25 Famous Singers Who Died  

25 Famous Singers Who Died  

Originally published by Beatrice W on February 2023 and updated by Beatrice J on February 2024

Death is inevitable, but it’s still very painful for families and friends of the departed. The pain and shock never really go away. It does not matter why or how the person died, the fact is they take a tiny part of us with them.

It’s the same case when it comes to celebrities. It doesn’t matter if the death was an accident or they were unwell, or they died of addiction, committed suicide, or were murdered in cold blood, it is tragic and the pain is felt all over the world. In the times we are in, one can tell this from the social media posts after a famous person dies.

The people on this list were iconic musicians who made a huge contribution to their respective musical genres. They were famous and loved by people because of their music. Here are 25 famous singers who died.

1. Michael Jackson 

Michael Joseph Jackson was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. He was born on 29th August 1958 in Gary, Indiana. MJ remains the undisputed  “King of Pop” and was one of the most significant cultural figures with over four decades in the music, dance, and fashion industries. 

He influenced many people across generations and artists from all music genres. His stage and video performances were out of this world and he is the most-awarded musician in history. He had 15 Grammy Awards, and 6 Brit Awards, among many others, not forgetting 39 Guinness World Records.

The King of Pop died of cardiac arrest on 25 June 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The sudden loss of heart activity was a result of a propofol and benzodiazepine overdose. He died at the age of 50 years.

2. Bob Marley 

Robert Nesta Marley aka Bob Marley. Photo By Warinhari – Wikimedia Commons

Robert Nesta Marley was a Jamaican singer, musician, and songwriter. He was born on 6th February 1945 at Nine Mile, in Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica. He is one of the pioneers of reggae music and he had a unique voice and songwriting style. 

Bob introduced reggae to the masses and sold more than 75 million records during his career. In 1977, the singer was diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a type of skin cancer, in his toe that eventually spread to his brain, liver, and lungs. He died on 11th May 1981, at the age of 36. 

Here’s a list of the most famous Jamaican Musicians.

3. Selena

Selena Quintanilla Pérez, commonly known as  Selena, was an American Tejano singer. She was known as the “Queen of Tejano music”. She was born on 16th April 1971 in Lake Jackson, Texas.

Selena had a soprano vocal range and her contributions to music and fashion made her one of the most celebrated Mexican-American entertainers of the late 20th century.  She had released eleven albums, six with her band and the rest as solo projects.

Selena has been nominated for 86 awards, with 67 wins over the years even after her death. This singer was shot and killed on 31st March 1995 at Corpus Christi, Texas, by her friend and former manager Yolanda Saldívar. She was 23 years old at the time of her death. Her birthday, the 16th of April, is Selena Day in Texas.  

4. Tupac 

Tupac Amaru Shakur was an American rapper who was born on 16th June 1971 in Upper Manhattan, New York City. He was named Lesane Parish Crooks at birth but he was renamed when he was one year old. He was also known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli.

Tupac was one of the most influential rappers of all time, and is among the best-selling music artists, having sold more than 75 million records worldwide. He was inducted into the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame in 2002. 

Tupac was shot multiple times while leaving a boxing event in Los Vegas on 7 September 1996 and he was in an Intensive Care Unit till the afternoon of 13 September when he died from internal bleeding. He was just 25 years old.

His murder remains unsolved but it is speculated to be part of the East Coast-West Coast hip-hop war that was led by Tupac and Notorious B.I.G.

5. Notorious B.I.G 

Christopher George Latore Wallace, better known by his stage names the Notorious B.I.G., Biggie Smalls, or simply Biggie, was an American award-winning rapper. He was one of the greatest rappers of all time, known for his laid-back lyrical delivery. 

Biggie was born on 21st May 1972 in Brooklyn, New York City. He started rapping as a teenager, entertaining people on the streets, and performing with local groups. As his career progressed, he became influential, getting involved in a rivalry between his East and Tupac’s West Coast hip-hop war. 

B.I.G was killed in a drive-by shooting, during which he was shot multiple times, on 9th March 1997 just six months after his rival Tupac was shot in the same manner. He was just 24 years old, and his killer has never been caught. His and Tupac’s are the most mysterious deaths in the entertainment world.

6. Amy Winehouse 

Amy Winehouse. Photo By Gregory Gebhardt – Wikimedia Commons

Amy Jade Winehouse was an English singer and songwriter. She had a deep, expressive voice and was popular because she mixed musical genres, including soul, R&B, and jazz. She was born in England on 14th September 1983 in Southgate, London. Most of her maternal family members were musicians.

Amy Winehouse had substance abuse and addiction problems. She was found dead in her home on 23rd July 2011, at the age of 27 years. She died of an accidental alcohol overdose. 

7. Hugh Masekela

Hugh Ramapolo Masekela was a South African trumpeter, jazz singer, and composer. He was born on 4th April 1939 in the township of KwaGuqa in Witbank (Emalahleni) in South Africa.

The undisputed ‘father of South African jazz’ was known for his compositions and well-written anti-apartheid songs such as “Soweto Blues” and “Bring Him Back Home”. He was married to singer and activist Miriam Makeba for 2 years in the 1960s. 

