Key

Some entries have special notations prior to their names. They represent induction into one of the following Halls of Fame:

* denotes induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

# indicates induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

^ symbolizes induction into the Blues Hall of Fame.

2005

Audrey Brickley

acute respiratory distress syndrome. She was 58. Brickley was a member of girl group, The Orlons, who were popular in the 1960s. Shirley Brickley, Audrey's sister and fellow Orlon, was shot to death in 1977 when an intruder invaded her home. She was 35. Marlena Davis died of lung cancer in 1993 (age 48). "The Wah Watusi," "Don't Hang Up," "South Street"

Danny Joe Brown

complications from diabetes, including renal failure and pneumonia. He was 53. Brown sang lead for the Southern rock band, Molly Hatchet, which was named after a prostitute who supposedly beheaded her clients. Hatchet's 1978 eponymous album went platinum. "Flirtin' With Disaster," "Bounty Hunter," "Whisky Man"

*Jim Capaldi

stomach cancer; he was 60. Capaldi was the drummer for Traffic and later formed his own band, The Contenders. He was a five-time winner of BMI or ASCAP for the most-played songs in the United States. Traffic were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. "Paper Sun," "Forty Thousand Headmen," "Dear Mr. Fantasy," "Feelin' Alright"

Barry Cowsill

body found among Hurricane Katrina's devastation in New Orleans. He was 51. He was a member of the '60s group, The Cowsills. (Mother Barbara passed away in 1985 and brother William would die in 2006.) Made up of six siblings and their mother, The Cowsills were the inspiration for television's "The Partridge Family." Barry left a message for his sister before Katrina struck: "I don't know how to get out of town except wait for a bus...I've been so...lonely...I hope I get in touch with you." He was never heard from again. Four months later, his body was found. The cause of death was determined to be drowning. "Hair," "The Rain, The Park, and Other Things," "Indian Lake"

Dennis D'Amour

a.k.a. "Piggy" - colon cancer. He was 45. D'Amour was the guitarist for Canadian thrash band, Voivod. Voivod gained additional notoriety when they were joined by former Metallica bassist, Jason Newsted. "War and Pain," "Forgotten in Space," "Rebel Robot"

Renee Diggs

heart condition; she was 50. Diggs was the lead singer of Starpoint, an R&B group that had several hits in the 1980s, including "Object of My Desire," "What You Been Missin'", and "Restless".

Mike Gibbins

brain aneurysm. He was 56. Gibbins, drummer for the tragedy-plagued Badfinger, died in his sleep. His bandmates, Pete Ham (see 1975) and Tom Evans (see 1983), both hanged themselves. (Joey Molland died in 2025 from complications of diabetes. He was 77.) Harry Nilsson's (see 1994) cover of Badfinger's "Without You" reached #1. (Read about Badfinger's connection to the Curse of Harry Nilsson.) For the tragic story of a promising band that was on a fast path to greatness, but within a decade would be shattered, visit The Archive's Tribute to Badfinger. "Day After Day," "If You Want It (Come and Get It)," "No Matter What"

Nick Hawkins

heart attack; he was 40. Hawkins was the guitarist for Big Audio Dynamite II from 1990 until 1997. He appeared on the hits, "Rush" and "The Globe".

Paul Hester

suicide by hanging. Hester was a founding member and the drummer for Australian band, Crowded House. He was found in a park near his home in Melbourne, hanging from a tree. Hester was 46 at the time of his death. Peter Jones (see 2012) replaced Hester as drummer whe he left the band. "Don't Dream It's Over," "Something So Strong," "Weather with You"

*Keith Knudsen

pneumonia; he was 56. Knudsen had played for Southern Pacific and been drummer for the Doobie Brothers since 1974 along with conga player Bobby LaKind (see 1992) and saxophonist Cornelius Bumpus (see 2004). He battled cancer in 1995. The Doobie Brothers were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2020. With the Doobies: "Takin it to the Streets," "Black Water," "China Grove"

Mike Mahaffey

died in his sleep of unknown causes. Mahaffey was the guitarist of the Nashville band, Self. His brother, Matt, sang lead. Mike was 38. "So Low," "Borateen," "Cannon"

