Music gems that died young.

11 ) Robert Johnson

The first of the 27 Club, the groundbreaking, wildly influential blues guitarist died in what can be only described as mysterious circumstances. With a number of theories about his death, no one is sure about why he did, though most agree that he died on August 16, 1938 due to consumption of whiskey laced with pesticide.

His haunting melodies and dark lyrics bring a sense of eeriness. The pure magic of simplicity.

10 ) Buddy Holly

The daddy of Rock & Roll died at 23 on the day the music died along with Ritchie Valens in the same plane crash. Holly’s headstone carries the correct spelling of his surname (Holley) and a carving of his Fender Stratocaster guitar.

The Rock n Roller had it all set up for a legendary career but faith had something else in store for him.

Being a significant influence on Beatles Paul McCartney and John Lennon today Holly is remembered as fondly as his idol Elvis Presley.

9 ) Shawn Lane

The genius american guitarist/pianist died at 40 on September 26, 2003 due to the side effects caused by the steroids he took as a treatment for his lifelong problem of psoriasis that affected Shawn’s weight so much that he weighed over 300 pounds in the years before his death (though Shawn was slim in his youth). Though Shawn never was a household name he was respected immensely in the underground music scene.

Guitar virtuosos such as Paul Gilbert would swear by him. His unbelievable command of the instrument still amazes musicians and music lovers worldwide even today.

8 ) Chuck Shuldiner 

The father of Death Metal was diagnosed with cancer in 1999, which returned in May 2001. He was denied surgery due to lack of funds, and the insurer refused to pay as the cancer was originally diagnosed before he got insured. Schuldiner received a chemotherapy drug called vincristine to help with his therapy. Like most drugs used in the treatment of cancer, the side effects were harsh and weakened Chuck greatly. In November, he fell ill with pneumonia and passed away on December 13, 2001 at 34.

It’s a shame to think that a person who contributed so much to extreme music had to die this way, not being able to afford his own treatment.

7 ) Brian Jones

The founding Guitarist of The Rolling stones was one of the first members of the famous ‘27 group’ died amid much controversy on July 3, 1969, of alleged drug overdose after being kicked out of the band due to his drug addiction. The multi-instrumentalist was easily the most talented member of the Stones. As the Rock n Roll life took its toll on Brian his alienation from the band was perhaps the biggest reason for his deterioration.

6 ) Keith Moon

The madass drummer for The Who died at 32 on September 7, 1978 of an overdose of the medication he was taking for his alcoholism.  “He would do anything if he knew that there were enough people around who didn’t want him to do it” said Dougal Butler of his eccentric behavior in “Full Moon”. We’d have never wanted him to leave, and he did. 

Whether it was driving cars into swimming pools or playing crazy drum solos he made sure it had the KEITH MOON stamp on it.

5 ) Ritchie Valens

The American songwriter/guitarist passed away at 17, on “The Day the Music Died”, when inspite of his fear of flying he got into a plane with Buddy Holly and J.P. Richardson on February 3, 1959, which crashed in Iowa. This event is said to have inspired singer Don McLean’s popular 1971 ballad “American Pie”, and immortalized February 3 as “The Day the Music Died.” Valens was a forerunner of Latin rock successfully blending tradional Spanish music with rock. In an extremely short lived career he managed to leave a permanent mark in the world of music.

4 ) Stevie Ray Vaughan

The incredibly influential and soulful Blues-rock guitarist died at 36, on August 27, 1990, when the helicopter he was travelling in crashed soon after take off into a ski slope. 

SRV brought life into the dying blues scene in the 80’s. Tapping his hat to Hendrix and Albert King managed to develop his own unique style even while paying tribute to these legends. His legacy is kept alive by his younger brother Jimmie.

3 ) Cliff Burton

The former Metallica bassist died at the young age of 24 on September 27, 1986 when the band’s tour bus overturned in Sweden, crushing him, while the band was on tour promoting Master of Puppets. Cliff won a gamble with an ace of spades to sleep in the topmost bunker, the one that he would later slide out through the bus. 

Cliff introduced a unique style of playing the Bass using heavy distortion and a number of effects not usually associated with the Bass Guitar. He was instrumental in developing Metallica’s trademark sound which influenced countless metal acts all over the world. Who knows if Cliff was still head banging today, things might not have spanned out the way they did and we probably would not have had a St. Anger.

2 ) Bob Marley 

A soccer wound led to cancer in his right big toe, which he refused to get amputated due to his Rastafarian beliefs. The cancer gradually spread and he passed away on May 11, 1981, at the age of 36. 

Marley single handedly spread Reggae music all over the globe and help put Jamaica on the world map. His influence would spread beyond the world of music. Becoming a cultural icon and a symbol of love and peace Bob’s fan base is still increasing by the day more than two decades after his death.

1 ) Bon Scott 

The original front man of AC/DC passed out on February 19, 1980 in a London club after heavy drinking, and was pronounced dead the next day, at the age of 33. Undoubtedly one of the greatest front men in rock history Scott’s style and stage presence was matched by a few. Though AC/DC found a worthy replacement in the form of Brian Johnson, there can be only one Bon Scott.