Top 10 Musicians Who Died Too Soon

[Music]

[Music] their music was taken from us far

their music was taken from us far

their music was taken from us far earlier than we expected Polly wants a

earlier than we expected Polly wants a

earlier than we expected Polly wants a cracker bit Gus check it out burgers

cracker bit Gus check it out burgers

cracker bit Gus check it out burgers welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re

welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re

welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10

counting down our picks for the top 10

counting down our picks for the top 10 musicians who died too soon

musicians who died too soon

musicians who died too soon [Music]

[Music]

[Music] over this list we’ve chosen musicians

over this list we’ve chosen musicians

over this list we’ve chosen musicians who died abruptly and that were either

who died abruptly and that were either

who died abruptly and that were either on the verge of reaching their full

on the verge of reaching their full

on the verge of reaching their full potential or in the prime of their

potential or in the prime of their

potential or in the prime of their careers number 10 tie Tupac Shakur and

careers number 10 tie Tupac Shakur and

careers number 10 tie Tupac Shakur and the notorious b.i.g in what is one of

the notorious b.i.g in what is one of

the notorious b.i.g in what is one of the rare cases of a WatchMojo tie

the rare cases of a WatchMojo tie

the rare cases of a WatchMojo tie here’s a duo that started out as friends

here’s a duo that started out as friends

here’s a duo that started out as friends but ended their lives as opposed now you

but ended their lives as opposed now you

but ended their lives as opposed now you tell me one and that’s why Pok and

tell me one and that’s why Pok and

tell me one and that’s why Pok and Biggie will forever be linked in life

Biggie will forever be linked in life

Biggie will forever be linked in life and death – artists gunned down in the

and death – artists gunned down in the

and death – artists gunned down in the prime of their lives both men spent

prime of their lives both men spent

prime of their lives both men spent their artistic careers struggling to

their artistic careers struggling to

their artistic careers struggling to express both the poverty of their early

express both the poverty of their early

express both the poverty of their early years and the decadence of their adult

years and the decadence of their adult

years and the decadence of their adult ears

[Music]

[Music] the impact they could have made if their

the impact they could have made if their

the impact they could have made if their lives hadn’t been taken so early is

lives hadn’t been taken so early is

lives hadn’t been taken so early is daunting to consider and the only time

daunting to consider and the only time

daunting to consider and the only time we tell them for me kill each other and

we tell them for me kill each other and

we tell them for me kill each other and take him some real time to heal each

take him some real time to heal each

take him some real time to heal each other

see

see [Music]

[Music]

[Music] despite critics heaping praise upon him

despite critics heaping praise upon him

despite critics heaping praise upon him thanks to his 1994 debut record this

thanks to his 1994 debut record this

thanks to his 1994 debut record this singer-songwriters music is remembered

singer-songwriters music is remembered

singer-songwriters music is remembered even more fondly after his life

even more fondly after his life

even more fondly after his life tragically ended due to an accidental

tragically ended due to an accidental

tragically ended due to an accidental drowning

[Music]

[Music] with his incredible voice and guitar

with his incredible voice and guitar

with his incredible voice and guitar playing skills Jeff Buckley’s stamp on

playing skills Jeff Buckley’s stamp on

playing skills Jeff Buckley’s stamp on music can be felt to this day

music can be felt to this day

music can be felt to this day [Music]

[Music]

[Music] [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] race the only full-length album he

race the only full-length album he

race the only full-length album he released during his lifetime is so

released during his lifetime is so

released during his lifetime is so timeless that it re-entered the

timeless that it re-entered the

timeless that it re-entered the Australian charts a full 13 years after

Australian charts a full 13 years after

Australian charts a full 13 years after it came out

it’s since gone double platinum and

it’s since gone double platinum and prompted the release of multiple

prompted the release of multiple

prompted the release of multiple posthumous recordings an artist who

posthumous recordings an artist who

posthumous recordings an artist who would stand out in any crowd

would stand out in any crowd

would stand out in any crowd Jeff Shore career has stood the test of

Jeff Shore career has stood the test of

Jeff Shore career has stood the test of time

time

time [Music]

[Laughter]

[Laughter] [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] number eight

number eight

number eight Ian Curtis

Ian Curtis

Ian Curtis [Music]

[Music]

[Music] the lead singer and lyricist of seminal

the lead singer and lyricist of seminal

the lead singer and lyricist of seminal post-punk act Joy Division Ian Curtis

post-punk act Joy Division Ian Curtis

post-punk act Joy Division Ian Curtis his life was a short tortured one that

his life was a short tortured one that

his life was a short tortured one that was ended by his own hand he spent his

was ended by his own hand he spent his

was ended by his own hand he spent his life writing music rich with imagery of

life writing music rich with imagery of

life writing music rich with imagery of isolation depression and loneliness and

isolation depression and loneliness and

isolation depression and loneliness and left the world in the same fashion

left the world in the same fashion

left the world in the same fashion [Music]

after its suicide the music he recorded

after its suicide the music he recorded influenced millions of young people who

influenced millions of young people who

influenced millions of young people who thought they were the only ones who felt

thought they were the only ones who felt

thought they were the only ones who felt alone but thanks to Curtis and Joy

alone but thanks to Curtis and Joy

alone but thanks to Curtis and Joy Division they knew they were not

Division they knew they were not

Division they knew they were not [Music]

