. It made me remember just how fantastic he was. Really miss you, Freddie!
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 He will always be missed. His music will live forever until the world ends. There will never be another King of Pop like him. Nothing will ever replace him, as he was born in the golden era, which no longer exists today. Whenever I think about him, I feel sad. His songs "You Are Not Alone" and "Best of Joy" always make me cry. When he died, nearly the whole world cried and shouted, "Why?" But we have to remember what Jacko taught us: "Tell 'em that it's human nature."
He wasn't just the greatest musician or the greatest dancer on the planet. He was also a very kind, loving, caring, entertaining, dashing, and decent personality who loved everyone. The Thriller album will be up there, on top, for centuries.
RIP King of Pop (1958-2009)
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 He was one of the greatest singers in the world and had such an amazing voice. R.I.P. You will be missed!
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
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. Either Dimebag Darrell or John Lennon should be number 1. They were both shot and killed by crazy people, and it is just so horrible. Lennon was killed near his apartment, but Dimebag was shot and killed on stage while performing.
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 the best rock singers and songwriters of all time, for sure, and the superior AC/DC singer. Any album with him on it, you know is going to be good.
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 Cliff Burton was the most gifted and talented person in the entire world. He will forever be my favorite bass player and one of my favorite musicians ever! Cliff Burton was a virtuoso of a bass player.
R.I.P. Clifford Lee Burton (1962-1986). You will be missed forever.
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 You were the best alternative rocker, a true genius. You were unique, you were always yourself, and you will never be forgotten. R.I.P. Kurt.
Kurt Cobain was the influence that led me to write music.
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 Tupac was one of the greatest lyricists of all time in rap. He was so missed that years later, he released more posthumous albums than anyone else in the game. The words that he spread were of peace and equality in the world, especially in the ghetto. His lyrics touched the hearts of more youth than even Eminem, and that's saying a lot. Since his death, many MCs have tried to copy his style and swagger, but no one can compare or replace him as a legend or a martyr of the rap game. Long story short, he will be missed for generations to come for his outspoken preachings of equality in race, sex, and humanity.
R.I.P. Tupac lives on.
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).The Newcomers
Christina Victoria Grimmie (March 12th 1994 - June 10th 2016), known on YouTube as zeldaxlove64, was an American singer-songwriter known for participating in The Voice and for her covers of hit songs by contemporary pop musicians. She was shot dead during a meet-and-greet in Orlando, Florida, by fan... read more Missed by everyone who knew her from her YouTube videos and her appearance on The Voice.
One of the most powerful voices we've ever had, lost to a tragedy.
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 One of THE BEST songwriters of all time, and arguably the best guitarist. Prince blended a huge diversity of genres, including funk, R&B, rock, and psychedelia.
He was incredibly creative and consistently pumped out amazing songs, particularly in the '70s and '80s.
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. Should be like number 7. He died at 25 in an airplane accident. Does anyone notice that the greatest musicians, actors, and athletes die in plane crashes? He should be higher because he was a success in only 2 years! I love him for how amazingly he played because he is one of a kind.
R.I.P. Randy Rhoads (1956-1982)
One of the greatest guitarists that ever lived. Enough said.
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 Beautiful voice, helped to get people of color's music on the radio, and got it mainstream back when radio stations were disgusting and racist and didn't play their music. Great performer.
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 I'm confused as to how John isn't number 1. He was not only the founding member of the greatest band of all time, but he was also an ambassador for peace. John Lennon wanted love, and in return, he was killed. I don't know why these things have to happen, but let it be known that John Lennon is forever missed. He will always be the best, and I love him more than words can say.
One of the most talented and creative rock songwriters of all time. Definitely my favorite member of The Beatles. I love his solo career compositions as well as the messages he spread.
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 She was a quadruple threat. She had it all - beauty, kindness, talent as a singer, actress, model, and dancer. It sucks that she went far before her time, but what can you even say? I'm still shocked to this day, 12 years later. Well, I love you, Aaliyah, and we haven't forgotten about you. Rest in paradise, angel. If anyone deserves it, it's you.
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.
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 Had so much potential and died too early.
Jonathan Douglas "Jon" Lord was an English composer, pianist, and Hammond organ player known for his pioneering work in fusing rock with classical or baroque forms, especially with Deep Purple, as well as Whitesnake, Paice Ashton Lord, The Artwoods, and The Flower Pot Men.
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 Died too young. He was one of the best guitarists of all time, with many beautiful songs such as "Purple Haze." Skilled and creative.
Jimi is the greatest! Love him. Miss him. Without him, the world of music would be horrific pop and country. He always makes me smile.
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 I miss Layne every day. For someone I've never even met, his powerful and emotional voice touched me personally. I wish he were still here making music, art, and whatever else he loved. Such a tragic loss. There is nobody like him, and there never will be.
This is hard to decide because nearly all the "fathers" of what music is today are dead. But Layne Staley had a voice and style that was unheard of at the time. He knew how to use his voice as an instrument.
For me, number 2 is MCA. He was an inspiration musically and personally.
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... 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
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
Lisa Nicole Lopes, better known by her stage name Left Eye, was an American rapper, singer, dancer, musician, actress, and songwriter. She was a member of the girl group TLC, one of the best-selling female groups of all time. Lopes died in a car accident in Honduras in 2002.
James Owen The Rev Sullivan (February 9, 1981 - December 28, 2009) was an American musician, composer, and songwriter. He was best known as drummer, co-lead vocalist, composer, and founding member of the alternative metal/metalcore band Avenged Sevenfold. Sullivan also contributed significantly... read more One of the greatest musicians of all time. Elite drummer, great pianist, played guitar, bass, and every other instrument necessary to a rock band. Not to mention an amazing voice to go with everything.
R.I.P. Rev
Marvin Gaye (born Marvin Pentz Gay Jr.. April 2, 1939 - April 1, 1984) was an American singer and songwriter. He helped shape the sound of Motown in the 1960s, initially as an in-house session musician and later as a solo artist with a series of hits, earning him the nicknames "Prince of Motown" and... read more