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10 Most Tragic Music Icon Deaths

Posted Sun Jun 28, 2009 7:16pm PDT by Robert of the Radish in The Y! Music Playlist Blog

Every death is a tragedy, but in the world of music when an icon dies too young, it sends reverberations throughout the whole world. We saw it this week with the death of Michael Jackson at the age of 50. Those who have reached the pinnacle of success in the music business always see an outpouring of sympathy when they die because of the sheer number of fans they leave behind. But there is more to it. It also reminds us all that life is short and all the money and fame in the world won't stop death. In the most tragic cases it also proves that money and fame cannot buy happiness. To the contrary, sometimes the star simply cannot deal with the trappings of fame and self-destructs. For this playlist I've selected what I feel are the 10 most tragic music icon deaths. These are all artists who have reached millions of people with their music, but died much too young under tragic circumstances.

May they all rest in peace and may their deaths remind the stars of the future that they too are only human.

10 Most Tragic Music Icon Deaths 

   1. Don't Be Cruel - Elvis Presley   

   2. That'll Be The Day - Buddy Holly   

   3. (Just Like) Starting Over - John Lennon   

   4. P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) - Michael Jackson   

   5. Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix   

   6. Riders On The Storm - The Doors(Jim Morrison) 

   7. Piece Of My Heart - Janis Joplin   

   8. Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana(Kurt Cobain) 

   9. Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye   

   10. Free Bird - Lynyrd Skynyrd(Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines)

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219 Comments

21. kissthecook -
how about duane allman or are you all xers who dont know good music

22. Ty -
Mama Cass.

23. Yahoo! Music User -
Are you kidding me? Aaliyah? what did she contribute to music? What effect did she have on the industry?

All you others throwing out your fav dead people... you are blinded by your fandom. Everyone on this list made significant contributions to music.

24. Michelle -
WHO CARES, Michael Jackson was a pedophile who avoided criminal charges because he paid off alll his victims. For the sake of all the children he hurt and all those he would, GOOD RIDDANCE you pervert. Treating him like he was some GOD is absolutely ridiculous.

25. Guy W -
Kurt Cobain at #8!?!? No way!
He's one of the top three most tragic - without question!

26. cshields2002 -
What about Buddy Holly (It Doesn't Matter Anymore) or Eddie Cochran (Three Steps To Heaven) or is it that you do not consider Rock artists who recorded prior to 1964?

27. Kevin -
To all of those commenting on their favorite artists not being included, I understand your frustration. However, by mentioning the term "pop icon", this gentleman is talking about the trailblazers in the music industry. Elvis Presley's death was the most significant. He was one of rock's pioneers. Buddy Holly, too. Michael Jackson's influence on music was also significant. Going from child star to the King of Pop took years, and his music, like Elvis and Holly, will set him in a class by himself. In short, MJ now joins Elvis in service of another King. Both will be missed, but never forgotten.

28. EmilyannG -
What about SELENA?

29. Helen -
lets have some respect people in the begging these stars changed music and made it what it is today .....!

30. EmilyannG -
what about SELENA?

31. JimF -
Dont forget Led Zeppelins John Bonham

32. cshields2002 -
OK, I'll give you the fact that Elvis recorded prior to 1964, but without Buddy Holly, the Beatles would have been an unknown skiffle group in England.

33. Eugenia -
I love Michael Jackson so much and my prayers and love go out to his kids and famlily. Michael is very happy now because he has seen the light that he will be in forever,and that light will shine everyday !

34. cshields2002 -
JimF, you forgot about The Who's Keith Moon. Arguably the greatest rock drummer who ever lived.

35. denita o -
Read the topic !Tragic Death I Con's! the people that you are commenting on wasn't Icon's..It';s totally sad all around, but Mike's Death hit everybody like a bag of nickels, Let's remember he had a hella of a title The King Of Pop...That should say it all R.I.P Mike you were truly my King of Pop

36. MR ZIGGY ORTIZ -
Michael's Jackson died,and yes we're all sadden and in disbelief buy his sudden death.But we have to remind ourselfs how lucky and fortunate,we were to have had heard and enjoyed his music.GOD BLESS HIM & HIS FAMILY!

37. ..yuNidA..:) -
RIP to ALL,..all this singers Listed rest in peace.,they must be haPPy where they are now..:)

38. Shorty -
I know there not singers but come on all anybody can talk about is MJ what about FF and Ed Mcmahn. The are important too MJ was nothing

39. goselle -
You missed out TUPAC AMARU SHAKUR, it we cant forget so so soon. Surely one of the most tragic. I also miss KING ELVIS. R. I. P dudes. They are now legends of our time, take it or live it, cant change it.

40. Christina -
what about gerald levert,james brown, and issac hayes. you must be kidding not to include these musical icons. shame on you!!!!!!!!
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