Musician Lives and Deaths - Why, Where & How (2004) - Snapshot

Submitted by stumpyver.fo on Wed, 06/14/2006 - 12:05
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  • Aaliyah (Aeliyatt Dani Haughton) - Born 1-16-1979 in Brooklyn, New York. Died 8-25-2001 in a private plane crash after takeoff.
  • Allman, Duane (Howard Duane Allman) - Born 11-20-1946 in Nashville, Tennessee. Died 10-29-1971 in a motorcycle accident. Legendary session man and lead guitarist for the Allman Brothers Band.
  • Armstrong, Louis - Born 8-4-1901 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Died 7-6-1971 in New York, New York. Heart Failure. Great jazz trumpeter and “big band” leader. “Satchmo”.
  • Atkins, Chet (Chester Burton Atkins) - Born 6-20-1924 in Luttrell, Tennessee. Died 6-30-2001 of lung cancer. Master of the country guitar. Started the “Nashville Sound” for RCA in the 50’s.
  • Bailey, DeFord - Born 12-14-1899 in Smith County, Tennessee. Died 7-2-1982 in Nashville, Tennessee of unknown causes. The first black country music artist to appear on the Grand Ole Opry in 1925. Died never really knowing his place in history and American music.
  • Ballard, Florence - Born 6-30-1943 in Detroit, Michigan. Died 2-22-1976 of cardiac arrest after ingesting pills and alcohol. Original member of the Supremes, 1960-67.
  • Basie, Count (William Basie) - Born 8-21-1904 in Red Bank, New Jersey. Died 4-26-1984 of cancer. Starting out writing scores for silent movies, Basie would go on with his “Big Band” making history through the 30’s-40’s and into his later years. Best song - "Jumpin' At The Woodside".
  • Berry, Jan (William Jan Berry) - Born 4-3-1941 in Los Angeles, California. Died 3-26-2004 of a seizure from an unspecified cause. One-half of Jan & Dean. Perhaps best known for the songs, "The Little Old Lady From Pasadena" and "Surf City".
  • Black, Bill (William Patton Black, Jr.) - Born 9-17-26 in Memphis, Tennessee. Died 10-21-1965 after surgery for a brain tumor. Elvis Presley’s stand-up bass player.
  • Blind Lemon Jefferson (Deacon L. J. Bates) - Born 7-11-1897 in Couchman, Texas. Died in December, 1930 of exposure, after being left on the cold street after having a heart attack. Blues great perhaps best known for the song, “Penitentiary Blues”.
  • Bloomfield, Mike - Born 7-28-1944 in Chicago, Illinois. Died 5-4-1981 of a drug overdose (found dead in car) in San Francisco, California. Great session player of the 1960’s, later to have his own career in the late 70’s - early 80’s.
  • Bobby Darin (Walden Robert Cassotto) - Born 5-14-1936 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Died 12-20-1973 of heart failure during open-heart surgery. Best known for songs such as, “Dream Lover” and “Mack The Knife”.
  • Bolan, Mark (Mark Feld) (aka Toby Tyler) - Born 9-30-1947 in Hackney, London, England. Died 9-16-1977 in a car crash. His car (driven by his girlfriend Gloria Jones), crashed into a tree. Bolan lost his life while Jones survived but was badly injured.
  • Bonham, John "Bonzo" (John Henry Bonham) - Born 5-31-1948 in Bromwich, England. Died 9-25-1980. Asphyxiated on his own vomit after 40 shots of vodka. Drummer for Led Zeppelin.
  • Bono, Sonny (Salvatore Phillip Bono) - Born 2-16-1935 in Detroit, Michigan. Died 1-5-1998 in a skiing accident at Lake Tahoe, California. Of Sonny and Cher fame.
  • Boyce, Tommy - Born 9-29-1939 in Charlottesville, Virginia. Died 11-23-1994 Nashville, Tennessee. Suicide. One-half of the 1960’s singing/songwriting team, Boyce & Hart.
  • Buckley, Jeff (Jeffrey Scott Buckley) - Born 11-17-1966 in Orange County, California. Died 5-29-1997 by drowning in the Mississippi River.
  • Buckley, Tim (Timothy Charles Buckley III) - Born 2-14-1947 in Washington DC. Died 6-29-1975 of a heroin overdose.
  • Burnette, Johnny - Born 3-28-1934 in Memphis, Tennessee. Died 8-1-1964 when he fell from his boat and drowned while fishing on Clear Lake in California. Sang what some believe was the first real rock & roll song, “Rocket 88”.
  • Burton, Cliff (Clifford Lee Burton) - Born 2-10-1962 in San Francisco, California. Died 9-27-1986 in a tour bus accident on the road between Stockholm and Copenhagen. The original bass player for Metallica
  • Butterfield, Paul - Born 12-17-1942 in Chicago, Illinois. Died 5-4-1987 of a drug overdose. A great musician that brought a harder and fiercer Chicago blues style to the white audience as the leader of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band.
  • Carpenter, Karen - Born 3-2-1950 in New Haven, Connecticut. Died 2-4-1983 of a heart attack brought on by Anorexia Nervosa. One half of The Carpenters.
  • Cash, Johnny - Born 2-26-1932 in Kingsland, Arkansas. Died 9-12-2003 in Nashville, Tennessee from respiratory failure and complications from diabetes. Music legend. Graduate of Sun Records.
