Bands/Musicians 16 Famous Bands Whose Members Died Tragically and How They Handled It  

Member who died: Jim Morrison of a heroin overdose, 1971

The Doors's lead singer, Jim Morrison joined the 27 Club in 1971 when he died of a heroin overdose. The band attempted to keep it together, with members Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger taking over on lead vocals. That arrangement only lasted for two years before The Doors officially disbanded. 

Genres (Music): Blues-rock, Rock music, Protopunk, Heavy metal, Jazz fusion, + more

Albums: The Doors, L.A. Woman, Strange Days, Morrison Hotel, Light My Fire, + more

Labels: Warner Music Group, Rhino Entertainment, Elektra Records

Career Began: Los Angeles, California, United States of America

Also Ranked

#15 on The Greatest Musical Artists of All Time

#9 on The Best Rock Bands of All Time

#18 on The Greatest Live Bands of All Time

#7 on The Greatest Classic Rock Bands

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Member who died: Duane Allman of a motorcycle accident, 1971

Duane Allman, founding member of the Allman Brothers, was just 24 when he was killed in a motorcycle accident. The band kept playing without Allman; as drummer Butch Trucks put it, "We all had this thing in us and Duane put it there. He was the teacher and he gave something to us - his disciples - that we had to play out."

Genres (Music): Blues-rock, Boogie rock, Rock music, Instrumental rock, Folk rock, + more

Albums: At Fillmore East, Beginnings, Eat a Peach, Brothers and Sisters, Hittin’ the Note, + more

Labels: Capricorn Records, Epic Records, Sanctuary Records Group, Arista Records, PolyGram

Career Began: Macon, Georgia, United States of America

Also Ranked

#62 on Musicians Who Belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

#50 on The Best Rock Bands of All Time

#24 on The Greatest Live Bands of All Time

#19 on The Greatest American Rock Bands

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Member who died: Clarence Clemons of stroke complications, 2011

Clarence Clemons was perhaps the most famous member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. The saxophonist was with the group from the '70s all the way up until his 2011 death. Clemons accomplished more in death than most people do in life, though - he was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. These days, the E Street Band tours with a new saxophonist - Jake Clemons, Clarence's nephew. 

Genres (Music): Americana, Blues-rock, Heartland rock, Jersey Shore sound, Rock music, + more

Albums: Born to Run, Born in the U.S.A., The Rising, Darkness on the Edge of Town, The River, + more

Nationality: United States of America

Labels: Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Columbia

Career Began: New Jersey, United States of America

Also Ranked

#46 on The Greatest Musical Artists of All Time

#37 on The Best Rock Vocalists

#57 on The Best Singers of All Time

#43 on Musicians Who Belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

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Member who died: Jerry Garcia of a heart attack, 1995

The legacy of the Grateful Dead - and the group's singer, Jerry Garcia - still lives on, even 20 years after Garcia's death. The Dead went into retirement for a short time after Garcia passed, but the Deadheads (the group's fan base) weren't having it. The rest of the band is touring again as Dead and Company, fronted by pop superstar John Mayer. 

Genres (Music): Blues-rock, Rock music, Folk rock, Acid rock, Jam band, + more

Albums: American Beauty, Europe '72 (disc 1), Aoxomoxoa, Workingman's Dead, Terrapin Station, + more

Labels: Sunflower Records, Rhino Entertainment, Arista Records, Grateful Dead Records, Warner Bros. Records

Career Began: California, United States of America

Also Ranked

#99 on The Greatest Musical Artists of All Time

#78 on The Best Rock Bands of All Time

#21 on The Greatest Live Bands of All Time

#33 on The Greatest American Rock Bands

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