Entertainment

The Greatest Musicians Who Died Before 40 

Ranker Music
Originally by
Updated February 21, 2020 63.8k votes 6.8k voters 184.5k views 154 items

List Rules Great musicians who died before their 40th birthdays

 

Some of the best musicians in history only lived for a few short decades. This list ranks those musicians whose lives were taken before they turned 40, whether intentionally or accidentally, including everyone from Bob Marley to Mozart. They may all come from different genres and backgrounds, but the loss of each of these musicians left a major emptiness in the world of music. Singers and rock stars like Amy Winehouse, Buddy Holly, and Jimi Hendrix didn’t live to 40, but they did live long enough to secure a lasting legacy in music history.

Many people think of rock stars like Kurt Cobain (of the 27 Club) when they consider musicians who died young, but the world of rap music can be just as deadly. Who can forget the feud between Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G.? While no one has ever conclusively proven who killed the two stars or even that the two deaths were linked, there is no doubt that both musicians were killed far too early. These musicians were murdered in their prime, and hip hop fans still mourn them.

Other deaths have rocked the music world as well. Can any fan of hip hop or R&B every truly recover from Aaliyah’s death in 2001? She was only 22 years old when her plane crashed in the Bahamas, killing not only her but also eight others. This gifted musician died before reaching the age of 40, and the world of R&B is not the same for her loss.

On this list you’ll find musicians who died before they turned 40. The gifted performers on this list come from all genres. Many of the musicians here died in unfortunate and horrific circumstances, while others passed away more peacefully, some from natural causes. Whatever the case, they have all earned their spots on this list of the greatest musicians who died before 40.

 

list ordered by
1
Jimi Hendrix is listed (or ranked) 1 on the list The Greatest Musicians Who Died Before 40
Horse in a Bookcase added Genre: Blues-rock, Rock music, Experimental rock; Nationality: United States of America

Albums: First Rays of the New Rising Sun, Band of Gypsys, Voodoo Child: The Jimi Hendrix Collection, Live at the Fillmore East, Live at Woodstock, + more

Labels: MCA Records, Vee-Jay Records, Polydor Records, Reprise Records, Barclay Records, + more

Died at 27 (1942-1970) James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix; November 27, 1942 – September 18, 1970) was an American rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter. His mainstream career lasted ...more

More Jimi Hendrix ❯

#86 of 1,057 The Best Singers of All Time The Best Jimi Hendrix Songs of All Timelisted on Rolling Stone's Top 100 Guitarists of All Time

2
Kurt Cobain is listed (or ranked) 2 on the list The Greatest Musicians Who Died Before 40
Genre: Grunge, Alternative rock, Punk rock; Nationality: United States of America

Albums: 1993-09-08: Rock Against Rape Benefit, Club Lingerie, Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA, + more

Labels: Geffen Records, DGC Records, Sub Pop

Died at 27 (1967-1994) Kurt Donald Cobain (February 20, 1967 – April 5, 1994) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician, best known as the guitarist and frontman of the rock band Nirvana. He is remembered as ...more

More Kurt Cobain ❯

#26 of 714 The Best Rock Vocalists 15 Crazy But True Stories About Nirvanalisted on Rolling Stone's Top 100 Guitarists of All Time

3
Bob Marley is listed (or ranked) 3 on the list The Greatest Musicians Who Died Before 40
Genre: Reggae; Nationality: Jamaica

Albums: The Wailing Wailers, Soul Rebels, Soul Revolution, The Best of the Wailers, Catch a Fire, + more

Died at 36 (1945-1981) Robert Nesta Marley, (6 February 1945 – 11 May 1981) was a Jamaican singer and songwriter. Considered one of the pioneers of reggae, his musical career was marked by blending elements of reggae, ...more

More Bob Marley ❯

#91 of 714 The Best Rock Vocalists #21 of 926 People We Wish Were Still Alive 18 Things Most People Don't Know About Bob Marley

4
Jim Morrison is listed (or ranked) 4 on the list The Greatest Musicians Who Died Before 40
Genre: Blues-rock, Rock music, Acid rock; Nationality: United States of America