Karl Mueller

throat cancer. Mueller was bassist for '90s alternative band, Soul Asylum. He was 41. "Runaway Train," "Black Gold," "Somebody to Shove"

Rod Price

fell down a stairway while suffering a heart attack; he was 57. Price was guitarist for Foghat, who amassed three platinum and eight gold records during their quarter-century career. (Foghat's lead singer, Dave Peverett, died at the age of 56. See 2000.) 1975's rock classic "Slow Ride," "Drivin' Wheel," "I Just Want to Make Love to You," "Stone Blue," "Third Time Lucky (The First Time I Was a Fool)"

Domenic Troiano

cancer. He was 59. Troiano was the guitarist for The Guess Who and The James Gang. The Guess Who: "American Woman," "These Eyes," "Undun" The James Gang: "Walk Away," "Funk #49"

Luther Vandross

complications from a stroke suffered in 2003. Luther Ronzoni Vandross, Jr. was a Grammy-winning soul vocalist. He claimed to have lost 100 pounds - 13 times in his life. He also suffered from hypertension and diabetes. Vandross remained in a coma for two months after his 2003 stroke and never completely recovered. He was 54. In 2010, NPR included the singer in its 50 Greatest Voices in recorded history, saying Vandross represents "the platinum standard for R&B song stylings." "Here and Now," "Give Me the Reason," "Power of Love/Love Power," "The Best Things in Life Are Free" (duet with Janet Jackson)

2006

*Syd Barrett

(Roger Keith Barrett), complications from diabetes. He was 60. Barrett was a founding member of Pink Floyd, who wrote most of Floyd's first two albums, before succumbing to drug addiction and mental collapse. (He was replaced by David Gilmour and became rock's most famous recluse.) Many of the band's later hits, such as "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" and "Wish You Were Here" were tributes to Barrett. Pink Floyd (including Barrett) were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. With Floyd: "Arnold Layne," "Bike," "See Emily Play." Solo albums: The Madcap Laughs and Barrett

Buddy Blue

(Bernard Seigal), heart attack at the age of 48. Blue was a rock journalist and founder of country-rock band, the Beat Farmers. "Happy Boy"

William Cowsill

complications from emphysema, osteoporosis and Cushing syndrome. He was a member of the '60s group, The Cowsills. (Mother Barbara passed away in 1985 and brother Barry drowned during Hurricane Katrina in 2005.) Made up of six siblings and their mother, The Cowsills were the inspiration for television's "The Partridge Family." William was 58. "Hair," "The Rain, The Park, and Other Things," "Indian Lake"

Bruce Gary

lymphoma. He was 55. Gary was the original drummer for the Knack ("My Sharona") and recorded with solo artists including George Harrison (see 2001), Bob Dylan, Stephen Stills, Yoko Ono, and Harry Nilsson. (Read about the Curse of Harry Nilsson.)

Gerald Levert

accidental mix of prescription and over-the-counter drugs; age 40. Levert released several solo albums (hits include "I Swear," "I'd Give Anything," and "Baby Hold On to Me"). He was a member of Levert ("Casanova," "Baby I'm Ready," and "(Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop) Goes My Mind") and LSG ("My Baby"). Gerald was the son of O'Jays member, Eddie Levert, Sr. and the brother of Sean, also a member of Levert, who died in 2008.

Gene McFadden

cancer; age 56. McFadden formed The Epsilons with John Whitehead (see 2004), and scored hits with "The Echo" and 1979's "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now." The Epsilons toured with Otis Redding, and McFadden and Whitehead wrote the O'Jays' "Backstabbers" and Harold Melvin (see 1997) & the Blues Notes' "Wake Up Everybody."