  • Cash, June Carter - Born 6-23-1929 in Maces Springs, Virginia. Died 5-15-2003 from complications after heart surgery. Of the great Carter Family. Daughter to Maybelle. Wife to Johnny.
  • Chandler, Chas (Bryan James Chandler) - Born 12-18-1938 in Heaton, Northumberland, England. Died 7-17-1996 from a heart attack. Bassist for the Animals and later, manager for Jimi Hendrix.
  • Chapin, Harry (Harry Forster Chapin) - Born 12-7-1942 in Greenwich Village, New York. Died 7-16-1981 in a traffic accident in Jericho, New York. Best known for the song, “Cat’s In The Cradle”.
  • Charles, Ray (Ray Charles Robinson) - Born 9-23-1930 in Albany, Georgia. Died 6-11-2004 in Beverly Hills, California from complications associated with liver disease. Singer and pianist whose combinations of blues and gospel pioneered soul music.
  • Cline, Patsy (Virginia Patterson Hensley) - Born 9-8-1932 in Winchester, Virginia. Died 3-5-1963 in a plane crash. Legendary country/pop singer of songs like, “Crazy” and “I Fall To Pieces”.
  • Clooney, Rosemary - Born 5-23-1928 in Maysville, Kentucky. Died 6-29-2002 in Beverly Hills, California from lung cancer. Popular singer of the 50’s. Mother of George.
  • Cobain, Kurt (Kurt Donald Cobain) - Born 2-20-1967 in Seattle, Washington. Died 4-5-1994 in an apparent suicide (shot himself). Nirvana.
  • Cochran, Eddie (Ray Edward Cochrane) - Born 10-3-1938 in Albert Lea, Minnesota. Died 4-17-1960 from severe brain injuries in a car accident. Best known for the songs, “Summertime Blues” and “C’mon Everybody”.
  • Cole, Nat “King” (Nathaniel Adams Coles) - Born 3-17-1919 in Montgomery, Alabama. Died 2-15-1965 of lung cancer. Soft voiced crooner with songs like, “Unforgettable”. Father of Natalie.
  • Collins, Albert - Born 10-1-1932 in Leona, Texas. Died 11-24-1993 of liver cancer. A great blues guitarist who primarily did session work with most of the masters, but occasionally recorded instrumentals with his own band. Known as the “Master of the Telecaster”.
  • Coltrane, John - Born 9-23-1926 in Hamlet, North Carolina. Died 7-17-1967 in Long Island, New York from liver failure brought on by alcoholism. Legendary jazz saxophonist, composer.
  • Como, Perry (Pierino Roland Como) - Born 5-18-1912 in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. Died 5-12-2001 from complications caused by alzheimer's disease. Soft voiced crooner with songs like, "Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes”.
  • Conley, Arthur (Arthur Lee Conley) - Born 1-4-1946 in McIntosh, Georgia. Died 11-17-2003 from intestinal cancer in Ruurlo, Netherlands. Best known for his song, "Sweet Soul Music".
  • Cooke, Sam (Samuel Cook ~ also recorded as Dale Cooke) - Born 1-22-31 in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Died 12-11-1964. Shot to death under circumstances that were never to be confirmed by the authorities.
  • Croce, Jim - Born 1-10-1943 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Died 9-20-1973 in a plane crash in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Biggest songs - “Operator”, “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim”.
  • Crosby, Bing (Harry Lillis Crosby) - Born 5-2-1904 in Tacoma, Washington. Died 10-14-1977 in Spain of a heart attack. Singer first, actor second. Biggest hit, “White Christmas”.
  • Danko, Rick - Born 12-29-1942 in Ontario, Canada. Died 12-10-1999 from heart failure. Original member of “The Band”.
  • Davis, Miles - Born 5-25-1926 in Alton, Illinois. Died 9-28-1991 in Santa Monica, California from a stroke. Legendary jazz trumpeter, composer and leader.
  • Davis, Sammy Jr. - Born 12-8-1925 in Harlem, New York, NY. Died 5-16-1990 from throat cancer. Entertainer extraordinaire.
  • Davis, Skeeter (Mary Frances Penick) - Born 12-30-1931 in Dry Ridge, Kentucky. Died 9-19-2004 in Nashville after a long bout with breast cancer. Best known for her 1963 hit, "The End of the World".
  • Denver, John (Henry John Deutschendorf Jr.) - Born 12-31-1943 in Roswell, New Mexico. Died 10-12-1997 in Monterey Bay, California in a small homebuilt plane crash. Best known for his songs, “Take Me Home, Country Roads” and “Rocky Mountain High”.
  • Dewar, James - Born October 12, 1942 in Scotland. Died 5-16-2002 from pneumonia. Vocalist and bassist for Robin Trower.
  • Dixon, Willie - Born 7-1-1915 in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Died 1-29-1992 of heart failure. Blues legend who wrote “You Shook Me” and “I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man” among many others.
  • Donegan, Lonnie (Anthony James Donegan) - Born 4-29-1931 in Glasgow, Scotland. Died 11-3-2002 from a heart attack in Peterborough, England. Known as the “The Skiffle King”. An musical inspiration to many, including the Beatles.
