1 Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury (born Farrokh Bulsara, 5th September 1946 - 24th November 1991) was a Zanzibari-born British singer of Indian descent, songwriter and record producer, known as the lead vocalist and songwriter of the British rock band Queen. He also became known for his flamboyant stage persona and four-octave ...read more. One of the best rock singers of all time. Wish he lived longer as he was very influential with an amazing vocal range and 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. Made me remember just how fantastic he was. Really miss you Freddie!
Greatest vocalist and entertainer of all time. I wish I was old enough to have experienced queen live.
2 Michael Jackson
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 a propofol and benzodiazepine overdose on June 25, 2009. He donated (at least) a remarkable 500,000,000 dollars to charity. Michael is also known as The King of Pop (a title given to him by Elizabeth Taylor) or under the initials MJ. Dubbed the King of Pop, he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. ...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. On his death, nearly the whole world cried and shouted "why?" But we have to remember what Jacko taught us: "tell em that is human nature"
He wasn't just the greatest musician, he wasn't just the greatest dancer on the planet, but he was a very kind, loving, caring, entertaining, dashing, decent, romantic personality - who loved every one. The Thriller album will be up there, on top, for centuries.
RIP King of Pop (1958-2009)
One of the best singers and songwriters and live performers of all time, I miss his music and wish I could of seen him live. Shame how terrible his last years were. I love the messages he spread too.
Everyone know that Michael Jackson is the most famous singer..dancer...etc of all time...he should be on number 1
Actually... He is on number 1 but there are some who keep on critising him...losers!
I suppose he is missed by pop culture adherents, but musically his personal contributions don't equal 1/10th of John Lennon's.
3 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 fronted and/or founded numerous groups including Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio and Heaven & Hell. He is credited with popularizing the "metal horns" hand gesture ...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!
4 Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012) was an American singer, actress, producer, and model. In 2009, Guinness World Records cited her as the most awarded female act of all time. Houston is one of pop music's best-selling music artists of all-time, with an estimated 170–200 ...read more.
5 Dimebag Darrell
Darrell Lance Abbott, also known as Diamond Darrell and Dimebag Darrell, was an American guitarist and songwriter best known as a founding member of two bands, Pantera and Damageplan, alongside his brother, Vinnie Paul. Abbott died in 2004 after he was shot by a mentally unstable fan. Either dimebag darell or John Lennon should be #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.
6 Bon Scott
Ronald Belford "Bon" Scott was a Scottish-born Australian rock musician, best known for being the lead singer and lyricist of Australian hard rock band AC/DC from 1974 until his death in 1980. He was born in Forfar and lived in Kirriemuir, Scotland, for 5 years before moving to Melbourne, Australia, with his family in 1952 at the age of six. 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.
7 Cliff Burton
Clifford Lee "Cliff" Burton (February 10th 1962 - September 27th 1986) was an American musician, best known as the second bass guitarist for the American thrash metal band Metallica, recording three studio albums. ...read more. Cliff Burton was the most gifted and most talented person in the entire world and 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.
8 Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain was born February 20, 1967, in Aberdeen, Washington. In 1987, he started the grunge band Nirvana, which became one of the most successful bands ever. He was a talented yet troubled grunge performer. Kurt Cobain became a rock legend in the 1990s with his band. He committed suicide at his ...read more. You were the best Alternative Rocker, a true genius. You were unique, you were always yourself and will never be forgotten. R.I.P. Kurt.
Kurt Cobain was the influence that led me to write music.
Should be number 1. End of story.
Courtney killed him.
9 Tupac
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 was assassinated on September 1996 at the age of 25. ...read more. Tupac was one of the greatest lyricists of all time and rap. Tupac was so missed that years later he has released more posthumous albums then anyone in the game. The words that he spread were of peace and equality in the world and 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 M.C.s 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 on and on for generations to come for his outspoken preachings of equality of race, sex and humanity. R.I.P. Tupac lives on.