Daniel McKenna

shot himself. He was 54. McKenna was the guitarist for '70s band Toby Beau. "My Angel Baby," "Westbound Train," "Into the Night," "Broken Down Cowboy"

Grant McLennan

massive heart attack. McLennan was the singer and songwriter for the Australian band, The Go-Betweens. He was preparing for a party, decided to take a nap before his guests arrived, and never woke up. He was 48. The group's single, "Cattle and Cane," was voted by the Australian Performing Rights Association as one of the ten greatest Australian songs of all time. "Part Company," "Streets of Your Town," "Head Full of Steam"

Jesse Pintado

diabetic coma. Pintado was a long-standing guitarist for the death metal group, Napalm Death. He appeared on seven Napalm Death studio albums between 1990-2000, including Harmony Corruption, Utopia Banished, and Inside the Torn Apart. Pintado also played in the groups Terrorizer and Lock Up. He was 37 at the time of his death. With Napalm Death: "Suffer the Children," "If the Truth Be Known," "I Abstain"

June Pointer

cancer at the age of 52. She was a member of the late '70s - early '80s group, The Pointer Sisters. The group of four (later three) sisters won three Grammy Awards for their songs "Fairytale" (for best country vocal performance!), "Automatic" and "Jump (for My Love)." Bonnie Pointer succumbed to a cardiac arrest in 2020 at the age of 69. Anita Pointer died of cancer in 2022 at the age of 74. The group's other hits include "Neutron Dance," "I'm So Excited," "Slow Hand"

*Billy Preston

heart infection. He was 59. Preston was a piano prodigy and considered the "Fifth Beatle." He appeared on their hits "Get Back" and "Let It Be." In addition to his own music, he wrote Joe Cocker's "You Are So Beautiful" and recorded with the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, and Sly and the Family Stone. Miles Davis named a song after him. A heart infection in November 2005 left Preston in a coma, and he never regained consciousness. He also struggled with chronic kidney failure. Preston was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2021. "Outta Space" (which won a Grammy for best instrumental in 1973), "Will It Go 'Round In Circles," "Nothing From Nothing," "With You I'm Born Again" (with Syreeta Wright - see 2004)

Duane Roland

died of "natural causes" at his home. Roland was the guitarist for Molly Hatchet. He was 53. "Flirtin' with Disaster," "Bloody Reunion," "Satisfied Man"

*Claydes Charles Smith

passed away after "a long illness." He was 57. Smith was co-founder and lead guitarist of Kool & the Gang. He wrote the hits "Joanna" and "Take My Heart," and was a co-writer of "Celebration," "Jungle Boogie," and others. Kool & the Gang were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2024.

Soraya

breast cancer. She was 37. Soraya was a Hispanic singer who won a Latin Grammy for Best Female Album in 2004. Her mother, grandmother and an aunt died of breast cancer, which prompted her to educate Hispanic women about the disease. "Solo Por Ti," "Casi"

Nikki Sudden

(Nicholas Godfrey), heart attack; he was 49. Sudden was a cult British rocker who was once part of Swell Maps, a '70s rock outfit that he had formed with his brother, Epic Soundtracks (see 1997). Sudden's 1990 album, Liquor, Guns, and Ammo, was a collaboration with members of REM.

Mariska Veres

(Maria Elizabeth Ender), gallbladder cancer. Veres was the lead singer for '60s Dutch rock group, Shocking Blue. Veres was 59; she died only three weeks after her diagnosis. Shocking Blue scored a global hit with "Venus", which reached #1 in several countries, including the US.

*Vince Welnick

slit his own throat; he was 55. Welnick had battled cancer, emphysema, and depression. He replaced Brent Mydland (see 1990) as keyboardist for the Grateful Dead. He was the fourth Dead keyboardist to pass away prematurely. (Mydland replaced Keith Godchaux (see 1980) who had replaced Ron "Pigpen" McKernan (see 1973).) The Grateful Dead were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. "St. Stephen," "Truckin,'" "Touch of Grey"

Johnnie Wilder, Jr.

died in his sleep, presumably from complications of quadriplegia. He was 56. Wilder sang lead for Heatwave. He was paralyzed from the waist-down after a van struck his vehicle in 1979, yet he continued his singing career. "Always and Forever," "Boogie Nights"

Milan B. Williams

cancer. He was 58. Williams was one of the original Commodores, who wrote the group's first hit, "Machine Gun." The Commodores were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1995. "Brick House," "Easy," "Three Times A Lady"

2007

Banda Fugaz

shot. All four members of Mexican techno group, Banda Fugaz, were killed when gunmen opened fire with AK-47s as the band was returning from a performance. Those killed were Carlos Alberto Hurtado Lule, age 26; Noa Camargo Mendoza, 21, Cristabal Juarez Serrano, 31; Daniel Gonzalez Pimentel, 30. The band's manager, Carlos Hurtado Gonzalez, age 57, suffered multiple gunshot wounds. No motives have been identified in the killings, and no arrests have been made. The murders are part of a recent string of killings of Mexican musicians.