Albums: Paris Jim, Dionysus

Labels: Elektra Records, Columbia

Died at 27 (1943-1971) James Douglas Morrison (December 8, 1943 – July 3, 1971) was an American singer, songwriter and poet, who served as the lead vocalist of the rock band the Doors. Due to his poetic lyrics, ...more

More Jim Morrison ❯

#6 of 714 The Best Rock Vocalists #36 of 1,057 The Best Singers of All Timelisted on Members of The 27 Club

5
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart ... is listed (or ranked) 5 on the list The Greatest Musicians Who Died Before 40
looksharp added Genre: Opera, Ballet, Art song; Nationality: Holy Roman Empire

Albums: Symphony Edition, Classical Anthology, Eternal Classics, Concertos for Flute, Harp and Orchestra (Orchestra: Saint Paul's Philharmonic Orchestra; Flute: Ubaldo Rosso; Harp: Ursula Mazurek; Conductor: Silvano Frontalini), + more

Died at 35 (1756-1791) Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (27 January 1756 – 5 December 1791), baptised as Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart, was a prolific and influential composer of the classical era. Born in ...more

More Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart ❯

#26 of 2,187 The Greatest Musical Artists of All Time 17 Bizarre, Mind-Blowing Facts and Stories About Mozartlisted on 16 Famous Bodies From History Found In Inconspicuous Places

6
Buddy Holly is listed (or ranked) 6 on the list The Greatest Musicians Who Died Before 40
Genre: Lubbock sound, Rock music, Rockabilly; Nationality: United States of America

Albums: Buddy, 20 Golden Greats, What You Been A-Missin': What You've Been A-Missin', The Buddy Holly Story, That'll Be The Day, + more

Labels: Decca Records, Brunswick Records, Coral Records

Died at 22 (1936-1959) Charles Hardin Holley (September 7, 1936 – February 3, 1959), known professionally as Buddy Holly, was an American musician and singer-songwriter who was a central and pioneering figure of ...more

More Buddy Holly ❯

#102 of 1,057 The Best Singers of All Time #70 of 2,218 The Best Rock Bands of All Time What Actually Happened The Day The Music Died?

7
Janis Joplin is listed (or ranked) 7 on the list The Greatest Musicians Who Died Before 40
Genre: Blues-rock, Rock music, Folk music; Nationality: United States of America

Albums: Pearl, Big Brother & The Holding Company, Greatest Hits, I Got Dem Ol' Kozmic Blues Again Mama!, The Essential Janis Joplin, + more

Labels: Columbia

Died at 27 (1943-1970) Janis Lyn Joplin (January 19, 1943 – October 4, 1970) was an American rock, soul, and blues singer-songwriter, and one of the most successful and widely known rock stars of her era. After ...more

More Janis Joplin ❯

#50 of 1,057 The Best Singers of All Time The Tortured, Painful Life of Janis Joplin, The Baddest Woman In Rock Historylisted on Members of The 27 Club

8
Otis Redding is listed (or ranked) 8 on the list The Greatest Musicians Who Died Before 40
Genre: Southern soul, Soul blues, Rock music; Nationality: United States of America

Albums: Pain in My Heart, King & Queen, Complete & Unbelievable: The Otis Redding Dictionary of Soul, The Soul Album, The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads, + more

Labels: Atlantic Records, ATCO Records, Sundazed Records, Rhino Entertainment, Stax Records

Died at 26 (1941-1967) Otis Ray Redding Jr. (September 9, 1941 – December 10, 1967) was an American singer, songwriter, record producer, arranger, and talent scout. He is considered one of the greatest singers in the ...more

More Otis Redding ❯

#61 of 2,187 The Greatest Musical Artists of All Time #114 of 2,218 The Best Rock Bands of All Time The Best Otis Redding Albums of All Time

9
Tupac Shakur is listed (or ranked) 9 on the list The Greatest Musicians Who Died Before 40
Genre: Hip hop music, Political hip hop, Gangsta rap; Nationality: United States of America

Albums: 2Pacalypse Now, Strictly 4 My Niggaz, Thug Life: Volume 1, The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, Me Against the World, + more

