Poll: What could have been: musicians who died young

Results of 798 votes:

1. 1.
   

   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
2. 2.
   

   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
3. 3.
   

   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…
4. 4.
   

   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
5. 5.
   

   Tupac Shakur

    

   Legendary 1990s rapper, was shot in a driveby shooting in Las Vegas at age 25
6. 6.
   

   Amy Winehouse

    

   English R&B artist from the 00s decade, died of acute alcohol poisoning at age 27
7. 7.
   

   Aaliyah

    

   Popular R&B artist in the 90s, died in a plane crash in the Bahamas, age 22
8. 8.
   

   Janis Joplin

    

   Bluesy rock singer from Texas, died of a drug overdose at 27
9. 9.
   

   Ian Curtis

    

   Singer and songwriter for Joy Division, hanged himself at age 23
10. 10.
    

    The Notorious B.I.G.

     

    1990s rapper, shot by an unknown killer while riding with his entourage through Los Angeles
11. 11.
    

    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
12. 12.
    

    Ritchie Valens

     

    50s Latino rock legend, died in the same plane crash as Buddy Holly while touring, age 17
13. 13.
    

    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…
14. 14.
    

    Marc Bolan

     

    Frontman for English glam rock band T Rex, died in a car crash, age 29
15. 15.
    

    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.
16. 16.
    

    Randy Rhoads

     

    Talented guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne's solo band, died in a plane crash at age 25
17. 17.
    

    Sid Vicious

     

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

    Ronnie Van Zant

     

    Along with his bandmates in Lynyrd Skynyrd, Steve and Cassie Gaines, died in a plane crash in 1977 at age 29
19. 19.
    

    Cliff Burton

     

    Bass player for Metallica, killed in a bus crash in Sweden at age 24
20. 20.
    

    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
21. 21.
    

    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 i…
22. 22.
    

    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
23. 23.
    

    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 c…
24. 24.
    

    Hillel Slovak

     

    Founding guitarist for the funk-blues-rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, died of a drug overdose in 1988 at age 26
25. 25.
    

    Darby Crash

     

    Vocalist and songwriter for 70s punk band the Germs, committed suicide by intentional drug overdose at age 22
26. 26.
    

    The Big Bopper

     

    Rounding out the trio of 50s rock headliners that died in that fateful plane crash in Iowa, he was 28
27. 27.
    

    Shannon Hoon

     

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

    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
29. 29.
    

    Frankie Lymon

     

    Boy singer in the 50s band the Teenagers, and later R&B artist, died of a heroin overdose, age 25
30. 30.
    

    Gram Parsons

     

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