Top 10 Greatest Rockers Who Died of Alcohol or Drugs
Rock 'n' roll has always been synonymous with excess, wild abandon, and a taste for pushing the boundaries. For some, this lifestyle became a tragic double-edged sword. The bright lights and thunderous applause were often accompanied by dark demons and battles with addiction. Today, we pay tribute to those fallen stars who left an indelible mark on the world of rock music but succumbed to the perils of drugs and alcohol.In this top ten list, we'll honor the greatest rockers who lost their lives to the very vices that, in some cases, fueled their creativity and success. Their untimely departures left fans grieving and the music world mourning the loss of immense talent, but their legacies live on through the powerful music and iconic moments they left behind.
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... read more
It's tragic how he died. Poor guy choked on his vomit in his sleep after taking multiple drugs and getting blackout drunk.
He was and still is number one! I didn't know Moon died. When did this happen?
What a loss to the world that was!
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 My absolute favorite dead rock star, Layne Staley was so underrated by the media. He really wasn't looking for that anyway. It's just his fans who want him to receive the praise he is due. Amazing vocal talent, always copied but never duplicated. Rest in peace, Layne.
Most unique voice in rock history and a very talented musician. His story is so sad.
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... read more Sorry to hear about his death, but drugs and alcohol are bad for your health.
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,... read more No one is better than my dead idol. He's number one.
James Douglas "Jim" Morrison was an American singer, songwriter, and poet best remembered as the lead singer of the Doors. He defined rock as a great vehicle for poetry. His genius made it possible to superimpose and differentiate images of love and pain, abandonment and redemption, life and death. Poet musician, economy of words, fluency of images. King Lizard forever.
No one can replace Jim Morrison. He is one of the best singer-writers and poets. He defined love and pain in love. But we lost him so early. I wish I could have seen him live. May God give him peace.
John Henry Bonham was born on May 31, 1948 in Redditch, United Kingdom. Bonham (nicknamed Bonzo) was a professional hard rock drummer who was best known for being the drummer in the band Led Zeppelin. Bonham was also one of the background singers in the band. His drumming is mainly displayed on the... read more Soo sad, he was so great and legendary!
Keith John Moon was an English drummer for the rock band the Who. He was noted for his unique style and his eccentric, often self-destructive behaviour. His drumming continues to be praised by critics and musicians.
John Alec Entwistle, was an English singer, songwriter, composer, musician, film and music producer. He is mostly known as the lead bassist for the rock band The Who. Awesome bassist. He influenced all modern bassists and was voted bassist of the millennium.
Janis Joplin (1943-1970) was an American singer who rose to fame as the main singer of acid band Big Brother and the Holding Company. She was known for her eccentric hippie style and psychedelic rock music. Sorry to hear about her death. Drugs and alcohol are bad for your health.
Michael Christopher "Mike" Starr was an American musician, best known as the original bassist in Alice in Chains, which he played with from the band's formation in 1987 until 1993.
James Owen Sullivan (February 9th, 1981 - December 28th 2009), better known by his stage name "The Rev" (Short for "The Reverend Tholomew Plague") was an American musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the former drummer, backing vocalist and co-founder of the American alternative metal/ metalcore... read more The greatest drummer and musician. He will be missed for all the things he did for us and Avenged Sevenfold. He's not just anyone. He is The Rev and the greatest musician in the world. Listen to songs by Avenged Sevenfold and hear why he's the best!
A truly talented drummer who died of an accidental overdose on prescription drugs and alcohol. Rest in peace, Jimmy. Avenged Sevenfold and the fans will never be the same without you. Avenged Sevenfold and Jimmy forever.
Philip Parris "Phil" Lynott was an Irish musician, singer and songwriter. His most commercially successful group was Thin Lizzy, of which he was a founding member, the principal songwriter, lead vocalist and bassist.
Richard Shannon Hoon was an American singer-songwriter and musician. He was the lead singer of the band Blind Melon until his death in 1995. It was tragic to lose a talent and soul like Shannon Hoon. He has touched so many lives with his words and music. Shannon's words saved and changed my life in so many ways. And I'm not alone.
John Beverly, born John Simon Ritchie, later named Sid Vicious, was an English musician, most famous as the bass guitarist of the influential punk rock band the Sex Pistols, and notorious for his arrest for the alleged murder of his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen.
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... read more
Scott Richard Weiland (October 27, 1967 - December 3, 2015) was an American musician, singer and songwriter. During a career spanning three decades, Weiland was best known as the lead singer of the band Stone Temple Pilots from 1989 to 2002 and 2008 to 2013.
Bradley James Nowell was an American musician who served as the founder, lead singer, and guitarist of the band Sublime. The members of Sublime and the world of music were never the same.
Amy Jade Winehouse was an English singer and songwriter known for her deep expressive contralto vocals and her eclectic mix of musical genres, including soul, rhythm and blues, and jazz. She is also a well-known member of the 27 Club, as she overdosed on alcohol at age 27.
William Rory Gallagher was an Irish blues and rock multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and bandleader.
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 was in one of the greatest metal bands of our time. He will be missed and will always be my favorite bassist.
Richard George Manuel was a Canadian composer, singer, and multi-instrumentalist, best known as the pianist, regular lead singer, and occasional drummer of The Band.
Prince Rogers Nelson (June 7, 1958 - April 21st, 2016) was an American musician, best known for being one of the most popular and influential artists from the 80s, with songs such as "Purple Rain", "Little Red Corvette", "1999", and "When Doves Cry" .
Nicholas Rodney "Nick" Drake (19 June 1948 – 25 November 1974) was an English singer-songwriter and musician, known for his acoustic guitar-based songs. A singular talent who passed almost unnoticed during his brief lifetime, his work has posthumously achieved wider notice and recognition.