There is something about music that makes it a dangerous profession. The hard-charging lifestyle and frequent travel are among the reasons why we lose so many iconic musicians at such young ages—including these memorable songbirds.

1. John Lennon

The Beatles released their last album, Let It Be, in 1970, ten years before John Lennon's death. Yet, the band's lead guitarist had released a solo album just one month before deranged fan Mark David Chapman took his life in front of New York City's Dakota apartment building.

Though his relationship with Yoko Ono and the dissolution of The Beatles had soured some fans on Lennon, there is no doubt he had many more years of recording ahead of him.

2. Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix is one of the fated members of the morbid 27 Club, which refers to celebrities who passed away at 27. Hendrix reportedly took too many barbiturates, leading him to suffocate because of his vomit in Notting Hill, London.

Hendrix had only released three studio albums (plus a few live albums) before passing, but it only took three to cement himself as a legend of his era. Smashes like “Foxy Lady,” “Hey Joe,” and “All Along the Watchtower” remain staples of classic rock playlists.

3. Jim Morrison

The lead singer of The Doors died from heart failure in his Paris apartment, though there has been controversy about the cause. Some consider his passing suspicious, and no autopsy was performed—only fueling speculation about how Morrison lost his life.

Morrison had only scratched the surface of his potential when he passed away. The band released L.A. Woman only months before he was found in the bathtub in Paris, and the record would achieve Triple Platinum status.

4. Kurt Cobain

One of the more suspicious deaths on this list, Kurt Cobain and Nirvana released only three studio albums before his passing in 1994. Cobain's wife, Courtney Love, has remained the subject of suspicion among those who never quite believed that Cobain took his own life. 

5. Stevie Ray Vaughan

One of the most talented guitarists of his generation, Stevie Ray Vaughan, passed away in a helicopter crash in Wisconsin in 1990. A blues-influenced musician with hits including “Pride and Joy,” “Lenny,” and “Little Wing,” Vaughan was immediately missed by music purists and casual fans alike.

6. Amy Winehouse

Fans remember a gaunt, exhausted Amy Winehouse being paraded from stage to stage at the end of her life and can only shake their head in sadness. At her peak, Winehouse was a powerhouse vocalist with a sound suited for any generation.

Her album Frank is remarkably enduring, highlighting Winehouse's musical range and throwback soul. Her death from alcohol poisoning in 2011 was tragic but not altogether shocking for those who kept tabs on her obvious physical decline the months before.

7. Janis Joplin

The “Mercedes Benz” singer had one of the most distinct voices of any big-time artist, but she was a troubled member of the 27 club. Her hard-partying lifestyle ultimately caused her demise, leaving a massive void in the female blues-folk-rock genre.

8. The Notorious B.I.G.

We cannot talk about musicians passing away in their prime without mentioning the East-West rivalry between Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur. Biggie's death is shrouded in controversy and conspiracy theories and was an eye-opening reality that even superstars in hip-hop can lose their lives without warning.

9. Tupac

Though a suspect has finally been indicted for Tupac Shakur's arranged hit, the indictment will not stop skeptics from speculating about many alternate theories. Tupac was at the top of his game musically and had gained a sizeable cultural foothold after starring in numerous Hollywood projects. His passing remains one of the most noteworthy premature deaths in music history.

10. Bradley Nowell

Sublime lead singer Bradley Nowell was a pioneer in the American ska-punk genre. The band's ability to blend social critiques with an up-tempo, definitely California sound left a lasting impression on a generation who found Sublime…sublime.

Nowell is one of many troubled musicians who ultimately succumbed to addiction, passing away at 28. The band only released three studio albums before his passing.

11. Randy Rhoads

Randy Rhoads, a classically trained guitarist who embraced a rugged, heavy-metal sound, co-founded Quiet Riot. Rhoads helped Ozzy Osbourne write multiple albums but tragically died in a plane crash. Tour bus driver (and pilot) Andrew Aycock had been flying the plane recklessly, and he struck the tour bus, causing Rhoads to hit his head on the plane's windshield and suffer fatal injuries.

12. Bob Marley

Though he is among the most famous artists of all time, Bob Marley is by no means overrated. The “Buffalo Soldier” was only 36 when he passed from cancer initially found under his toe. Marley refused to allow doctors to amputate his toe, reportedly for religious beliefs and his penchant for being barefoot (including during performances).

Tragically, the cancer spread to Marley's vital organs and caused his death. He remains a legend, and his album Legend is the top-selling reggae album ever. 

13. Mac Miller

Another hip-hop artist who resonated with a younger audience, Mac Miller, released several mixtapes and albums that younger Millennials grew up to. A troubled artist who struggled with addiction, Miller seemingly passed away from a lethal combination of substances.

Fans of light-hearted hip-hop have missed Mac Miller's clever rhymes and trademark nasal Pittsburgh sound since he lost his life in 2018.

14. XXXTentacion

If you are over 30, you may not know the name XXXTentacion. However, the rapper was an immensely popular but controversial musician who died during a robbery in Deerfield Beach, Florida.

Fans regularly visit his mausoleum in Boca Raton, Florida, and fans are left to wonder what could have been for the artist who passed away at just 20 years old.

15. Duane Allman

The Allman Brothers remain one of the most revered Southern rock bands of their era, with hits like “Melissa,” “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed,” and “Midnight Rider” standing out in a stacked catalog.

Guitarist Duane Allman's death in a motorcycle accident was especially tragic because he was 24 years old. While the band continued to record without Duane, he was integral to the group. Eerily, bassist Berry Oakley died in a motorcycle accident less than 13 months after Duane's fatal collision.

Source: (Reddit).