Pop Artists That Died Too Young

Cheyenne Johnson
Aug 16
4 min read

Grief felt from losing a celebrity can often feel intense and palpable even though most of us didn't know these stars personally. Their music reaches far and wide, impacting a variety of people and leaving their mark on culture at large. Over the years, there have been several music artists that have left the world too soon, having their careers cut short by their untimely deaths. Honoring the lasting impact many have left on the music world, we've put together a list of Pop Artists That Died Too Young with the hopes to find beauty in the sadness as we remember these stars and their amazing creations.

Karen Carpenter

Best known for her work with the Carpenters, a duo comprised of her and her brother, Richard, Karen Carpenter's career was cut short in 1983 following her death at age 32. The iconic, accomplished artist sadly passed away from complications related to anorexia nervosa, a disease she struggled with due to the severe pressures of fame and complicated family dynamics. An artist who continues to receive praise to this day, Karen Carpenter was renowned for her vocal skills, having a distinctive three-octave contralto range that earned her a spot on Rolling Stone's 2010 list of the 100 greatest singers of all time. Leaving a lasting legacy with her brother, the Carpenters released 10 albums before her death, spawning hits like "(They Long To Be) Close To You," "Yesterday Once More," and "Love Me For What I Am."

Amy Winehouse

Known for her autobiographical songwriting, distinctive contralto vocals, and eclectic blend of genres, Amy Winehouse became a cultural icon of the 21st century as she sold over 30 million records worldwide and won six Grammy Awards during her career. The esteemed singer released two critically acclaimed albums, Frank and Back to Black, with the latter becoming one of the best-selling albums of all time. Throughout her life, Winehouse struggled with substance abuse, mental illness, and addiction, leading to her death from alcohol poisoning in 2011. She died at the age of 27, making her part of the tragically infamous 27 Club.

Avicii

Hailing from Stockholm, Tim Bergling was a Swedish DJ, remixer, and record producer known professionally as Avicii. He started his career at the age of 16, posting remixes on electronic music forums that led to his first record deal. Avicii later rose to prominence in 2011 following the release of his single "Levels." He released his debut album, True, in 2013, peaking in the top 10 in more than 15 countries and topping international charts. His lead single from the album, "Wake Me Up," topped most music markets in Europe and hit number 4 on the US charts. Struggling with several years of stress and poor mental health, Avicii retired from touring in 2016 and later committed suicide in 2018, dying at the age of 28. His third and final album, Tim, was released in 2019 posthumously.

Aaliyah

Known as the Princess of R&B and the Queen of Urban Pop, Aaliyah is often credited with helping to redefine contemporary R&B, pop, and hip hop. Though she tragically died at the age of 22, Aaliyah accomplished much during her career before she was killed in the Marsh Harbour Cessna 402 crash. Her accolades include two MTV VMAs, three American Music Awards, and five Grammy Award nominations. Aaliyah first gained recognition at the age of 10, appearing on the TV show Star Search and performing alongside Gladys Knight. She went on to release three studio albums and worked with many big names in the industry, like Timbaland and Missy Elliott, leaving a lasting impact with her music.

Christina Grimmie

Another artist who sadly only lived to be 22, Christina Grimmie was an American singer-songwriter and internet personality known for her cover songs and original content. She released her debut EP and debut studio album before becoming a contestant on season six of The Voice, garnering her millions of subscribers on YouTube. After competing on the show, Grimmie signed with Island Records for a short time before she was dropped and released her second EP, Side A, in 2016. Later that year, Grimmie was shot and killed while signing autographs after a concert performance at The Plaza Live in Orlando, Florida. Her follow-up to Side A, Side B, was released on Spotify and iTunes in 2017 as well as her second and final album, All Is Vanity.

Selena

An American singer-songwriter known as the Queen of Tejano Music and "Tejano Madonna," Selena is another artist who died far too young. The influential musician was known for her contributions to music and fashion, making her one of the most celebrated Mexican American entertainers between 1981-1995. Sadly, her life and career were cut short when her fan club manager shot and killed her in 1995. Though she died at the age of 23, Selena has left a lasting impact on the music industry, credited with establishing the Tejano genre in the mainstream market and is still being recognized for her music contributions. Just in 2020, she was recognized by Billboard magazine in their list of "Greatest Latino Artists of All Time," ranking her third and basing it on both the Latin albums and songs chart.

Buddy Holly

An influential figure from the '50s, Buddy Holly left his mark across the rock-and-roll, rockabilly, and pop genres, inspiring generations to come even after his early death in 1959. The infamous American singer was known for his work with the Crickets and as a solo artist, spawning hits like "That'll Be The Day" and "Peggy Sue." Though he only lived to be 22, Buddy Holly impacted music history in profound ways, defining the traditional rock-and-roll lineup (two guitars, bass, and drums) and influencing a plethora of notable artists, like Bob Dylan, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Elton John, Elvis Costello, the Hollies, and Eric Clapton.

Though this article is bittersweet, it's important to remember the lasting legacies these dearly missed musicians have left on our lives. Who are some of your favorite artists that are gone but not forgotten? Let us know on our socials!

Written By Cheyenne Johnson