Brad Delp

carbon monoxide poisoning. Delp was the lead singer and guitarist for '70s rock band, Boston. He was found on his bathroom floor, his head on a pillow and a suicide note ("I am a lonely soul.... I have lost my desire to live.") paper-clipped to the neck of his shirt. Delp had sealed himself inside the room with two charcoal grills. He was 55. "More Than a Feeling," "Amanda," "Peace of Mind," "Don't Look Back"

Kevin DuBrow

accidental cocaine overdose; age 52. DuBrow was the lead singer of '80s metal group, Quiet Riot. His fellow band members included guitarist Randy Rhoads (see 1982) and Frankie Banali (died in 2020 of pancreatic cancer, age 68). "Cum On Feel the Noize," "Bang Your Head (Metal Health)," "Slick Black Cadillac"

Dan Fogelberg

prostate cancer at age 56. Fogelberg epitomized the mellow singer/songwriters that dominated AM radio in the late '70s and early '80s. His hits include, "Same Old Lang Syne," "Leader of the Band," and the wedding standard, "Longer."

Brent Liles

hit by a truck while bicycling. He was 43. Liles was the bassist for the '80s punk outfit, Social Distortion, from 1981-1983. He later played with other punk acts, including Agent Orange. From Social Distortion's Mommy's Little Monster: "It Wasn't a Pretty Picture," "Another State of Mind," "Moral Threat"

George McCorkle

complications from cancer. He was the guitarist for the Toy Factory, the Marshall Tucker Band (both with Toy Caldwell, see 1993), and Pax Parachute. McCorkle was 60. He appeared on the Marshall Tucker Band albums Searchin' For a Rainbow, A New Life, Where We Belong, and Carolina Dreams.

Mercedes Navarro Murciano

pneumonia; she was 49. The Cuban-born singer/songwriter was a member of Miami Sound Machine, and shared vocals with Gloria Estefan on the band's first release, Otra Vez. This was the only album on which Murciano appeared. In later years, Miami Sound Machine would hit the charts with the singles "Bad Boy," "Conga," "The Words Get in the Way," and "Rhythm is Gonna Get You."

Mark St. John

cerebral hemorrhage, age 51. St. John was the guitarist for Kiss during its brief "no-makeup" period, appearing on the album Animalize and in the music video "Heaven's On Fire." He was diagnosed with Reiter's Syndrome (a form of arthritis), which caused his hands and arms to swell. This prevented him from playing guitar, and he completed only one live performance with the band. St. John improved after leaving Kiss, and he started the metal group, White Tiger. With Kiss: "I've Had Enough (Into the Fire)," "Get All You Can Take." With White Tiger: "Rock Warriors," "Northern Wind," "Still Standing Strong"

Hughie Thomasson

(Hugh Edward Thomasson), heart attack at age 55. Thomasson formed The Outlaws but quit to be a guitarist with Lynyrd Skynyrd from the mid-1990s until 2005, when he re-formed The Outlaws. (Visit the Archive's Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute.) The Outlaws: "There Goes Another Love Song," "(Ghost) Riders in the Sky," "Green Grass and High Tides"

Tony Thompson

inhalation of freon. He was 31. Thompson was lead vocalist of the R&B group Hi-Five. In 2007, his body was discovered near an air conditioning unit within an apartment complex near his home. He had died from inhaling a toxic amount of freon. (Fellow group member, Roderick "Pooh" Clark, passed away at the age of 49. See 2022.) "I Like the Way (The Kissing Game)," "I Can't Wait Another Minute"

2008

Paul Davis

heart attack at the age of 60. His 1977 hit "I Go Crazy," stayed on the Hot 100 chart for 40 weeks - a record at the time. His other hits include "Cool Night," "65 Love Affair," "Ride 'Em Cowboy, " and "You're Still New To Me" with Marie Osmond.

