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Poll: What could have been: musicians who died young

A poll by alioth4.
Which of these musicians who died before age 30, do you think had the most potential for continuing greatness had they been spared? (Inspired by yrnej's poll of actors who died before age 30)

Discuss here

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Make Your Choice

  1. Vote!

    Jim Morrison

    Poet and lead singer for the Doors, died at 27 from heart failure, possibly alcohol or drug related. Billed along with Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix as members of the "27 Club", who all died at age 27 in 1970 or 1971 (Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones, who died in 1969 at that age, is also often mentioned as a member).
  2. Vote!

    Jimi Hendrix

    Pioneering psychedelic-blues guitarist of the late 1960s, also "part of the 27 club" (died age 27) from an overdose of sleeping pills
  3. Vote!

    Janis Joplin

    Bluesy rock singer from Texas, died of a drug overdose at 27
  4. Vote!

    Duane Allman

    Allman Brothers guitarist and collaborator with Eric Clapton on the song "Layla"; died when his motorcycle collided with a truck, at age 24
  5. Vote!

    Ronnie Van Zant

    Along with his bandmates in Lynyrd Skynyrd, Steve and Cassie Gaines, died in a plane crash in 1977 at age 29
  6. Vote!

    Buddy Holly

    1950s rock legend from Texas, died in a plane crash during a blizzard while touring, along with Richie Valens and the Big Bopper, at age 22
  7. Vote!

    Ritchie Valens

    50s Latino rock legend, died in the same plane crash as Buddy Holly while touring, age 17
  8. Vote!

    The Big Bopper

    Rounding out the trio of 50s rock headliners that died in that fateful plane crash in Iowa, he was 28
  9. Vote!

    Aaliyah

    Popular R&B artist in the 90s, died in a plane crash in the Bahamas, age 22
  10. Vote!

    Tupac Shakur

    Legendary 1990s rapper, was shot in a driveby shooting in Las Vegas at age 25
  11. Vote!

    Hillel Slovak

    Founding guitarist for the funk-blues-rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, died of a drug overdose in 1988 at age 26
  12. Vote!

    Shannon Hoon

    Lead singer for alternative rock band Blind Melon in the 1990s, died of a cocaine overdose at age 28
  13. Vote!

    Kurt Cobain

    Characterized by some as a late member of the "27 Club", this lead singer from the meteoric 90s band Nirvana committed suicide by shotgun at age 27
  14. Vote!

    Brian Jones

    Founding guitarist and keyboardist for the Rolling Stones, was initially considered the "bandleader" before Jagger and Richards' growing songwriting collaboration overshadowed him. Drowned in his swimming pool at age 27
  15. Vote!

    Randy Rhoads

    Talented guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne's solo band, died in a plane crash at age 25
  16. Vote!

    Cliff Burton

    Bass player for Metallica, killed in a bus crash in Sweden at age 24
  17. Vote!

    Sid Vicious

    Bass player and vocalist for the Sex Pistols, died of a heroin overdose at 21
  18. Vote!

    Hank Williams

    Early legend of country music, died of alcoholism-related heart failure at age 29. His son Hank Williams Jr. is a country legend in his own right still living and playing today.
  19. Vote!

    Tim Buckley

    Eclectic artist of folk, psychedelic, jazz and funk styles of music in the 60s and 70s, died of a drug overdose at 28
  20. Vote!

    Ron McKernan

    Nicknamed "Pigpen", organist and harmonica player for the Grateful Dead in the late 60s and early 70s, died of a gastrointestinal hemorrhage at age 27
  21. Vote!

    Gram Parsons

    Country and rock musician who played guitar for the Byrds, died of a drug overdose at age 26
  22. Vote!

    Selena

    1990s Tejano singer, shot by the president of her fan club, Yolanda Saldivar, when she confronted Saldivar for embezzling money from the club, age 23
  23. Vote!

    The Notorious B.I.G.

    1990s rapper, shot by an unknown killer while riding with his entourage through Los Angeles
  24. Vote!

    Darby Crash

    Vocalist and songwriter for 70s punk band the Germs, committed suicide by intentional drug overdose at age 22
  25. Vote!

    Ian Curtis

    Singer and songwriter for Joy Division, hanged himself at age 23
  26. Vote!

    Nick Drake

    English folk rock artist of the 70s, suffered clinical depression and overdosed on antidepressants at age 26. Dream Academy's 1980s hit "Life in a Northern Town" is inspired by and dedicated to him.
  27. Vote!

    Frankie Lymon

    Boy singer in the 50s band the Teenagers, and later R&B artist, died of a heroin overdose, age 25
  28. Vote!

    Bobby Fuller

    Early 60s rocker who fronted the Bobby Fuller Four, known for the hit single "I Fought the Law (and the Law Won)"--his body was found inside a car parked outside his home, under mysterious circumstances, age 23
  29. Vote!

    Marc Bolan

    Frontman for English glam rock band T Rex, died in a car crash, age 29
  30. Vote!

    Amy Winehouse

    English R&B artist from the 00s decade, died of acute alcohol poisoning at age 27

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