Tragic Facts About Musicians Who Died Too Young
Music's Lost Legends
Some of the best musicians in history tragically passed before their time. Think of the mythical 27 Club, with "members" like Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse, Jim Morrison, and Janis Joplin.
Whether it be a result of substance use, illness, or some other factor, their talent was taken from the world far too soon.
Regardless of the cause, they all have something in common: their loss left a void in the world of music, but their legacies will live on forever.
1. Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number
At age 15, Aaliyah’s debut album sold over a million copies and catapulted the singer onto the R&B charts. Her life was cut short in 2001, when the small Cessna passenger plane carrying her and her video crew crashed and burst into flames.
The star was only 22 years old at the time of her passing, and a series of white doves were released at her funeral to celebrate each year of her life.
2. Come Back To Earth
Fans were blindsided in 2018 when it was announced that rapper Mac Miller had passed. After all, he was only 26 years old.
Despite his young age, he'd been quite prolific, working with artists like Ariana Grande (who he also dated), SZA, and Vince Staples. A friend found him unresponsive on September 7, 2018, and was pronounced gone when first responders arrived.
The cause of passing has been listed as an accidental use.
3. Pearl
Janis Joplin passed on October 4, 1970, less than one month after Jimi Hendrix. She was known for her blues-inspired music, and was tough-talking and outrageous.
Eventually, her hard-partying ways caught up with her, and she passed at 27 from drink and drug use.
Her posthumously released album Pearl became an instant hit, and the single “Me and Bobby McGee” reached the top of the charts.
4. The Left-Handed Guitarist
On Sept 17, 1970, Jimi Hendrix enjoyed some drink, and then took an excessive amount of his girlfriend’s sleeping pills. When she returned from buying smoke the next morning, he was found unresponsive and covered in vomit.
Despite only living for 27 years, he is described by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as "arguably the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music."
