Whitney Houston: 1963-2012
One day before the 54th Grammy Awards, the 48-year-old soulful singer was found dead at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in a bathtub. Her body was found by her personal staff.
Heavy D: 1967-2011
Just weeks before his sudden death, the platinum-selling rapper had performed at the BET Hip-Hop Awards and then made an appearance at the Michael Jackson tribute concert in Wales. On Nov. 8, the "Now That We Found Love" singer died of as-yet unknown causes after being rushed to the hospital.
Amy Winehouse: 1983-2011
The Grammy winner was found dead in her London flat. While the 27-year-old Back to Black crooner had faced a very public battle with drugs and alcohol, the official cause of her death was accidental alcohol poisoning.
Michael Jackson: 1958-2009
He was unquestionably one of the most gifted performers to ever grace the pop landscape. Medical examiners concluded that the star died of acute propofol intoxication.
Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes: 1971-2002
She was best known as one-third of the rap group TLC when she died in a car crash in Honduras at age 30.
Aaliyah: 1979-2001
Only 22 when she was killed in a plane crash in the Bahamas, the singer and actress is best remembered for her sweet, sexy style. Fans called her the "Queen of Urban Pop."
Michael Hutchence: 1960-1997
Between his sex appeal and unforgettable hits with the band INXS, the Australian was the face of the rock-new-wave fusion that dominated the mid-'80s. He was found dead in a Sydney hotel at age 37, the possible victim of autoerotic asphyxiation.
Biggie Smalls: 1972-1997
As much a cultural icon as a successful rapper, the 24-year-old was gunned down in Los Angeles by an unknown assailant.
John Denver: 1943-1997
Once dubbed "The Poet for the Planet" due to his gentle, folk-rock style, Denver died at 53 after the small plane he was piloting crashed off the California coast.
Tupac Shakur: 1971-1996
The influential rapper and budding actor made a career reflecting the violence and intolerance he faced from an early age. A drive-by shooting in Las Vegas left him dead at 25.
Eazy-E: 1963-1995
The N.W.A. co-founder is still celebrated today as a hip-hop innovator and won a new generation of fans upon the release of the 2015 biopic Straight Outta Compton. He died of AIDS-related causes when he was 31.
Selena: 1971-1995
This beautiful, family-oriented Tejano singer was poised to break into mainstream pop when she was shot by Yolanda Saldivar, the head of her fan club. She was 23.
Kurt Cobain: 1967-1994
Of all the musicians associated with the 1990s grunge movement, Cobain was the king. At age 27, he was found dead of a gunshot wound in his Seattle home; the death was officially ruled a suicide.
Marvin Gaye: 1939-1984
A top-selling soul artist of the 1960s, Gaye was shot to death by his own father when the singer tried to intervene in a family argument. He was 44.
John Bonham: 1948-1980
True rock fans consider Bonham one of the best drummers in the genre. Best known for his work in the metal band Led Zeppelin, he died at age 32 due to inhalation of vomit after heavy drinking.
John Lennon: 1940-1980
One of the most gifted songwriters of all time, Lennon and the Beatles are credited with changing the landscape of rock music forever. Also a peace activist and artist, Lennon was fatally shot at age 40 by an obsessed fan.
Elvis Presley: 1935-1977
He was the King of Rock 'n' Roll, a sex symbol who fused rockabilly, gospel, ballads and pop. Heavy drug use and poor health led to his death at Graceland at age 42.
Buddy Holly: 1936-1959
Fifty years after his death at 22, Holly is still considered one of the most influential forces in rock. Holly died in a 1959 plane crash that also took fellow musicians Ritchie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson.