Poll: Worst Premature Death

[callipygias]

For example, maybe Kurt Cobain's death hurt you the most, but since he had already practically invented a style of music, maybe you don't think there was as much potential left in him compared to, say, Jimi Hendrix, who was getting very experimental with a kind of jazz/rock fusion at the time of his death, and who, if he had lived longer, may have created something new.

I'm sure I've forgotten many important ones, so feel free to rebel against the poll.

I may be the only one to pick Randy Rhoads, but the upward spiral his guitar was on once he got with Ozzy, coupled with his knowledge of and love for classical guitar music, makes me really wish he would've made it beyond a mere 26 years.

(The 2 drummers [and maybe Sid Vicious?] are on there because their deaths signified the end of 2 great bands.)

[Mod City]

Some interesting choices here, but of those listed, I'm going with Bon Scott. His voice was songwriting were just so definitive of AC/DC's sound. As respected as he generally is, he gets overlooked a lot because somehow the band managed to survive and succeed wildly with Brian Johnson.

Still, he had enough smarm for ten others. I miss him.

[Shep]

Not on the list, but Joy Division's Ian Curtis came to mind immediately. A major talent that left us far too soon.

Of the choices available, I chose John Lennon. His final album was an amazing return to form--and arguably his best solo work ever. I've no doubt he would have entertained us for many years to come. (Instead we got stuck with lackluster Paul McCartney albums LOL).

[Trumpy's Magic Snout]

jorel said:

Not on the list, but Joy Division's Ian Curtis came to mind immediately. A major talent that left us far too soon.

Of the choices available, I chose John Lennon. His final album was an amazing return to form--and arguably his best solo work ever. I've no doubt he would have entertained us for many years to come. (Instead we got stuck with lackluster Paul McCartney albums LOL).

i'd go along with the Ian Curtis choice. So little music made by Joy Division and yet so influential. Went for Bon Scott, though Bonham and Moon were close. And Buddy Holly.

[Don Quixote]

Okay, I know these are odd choices, I'm torn between Hank Sr. and Stevie Ray Vaughn.

But I'm probably a bit bias.

[StreetDreamer83]

My choice isn't on the list. It's Keith Whitley. I didn't get to know his music until 1997 or so, but once I really started listening to him, I became more and more of a fan of his. I consider myself to be a huge fan of his today, and I'm so thankful that I found his music (or his music found me.) Sometimes I'll listen to his songs and I'll just want to cry, because he was so close, literally on the brink of attaining the success and accolades he deserved so much. It breaks my heart that his life ended so soon... I really wish I could have had the chance to see him perform in person.

Matt

[Lounge Lizard]

R.I.P. JIM

[bobjohnson]

definitely buddy holly, he was a rare gem of his time, wrote his own music and perfromed them also: a precursor to the beatles and future bands

His death was filled with the worst period in rock and roll, the surfer period where frankie avalon and fabian ruled.

[Captain Hygiene]

littlestupid said:

(The 2 drummers [and maybe Sid Vicious?] are on there because their deaths signified the end of 2 great bands.)

While John Bonham's death was certainly a tragedy, I doubt that Led Zeppelin would have gotten much critical acclaim if they'd continued the direction they went on some of their last material. It sounded like a hollow shell of classic Zeppelin.

[Pierre Trudeau]

I also have one that's not on the list: Jeff Buckley. Amazing, amazing musician and singer.

But I'm also biased toward Keith Moon. Even though he followed through with an amazing career and had already hit his peak, the fact that he died while he was finally trying hard to get his life together sucks.

I'd also go with Ian Curtis, big time. And of course, Buddy Holly and Jimi Hendrix. Buddy Holly especially- he was so ahead of his time it was insane.

[Hot*Merging*Action]

I agree 100% w/ ModCity...just love Bon!! I was kinda going back n forth between him and Hank....but i think I'm biased cause i'm madly in love w/ Hank III.....so..i opted for Mr. Scott.

[Mr. Atari]

Pierre beat me to it. Jeff Buckley all the way. He was a completely independent soul in the midddle of one of the worst eras of corporate and empty music. And we only got one album from him before he drowned.

Stevie Ray Vaughan is another terrible one. Not because he didn't have a good output of music, but because he had just turned his life around and sobered up. In Step was the only album he made "clean" and it was unbelievable.

I'm sorry, but I can't stand Bon Scott's voice. I'm not glad he died, but I think AC/DC was better off with Johnson. Back in Black wouldn't have been half as good with Scott's screech.

[(busdrivertohell)]

I'm in a tossup with Buddy Holly and Stevie.

Buddy Holly did wonders for the era before he died, and so young!

Stevie could have only went farther up with his music. He did put out a lot before he died, thankfully.

[Truck Farmer]

If you asked me which one had the biggest effect on me personally, I'd have to go with SRV. I had always liked his music, but I had just really started getting into with a passion when he died.

But since the question is which one affected future music the most, I would have to go with Buddy Holly. Whenever I see The Buddy Holly Story, I always wonder what would have happened if he had not died so young.

[Chuck]

Janis Joplin.