[Music]

[Music] number seven Kurt Cobain

number seven Kurt Cobain

number seven Kurt Cobain [Music]

[Music]

[Music] a reluctant megastar who buckled under

a reluctant megastar who buckled under

a reluctant megastar who buckled under the pressure of Fame and took his own

the pressure of Fame and took his own

the pressure of Fame and took his own life because of it Kurt Cobain’s arrival

life because of it Kurt Cobain’s arrival

life because of it Kurt Cobain’s arrival on the US Billboard charts indelibly

on the US Billboard charts indelibly

on the US Billboard charts indelibly altered music as we know it today

possessing a voice that was mired in

possessing a voice that was mired in anger and isolation

anger and isolation

anger and isolation there was no singer who was better

there was no singer who was better

there was no singer who was better positioned to be the voice of his

positioned to be the voice of his

positioned to be the voice of his generation than Cobain

[Music]

[Music] during a short career Kurt managed to

during a short career Kurt managed to

during a short career Kurt managed to write music that spoke to millions of

write music that spoke to millions of

write music that spoke to millions of disillusioned youths when they needed it

disillusioned youths when they needed it

disillusioned youths when they needed it most

thus Nirvana’s music and impact remains

thus Nirvana’s music and impact remains widespread and influential to this day

[Music]

[Music] [Applause]

I know you

I know you a trailblazer throughout his long career

a trailblazer throughout his long career

a trailblazer throughout his long career the king of pops death from a drug

the king of pops death from a drug

the king of pops death from a drug overdose took the world by surprise

overdose took the world by surprise

overdose took the world by surprise [Music]

[Music]

[Music] despite several years of relative

despite several years of relative

despite several years of relative seclusion excitement for an announced

seclusion excitement for an announced

seclusion excitement for an announced comeback tour was palpable

comeback tour was palpable

comeback tour was palpable [Music]

[Music]

[Music] while the world was deprived of the

while the world was deprived of the

while the world was deprived of the opportunity to see a master of his craft

opportunity to see a master of his craft

opportunity to see a master of his craft one more time the library of music

one more time the library of music

one more time the library of music Michael Jackson left behind will remain

Michael Jackson left behind will remain

Michael Jackson left behind will remain a testament to his massive talent and

a testament to his massive talent and

a testament to his massive talent and work ethic

number five Jim Morrison incapable of

number five Jim Morrison incapable of compromise Jim Morrison was an artist in

compromise Jim Morrison was an artist in

compromise Jim Morrison was an artist in the truest sense of the word to this

the truest sense of the word to this

the truest sense of the word to this world a poet and filmmaker it was music

world a poet and filmmaker it was music

world a poet and filmmaker it was music where his efforts would gain the widest

where his efforts would gain the widest

where his efforts would gain the widest acceptance

[Music]

[Music] taking his poetry and pairing it with

taking his poetry and pairing it with

taking his poetry and pairing it with the efforts of his bandmates every

the efforts of his bandmates every

the efforts of his bandmates every aspect of the doors had Morrison’s

aspect of the doors had Morrison’s

aspect of the doors had Morrison’s fingerprints all over it

[Music]

[Music] though the circumstances surrounding his

though the circumstances surrounding his

though the circumstances surrounding his death are still disputed it could be

death are still disputed it could be

death are still disputed it could be said that it was his artistic drive that

said that it was his artistic drive that

said that it was his artistic drive that was ultimately his undoing

was ultimately his undoing

was ultimately his undoing but also his legacies salvation

but also his legacies salvation

but also his legacies salvation [Music]

number four John Lennon has come and the

number four John Lennon has come and the land is one of the biggest stars on the

land is one of the biggest stars on the

land is one of the biggest stars on the planet for more than half of his life

planet for more than half of his life

planet for more than half of his life John Lennon used that platform to

John Lennon used that platform to

John Lennon used that platform to attempt to change the world for the

attempt to change the world for the

attempt to change the world for the better one thing’s for certain Lennon

better one thing’s for certain Lennon

better one thing’s for certain Lennon was able to make a huge difference in

was able to make a huge difference in

was able to make a huge difference in the world of music and the hearts of

the world of music and the hearts of

the world of music and the hearts of millions of fans whether it was as a

millions of fans whether it was as a

millions of fans whether it was as a member of the Beatles or as a solo

member of the Beatles or as a solo

member of the Beatles or as a solo artist

artist

artist [Music]

[Music]