Labels: Amaru Entertainment, Death Row Records, Interscope Records

Died at 25 (1971-1996) Tupac Amaru Shakur ( TOO-pahk shə-KOOR; born Lesane Parish Crooks, June 16, 1971 – September 13, 1996), also known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor. He is ...more

More Tupac Shakur ❯

#216 of 275 The Most Trustworthy Celebrities in the World #313 of 1,057 The Best Singers of All Time A Timeline Of How Biggie And Tupac's Friendship Turned Into An Infamous Feud

10
Stevie Ray Vaughan is listed (or ranked) 10 on the list The Greatest Musicians Who Died Before 40
Genre: Blues-rock, Rock music, Instrumental rock; Nationality: United States of America

Albums: Texas Flood, Couldn't Stand The Weather, Soul to Soul, In Step, In Step, + more

Labels: Sony Music Entertainment, Epic Records, A&M Records, Legacy Recordings

Died at 35 (1954-1990) Stephen Ray Vaughan (October 3, 1954 – August 27, 1990) was an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer, and one of the most influential guitarists in the revival of blues in ...more

More Stevie Ray Vaughan ❯

#103 of 714 The Best Rock Vocalists The Best Stevie Ray Vaughan Songs of All Timelisted on Rolling Stone's Top 100 Guitarists of All Time

11
Amy Winehouse is listed (or ranked) 11 on the list The Greatest Musicians Who Died Before 40
Genre: Doo-wop, Pop music, Neo soul; Nationality: England

Albums: Frank, Back to Black

Labels: Island Records, Universal Republic Records, Universal Music Group, Republic Records

Died at 27 (1983-2011) Amy Jade Winehouse (14 September 1983 – 23 July 2011) was an English singer and songwriter. She was known for her deep, expressive contralto vocals and her eclectic mix of musical genres, ...more

More Amy Winehouse ❯

#30 of 453 The Greatest Singers of the Past 30 Years ‘Amy’ Is A Deeply Upsetting Documentary That Forced Us To Re-Examine Her Tragedylisted on Members of The 27 Club

12
The Notorious B.I.G. is listed (or ranked) 12 on the list The Greatest Musicians Who Died Before 40
Genre: Hip hop music, Hardcore hip hop, East Coast hip hop; Nationality: United States of America

Albums: Ready to Die, Life After Death

Labels: Atlantic Records, Uptown Records, Bad Boy Records

Died at 24 (1972-1997) Christopher George Latore Wallace (May 21, 1972 – March 9, 1997), known professionally as The Notorious B.I.G., Biggie Smalls, or Biggie, was an American rapper. He is widely considered to be ...more

More The Notorious B.I.G. ❯

#238 of 2,187 The Greatest Musical Artists of All Time #338 of 926 People We Wish Were Still Alive A Timeline Of How Biggie And Tupac's Friendship Turned Into An Infamous Feud

13
Hank Williams is listed (or ranked) 13 on the list The Greatest Musicians Who Died Before 40
ryanjjjj8 added Genre: Outlaw country, Western music, Folk music; Nationality: United States of America

Albums: Cold, Cold Heart, Beyond the Sunset, Three Hanks: Men With Broken Hearts, Hillbilly Hero, + more

Labels: Sterling Records, MGM Records

Died at 29 (1923-1953) Hiram King "Hank" Williams (September 17, 1923 – January 1, 1953) was an American singer-songwriter and musician. Regarded as one of the most significant and influential American ...more

More Hank Williams ❯

#127 of 714 The Best Rock Vocalists #238 of 926 People We Wish Were Still Alive The Best Hank Williams Songs

14
Patsy Cline is listed (or ranked) 14 on the list The Greatest Musicians Who Died Before 40
Genre: Rock music, Swing music, Rockabilly; Nationality: United States of America

Albums: Patsy Cline, Patsy Cline Showcase, Sentimentally Yours

Labels: Decca Records, Four Star Records

Died at 30 (1932-1963) Patsy Cline (born Virginia Patterson Hensley; September 8, 1932 – March 5, 1963) was an American singer. She is considered one of the most influential vocalists of the 20th century and was one ...more

