A Tribute to the Fallen

In the eternal fight for good music, there have been many casualties. This is a tribute for those who fought and died for good music. The rules for induction into the good music memorial:

1. They must have died at some point past the 70's. Otherwise there would be too many to count.

2. They must have died before they were at least fifty five. George Harrison will never be forgotten, but his death does not fall into those who died on the battlefield.

3. They must have died while having a career. If a band breaks up and the singer dies, it's not being killed in action.

Here we go (In no order)

Robert Johnson (1911-1938)

Famous Blues guitarist

Cause of Death: Pneumonia

Story: The legend of his death is that he sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his guitar playing skills, as told in the song "Crossroads."

Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970)

Famous Rock guitarist

Cause of Death: Choked on vomit induced by LSD overdose

Story: Hendrix was on infamous drug addict, and was well known for his onstage antics brought on by drugs.

Kurt Cobain (1967-1994)

Nirvana Frontman

Cause of Death: Suicide

Story: After the pressures from his record company and from his new family. He wanted to keep his music from being commercialized, so he shot himself through the head.

Otis Redding (1941-1967)

Famous Soul Singer

Cause of Death: Airplane Crash

Story: Often called the King of soul, Redding's plane crashed into a lake only a few months before his magnum opus "Sittin on the Dock of the Bay" was released.

John Bonham (1948-1980)

Led Zeppelin Drummer

Cause of Death: Vomit Suffocation brought on by Alcohol Poisoning

Story: Revered as the greatest rock groove drummer of all time, his alcoholism led to waterlogging in his lungs due to failure to expel vomit. After his death Led Zeppelin permanently disbanded, stating that there was no Zeppelin without Bonham.

Joe Strummer (1952-2002)

The Clash Frontman

Cause of Death: Heart Attack

Story: The godfather of punk, Joe Strummer's heart attack came completely out of nowhere, and was considered to be a low point in the history of punk rock. Tragically, only months after his death, Avril Lavigne ruined punk rock.

Jim Morrison (1943-1971)

Doors Singer

Cause of Death: Heart Attack

Story: Known as "The Lizard King", Morrison was considered to be one of the most theatrical frontmen. His grave site in Paris is one of the most visited sites in the city.

Marvin Gaye (1939-1984)

Soul & Mowtown Singer

Cause of Death: Murder

After health problems had sent him into depression, Gaye isolated himself in his parent's house. Attempting to break up on an argument with between his parents, his father began fighting with him and eventually shot him.

"Dimebag" Darrell Abbott (1966-2004)

Pantera Guitarist

Cause of Death: Murder

Story: A revolutionary metal guitarist, Dimebag was shot on stage during a concert, with his brothers band Damage Plan, by a crazy fan.

Ian Curtis (1956-1980)

Joy Division Frontman

Cause of Death: Suicide

Story: And you thought Kurt Cobain was depressed. Ian Curtis suffered from onstage epilepsy, massive health problems, uncaring parents, and a struggling marriage. On top of everything, months after he hanged himself in his parent's house, Joy Division's Closer reached #6 on the UK charts. On his tombstone reads "Ian Curtis 18-5-80 Love Will Tear Us Apart."

Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan (1981-2009)

Avenged Sevenfold Drummer

Story: A modern master of double bass, while having success in mainstream rock, The Rev died shorly before the new decade. As of now I don't know how.