Artists Dead before 40 years of age ranked WWOZ Blog

1) Jimi Hendrix:

Blues-rock, Rock music, Experimental rock

Died at 27 (1942-1970)


James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Although his mainstream career spanned only four years, he is widely regarded as one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of popular music, and one of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame describes him as "arguably the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music". Born in Seattle, Washington, Hendrix began playing guitar at the age of 15.

  

2) Bob Marley:

Reggae

Died at 36 (1945-1981)

Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley OM was a Jamaican reggae singer-songwriter, musician, and guitarist who achieved international fame and acclaim. Starting out in 1963 with the group the Wailers, he forged a distinctive songwriting and vocal style that would later resonate with audiences worldwide. The Wailers would go on to release some of the earliest reggae records with producer Lee Scratch Perry.

  

3) Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart:

Opera, Ballet, Art song

Died at 35 (1756-1791)

 

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, baptized as Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart, was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical era. Mozart showed prodigious ability from his earliest childhood. Already competent on keyboard and violin, he composed from the age of five and performed before European royalty. At 17, he was engaged as a court musician in Salzburg, but grew restless and traveled in search of a better position, always composing abundantly.

  

4) Jim Morrison:

Blues-rock, Rock music, Acid rock

Died at 27 (1943-1971)

 

James Douglas "Jim" Morrison was an American singer, poet, and songwriter best remembered as the lead vocalist of the Doors. Due to his songwriting, baritone voice, wild personality, and performances, he is regarded by critics and fans as one of the most iconic and influential frontmen in rock music history, and, due to the dramatic tinges surrounding his life, in the latter part of 20th century he was one of the popular culture's most rebellious and oft-displayed icons, representing generational gap and youth counterculture.

 

5) Kurt Cobain:

Grunge, Alternative rock, Punk rock

Died at 27 (1967-1994)

Kurt Donald Cobain was an American musician who was best known as the lead singer, guitarist, and primary songwriter of the grunge band Nirvana. Cobain formed Nirvana with Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1985 and established it as part of the Seattle music scene, having its debut album Bleach released on the independent record label Sub Pop in 1989.

Credit: Ranker.com