15 of the Most Heartbreaking Tragedies in Classic Rock History

The classic rock genre has produced some of the most iconic songs in music history. Unfortunately, there have been many, many occasions in rock history when we lost legendary artists before their time.

Each of these musicians had much more to give the world when they passed. 

1. Freddie Mercury

While Freddie Mercury knew he was ill for some time, his legions of fans were shocked by his death of AIDS complications in 1991. While Queen has continued on with several other vocalists, most notably Paul Rodgers and Adam Lambert, there is only one Freddie Mercury. 

2. Joe Strummer

Lead singer of the Clash, Joe Strummer, met an untimely end when he suffered a heart attack in 2002. Music fans wondered “what if” about a possible reunion. Rumors of a reunion persisted until Strummer's death.

In 2012, Strummer's daughters gave an interview, and the topic of a reunion came up. They said, “There was talk about the Clash reforming before he died. But there had been talk for years and years about them reforming. They had been offered stupid amounts of money to do it, but they were very good at keeping the moral high ground and saying no. But I think if Dad hadn't died, it would have happened. It felt like it was in the air.”

3. Terry Kath

A founder member of the band Chicago, Terry Kath, died under bizarre circumstances. Kath enjoyed guns and routinely carried them, but they would be his demise. On January 23rd, 1978, he was playing with an unloaded revolver, putting the gun to his head and pulling the trigger. Band technician Don Johson warned him as he pulled out another pistol, to which Kath responded with his last words: “What do you think I'm gonna do? Blow my brains out?”

4. Jimi Hendrix

The great Jimi Hendrix passed away in 1970 at just 27 – a weirdly common age for rock deaths. He'd already become established as one of the best guitarists in history, and there should have been so much more. While details around Hendrix's death remain disputed, here's what we know. A post-mortem examination took place and discovered that Hendrix died of asphyxia while intoxicated with barbiturates, a depressant. 

5. John Lennon

John Lennon's death in 1980 ended so many possibilities, including the possibility of a Beatles reunion. He was shot and killed by Mark David Chapman. His wife, Yoko Ono, said the following after his death: 

“There is no funeral for John…John loved and prayed for the human race. Please do the same for him.”

6. Buddy Holly

Everyone remembers the death of Buddy Holly, but we shouldn't forget that Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper also lost their lives in that fateful plane crash of 1959. February 3rd, 1959, will always be the day the music died. 

7. Syd Barrett

Not all rock tragedies involve a death within the band. Syd Barrett defined Pink Floyd's early appeal, and his decline was sad. Due to the extensive use of psychedelic drugs, his health problems became too much to ignore. He would leave Pink Floyd on April 6th, 1968. Barrett attempted a solo career but couldn't match the heights of his former band. He eventually became a recluse before passing in 2006.

8. Randy Rhoads

A former member of Quiet Riot, Rhoads was on guitar duties with Blizzard of Ozz when he died in a senseless plane crash as the pilot attempted to buzz the band's tour bus. Rhoads feared flying and initially did not want to get on the plane. He was only 25.

9. Otis Redding

Yet another plane crash claimed the life of Otis Redding in 1967. He left a great legacy, including his most famous song, “(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay.” The whistling at the end of the track is included in place of the unfinished lyrics. It would be his only single to reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100 charts and was the first posthumous number-one single in U.S. history.

10. Lynyrd Skynyrd

Image Credit: Wiki Commons.

Iconic rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd lost three members in the notorious plane crash of 1977, including lead singer Ronnie Van Zant. A hiatus followed, but the group eventually continued, and they currently feature Ronnie's brother, Johnny Van Zant. It was a devastating loss that caused the band to remain on hiatus from 1977 until 1987.

11. Badfinger – Pete Ham

Signed to the Beatles' Apple label, Badfinger seemed set for a big future. However, Apple Records went under in 1973, and the band was not immune from the fallout of those struggles. Despite moving to Warner Bros. Records, friction within the band began, and legal issues continued. Guitarist Pete Ham hanged himself on April 24th, 1975, shortly after learning all of his money was gone. The band dissolved one month later.

12. Karen Carpenter

The voice behind The Carpenters' success, Karen Carpenter, succumbed to her long-term health problems in 1983 at 32 due to an eating disorder. That voice was so beautiful that we quickly forgot her other talents. She was the greatest pop vocalist and drummer of her generation. 

13. Dennis Wilson

The story of the Beach Boys is another sad one at times, particularly the deaths of brothers Carl and Dennis Wilson. Dennis suffered from substance abuse to the point where he lost his voice and couldn't sing or play drums. He suffered from an accidental drowning on December 28th, 1983. 

14. Harry Chapin

The fact that Harry Chapin was on his way to a free benefit concert when he died in a car crash in 1981 was a testament to a man who had so much more to give. He is best known for the 1974 song “Cat's in the Cradle.”

15. Spinal Tap's Drummers

It's been a challenging read at times. Let's bring a light-hearted view to end things. Lest we forget, a series of Spinal Tap drummers died in bizarre circumstances, which included a gardening accident, while two managed to spontaneously combust while on stage.