*Danny Federici

melanoma; he was 58. He was a founding member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. It was Federici, along with original drummer Vini Lopez, who invited Springsteen to join. He released two solo albums and worked with other artists, including fellow E Street band member "Little" Steven Van Zandt and Gary U.S. Bonds. The E Street Band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. "Dancing in the Dark," "You're Missing," "Hungry Heart," "4th Of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)," "I'm On Fire"

Mel Galley

(Melville John Galley), esophageal cancer; he was 60. Galley was the guitarist for Whitesnake. He severely injured his arm in a fairground accident in Germany and unable to play guitar, he was forced to quit the band. He regained his mobility using a specialized device known as "The Claw" and formed the band Phenomena. With Whitesnake: "Love Ain't No Stranger," "Slow an' Easy"

Jeff Healey

(Norman Jeffrey Healey), cancer. He was 41. Healey battled cancer since age 1, when retinal cancer claimed his eyesight. Struck blind, he taught himself to play guitar by laying the instrument across his lap. Healey fronted the Jeff Healey Band, who were nominated for Grammy awards in 1989 (Best Instrumental Rock Group) and 1996 (Best Instrumental Rock Performance for "Shapes of Things"). The group's hit "Angel Eyes," from 1988's See the Light increased the band's fame and critical acclaim.

Sean Levert

brief illness. He was 39. Levert was incarcerated at the time (and transported to the hospital) for failing to pay child support. Supposedly he suffered from high blood pressure and was hallucinating while in jail. He was a member of LeVert with his brother Gerald, who died in 2006 of an accidental mix of prescription and over-the-counter medications. Their father was O'Jays member, Eddie Levert, Sr. "Casanova," "Baby I'm Ready," and "(Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop) Goes My Mind"

Ben McMillan

diabetes. He was 46. McMillan was the singer for Skin Yard, a Seattle band who were contemporaries of Soundgarden and Screaming Trees. (Soundgarden's long-time drummer, Matt Cameron, was previously the drummer for Skin Yard.) Skin Yard contributed two songs to the Deep Six compilation, which was the first showcase of Grunge music. Released in 1986, it also featured Soundgarden, Melvins, Malfunkshun, U-Men and Green River. Skin Yard released five albums before breaking up. Read about McMillan's involvement with the Shadows of Seattle. "Bleed," "Stranger," "Start at the Top"

*Leroi Moore

complications from an ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) accident in 2008. He was 46. On 30 June, Moore was riding an ATV on his farm, checking a fence, when he hit a grass-covered ditch. The vehicle flipped over and partially landed on him. He broke several ribs and punctured a lung, succumbing to his injuries a few weeks later. Moore was the saxophonist and a founding member of the Grammy-winning Dave Matthews Band, who were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2024. The group also won the NAACP Image Award in 2004. "Ants Marching," "Crash," "What Would You Say," "Satellite," "Too Much," "Don't Drink the Water," "The Space Between"

2009

*Ron Asheton

heart attack; he was 60. Asheton was guitarist for The Stooges, who were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. He was ranked number 29 on Rolling Stone's list of 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. (Original Stooges bassist, Dave Alexander ("Zander") died of of pulmonary edema in 1975, likely caused by excessive drinking. Original drummer, Scott Asheton, died of an undisclosed illness in 2014 at age 64.) "I Wanna Be Your Dog," "Fun House," "Dirt"

Jay Bennett

died in his sleep from an accidental Fentanyl overdose. He was 45. Bennet founded Titanic Love Affair and, from 1994 to 2001, was a member of Wilco. After leaving Wilco, he release five more albums. Albums with Wilco: Being There, Summerteeth, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Solo releases include: Bigger Than Blue, The Beloved Enemy.

DJ AM

(Adam Michael Goldstein), overdose of OxyContin pain killers; drug paraphanelia (crack cocaine) was also found near the body. It is widely speculated that the cause of death was suicide. He was 36. Goldstein had survived a fatal plane crash less than a year before, sustaining third-degree burns. He often spoke about his survivor's guilt and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. He had also recently broken up with his girlfriend. DJ AM was a popular club DJ and a member of Crazy Town, who scored a #1 hit with 2001's "Butterfly".) Three members of Crazy Town have died prematurely - DJ AM, Rust Epique (heart attack, see 2004) and Shifty Shellshock (cause of death unknown, see 2024).