  • Drake, Nick - Born 6-18-1948 in Burma. Died 11-25-1974. Suicide, antidepressant overdose. Manic depressive who couldn’t handle his lack of success outside the UK. Ironically, he became internationally famous after his death.
  • Elliot, "Mama" Cass (Ellen Naomi Cohen) - Born 9-19-1943 in Baltimore, Maryland. Died 7-29-1974 from a heart attack. Of the Mamas and Papas fame as well as a successful solo career.
  • Entwistle, John (John Alec Entwistle) (aka Ox) - Born 10-9-1944 in Chiswick, London, England. Died 6-27-2002 in Las Vegas, Nevada of a heart attack brought on by a rather large quantity of cocaine. “Who” bassist.
  • Epstein, Howie (Howard Norman Epstein) - Born 7-21-1955 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Died 2-23-2003 in Santa Fe, New Mexico from a heroin overdose. A bassist for Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, but also worked with Bob Dylan, Stevie Nicks, Warren Zevon and Carlene Carter.
  • Falco (Johann Hölzel) - Born 2-19-1957 in Vienna, Austria. Died 2-6-1998 in the Dominican Republic. Fatally wounded when his SUV collided with a bus as he was pulling onto a highway. Best known for the song, "Rock Me Amadeus".
  • Fitzgerald, Ella (Ella Jane Fitzgerald) - Born 4-25-1917 in Newport News, Virginia. Died 6-15-1996 in Beverly Hills, California from complications with diabetes. Legendary jazz/pop singer.
  • Flatt, Lester (Lester Raymond Flatt) - Born 6-19-1914 in Overton County, Tennessee. Died 5-11-1979 from a heart attack. Of Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs fame. Perhaps best known for the song, “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” aka (The Beverly Hillbillies Theme”)
  • Fogerty, Tom - Born 11-9-1941 in Berkeley, California. Died 9-6-1990 in Scottsdale, Arizona from respiratory failure and tuberculosis. Original member of Creedence Clearwater Revival along with brother John.
  • Foley, Red (Clyde Julian Foley) - Born 6-17-1910 near Berea, Kentucky. Died 9-19-1968 of a heart attack. Praised country gospel singer.
  • Ford, Tennessee Ernie (Ernie Jennings Ford) - Born 2-13-19 in Bristol, Tennessee. Died 10-17-1991 in Los Angeles, California from liver failure. Popular singer of the 50’s best known for his song, “Sixteen Tons”.
  • Frizzell, Lefty (William Orville Frizzell) - Born 3-31-1928 in Corsicana, Texas. Died 7-19-1975 in Nashville, Tennessee from a hemorrhage due to a massive stroke. Country honky-tonk singer best known for the song, “"If You've Got The Money, I've Got The Time".
  • Fuller, Bobby (Robert Gaston Fuller) - Born 10-20-1943 in Baytown, Texas. Died 7-18-1966 in Los Angeles, California. Murdered, asphyxia by forced inhalation of gasoline. Case never solved.
  • Garcia, Jerry (Jerome John Garcia) - Born 8-1-1942 in San Francisco, California. Died 8-9-1995 in Forest Knolls, California of a heart attack. Of Grateful Dead fame.
  • Garland, Judy (Frances Ethel Gumm) - Born 6-10-1922 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Died 6-22-1969 from a barbiturate overdose. Actor/singer.
  • Gaye, Marvin (Marvin Pentz Gay Jr.) - Born 4-2-1939 in Washington, D.C. Died 4-1-1984. Shot by his father in a heated argument. One of Motown’s greatest artists.
  • Gibb, Andy (Andrew Roy Gibb) - Born 3-5-1958 in Manchester, England. Died 3-10-1988 from inflammatory heart virus. Pop star. Youngest Gibb brother.
  • Gibb, Maurice - Born 12-22-1949, Douglas, Isle of Man, British Isles. Died 1-12-2003. Cardiac arrest before an operation to remove intestinal blockage. One of the Bee Gees.
  • Gibson, Don (Donald Eugene Gibson) - Born 4-3-1928 in Shelby, North Carolina. Died 11-17-2003 of natural causes. He wrote, "I Can't Stop Loving You" and "Sweet Dreams". Nicknamed, “The Sad Poet”.
  • Gillespie, Dizzy (John Birks Gillespie) - Born 10-21-1917, Cheraw, South Carolina. Died 1-6-1993 in Englewood, New Jersey from cancer. Great jazz trumpeter.
  • Guthrie, Woody (Woodrow Wilson Guthrie) - Born 7-14-1912 in Okemah, Oklahoma. Died 10-3-1967 from Huntington's Chorea. Folk hero. Father of Arlo.
  • Haley, Bill (William John Clifton Haley Jr.) - Born 7-6-1925 in Highland Park, Michigan (near Detroit). Died 2-9-1981 from a heart attack. Of “Rock Around The Clock” fame.
  • Ham, Pete - Born 4-27-1947 in Gwent Gardens, Townhill, Swansea, South Wales. Died 4-23-1975. After a long battle with depression, he hung himself in his garage studio. Singer/songwriter and guitarist for Badfinger.
  • Hampton, Lionel - Born 4-20-1908 in Louisville, Kentucky. Died 8-31-2002 in New York, New York of heart failure. Best known for his innovative vibraphone work during the early "Big Band" era.
  • Hardin, Tim (Eugene Hardin) - Born 12-23-1941 in Eugene, Oregon. Died 12-29-1980 in Hollywood, California from a heroin overdose. Major player in the early 60’s New York folk scene. Perhaps best known for his songs, “If I Were A Carpenter” and “Reason To Believe”.
  • Harrison, George (George Harold Harrison) - Born 2-24-1943 in Wavertree, Liverpool, England. Died 11-29-2001 from Metastatic lung cancer. Beatles guitarist.
  • Hatfield, Bobby (Robert Lee Hatfield) - Born 8-10-1940 in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. Died 11-5-2003 in Kalamazoo, Michigan from acute cocaine toxicity, (revealed in a second autopsy). The blond-haired half of the Righteous Brothers.
  • Hawkins, Screamin' Jay (Jalacy Hawkins) - Born 7-18-1929 in Cleveland, Ohio. Died 2-12-2000 from complications due to intestinal tract surgery. Built a career on “sheer presence” and the song, “I Put A Spell On You”.
  • Hendrix, Jimi (James Marshall Hendrix) (aka Jimmy James) - Born 11-27-42 in Seattle, Washington. Died 9-18-1970 in London, England. Asphyxiated on his vomit after ingesting a heavy dose of barbiturates.
  • Holly, Buddy (Charles Hardin Holley) - Born 9-7-1936 in Lubbock, Texas. Died 2-3-1959 in a plane crash. One of rock and roll’s greatest losses.
  • Holiday, Billie (Eleanor Gough) - Born 4-7-1915 in Baltimore, Maryland. Died 7-17-1959 from influenzal pneumonia. Great jazz/blues singer known for songs such as, “Good Morning Heartache” and “Strange Fruit”.
  • Hooker, John Lee - Born 8-22-1919 in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Died 6-21-2001 from lung cancer. Known for such blues classics as, “Boogie Chillun” and “Boom Boom”.
  • Hoon, Shannon (Richard Shannon Hoon) - Born 9-26-1967 in Lafayette, Indiana. Died 10-21-1995 from a cocaine overdose in New Orleans, Louisiana. Vocalist for Blind Melon.
  • Horton, Johnny (John Gale Horton) - Born 4-30-1925 in Los Angeles, California. Died 11-5-1960. Killed by a drunk driver in a car accident. At the time, country music’s greatest loss since Hank Williams.
  • House, Son (Eddie James House, Jr.) - Born 3-21-1902 in Riverton, Mississippi. Died 10-19-1988 in Detroit, Michigan of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. A blues original.
  • Howlin' Wolf (Chester Arthur Burnett) - Born 6-10-1910 in West Point, Mississippi. Died 1-10-1976 of complication from kidney disease after several heart attacks. Known for the blues classics, “Smokestack Lightnin' and “Spoonful” among others.
  • Hunter, Ivory Joe - Born 10-10-1914 in Kirbyville, Texas. Died 11-8-1974 of lung cancer. Known best for his 1950’s classic, “Since I Met You Baby”.
  • Hutchence, Michael - Born 1-22-1960 in Lain Cove, Sydney, Australia. Died 11-22-1997 by suicidal hanging. Lead singer for INXS.
  • Ives, Burl (Burl Icle Ivanhoe Ives) - Born 6-14-1909 in Hunt Township, Jasper County, Illinois. Died 4-14-1995 in Anacortes, Washington. Unknown causes. Celebrated singer of folk ballads. Also well known as the voice of the snowman on the “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” Christmas special.
  • Jackson, J.J. (John Jackson) - Born 1942 in the Bronx, New York. Died 3-17-2004 in Los Angeles, California from a heart attack. - One of the first MTV VJ’s. Also known for his 60’s hit, “But It’s Alright”.
  • Jackson, Mahalia - Born 10-26-1911 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Died 1-27-1972 from heart disease. Known as the “Queen of Gospel” in the U.S.
  • James, Elmore (Elmore Brooks) - Born 1-27-1918 in Richland, Mississippi. Died 5-24-1963 from a heart attack. Bluesman best known for his songs, “Dust My Broom” and “Shake Your Money Maker”.
  • Jam Master Jay (Jason Mizell) - Born 1-21-1965 in Queens, New York. Died 10-30-2002. Shot and killed at his recording studio in Queens, New York. Best known as Run D.M.C.’s DJ.
  • Jennings, Waylon (Waylon Arnold Jennings) - Born 6-15-1937 in Littlefield, Texas. Died 2-13-2002 from complications of diabetes. Outlaw country legend.
  • Joe C. (Joseph Calleja) - Born 11-9-1974. Died 11-17-2000 from complications of Celiac disease which he had suffered with since childhood. Best known as Kid Rock’s small sidekick.
  • Johnson, Robert - Born 5-8-1911 in Hazelhurst, Mississippi. Died 8-16-1938 in Greenwood, Mississippi. Supposedly was poisoned by a rival or a jealous husband. Major blues influence with songs like, “Crossroad Blues” and “Hellhounds On My Trail”. Also the man of legend who sold his soul to the Devil at the crossroads.
  • Jones, Brian (Lewis Brian Hopkin Jones) - Born 2-28-1942 in Cheltenham, England. Died 7-3-1969 in Hartfield, Sussex, England officially drowning in his own pool while under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
  • Joplin, Janis (Janis Lyn Joplin) - Born 1-19-1943 in Port Arthur, Texas. Died 10-4-1970 in Los Angeles, California from a heroin overdose. Texas blues/rock legend who found her fame in San Francisco.
  • King, Albert (Albert Nelson) - Born 4-25-1923 in Indianola, Mississippi. Died 12-21-1992 from a heart attack. Perhaps best known for the song, “Personal Manager”.
  • King Curtis (Curtis Ousley) - Born 2-7-1934, Fort Worth, Texas. Died 8-13-1971 in New York. Stabbed to death. R&B saxophonist who worked as a session man for Aretha Franklin and John Lennon among many others. Also had a successful solo career.
  • Lane, Ronnie (Ronald Frederick Lane) - Born 4-1-1946 in Plaistow, London, England. Died 6-4-1997 from multiple sclerosis. Best known for his work with the Small Faces.
  • Larson, Nicolette - Born 7-17-1952 in Helena, Montana. Died 12-16-1997 in Los Angeles, California from massive liver failure and cerebral edema. Best known as a session singer, but eventually went solo with a successful career in 1978.
  • Leadbelly (Huddie Ledbetter) - Born 1-20-1889 (no written documentation exists) in Mooringport, Louisiana. Died 12-6-1949 from Lateral Sclerosis. Folk legend perhaps best known for his song, “Midnight Special”.
  • Lennon, John (John Winston Lennon) (Legally changed to John Ono Lennon in 1969) - Born 10-9-1940 in Liverpool, England. Died 12-8-1980 in New York, New York. Shot by a lunatic fan.
  • Lewis, Smiley (Overton Amos Lemons) - Born 7-5-1913 in DeQuincey, Louisiana. Died 10-7-1966 in New Orleans, Louisiana from stomach cancer. Best known for his original hit, “I Hear You Knocking”.
  • Lightnin' Hopkins (Sam Hopkins) - Born 3-15-1912 in Centerville, Texas. Died 1-30-1982 from cancer. Best known for his song, “Tell Me Pretty Mama”.
  • Lopes, Lisa "Left-eye" (Lisa Nicole Lopes) - Born 5-27-1971 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Died 4-26-2002 in a car accident (fatal blow to the head). Member of TLC.
  • Marley, Bob (Robert Nesta Marley) - Born 2-6-1945 in Nine Miles, Rhoden Hall, St. Ann's, Jamaica. Died 5-11-1981 from lung cancer and a brain tumor.
  • Marriott, Steve - Born 1-30-1947 in Bow, London, England. Died 4-20-1991 in a house fire from smoke inhalation. Was the lead singer for both “The Small Faces” and “Humble Pie”.
  • Martin, Dean (Dino Paul Crocetti) - Born 6-7-1917 in Steubenville, Ohio. Died 12-25-1995 from acute respiratory failure. Entertainer extraordinaire.
  • McPhatter, Clyde (Clyde Lensley McPhatter) - Born 11-15-1933 in Durham, North Carolina. Died 6-13-1972 from a heart attack as a result of alcohol abuse. Best known for his work with the 50’s group, The Drifters.
  • Mercury, Freddie ( Farouk Bulsara ) (aka Larry Lurex) - Born 9-5-1946 in Zanzibar. Died 11-24-1991 from AIDS related pneumonia. Singer for Queen.
  • Miller, Glenn - Born 3-1-1904 in Clarinda, Iowa. Died 12-15-1944 in an airplane crash into the English Channel while serving in the military. Legendary “Big Band” leader.
  • Miller, Roger (Roger Dean Miller) - Born 1-2-1936 in Fort Worth, Texas. Died 10-25-1992 from lung cancer. Early 1960’s country novelty singer with “Chug-a-lug” and “King of the Road”. Was writing Broadway musicals at his death.
  • Monroe, Bill (William Smith Monroe) - Born 9-13-1911 in Rosine, Kentucky. Died 9-9-1996 from a stroke. The undisputed father of bluegrass.
  • Moon, Keith - Born 8-23-1947 in Wembley, London, England. Died 9-7-1978 from an accidental overdose of Hemenephirin (He died in the same flat that Mama Cass died in.) Drummer for The Who.
  • Morrison, Jim (James Douglas Morrison) - Born 12-8-1943 in Melbourne, Florida. Died 7-3-1971. Officially, from heart failure due to acute respiratory distress. (Mistook a pile of his girlfriends high grade heroin for cocaine.) Died after snorting it.
  • Murray, Dee (David Murray Oates) - Born 4-3-1946 in Kent, England. Died on 1-15-1992 in Nashville, Tennessee of a stroke. He was Elton John’s long-time bass player.
  • Nelson, Rick (Ricky) (Eric Hilliard Nelson) - Born 5-8-1940 in Teaneck, New Jersey. Died 12-31-1985 from smoke inhalation in an on-board airplane fire, blamed on a faulty gasoline heater.
  • Nico (Christa Päffgen) - Born 10-16-1938 in Cologne, Germany. Died 7-18-1988 from a brain hemorrhage due to a fall off a bicycle. Perhaps best known for her work with the Velvet Underground.
  • Nilsson, Harry - (Henry Edward Nelson III) - Born 6-15-1941 in Brooklyn, New York. Died 1-15-1994 from a heart attack. Successful singer/songwriter.
  • Nyro, Laura (Laura Nigro) - Born 10-18-1947 in the Bronx, New York City. Died 4-8-1997 from ovarian cancer. A fantastic songwriter and stylistic singer with songs such as, “Christmas Is My Soul” and “I Am The Blues”.
  • Ochs, Phil - Born 12-19-1940 in El Paso, Texas. Died 4-9-1976 in Far Rockaway, New York by suicidal hanging. Member of the early 60’s New York folk scene and was once considered by some to be Bob Dylan’s biggest rival.
  • Orbison, Roy (Roy Kelton Orbison) - Born 4-23-1936 in Vernon, Texas. Died 12-6-1988 from a heart attack. Ageless singer who was at the peak of a major come-back at his death.
  • Palmer, Robert (Alan Palmer) - Born 1-19-1949 in Batley, England. Died 9-26-2003 in Paris, France from a heart attack. Best known for singing "Addicted To Love" and "Simply Irresistible".
  • Pappalardi, Felix - Born 12-30-1939 in Bronx, New York. Died 4-17-1983. Shot dead by his wife, Gail Collins. Best know as the bass player for Mountain.
  • Parker, Charlie - Born 8-29-1920, Kansas City, Kansas. Died 3-12-1955 in New York City from a combination of years of heroin abuse, ulcers and cirrhosis of the liver. Jazz great best known for taking “hip liberties with the chords”.
  • Parsons, Gram (Cecil Ingram Connor) - Born 11-5-1946 in Winter Haven, Florida. Died 9-19-1973 in Joshua Tree, California from heart failure due to a tequila & morphine overdose. One of the first to introduce country music into the rock and roll fold.
  • Paycheck, Johnny (Donald Eugene Lytle) (aka Donny Young) - Born 5-31-1938 in Greenfield, Ohio. Died 2-18-2003 in Nashville, Tennessee from emphysema and asthma. Best known for the song, "Take This Job And Shove It". Spent a good part of his life and career in prison.
  • Perkins, Carl (Carl Lee Perkings) - Born 4-9-1932 in Tiptonville, Tennessee. Died 1-19-1998 from throat cancer and stroke complications. Best known for “Blue Suede Shoes”.
  • Perkins, Luther - Born 1-8-1928 in Tennessee. Died 8-5-1968 in a fire he caused by smoking in bed. The original guitar player for Johnny Cash.
  • Phillips, John (John Edmund Andrew Phillips) (aka Papa John Phillips) - Born 8-30-1935 in Parris Island, South Carolina. Died 3-18-2001 from heart failure. Founding member of the Mamas and Papas. At his peak, comparible in melody construction only to Brian Wilson.
  • Presley, Elvis (Elvis Aron Presley) (aka Elvis Aaron Presley) - Born 1-8-1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi. Died 8-16-1977 from a drug overdose resulting in coronary arrhythmia. “The King”.
  • Prima, Louis - Born 12-7-1912 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Died 8-24-1978 from a brain tumor. Best known for his “Swing” style from the late 1950’s.
  • Ramone, Dee Dee (Douglas Glen Colvin) - Born 10-18-1952 at Fort Lee, Vancouver, Canada. Died 6-5-2002 from a heroin overdose. Ramones bassist.
  • Ramone, Joey (Jeffrey Hyman) - Born 5-19-1952 in Forest Hills, New York. Died 4-15-2001 from cancer. Ramones lead singer.
  • Ramone, Johnny (John Cummings) - Born 10-8-1948 on Long Island, New York. Died 9-15-2004 in his sleep in Los Angeles, California of prostate cancer. Ramones lead guitarist.
  • Redding, Noel (David Redding) - Born 12-25-1945 in Folkestone, Kent, England. Died 5-11-2003 in Ireland from natural causes. Bassist for Jimi Hendrix’s “Experience”.
  • Redding, Otis (Otis Redding Jr.) - Born 9-9-1941 in Dawson, Georgia. Died 12-10-1967 in Madison, Wisconsin. Drowned after his plane crashed into a lake. Best known for his songs, “Sittin’ On The Dock Of The Bay” and “I’ve Been Loving You (Too Long)”.
  • Reeves, Jim (James Travis Reeves) - Born 8-20-1923 in Galloway, Texas. Died 7-31-1964 in a plane crash. One of the first artists to bring country music into the mainstream “pop” world.
  • Rhoads, Randy (Randall William Rhoads) - Born 12-6-1956 in Santa Monica,California. Died 3-19-1982 in a plane crash after the plane's wing nicked Ozzy Osborne's tour bus. The pilot was horsing around.
  • Rich, Don (Donald Ulrich) - Born 8-15-1941 in Olympia, Washington. Died 7-17-1974 when his motorcycle hit a highway divider. Buck Owens “other half” in harmony and guitar and co-founder of the "Bakersfield Sound".
  • Ritter, Tex (Woodward Maurice Ritter) - Born 1-12-1907 in Murval, Texas. Died 1-2-1973 of a heart attack in a Nashville Police Station while bailing out a band member. Father of John. Western singer best known for the theme for High Noon.
  • Robbins, Marty (Martin David Robinson) - Born 9-26-1925 in Glendale, Arizona. Died 12-8-1982 of a heart attack. Best known for singing, “El Paso”.