Masekela died on 23rd January 2018 in Johannesburg from prostate cancer. He was 78 years old.

8. Whitney Houston 

The Late Whitney Houston. Photo By Asterio Tecson – Wikimedia Commons

Whitney Elizabeth Houston was an American singer and actress. She was born on 9th August 1963, in Newark, New Jersey. She had a beautiful voice and was one of the bestselling music artists of all time, with sales of over 200 million records.

The award-winning singer died on 11th February 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. She was found face down in a water-filled bathtub in the Beverly Hilton Hotel. She was only 48 years old at the time of her death.  

Reports say her death was accidental and was an effect of atherosclerotic heart disease and cocaine use. An additional toxicology test revealed that she also had diphenhydramine, alprazolam, cannabis, and cyclobenzaprine in her system.

Houston was buried on 19th February 2012, in Fairview Cemetery, in Westfield, New Jersey.

9. Marvin Gaye 

Marvin Pentz Gay Jr., professionally known as Marvin Gaye, was an American singer and songwriter. He was born on 2nd April 1939 in Washington, D.C. Gaye began singing in church when he was four years old and his father would play the piano.

He had a four-octave vocal range and is said to have made a huge contribution to soul music. Gaye helped shape the sound of Motown in the 1960s, earning him the nicknames “Prince of Motown” and “Prince of Soul”. 

On 1st April 1984, Marvin was home with his parents when he intervened in an argument between them. He attacked his father who retrieved a handgun that Gaye had bought him for protection and shot his son twice, killing him one day before his 45th birthday. 

His family feels this was Gaye’s final suicide attempt, as well as punishment for his abusive father, who received a suspended sentence and probation for voluntary manslaughter. 

Read the top 10 amazing facts about Marvin Gaye here.

10. Eazy-E  

Eric Lynn Wright, professionally known as Eazy-E, was an American rapper and founding member of the rap group N.W.A. He was born on 7th September 1964 in Compton, California.

After a short solo career with frequent collaborations with Ice Cube and Dr. Dre, they joined forces, forming N.W.A. Their album, Straight Outta Compton, was released in 1988 and is now ranked among the greatest and most influential albums ever. Eazy-E has been dubbed “the godfather of gangsta rap.” 

Eazy-E tragically died of AIDS-related complications on 26th March 1995, at the age of 30 years. He had been diagnosed with the disease just a month before. 

11. Aaliyah 

Aaliyah. Photo By mika – Wikimedia Commons

Aaliyah Dana Haughton was an American multitalented singer and actress. She was born on 16th January 1979, in Brooklyn, New York. She had a soprano voice and had begun her career early.

She released her first album titled ‘Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number’ when she was 14 years old. Her second album sold millions of copies.

Aaliyah died on 25th August 2001 in a plane crash while flying to the Bahamas. An autopsy later revealed that the pilot had traces of cocaine and alcohol in his system. She was only 22 years old.

12. E-Sir

Issah Mmari Wangui, commonly known as E-Sir, was a Kenyan hip-hop artist. He was born on 20th May 1981 when his family was living in California Estate, but he grew up in South C estate. Both estates are in Nairobi, Kenya.

E-Sir was famous for his lyrical ability and command of the Swahili language. He was signed to the Ogopa Deejays label and was taking the Kenyan hip-hop scene by storm.

On 15 March 2003, E-Sir performed at an event in Nakuru, a city in the Rift Valley region of Kenya, about 160 kilometers from the country’s capital, Nairobi. On his way back from Nakuru the next morning, 16th March, he got into an accident and died alongside his friend Kevin. Another Musician, Nameless Mathenge, who was also in the ill-fated vehicle survived, escaping with a broken collarbone. E-Sir was 21 years old.

Check out the most famous Kenyan singers and musicians here.

13. John Lennon 

John Lennon. Photo By Joost Evers – Wikimedia Commons

John Winston Ono Lennon was an English singer, songwriter, musician, and peace activist. He was well-known as a member of the Beatles band.  He was one-half of the most successful songwriting duos, alongside Paul McCartney. The Grammy-winning solo artist was a true rock icon, whose music style, personal life, and political activism were legendary.

On 8th December 1980, a fan shot Lennon twice in the back and twice in the shoulder at close range. He was rushed in a police car to Roosevelt Hospital’s emergency room where he was pronounced dead on arrival because his injuries were too extensive. The fan was angry at Lennon for things that he had said and for some of his lyrics. John Lennon died at the age of 40 years. 

14. James Brown 

James Brown. Photo By John Mathew Smith – Wikimedia Commons

James Joseph Brown was an American singer, record producer, and bandleader. He was born on 3rd May 1933 in Barnwell, South Carolina. He began his career by singing in talent shows as a young child.

He would later advance in singing to become the king of funk music. His nicknames included “The Hardest Working Man in Show Business”, “Godfather of Soul”, “Mr. Dynamite”, and “Soul Brother No. 1”. 

Brown was one of the first 10 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at its inaugural induction in New York on 23rd January 1986. 

On Christmas Day in 2006, Brown died of congestive heart failure, resulting from pneumonia complications.

15. Stevie Ray Vaughan  

Stevie Ray Vaughan was an American musician, best known as a member of the blues rock trio Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble (Tommy Shannon and Chris Layton). He was born on 3rd October 1954 in Dallas, Texas.

Stevie was one of the most influential musicians in the history of blues music and one of the greatest guitarists of all time.  

On 27th August 1990, Stevie left Alpine Valley Music Theatre in Alpine Valley Resort in East Troy, Wisconsin in a Bell 206B helicopter for Midway International Airport in Chicago. The helicopter crashed into a nearby ski hill shortly after takeoff. The musician and four others on board, including the pilot, died instantly.

He was 35 years old and was posthumously inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame 10 years later, in 2000.

16. Janis Joplin 

Janis Joplin. Photo By Albert B – Wikimedia Commons

Janis Lyn Joplin was an American singer and musician, who was the most successful rock star of her era. Her voice and stage presence were amazing. She was born on 19th January 1943 in Port Arthur, Texas. 

She had recorded four albums in her four-year career and she has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Joplin died on 4th October 1970 in Los Angeles, California, of a heroin overdose. She was 27 years old.

17. Elvis Presley  

Elvis Presley. Photo By Rossano – Wikimedia Commons

Elvis Aaron Presley was an American singer and actor. He was born on 8th January 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi. Dubbed the “King of Rock and Roll”, he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century.  

His energized interpretations of songs and sexually provocative performance style made him both successful and controversial. 

Elvis suffered a heart attack at his Graceland home in Memphis, Tennessee, on 16th August 1977. He was 42 years old.

18. Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes 

Lisa Nicole Lopes, better known by her stage name Left Eye, was an American rapper and singer. She was a member of the group TLC, together with Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas.  

She was rapping, singing, writing, and designing the stage outfits. She was the creative force and largely contributed to the group’s image, album titles, artworks, and music videos.  The group has won four Grammy Awards.

On 25 April 2002, Lopes was driving a rented SUV in La Ceiba, Honduras, when she got into an accident. She died instantly and was the only person fatally injured in the crash. The collision was recorded on video from inside the vehicle because a documentary film was in progress. She was 30 years old.

19. Elliott Smith 

Steven Paul Smith, professionally known as Elliott Smith, was an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Smith was born on 6th August 1969 in Omaha, Nebraska, but he grew up in Duncanville, Texas, before moving to Portland, Oregon. 

Smith’s primary instrument was the guitar, though he also played other instruments. He was a heavy drinker and drug abuser and also had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and depression. His struggles with drugs and mental illness affected his life and work and often appeared in his lyrics.

Elliott Smith died on 21st October 2003, in Los Angeles from two stab wounds to the chest. While Smith’s death was reported as a suicide, the official autopsy report released in December 2003 left open the question of homicide. He was 34 years old.

20. Billie Holiday 

Billie Holiday. Photo The Library of Congress – Wikimedia Commons

Eleanora Fagan, professionally known as Billie Holiday or Lady Day, was an American jazz and swing music singer. She was born on 7th April 1915 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and had an innovative influence on jazz music and pop singing.  

In 1959, Holiday was diagnosed with Liver Cirrhosis. Initially, her drinking had impaired her liver functions but she stopped drinking on her doctor’s orders. She relapsed and continued drinking. She died on 17th July 1959, of pulmonary edema and heart failure caused by cirrhosis of the liver. She was 44 years old.

21.Ritchie Valens

Ritchie Valens, born Richard Steven Valenzuela on May 13, 1941, in Pacoima, California, was a pioneering figure in the rock and roll era. Rising to fame at a remarkably young age, Valens showcased his musical talents through hits like “La Bamba” and “Donna.” His unique blend of rock, Latin, and R&B elements contributed to his distinctive sound, setting him apart in the late 1950s music scene.

Tragically, Valens’ promising career was cut short on February 3, 1959, in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, alongside fellow musicians Buddy Holly and J.P. Richardson.  Despite his brief time in the spotlight, Ritchie Valens remains an influential figure, remembered not only for his musical contributions but also for the tragic circumstances surrounding his untimely passing.

22.Oliver Mtukudzi

Oliver Mtukudzi, affectionately known as “Tuku,” was a legendary Zimbabwean musician and songwriter, born on September 22, 1952, in Highfield, Harare. With a career spanning several decades, Mtukudzi became a cultural icon and one of Africa’s most celebrated artists.

Renowned for his rich voice, Tuku was a masterful storyteller, weaving tales of love, unity, and social commentary into his music. His signature style melded traditional Zimbabwean sounds with modern influences, creating a unique and recognizable sound that resonated globally. Mtukudzi’s lyrics often carried profound messages, addressing societal issues with wisdom and compassion.

His passing on January 23, 2019, left a significant void in the world of African music. However, Tuku’s legacy endures, not only through his extensive discography but also through the enduring influence he had on future generations of musicians and his lasting contribution to the cultural tapestry of Zimbabwe and Africa as a whole

23.Aretha Franklin

24.Lucky Dube

25.Papa Wemba

Those are the 25 famous singers who died. They made a significant contribution to the music industry when they were alive. May they continue to rest in peace.