Top Ten Saddest Musician Deaths

Chickenlegs

The ten saddest deaths of any musician. Any death in the music world, besides old age, can be added. Be sure to add the band, if the artists name isn't in the band name. Don't agree with the list? Vote for an existing item you think should be ranked higher or if you are a logged in, add a new item for others to vote on or create your own version of this list.

The Top Ten

1Hideto Matsumoto (X-Japan)
An absolutely stunning lyricist, a great guitarist, and such a vibrant appearance and attitude -- a person who could be wild and crazy on stage, but logical and kind off of it. 14 years after his death, he continues to have and to gain fans and inspire many.

It's entirely possible he could have been seen as a worldwide legend like many others on this list if his life hadn't been cut short or if more of the world had been more open-minded about Asian musicians back in the 1980s/1990s.
I think it's enough to say that after almost 15 years that he passed away, (December 13, 1964 - May 2, 1998) people still mourn his death, and people who know him recently, wish that he was still alive. And even after all this time, his legacy and the love of all his fans remains.
miss u soooooooo much.
fight! fight!
x japan thailand fans.

mamamumu

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2John Lennon (The Beatles)
John Lennon's death was by far the most tragic. He was shot out of the clear blur sky when he was going home to see his son. That is beyond sad. John Lennon was a true musician. He touched people with his honest lyrics that inspired everyone to think. Imagine if John Lennon was still alive, the world would be a better place.
It s really horrible to rank who's death was the most tragic but lennon's pointless murder and the fact that he literally changed the world and only wanted peace makes it the saddest. Mickeal jackson's death wasn't as tragic because his whole life was tragic I mourn the pain he went through since he was a kid. Freddy is tragic because he was a legend and he died from aids horribly. Jim morrison is second because he was my idol.
john lennon are you serious how isnt he number one john lennon was the second coming of christ all he believed in was music and PEACE... if artist today could think of that instead of the complete oposite, they should be the ones in the grave not this GREAT ARTIST N MAN

paynterboyy335

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3Kurt Cobain (Nirvana)
If Cobain had lived another ten years, we wouldn't have to listen to nickelback or lil wayne. Think about that

timfitzpatrick

KuRt Cobain was the best singer at that time and would have been a legend if he had the chance to live. I have full evidence that his wife killed him with various technics. But it is not possible for me to case a file that is old. But in after life, there will be judgement.
Contain is a legend and he was an amazing song writer and how is Lennon above him Lennon was a wife beater child abuser and just talentless hate Lennon love cobain and the rest of the Beatles
 More comments about Kurt Cobain (Nirvana)

4Michael Jackson
This should have been number one this is by far the most saddest death in history I was shocked when I heard theat michael jackson died and I'm only 11 years old
that's a shame for real
His death was truly tragic, but come on. Don't go calling people stupid just because they miss Kurt Cobain or John Lennon more, anonymous commenter.
A legend has gone
 More comments about Michael Jackson

5Freddie Mercury
Whoever did not cry at the announcement of his death has no heart. I was so sad when I first found out. My brother told me since I was born too late.
One of the greatest artist that ever lived. 20+ years after his death his music is still around. Whether it's in a commercial, movie or the sports arena his influence lives on. I miss him dearly.
Mercury was an amazing person. R.I.P.

fireinside96

 More comments about Freddie Mercury

6Cliff Burton (Metallica)
In my opinion he had the worst death because he got crushed by his own tour bus! R.I.P
The most talented bass player in existence. I thought for whom the bell tolls intro was a guitar then I found out it was a bas
burton was taken way too soon man, in the prime of his career and when metallica was just getting really popular.

andrewXmetallica92

7Tupac
Brains, charisma and super talented. Tupac may be remembered as a gangsta rapper but in reality he was a renaissance man. Not only involved in music but he was an up and coming actor who was also planning on releasing a book of poetry before his untimely passing. A true legend taken from us before his time. May you forever Rest In Peace Mr Tupac Amaru Shakur
He is the best we will ever have. There will never be any greater.R.I.P. tupac Shakur. You will be forever loved and missed.
Whoever did this will eventually pay. R. I. P.

3anegroes

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8Layne Staley (Alice in Chains)
Layne Staley was and still is the voice of my generation. He had one of the most incredible voices. The world lost a great talent 9 1/2 years ago. Sadly his cause of death has overshadowed his talent, maybe someday they will give him the credit he is due. Hopefully others will find his music and enjoy the gifts he gave us so long ago. RIP Layne - You are missed...
Layne Staley had the most beautiful power voice God ever gave a human. I can only imagine the music he would still be making if was still here with us. Thankfully we have what we do have of him. Will always be my favorite musician. Thank You Layne!
Layne was such an amazing singer! I'm 14 and I totally fell in love with him! He had such a great personality and a great sense of humour.. Also he was so beautiful! R.I.P Layne
 More comments about Layne Staley (Alice in Chains)

9Jimi Hendrix

10Jim Morrison (The Doors)

Jim Morrison of the Doors
He had amazing lyrical ability and sadly died of a heroin overdose. He was one of the most famous people from the 27 club, including Curt Kobain.R.I.P. all dead musicians.

The Contenders

11Selena

She was going to be more famous than Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Eminem, Tupac, Selena Gomez, ane Justin Bieber combined! She was also going to be a great role model, but unfortunately, her death came to be. We miss and love you Selena!