[Music] the victim of a senseless murder John’s

the victim of a senseless murder John’s

the victim of a senseless murder John’s legacy is one of peace and love number

legacy is one of peace and love number

legacy is one of peace and love number three Buddy Holly Buddy Holly was

three Buddy Holly Buddy Holly was

three Buddy Holly Buddy Holly was arguably the biggest star of a trio of

arguably the biggest star of a trio of

arguably the biggest star of a trio of artists who all died when the plane they

artists who all died when the plane they

artists who all died when the plane they were traveling in crash instantly

were traveling in crash instantly

were traveling in crash instantly killing them all in 1959

killing them all in 1959

killing them all in 1959 [Music]

[Music]

[Music] ritchie valens the Big Bopper and

ritchie valens the Big Bopper and

ritchie valens the Big Bopper and Hollies deaths were such a big blow to

Hollies deaths were such a big blow to

Hollies deaths were such a big blow to the music industry that the incident has

the music industry that the incident has

the music industry that the incident has come to be known as the day the music

come to be known as the day the music

come to be known as the day the music died despite a relatively short career

died despite a relatively short career

died despite a relatively short career before his passing no early rock star

before his passing no early rock star

before his passing no early rock star had a larger influence on modern music

had a larger influence on modern music

had a larger influence on modern music [Music]

number two Freddie Mercury thanks to his

number two Freddie Mercury thanks to his four octave range and masterful stage

four octave range and masterful stage

four octave range and masterful stage presence

presence

presence Queen frontman Freddie Mercury emerged

Queen frontman Freddie Mercury emerged

Queen frontman Freddie Mercury emerged as one of the most talented and

as one of the most talented and

as one of the most talented and versatile vocalists with the culmination

versatile vocalists with the culmination

versatile vocalists with the culmination of his talents being showcased at their

of his talents being showcased at their

of his talents being showcased at their show stealing set at Live Aid in 1985

[Music]

[Music] [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] mercury continued to compose music and

mercury continued to compose music and

mercury continued to compose music and release albums after being diagnosed

release albums after being diagnosed

release albums after being diagnosed with AIDS but he kept his condition

with AIDS but he kept his condition

with AIDS but he kept his condition private until the day before he died at

private until the day before he died at

private until the day before he died at the age of 45 in 1991

the age of 45 in 1991

the age of 45 in 1991 [Music]

[Music]

[Music] even his songwriting abilities singing

even his songwriting abilities singing

even his songwriting abilities singing prowess and queens successful fusion of

prowess and queens successful fusion of

prowess and queens successful fusion of musical genres mercury would have easily

musical genres mercury would have easily

musical genres mercury would have easily continued to perform well into the

continued to perform well into the

continued to perform well into the future

future

future where he not taken away from us so soon

where he not taken away from us so soon

where he not taken away from us so soon [Music]

[Music]

[Music] [Applause]

before we unveil our top pick here are a

before we unveil our top pick here are a few honorable mentions

few honorable mentions

few honorable mentions [Music]

[Music]

[Music] [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] [Music]

[Music]

[Music] [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] [Music]

No

No [Music]

[Music]

[Music] Oh

[Applause]

[Applause] [Music]

[Music]

[Music] number one Jimi Hendrix

number one Jimi Hendrix

number one Jimi Hendrix [Music]

[Music]

[Music] [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] [Music]

[Music]

[Music] a guitarist with such unique talent that

a guitarist with such unique talent that

a guitarist with such unique talent that he’s become the measuring stick that all

he’s become the measuring stick that all

he’s become the measuring stick that all others are compared to Jimmy was a force

others are compared to Jimmy was a force

others are compared to Jimmy was a force to be reckoned with

to be reckoned with

to be reckoned with [Music]

leader of the jimi hendrix experience

leader of the jimi hendrix experience and an underrated vocalist Jimi was

and an underrated vocalist Jimi was

and an underrated vocalist Jimi was capable of taking any song and making it

capable of taking any song and making it

capable of taking any song and making it his avatar as evidenced by his

his avatar as evidenced by his

his avatar as evidenced by his incredible cover of the star-spangled

incredible cover of the star-spangled

incredible cover of the star-spangled banner

banner

banner [Music]

[Music]

[Music] [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] and bob dylan’s all along the watchtower

and bob dylan’s all along the watchtower

and bob dylan’s all along the watchtower [Music]

if he hadn’t been taken from us when he

if he hadn’t been taken from us when he was by what’s most commonly believed to

was by what’s most commonly believed to

was by what’s most commonly believed to be drug related causes there’s no

be drug related causes there’s no

be drug related causes there’s no telling how much larger his impact could

telling how much larger his impact could

telling how much larger his impact could have been

do you agree with our list

do you agree with our list [Music]

[Music]

[Music] [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] who is your favorite musician who died

who is your favorite musician who died

who is your favorite musician who died too soon for more music top 10s

too soon for more music top 10s

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