  • Rodgers, Jimmie (James Charles Rodgers) - Born 9-8-1897 in Pine Springs, Mississippi. Died 5-26-1933 of tuberculosis. Sometimes referred to as the Father of Country Music.
  • Ronson, Mick - Born 5-26-1949 in Hull, Yorkshire, England. Died 4-29-1993 of liver cancer. Best known for his guitar work with “The Spiders From Mars/David Bowie” and “Mott The Hoople”.
  • Ruffin, David - Born 1-18-1941 in Meridian, Mississippi. Died 6-1-1991 from a cocaine overdose. Lead vocalist for the Temptations from 1964-1968. Personal best with the band - “My Girl”.
  • Scott, Bon (Ronald Belford Scott) - Born 7-9-1946 in Kirriemuir, Scotland. Died 2-19-1980. Choked on his vomit while heavily intoxicated. First and original lead singer for AC/DC.
  • Scott, James Honeyman - Born 11-4-1957 in Hereford, England. Died 6-16-1982 from a cocaine and heroin overdose. Was the guitar player and major driving force behind the early Pretenders.
  • Shakur, Tupac (Tupac Amaru Shakur) (aka Makaveli) - Born 6-16-1971 in New York, New York. Died 9-13-1996. Murdered in a drive-by shooting.
  • Shannon, Del (Charles Weedon Westover) - Born 12-30-1934 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Died 2-8-1990 in Santa Clarita, California. Shot himself. Had just been named as the replacement for Roy Orbison in the Traveling Wilbury’s.
  • Shore, Dinah (Frances Rose Shore) - Born 3-1-1917 in Winchester, Tennessee. Died 2-24-1994 from cancer. 50's pop singer who would later become a major daytime talk-show host.
  • Simone, Nina (Eunice Kathleen Waymon) - Born 2-21-1933 in Tryon, North Carolina. Died 4-21-2003 in Carry-le-Rouet, France. Natural causes after a long illness.
  • Sinatra, Frank (Francis Albert Sinatra) - Born 12-12-1915 in Hoboken, New Jersey. Died 5-14-1998 from heart & kidney disease, as well as bladder cancer. Entertainer extraordinaire.
  • Smith, Elliott (Steven Paul Smith) - Born 8-6-1969 in Omaha, Nebraska. Died 10-21-2003 from what appeared to be a suicide, but was later ruled inconclusive. Singer/songwriter.
  • Smith, Bessie - Born 4-15-1894 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Died 9-26-1937 in a car crash. One of the best early female blues singers.
  • Sovine, Red (Woodrow Wilson Sovine) - Born 7-17-1918 in Charleston, West Virginia. Died 4-4-1980 when he had a heart attack at the wheel of his car in Nashville. One of the Kings of truck driving songs.
  • Springfield, Dusty (Mary Isabelle Katherine Bernadette O'Brien) - Born 4-16-1939 in Hampstead, London, England. Died 3-2-1999 from breast cancer. Best known for her English soul sound. Biggest song - “Son Of A Preacher Man”.
  • Strummer, Joe (John Graham Mellors) - Born 8-21-1952 in Ankara, Turkey. Died 12-22-2002 from an apparent heart attack. Best known for his singing and guitar work for the Clash.
  • Sutcliffe, Stuart (Stuart Fergusson Victor Sutcliffe) - Born 6-23-1940 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Died 4-10-1962 of cerebral paralysis. John Lennon’s very close friend and original Beatle bassist.
  • Terrell, Tammi (Thomasina Montgomery) - Born 1-24-1946 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Died 4-16-1970 from a brain tumor resulting from a old contusion (cause unnamed). Known best for her duets with Marvin Gaye.
  • Tiny Tim (Herbert Khaury) - Born 4-12-1933 in New York, New York. Died 11-30-1996 from a heart attack. A rather freaky 1960’s singer best known for his “Tiptoe Through The Tulips” song.
  • Tosh, Peter (Winston Hubert MacIntosh) - Born 10-9-1944 in Westmoreland, Jamaica. Died 9-11-1987. Shot dead in his home by a burglar. Lead singer for The Wailers.
  • Twitty, Conway (Harold Lloyd Jenkins) - Born 9-1-1933 in Friars Point, Mississippi. Died 6-5-1993 from an abdominal aneurysm and heart attack. One of the first major rockabilly-to-country successes. Holds the record for #1 country hits.
  • Valens, Ritchie (Ricardo Steven Valenzuela) - Born 5-13-1941 in Los Angeles, California. Died 2-3-1959 in the same plane crash as Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper. His biggest songs, “La Bamba” and “Donna”.
  • Van Zandt, Townes - Born 3-7-1944 in Fort Worth, Texas. Died 1-1-1997 from a heart attack. Best known for his songwriting and minimalist singing. A long career, but mostly Texas regional success.
  • Vaughan, Stevie Ray (Stephen Ray Vaughan) - Born 10-3-54 in Dallas, Texas. Died 8-27-1990 in a helicopter crash. Comparible in greatness to ANY guitarist ever.
  • Vicious, Sid (John Simon Ritchie) - Born 5-10-1957 in London, England. Died 2-2-1979 from a heroin overdose. Sex Pistols bass player, who everybody agreed had absolutely no talent to play it.