Shes still talked about a lot in the latino community.. We'll never forget the Queen of Tejano

12Dimebag Darrell
R.I. P brother dime, you didn't deserve it

13Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan
So under-appreciated by a lot of people. His level of pure talent was unsurpassed by all but the most elite in the music industry. Arguably on par with the abilities of Mike Portnoy, and yet so young and undeveloped. If he were to have survived, his abilities would utterly dominate those of most, if not all modern drummers. The Rev's death, I'm sure, will continue to pain Avenged Sevenfold's fans for many years to come, and won't be forgotten.
He was an extremely talented drummer! This wasn't his only talent, though - he was an exceptional songwriter, too! He wrote the masterpiece known as "A Little Piece of Heaven, " my favorite song by A7X and basically of all time. Oh Jimmy... Why'd you have to go? Sadly it happens to the best of us... Not garbage like Nicki Minaj and Pitbull! )'=
Jimmy truly was talent. He was so skilled in so many different interments. He was the writer of most of Avenged Sevenfolds songs. He even had his own band before A7X pinkly smooth.
 More comments about Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan

14Bob Marley

15John Bonham (Led Zeppelin)
I always wonder what zeppelin would have achieved if he was still alive..
He was amazing just wish he was around a bit longer like amazing guy he will be missed by many

mneilan

Come on! his death signaled the end of led zeppelin's career! how is that not sad?

abbytoledo1293

16The Notorious B.I.G.
God please give us back biggie and we'll give you back JB, lady gaga, lil wayne, and katy perry I mean come on god you can't turn that down you get 4 people for the price of one
Why the hell isn't this higher!

17Elvis Presley

18Brad Nowell (Sublime)

19Hillel Slovak
Formed the greatest band of all time!
If he was dead a year later, he would join the group of 27
why conldn't he survive just 1 year?
He is one of the greatest greatest of that time.
Original guitarist from RHCP got beat by heroin

Chickenlegs

20Bon Scott

he was the greatest singer for acdc he was the one that made them famous in the first place and now he can't see there success now. RIP bon scott

Rocky5

21Whitney Houston
Long time since I felt so bad for someone I never met. Not since I was a kid

22Ian Curtis

Love, love will tear us apart again, and it did

Such a depressing life, I bet he's looking down down on new order and happy to see how far they got.

He had the saddest eyes ever

23Aaliyah
Aaliyah ' s Death Shocked The World Including me

I Cried Because She's Been A Role Model To Me And Inspired Others

She Was Only 22 When She Died R.I. P To Ms. Aaliyah Haughton
She was truly an amazing artist as well as an individual! Very beautiful and talented. She had the whole package singing, acting, and just being real 24/7.

24Izumi Sakai

she had a cervical cancer and she fell to the stairs that caused her death. many people will always remember her name

ronluna

very great woman, leader of japanese band zard and she is too young to go away

ronluna

25Francis Magalona

He is the filipino's rap king...

26Jeff Buckley
1 album, no artist that great should only get the chance for a single album. And yet the quality on that album - that is what makes it the saddest, he could have done so much more with his life. His death was such a throw away moment too, swum into the river and then a few minutes later he was gone - not a death worthy of this brilliant musician, no depression, no struggle, no point to it. Just another sad accident.
The best vocalist ever, cut down in his prime. So so sad!

dxfifa

27Tose Proeski

28George Harrison

If The Beatles hadn't become famous, they'd all be alive. George wouldn't have gotten cancer because he wouldn't have smoked pot, and I don't need to explain John. That thought alone is sad.

GuitarZero

29Warren Zevon
One of the most underrated artists ever

30Munetaka Higuchi

31Duane Allman

I cry a little inside knowing how he would have gotten even better at guitar had he not crashed his motorcycle into that truck.R.I.P. skydog.

32Amy Winehouse
She's in the 27 club. My favorite song by her is "Stronger Than Me".

33Laura Branigan

34Laura Nyro

35Stevie Ray Vaughan

SRV's death is just so tragic. After fighting for years against and his alcohol and drug abuse, he finally becomes clean. Then a year later, he dies in a helicopter accident :'(

36Judee Sill

37Ingo Schwichtenberg
The best drummer ever... So sad that he died, he had a very hard end of life... I'd really like to see he play live, but that's not possible anymore :'(. So underrated drummer. Ingo Fly Free.
The God of the drums... Ingo was a machine gun with creativity, very innovative at Metal scenery and is so underrated... Ingo Fly Free
I wish he was still around to see how well helloween is doing, he was a good drummer.

darknesswolf4736

38Ritchie Valens

39Ronnie Van Zant

40Falco

41Janis Joplin

Another member of the 27 club.

42Karen Carpenter

43Charlie Rich

44Randy Rhoads
One of the flashiest metal guitarists ever. Made music entertaining, always will be a legend

45Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

46Ronnie James Dio
R.I. P Dio he was one of the best vocalists ever and invented the heavy metal devil horns we miss you Dio rock on m/

47Paul Gray (Slipknot)

Seriously? How is paul not on the list? He was one of the best musicians ever. I do not know how he is not on the list.

48Marc Bolan

49Keith Moon (The Who)

50Cass Elliott

51Lisa Left Eye Lopes

52Tim Buckley

53Tim Hardin

54Jobriath

55Jerry Garcia

56Sky Saxon

57Allen Woody

58Etta James

59Joe Strummer

60Andrew Wood

61Buddy Holly

62People In The Twin Towers

63People Who Died In The Bermuda Triangle
I don't remember any famous musicians who died in the Bermuda Triangle. Why is this even on the list? Most of the people who died were military personnel or commercial ship people.

64Magik (Piotr Łuszcz)

65Clive Burr (Iron Maiden)
The saddest drummer death since jimmy

66Sid Vicious

67Mitchell Adam Lucker (Suicide Silence)

68Johnny Cash

69People On The Titanic

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      List Info

      This list was created 4 years, 83 days ago and has been voted on over 2,000 times. This top ten list has been blogged about 1 times.

      Updated Friday, May 24, 2013

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