More Patsy Cline ❯

#491 of 2,187 The Greatest Musical Artists of All Time #170 of 284 Musicians Who Belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

15
John Bonham is listed (or ranked) 15 on the list The Greatest Musicians Who Died Before 40
KcXfiles added Genre: Blues-rock, Folk rock, Heavy metal; Nationality: England

Albums: Rock and Roll Highway

Labels: Atlantic Records, Swan Song Records

1948-1980. 32 years old. Led Zeppelin drummer. John Henry Bonham (31 May 1948 – 25 September 1980) was an English musician and songwriter, best known as the drummer for the British rock band Led Zeppelin. Esteemed for his speed, power, fast ...more

More John Bonham ❯

#8 of 199 Rock Stars Whose Deaths Were The Most Untimely #2 of 646 The Best Drummers Of All Time

16
Selena is listed (or ranked) 16 on the list The Greatest Musicians Who Died Before 40
Genre: Mexican cumbia, Pop music, Latin American music; Nationality: United States of America

Albums: Selena, Ven Conmigo, Entre a Mi Mundo, Amor Prohibido, Dreaming of You

Labels: SBK Records, EMI, Q-Productions, EMI Latin, Capitol Records

Died at 23 (1971-1995) Selena Quintanilla-Pérez (April 16, 1971 – March 31, 1995) was an American singer, songwriter, spokesperson, model, actress, and fashion designer. Called the Queen of Tejano music, her ...more

More Selena ❯

#377 of 1,057 The Best Singers of All Time #80 of 969 The Best Female Vocalists Ever

17
Sam Cooke is listed (or ranked) 17 on the list The Greatest Musicians Who Died Before 40
Genre: Pop music, Rhythm and blues, Jazz; Nationality: United States of America

Albums: Songs by Sam Cooke, Twistin' the Night Away, Encore, Swing Low, Cooke's Tour, + more

Labels: Keen Records, Specialty Records, RCA Records

Died at 33 (1931-1964) Samuel Cook (January 22, 1931 – December 11, 1964), known professionally as Sam Cooke, was an American singer, songwriter, civil-rights activist and entrepreneur. Influential as both a singer ...more

More Sam Cooke ❯

#62 of 714 The Best Rock Vocalists #54 of 1,057 The Best Singers of All Time Rising Soul Singer Sam Cooke Perished Under Mysterious Circumstances In 1964 And The Case Is Still Unsolved

18
Ronnie Van Zant is listed (or ranked) 18 on the list The Greatest Musicians Who Died Before 40
Genre: Rock music, Southern rock; Nationality: United States of America
Died at 29 (1948-1977) Ronald Wayne Van Zant (January 15, 1948 – October 20, 1977) was an American musician, known as the lead vocalist, primary lyricist, and founding member of the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. ...more

More Ronnie Van Zant ❯

#86 of 714 The Best Rock Vocalists #494 of 926 People We Wish Were Still Alive #18 of 199 Rock Stars Whose Deaths Were The Most Untimely

19
Aaliyah is listed (or ranked) 19 on the list The Greatest Musicians Who Died Before 40
Genre: Hip hop music, Pop music, Neo soul; Nationality: United States of America

Albums: Age Ain't Nothing but a Number, One in a Million, Aaliyah

Labels: Atlantic Records, Blackground Records, Universal Records, Jive Records, Virgin Records

Died at 22 (1979-2001) Aaliyah Dana Haughton (; January 16, 1979 – August 25, 2001) was an American singer, actress, and model. Born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Detroit, Michigan, she first gained recognition ...more

More Aaliyah ❯

#269 of 453 The Greatest Singers of the Past 30 Years #439 of 1,057 The Best Singers of All Time The Best Songs Feat. Aaliyah

20
Jim Croce is listed (or ranked) 20 on the list The Greatest Musicians Who Died Before 40
Genre: Pop music, Rock music, Folk music; Nationality: United States of America

Albums: Facets, Jim & Ingrid Croce, You Don't Mess Around with Jim, Life and Times, I Got a Name

