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.

Laura Branigan

aneurysm, 2004. She was 47. Songstress of the '80s, scoring four Grammy nominations. "Gloria," "Self-Control," "Solitaire," "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You?"

*Chas Chandler

(Bryan James Chandler), aortic aneurysm (1996). He was 58. Chandler was the bassist for The Animals. He later discovered and managed Jimi Hendrix (see 1970) and Slade. The Animals were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. "House of the Rising Sun," "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood," "We Gotta Get Out of This Place"

John "JC" Curulewski

brain aneurysm in 1988, age 37. Curulewski was a co-founder of Styx (with Dennis DeYoung and brothers Chuck and John Panozzo. John died of a gastrointestinal hemorrhage brought on by alcoholism in 1996.) Curulewski left the band in the mid-1970s and was replaced on guitar by Tommy Shaw. "Mr. Roboto," "Come Sail Away," "Lady," "Babe"

Tommy Edwards

cerebral aneurysm in 1969. He was 47. Edwards had the #22 hit song of the decade (1950s), with "All In The Game." ("Many a tear have to fall, but it's all in the game...")

Mike Gibbins

brain aneurysm; 2005. 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"

Bill Pickering

aneurysm; age 58. Pickering was a DJ - the first to play Buddy Holly's solo effort, "Blue Days, Black Nights" - and later, a back-up singer for Holly. The Pickering Brothers ("The Picks"), were overdubbed on several Holly classics, including "Oh, Boy!" and "Maybe Baby," but were never credited for their contributions. In 1959, when Holly died, Pickering sang at his funeral. The group disbanded, but reunited in 1969. Unfortunately, the group was sidelined in 1974; Pickering suffered his first stroke, rendering him blind for nearly two years. He recorded once more, ten years later, again overdubbing on Holly tracks. He was motivated by Maria Elena Santiago, Holly's widow, when she related how Holly had wanted to work with The Picks again. The overdubs were Pickering's last foray into music. He died in 1985, in Holly's hometown of Lubbock, Texas. The Picks were inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, the New Mexico Music Hall of Fame, and received the West Texas Music Hall of Fame Music Pioneer Award. Read about Pickering's connection to the Curse of Buddy Holly.

Clarence "Satch" Satchell

aneurysm (1995); he was 55. Satchell was the saxophonist and flautist for The Ohio Players, popular for their 1970s dance hits, such as "Love Rollercoaster," "Funky Worm," and "Fire." (Fellow Ohio Player, Ralph "Pee Wee" Middlebrooks, passed away in 1996.)

#Conway Twitty

(Harold Jenkins), abdominal aneurysm in 1993. He was 59. Twitty was a successful country musician who enjoyed early pop success with the hit It's Only Make Believe." Twitty was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999 and he was also inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. "Hello Darlin'," "After the Fire is Gone" (with Loretta Lynn), "Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man" (also with Lynn)

Ron Wilson

brain aneurysm, 1989. He was 49. Wilson was the drummer for The Sufaris, responsible for the incredible drum solo on their classic, "Wipe Out."