Jake Drake-Brockmann

(James Ralph Drake-Brockman), motorcycle accident. He was 53. Drake-Brockman formed BOM, a dance band, and he toured with Echo & the Bunnymen in the Eighties. He played on their single, "Seven Seas", and on their 1987 album, Echo & the Bunnymen. He joined the group full-time as their keyboardist in 1989. Drake-Brockman died on the Isle of Man when his motorcycle collided with a converted ambulance. (Echo & the Bunnymen's drummer, Pete de Freitas, was also killed in a motorcycle accident, in 1989. He was 27.) Echo & the Bunnymen: "Over the Wall," "Heaven Up Here, "All My Colours," "The Killing Moon"

Donald "Ean" Evans

cancer. He was 48. Evans played bass with Cupid's Arrow, The Outlaws, and in 2001 he replaced Leon Wilkeson (who died of liver disease) in Lynyrd Skynyrd. For more on Lynyrd Skynyrd, visit the Skynyrd Tribute.

Steve Ferguson

cancer; he was 60. Ferguson was the guitarist and founder of NRBQ. He organized the first incarnation of the band (which stands for New Rhythm and Blues Quartet) in 1967 and remained with the group until 1970. He briefly returned in 1974, and participated in a 35th anniversary concert in 2004. Albums: NRBQ, Boppin' the Blues

Jerry Fuchs

(Gerhardt Fuchs), fell down an elevator shaft. He was 34. Fuchs was a drummer with Maserati, LCD Soundsystem, !!! (pronounced "chk chk chk"), Turing Machine, MSTRKRFT, and The Juan MacLean. He was also "house drummer" for the record label DFA. While at a benefit party in Brooklyn, Fuchs became stuck on a freight elevator between the fourth and fifth floors. He attempted to jump to the fourth floor, but his jacket got caught.

Stephen Gately

pulmonary edema caused by an undiagnosed heart condition. Gately was a member of the Irish boy band, Boyzone. He died while vacationing with his partner in Majorca. Boyzone made history in the United Kingdom by scoring sixteen consecutive top five hits. The group had six UK number one singles and four number one albums. Gately was 33. "Picture of You," "A Different Beat," "All That I Need"

Jeff Hanson

multiple drug toxicity. Hanson had taken prescription anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medication and alcohol; it was unclear if his death was intentional or accidental. He was 31. Hanson was a member of M.I.J. and later released three solo albums: Son, Jeff Hanson, and Madam Owl. His song, "Hiding Behind the Moon" appeared in the TV series Nip/Tuck.

*Michael Jackson

(Michael Joseph Jackson), cardiac arrest; he was 50. Jackson collapsed at his home and was not breathing when paramedics arrived. He suffered a cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead at UCLA Medical Center. The Los Angeles County coroner ruled Jackson's death a homicide. Dr. Conrad Murray, Jackson's personal physician, was convicted in 2011 of involuntary manslaughter. Lethal levels of propofol (a powerful anesthetic) were found in the singer's system, in addition to two sedatives, which Murray administered in an effort to get Jackson to sleep.

Jackson was arguably the most famous entertainer in the world, winning every music (and music video) award in existence. He began his career as lead singer of The Jackson 5, a group consisting of Michael and his brothers. (Singer Janet Jackson is his younger sister.) He went onto a phenomenal solo career, releasing Thriller in 1982, the best-selling album of all time. He influenced music, dance, music videos and fashion. Jackson co-wrote and performed on "We Are the World," for the charity USA for Africa, which went on to become the best-selling single at the time. He won 13 Grammy Awards, had 13 number one singles and achieved sales of over 750 million albums worldwide. Jackson was named male artist of the millennium at the World Music Awards. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice: with the Jackson 5 in 1997 and as a solo performer in 2001.

By contrast, his personal life was often a subject of controversy. He was married twice, once to Elvis Presley's (see 1977) daughter, Lisa Marie, and he was the father of three children: Michael Joseph, Jr. ("Prince") and Paris Michael Katherine (with second wife, Debbie Rowe), and Prince Michael II ("Blanket") born to an unnamed surrogate mother. Jackson battled several allegations of child molestation occurring at his Neverland Ranch and he came under fire when he once dangled "Blanket" off a balcony in front of the paparazzi. He was also criticized for his compulsion for plastic surgery and his claim that he suffered from vitiligo, a condition where the skin loses all pigmentation.

