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

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

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

Christina Grimmie was a contestant on The Voice who went on to release two albums and open for Selena Gomez on several tours. She died in 2016 at age 22 after being shot by a person in line during a post-concert meet-and-greet in Orlando, according to ABC News .

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

Amy Winehouse was a Grammy-winning singer who released two critically acclaimed solo albums: Frank in 2003 and Back to Black in 2006. She won five Grammys in 2008, including Record and Song of the Year for "Rehab." She also won Best New Artist. Amy died in 2011 at age 27 from alcohol poisoning, according to The Guardian .

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've Got Those Old Kozic Blues Again, Mom! 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 passed away in 1970 at the age of 27 due to suffocation, presumably connected to a drug overdose, as stated by the source. New York Times .

13. Cass Elliott

Cass Elliot, also known as Mama Cass, initially gained prominence as part of the '60s folk band The Mamas & the Papas. In 1966, they were awarded a Grammy for their hit "Monday, Monday." Following her time with the group, she proceeded to produce several solo records. Dream a Little Dream and Bubblegum, Lemonade, and... A Gift for Mom. According to reports, she passed away in 1974 at the age of 32 due to a heart attack. BBC .

14. Karen Carpenter

Karen Carpenter gained prominence as part of the musical pair The Carpenters with her brother, Richard. They produced ten studio albums together prior to Karen’s passing. Tragically, she passed away in 1983 at the young age of 32 due to health issues related to anorexia nervosa. The Hollywood Reporter .

15. Juice WRLD

Juice WRLD was a rapper who achieved fame due to several hit tracks during the 2010s, such as "Lucid Dreams" and his song with YoungBoy Never Broke Again titled "Bandit." He passed away in 2019 at the young age of 21 after accidentally overdosing. NPR .

16. Jim Morrison

Jim Morrison served as the frontman for the Doors, releasing six studio albums alongside the group. He passed away in 1971 at the young age of 27, reportedly due to heart failure; however, an autopsy was not conducted, as mentioned. 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 passed away in 2018 at the age of 26 due to an unintentional drug overdose, as reported. Rolling Stone .