Labels: ABC Records, Atlantic Records, EMI, Capitol Records

Died at 30 (1943-1973) James Joseph Croce (; January 10, 1943 – September 20, 1973) was an American folk and rock singer-songwriter. Between 1966 and 1973, Croce released five studio albums and numerous singles. He ...more

More Jim Croce ❯

#404 of 2,187 The Greatest Musical Artists of All Time The Best Jim Croce Albums of All Timelisted on Famous Christians Who Converted to Judaism

21
Frédéric C... is listed (or ranked) 21 on the list The Greatest Musicians Who Died Before 40
looksharp added Genre: Romantic music, Art song, Classical music; Nationality: Poland

Albums: Complete Edition, Classical Anthology, Chopin: Complete Works, The Mazurkas, Spectacular Classics, + more

Died at 39 (1849-1810) Frédéric François Chopin (, also UK: , US: , French: [ʃɔpɛ̃], Polish: [ˈʂɔpɛn]; 1 March 1810 – 17 October 1849) was a Polish composer and virtuoso pianist of the Romantic ...more

More Frédéric Chopin ❯

#180 of 2,187 The Greatest Musical Artists of All Time #141 of 2,830 The Most Influential People of All Time

22
Ritchie Valens is listed (or ranked) 22 on the list The Greatest Musicians Who Died Before 40
Genre: Chicano rock, Rock music, Rock and roll; Nationality: United States of America

Albums: The Complete Ritchie Valens, The Very Best Of Richie Valens, Greatest Hits, The Very Best of Ritchie Valens, La Bamba, + more

Labels: Del-Fi Records

Died at 17 (1941-1959) Richard Steven Valenzuela (May 13, 1941 – February 3, 1959), known professionally as Ritchie Valens, was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. A rock and roll pioneer and a forefather ...more

More Ritchie Valens ❯

#169 of 714 The Best Rock Vocalists #247 of 1,057 The Best Singers of All Time

23
Bon Scott is listed (or ranked) 23 on the list The Greatest Musicians Who Died Before 40
ryanjjjj8 added Genre: Blues-rock, Rock music, Heavy metal; Nationality: Scotland, Australia

Albums: The Early Years 1967-1972, With the Spektors and the Valentines, Round and Round: The Forgotten Years, Round and Round and Round, Seasons of Change Raven/RCA 1971-72 (disc 2)

Died at 33 (1946-1980) Ronald Belford "Bon" Scott (9 July 1946 – 19 February 1980) was an Australian singer, songwriter and instrumentalist, best known for being the lead vocalist and lyricist of the ...more

More Bon Scott ❯

#25 of 714 The Best Rock Vocalists #119 of 926 People We Wish Were Still Alive

24
Eazy-E is listed (or ranked) 24 on the list The Greatest Musicians Who Died Before 40
Genre: Hip hop music, Old-school hip hop, Gangsta rap; Nationality: United States of America

Albums: Eazy-Duz-It, Str8 off tha Streetz of Muthaphukkin Compton

Labels: MCA Records, Priority Records, Epic Records, Relativity Records, Ruthless Records

Died at 31 (1963-1995) Eric Lynn Wright (September 7, 1964 – March 26, 1995), known professionally as Eazy-E, was an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. Dubbed the "Godfather of Gangsta Rap", ...more

More Eazy-E ❯

#1,392 of 2,187 The Greatest Musical Artists of All Time #750 of 854 These Poetic Geniuses Wrote Your Favorite Songs of All Time

25
Karen Carpenter is listed (or ranked) 25 on the list The Greatest Musicians Who Died Before 40
Genre: Pop music, Soft rock; Nationality: United States of America

Albums: Offering, Close to You, Made in America, Voice of the Heart, Carpenters, + more

Labels: A&M Records

Died at 32 (1950-1983) Karen Anne Carpenter (March 2, 1950 – February 4, 1983) was an American singer and drummer who was part of the duo the Carpenters alongside her brother Richard. She was praised for her contralto ...more

More Karen Carpenter ❯

#9 of 969 The Best Female Vocalists Ever #171 of 926 People We Wish Were Still Alive