17 Singers Who Tragically Died At The Height Of Their Careers, And It's Truly Heartbreaking

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22-04-2025

1. Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye rose to prominence in the '60s and had continued success through the '80s thanks to a string of hits like "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)," "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," "What's Going On," and "Sexual Healing." He died in 1984 at age 44 after being shot to death by his father the day before his 45th birthday, according to the New York Times.
2. Aaliyah
Aaliyah was a Grammy-nominated singer with major hits in the late '90s and early '00s, including "Try Again," "Miss You," and "Rock The Boat." She died in 2001 at age 22 in a plane crash that took off in the Bahamas, according to the New York Times.
3. Buddy Holly
Buddy Holly was a major artist in the late '50s. Across his own albums and his record with The "Chirping" Crickets, his signature songs include "That'll Be the Day," "Oh Boy!" "Everyday," and "Peggy Sue." He died in 1959 at age 22 after a plane he was in crashed in Iowa. Fellow musicians "The Big Bopper" J.P. Richardson and Ritchie Valens also died in the crash, and the incident would later be referred to as "The Day the Music Died" by Don McLean in his 1971 song "American Pie."
4.
Selena, known as the Queen of Tejano, had major crossover success in the '90s. The Grammy-nominated singer released four solo albums during her lifetime that included hits like "No Me Queda Más," "Como la Flor," and "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom." Her posthumous album, Dreaming of You, went No. 1 shortly after her death. She died in 1995 at age 23 after being shot and killed by her former manager, according to the New York Times.
5. Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes
Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes was a member of the mega-popular group TLC. Together, they won four Grammys, and Lisa released her debut album, Supernova, in 2001. She died in 2002 at age 30 from a car crash in Honduras, according to the New York Times.
6. Jeff Buckley
Jeff Buckley released just one album during his lifetime, titled Grace, in 1994. Over the years, his cover of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" has grown in popularity and become his signature track. Jeff died in 1997 at age 30 after accidentally drowning in the Wolf River near Memphis, according to the New York Times.
7. Christina Grimmie
8. Duane Allman
Duane Allman was the original leader of the rock band the Allman Brothers. He released two albums with the band before his death. He's also featured on their breakthrough record, the live album At Fillmore East. Duane died in 1971 at age 24 from a motorcycle crash, according to Rolling Stone.
9. Amy Winehouse
10. Tupac Shakur
Tupac Shakur was a rapper, actor, and poet who released four solo albums during his lifetime. This included two Billboard No. 1 albums: Me Against the World in 1995 and All Eyez on Me in 1996. As an actor, he starred in several films, including Juice and Poetic Justice. Tupac died in 1996 at age 25 after being shot in a drive-by shooting outside of Las Vegas, according to the Associated Press.
11. Janis Joplin
Janis Joplin was a rock 'n roll pioneer in the '60s. She first gained fame as the lead singer of the band Big Brother and the Holding Company before releasing one solo album: I Got Dem Ol' Kozmic Blues Again Mama! in 1969. A few months after her death, her second album, Pearl, was released. It was ranked as one of the 500 greatest albums of all time by Rolling Stone in 2023. Janis died in 1970 at age 27 from an accidental drug overdose, according to the New York Times.
12. Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix was a titan of '60s rock 'n roll. His band, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, saw major success with three albums, including the Billboard No. 1 record Electric Ladyland. He died in 1970 at age 27 from suffocation, likely related to a drug overdose, according to the New York Times.
13. Cass Elliott
Cass Elliot, known as Mama Cass, first shot to fame as part of the '60s folk group The Mamas & the Papas. They won a Grammy for the 1966 song "Monday, Monday." Cass went on to release numerous solo albums, including Dream a Little Dream and Bubblegum, Lemonade, and... Something for Mama. She died in 1974 at age 32 from a heart attack, according to the BBC.
14. Karen Carpenter
Karen Carpenter was best known for being one-half of the duo The Carpenters alongside her brother, Richard. Together, they released ten albums before Karen's death. She died in 1983 at age 32 from complications of anorexia nervosa, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
15. Juice WRLD
Juice WRLD was a rapper who found success thanks to a series of hits in the 2010s, including "Lucid Dreams" and his collaboration with YoungBoy Never Broke Again, "Bandit." He died in 2019 at age 21 from an accidental overdose, according to NPR.
16. Jim Morrison
Jim Morrison was the lead singer of the Doors, recording six albums with the band. He died in 1971 at age 27, and his death was attributed to heart failure, though no autopsy was performed, according to NPR.
17. Finally, Mac Miller
Mac Miller was a rapper who released five albums during his lifetime, including the chart-topping debut record Blue Slide Park. He died in 2018 at age 26 from an accidental overdose, according to Rolling Stone.