  • Vincent, Gene (Vincent Eugene Craddock) - Born 2-11-1935 in Norfolk, Virginia. Died 10-12-1971 from an ulcerated wound that he received in the car accident that killed Eddie Cochran 11 years earlier. Biggest song, “Be-Bop-A-Lula”.
  • Waters, Muddy (McKinley Morganfield) - Born 4-4-1915 in Rolling Fork, Mississippi. Died 4-30-1983 from a heart attack. Jump-started the Chicago blues scene.
  • White, Barry (Barry Eugene White) - Born 9-12-1944 in Galveston, Texas. Died 7-4-2003 from kidney failure. A passion-soaked voice that’s partly responsible for a small raise in population as his career peaked in the early to mid 1970’s.
  • Whitley, Keith (Jesse Keith Whitley) - Born 4-1-1955 in Sandy Hook, Kentucky. Died 5-9-1989 from an alcohol overdose. Country roots singer who died just after hitting super-stardom.
  • Williams, Wendy O. (Wendy Orleans Williams) - Born 5-28-1949 in New York, New York. Died 4-6-1998 from a self inflicted gunshot to the head. Lead singer for the Plasmatics. Inspiration for Courtney Love.
  • Williamson, Sonny Boy 1 (John Lee Williamson) - Born 3-30-1914 in Jackson, Tennessee. Died 6-1-1948. Murdered in a robbery. Profoundly influential in the development of the blues harp.
  • Wilson, Carl - Born 12-21-1946 in Hawthorne, California. Died 2-6-1998 from lung cancer. Guitar and vocalist for the Beach Boys.
  • Wilson, Dennis - Born 12-4-1944 in Inglewood, California. Died 12-28-1983 in a drowning. Drummer for the Beach Boys. Unknowingly tried to help Charles Manson in a music career.
  • Wilson, Jackie (Jack Leroy Wilson) - Born 6-9-1934 in Detroit, Michigan. Died 1-20-1984. Suffered a massive heart attack and stroke on stage in 1975 and was in a coma until he died nine years later. Known best for the songs, “Higher and Higher” and “Lonely Teardrops”.
  • Wood, Andrew (Andrew Patrick Wood) - Born 1-8-1966 in Columbus, Mississippi. Died 3-9-1990 in Bremerton, Washington from a heroin overdose. Grunge pioneer who started Mother Love Bone. It was he that was honored by his Seattle peers with the Temple Of The Dog album.
  • Wood, Chris (Christopher Gordon Blandford Wood) - Born 6-24-1944 in Birmingham, England. Died 7-12-1983 in Birmingham, England from pneumonia. Sax and flute player for Traffic. Did session work on the side for many other bands & artists.
  • Wynette, Tammy (Virginia Wynette Pugh) - Born 5-5-1942 in Itawambe County, Mississippi. Died 4-6-1998 from a blood clot. Best known for her great voice and the song, “Stand By Your Man”.
  • Young, Faron - Born 2-25-1932 in Shreveport, Louisiana. Died 12-10-1996 in Nashville, Tennessee. Suicide by gun. Country music crooner who made the song, “Hello Walls” (written by Willie Nelson) one of the biggest of all time.
  • Zappa, Frank (Francis Vincent Zappa Jr.) - Born 12-21-1940 in Baltimore, Maryland. Died 12-4-1993 in Los Angeles, California from prostate cancer. Intellectual weirdo who founded the Mothers of Invention.
  • Zevon, Warren - Born 1-24-1947 in Chicago, Illinois. Died 9-7-2003 from lung cancer. Quirky musician best known for his one big hit, “Werewolves of London”.
  • MUSICAL COMPANIONS:
  • Bangs, Lester - Born 12-14-1948. Died 4-30-1982 from a Darvon overdose. Rock critic elite.
  • Epstein, Brian - Born 9-19-1934 in Liverpool, England. Died 8-27-1967. Accidental overdose of brandy and barbiturates. Beatles manager.
  • Freed, Alan (Aldon James Freed) (aka The Moondog) - Born 12-15-1922 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Died 1-20-1965 from Uremia. Cleveland DJ who first popularized the term, “Rock & Roll”.
  • Graham, Bill (Wolfgang Grajonca) - Born, 1931 in Berlin, Germany. Died - 10-25-1991 near Vallejo, California in a helicopter crash. Concert promoter/manager best known for his Fillmore concerts.
  • Hunter, Meredith - Born 1951. Died 12-6-1969. Audience member that was stabbed to death by The Hells Angels who had been hired for security during a Rolling Stones concert at the Altamont speedway.
  • Phillips, Sam (Samuel Cornelius Phillips) - Born 1-5-1923 in Florence Alabama. Died 7-30-2003 in Memphis, Tennessee from respiratory failure. Known as the founder of Sun Records and the man that let Elvis get away.
  • Warhol, Andy (Andrew Warhola) - Born 8-6-1928 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Died 2-22-1987. Officially from complications after routine gall bladder surgery. Known for his willingness to carry rock stars with questionable talent.
Author Comments: 

Last updated 2004.

stumpyver.fo09/15/2009

I must have been a sick puppy when I spent so much time putting this list together back in 2004. Sooo many famous people were dying. I took note of it here.