10 Gary Moore
Robert William Gary Moore was a Northern Irish musician, most widely recognised as a singer, songwriter, and virtuoso rock and blues guitarist.
The Contenders
11 Randy Rhoads
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. Should be like 7 he died at 25 in an airplane accident dose anyone notice that the greatest musicians, actors, 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 plays because he is one of a kind R.I.P Randy Rhoads 1956-1982
One of the greatest guitarists that ever lived. Enough said.
12 Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American singer and actor. Dubbed the "King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century. His energized interpretations of songs and sexually provocative performance style, combined with a singularly potent mix of influences across color lines during a transformative era in race relations, led him to both great success and initial controversy. ...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.
13 Aaliyah
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. She was a quadruple threat she had it all beauty kindness singer actress model and a dancer it sucks that she went far before her time but what can you even say, still shocked till this day 12 years later, well I love you Aaliyah and we haven't forgotten about you rest in paradise angel. <3 if anyone deserves it its you.
So beautiful and sweet
14 John Lennon
John Winston Ono Lennon, MBE (9 October 1940 - 8 December 1980) was an English singer and songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as a co-founder of the Beatles, the most commercially successful band in the history of popular music. He was assassinated by Mark David Chapman on December 8, 1980 at age 40. Lennon was characterised by the rebellious nature and acerbic wit in his music, writing and drawings, on film, and in interviews. His songwriting partnership with Paul McCartney remains the most successful in history. 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 and messages he spread.
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.
How is he on 24th? What the hell? I don't even know all of the above, and how is a child rapist who took Paul McCartney his discography away on #2? Can we please just swap them?
John Lennon should be first. His music was brutally honest, lush, profound ad gorgeous. He was an activist and one of the best humans to ever walk this earth. he is missed every single day!
15 Duane Allman
Howard Duane Allman was an American guitarist, session musician, and co-founder and leader of the Allman Brothers Band until his death in a motorcycle crash in 1971, when he was 24 years old.
16 Stevie Ray Vaughan
Stephen "Stevie" Ray Vaughan (October 3, 1954 – August 27, 1990) was an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. In spite of a short-lived mainstream career spanning seven years, he is widely considered one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of music, and one of the most important figures in the revival of blues in the 1980s. Had so much potential and died too early.
17 Jon Lord
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.
18 Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix (born November 27, 1942 - September 18, 1970) was an American rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter.
Although his mainstream career spanned only four years, he is widely regarded as one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of popular music, and one of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame describes him as "arguably the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music". Hendrix is consistently ranked on lists of musicians who died too soon. 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 & country...He always makes me smile...
19 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. I miss Layne everyday...For someone I've never even met his powerful & emotional voice touched me personally...Wish he was still here making music, art and whatever else he loved...Such a tragic loss...There is nobody like him and 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 musicly and personaly
The loss of Layne Staley was a tragedy, his musical talents and his commitment to honesty in the music created by AIC will live on forever in his true fans. RIP Layne Thomas Staley.
20 Eazy E
21 Notorious B.I.G.
Christopher George Latore Wallace, born May 21, 1972, better known by his stage name The Notorious B.I.G (sometimes Biggie Smalls or just simply Biggie), is 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.
22 Lisa Lopes
Lisa Nicole Lopes better known by her stage name Left Eye, was an American rapper, singer, dancer, musician, actress, and songwriter.
23 Jimmy The Rev Sullivan
James Owen Sullivan, professionally known by his stage name The Rev, was an American musician, composer and songwriter, best known as the drummer, composer, songwriter, co-lead vocalist and founding member for the American alternative metal/ metalcore band Avenged Sevenfold. 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
24 Bob Marley
Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley was a Jamaican reggae singer, songwriter, musician, and guitarist who achieved international fame and acclaim.
25 Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye (born Marvin Pentz Gay Jr.; April 2, 1939 – April 1, 1984) was an American singer and songwriter. He helped to shape the sound of Motown in the 1960s, first as an in-house session player and later as a solo artist with a string of hits, earning him the nicknames "Prince of Motown" and ...read more.