With the Jackson 5: "I Want You Back," "ABC," "Who's Lovin' You," "The Love You Save," "I'll Be There," "Dancing Machine"

Solo career: "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough," "Rock With You," "Billie Jean," "Beat It," "Thriller," "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'," "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)," "Human Nature," "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" (duet with Siedah Garrett), "Bad," "The Way You Make Me Feel," "Man in the Mirror," "Smooth Criminal," "Black or White," "Remember the Time," "In the Closet," "Scream" (duet with Janet Jackson)

Lamya

(Lamya Al-Mugheiry), sudden heart attack. She was 35. Lamya was one of the lead singers for Soul II Soul, singing lead on "Love Come Through" and "In the Heat of the Night". She was later a back-up singer for Duran Duran, featuring on their hit, "Come Undone". She performed with Prince, David Bowie and James Brown. In 2002, she released her single, "Empires (Bring Me Men)", a remix of which reached #1 on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.

Taylor Mitchell

attacked by coyotes while hiking. She was 19. Mitchell was a Canadian folk singer who was nominated for Young Performer of the Year by the Canadian Folk Music Awards. During a break while touring, she decided to go hiking on the Skyline Trail in Cape Breton Highlands National Park in Nova Scotia. Fellow hikers witnessed the coyote attack and called 911. Mitchell was airlifted to a hospital, where she died 12 hours later. Her album, For Your Consideration, was released in 2009.

Brittany Murphy

combination of pneumonia, an iron deficiency and "multiple drug intoxication;" she was 32. Murphy was better known for her acting (Clueless, 8 Mile and Girl, Interrupted), but she was also a singer. She was in a band in the early '90s called Blessed Soul (with actor Eric Balfour) and in 2006, she and Paul Oakenfold had a club hit with the single "Faster Kill Pussycat." (The song reached number one on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play chart.) Murphy also covered Queen's "Somebody to Love" and Earth, Wind & Fire's "Boogie Wonderland" for the soundtrack to the film, Happy Feet. Murphy was found at her home,

*Billy Powell

(William Norris Powell), heart attack; he was 56. Powell was the original keyboardist for Lynyrd Skynyrd. Powell called 911 complaining of difficulty breathing. Paramedics found him in his bedroom unresponsive, still holding the telephone. Along with Gary Rossington (died 2023), Allen Collins (see 1990), Artimus Pyle and Leon Wilkeson (see 2001), he was also a survivor of the 1977 plane crash that killed lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, his sister, backup singer Cassie Gaines, and manager Dean Kilpatrick. Lynyrd Skynyrd were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. Visit the Archive's Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute. "Free Bird," "Sweet Home Alabama," "Gimme Three Steps," "Simple Man"

Adam Shellenberger

brain cancer; he was 39. Shellenberger was the drummer for Lit. "My Own Worst Enemy," "Miserable," "Lipstick and Bruises"

James "The Rev" Sullivan

overdose of oxycodone, oxymorphone, diazepam, nordiazepam, and alcohol. Sullivan was 28. Sullivan was the drummer for Avenged Sevenfold, who were named Best New Artist at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2006. "Bat Country," "Afterlife," "Almost Easy"

Patrick Swayze

pancreatic cancer; he was 57. Swayze was primarily known as an actor (Dirty Dancing, Ghost). He co-wrote and sang the top ten hit song, "She's Like the Wind," from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack. He was named People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" in 1991.

Wayman Tisdale

bone cancer. He was 44. Tisdale was a basketball star (winning a gold medal as a member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic basketball team) and jazz musician. His debut CD, Power Forward, reached No. 4 on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz chart. "Ain't No Stopping Us Now," "Can't Hide Love," "Don't Take Your Love Away"

Mary Travers

leukemia. She was 72. Travers was part of '60s folk trio, Peter, Paul and Mary. The trio were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999. (Although Travers is past the cut-off age for inclusion into The Archive, I added her anyway because I was afforded a rare opportunity to obtain a grave photo. Umpawaug Cemetery, Redding, Connecticut.) "Puff the Magic Dragon," "Blowin' in the Wind," "Leaving On a Jet Plane"