Classic Rock Icons You Probably Didn’t Know Have Passed Away
via Gary Moore Society / Youtube
It’s nearly impossible to fathom life without music, whether it’s a subtle backdrop to the day or the main act, allowing you to shake off life’s stress. While everyone enjoys new releases, there’s a unique charm to classic songs. They transport us to specific times, evoke memories, and are tunes everyone instinctively knows. However, classic music comes with a realization: the creators of these timeless songs aren’t immune to time. When icons like Freddie Mercury or George Harrison pass away, they dominate headlines.
But what about the classic rock artists who faded from the limelight? Many influential figures, key to crafting classic rock anthems, have passed away, their headlines possibly missed by many.
Lou Reed (Died: October 27, 2013, at 71)
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Lou Reed, frontman of the Velvet Underground, passed away at the age of 71. Known for influencing legends like David Bowie, Reed’s life took him from the wild side of drugs and alcohol to a quieter existence filled with T’ai Chi. His wife, Laurie Anderson, remembered him as a “prince and a fighter.”
Kevin Dubrow (Died: November 25, 2007, at 52)
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The lead singer of Quiet Riot, Kevin Dubrow, was found dead in his apartment at 52. His death, initially a mystery, was later confirmed as an accidental cocaine overdose, adding a somber note to the legacy of “Feel the Noize.”
Ray Manzarek (Died: May 20, 2013, at 74)
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The Doors’ keyboardist, Ray Manzarek, traded the rock scene for a peaceful life in Napa Valley, surrounded by chickens and fruit trees. Diagnosed with bile duct cancer, he spent his last years entangled in legal battles. Manzarek passed away in Rosenheim, Germany, at the age of 74.
Warren Zevon (Died: September 7, 2003, at 56)
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The singer-songwriter behind “Werewolves of London,” Warren Zevon, faced his imminent death from advanced mesothelioma while working on his final album, “The Wind.” He chose not to undergo chemotherapy, expressing that music was his miracle. Zevon died a week after the album’s release, leaving behind a musical goodbye.
Joe Strummer (Died: December 22, 2002, at 50)
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The Clash’s Joe Strummer, known for political punk anthems, unexpectedly suffered a heart attack at home. A post-mortem revealed an undiagnosed heart defect, shedding light on the sudden departure of a punk rock legend at 50.
Gary Moore (Died: February 6, 2011, at 58)
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The guitarist of Skid Row and Thin Lizzy, Gary Moore’s death shocked the music world. Initially attributed to a heart attack, further investigation revealed a fatal level of alcohol. Tributes hailed him as one of Ireland’s great bluesmen.
Keith Emerson (Died: March 10, 2016, at 71) & Greg Lake (Died: December 7, 2016)
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Emerson, Lake & Palmer’s Keith Emerson tragically took his own life due to nerve pain affecting his ability to play. Greg Lake, co-founder of ELP, succumbed to a lengthy battle with cancer. Their deaths marked the end of audacious, virtuosic progressive rock.
Lemmy, Michael Burston, Phil Taylor, and Eddie Clarke
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Motörhead’s iconic frontman Lemmy passed away two days after a cancer diagnosis. Less highlighted were the deaths of bandmates Michael “Wurzel” Burston, Phil Taylor, and Eddie Clarke, each contributing to Motörhead’s thunderous legacy.
Pete Quaife (Died: June 23, 2010, at 66)
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Founding member of The Kinks, Pete Quaife’s role as a peacemaker within the band was crucial. After leaving the music scene, he embraced graphic design. Diagnosed with renal failure in 1998, Quaife’s cartoons, “The Lighter Side of Dialysis,” marked his brave battle until his death at 66.
Levon Helm (Died: April 19, 2012, at 71)
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The Band’s singer and drummer, Levon Helm, embraced blues influences and timeless music. After a battle with throat cancer, Helm’s Midnight Ramble sessions kept his musical spirit alive. His death marked the end of an era for one of rock’s most influential groups.
DAVY JONES (Died: February 29, 2012, at the age of 66) AND PETER TORK (Died: February 21, 2019)
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The Monkees’ influence on music cannot be understated, and the passing of two of its members, Davy Jones and Peter Tork, marked significant moments. Davy Jones, the band’s singer, passed away on February 29, 2012, at the age of 66, after suffering a major heart attack. Peter Tork, another member of The Monkees, died on February 21, 2019. His official cause of death was not released, but reports indicated he had been diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma, a rare type of cancer.
Tommy (Died: 2014), Joey (Died: April 15, 2001, at the age of 49), Dee Dee (Died: June 5, 2002, at the age of 50), and Johnny Ramone (Died: September 15, 2004, at the age of 55)
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The Ramones, pioneers of punk rock, faced a series of losses. Tommy Ramone, the last surviving member of the original lineup, died in 2014 after battling cancer. Joey Ramone, diagnosed with leukemia, passed away in 2001. Dee Dee Ramone was found dead in his Hollywood home in 2002 due to an apparent drug overdose. Johnny Ramone, diagnosed with prostate cancer, gave his last interview surrounded by taxidermy oddities and passed away shortly afterward.
Jeff Beck (Died: January 10, 2023, at the age of 78)
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Jeff Beck, known as the guitarist’s guitarist, maintained a relatively subdued public profile but was revered in musical circles for his exceptional talent. Beck passed away from bacterial meningitis at the age of 78 on January 10, 2023.
Meat Loaf (Died: January 20, 2022)
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Meat Loaf, with a successful career in rock and roll, became outspoken on various issues in his later years. His death on January 20, 2022, led to rumors about the cause, including speculation about COVID-19. However, no official cause of death was given.
Brian Jones (Found dead: July 3, 1969, at the age of 27)
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Brian Jones, a founding member of the Rolling Stones, played a crucial role in the band’s early sound. His lifestyle, marked by heavy drug use, led to legal troubles. Jones was found dead in his swimming pool on July 3, 1969, at the age of 27. The cause of death was ruled as “misadventure.”
Clint Warwick (Died: May 15, 2004, at the age of 63)
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Clint Warwick, bassist for the Moody Blues, struggled with the demands of rock stardom and chose to leave the band. He pursued a quieter life in carpentry and released music later in his career. Warwick passed away on May 15, 2004, at the age of 63.
Alan White (Died: May 26, 2022, at the age of 72)
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Alan White, a skilled drummer, played with the Plastic Ono Band and Yes, contributing to iconic tracks. After a short illness, White died on May 26, 2022, at the age of 72.
Gary Rossington (Died: March 5, 2023, at the age of 71)
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Gary Rossington, founding guitarist of Lynyrd Skynyrd, played a pivotal role in shaping the band’s unique Southern rock sound. Rossington suffered a heart attack in 2015 and underwent emergency surgery in 2021. He passed away on March 5, 2023, at the age of 71.
Brad Delp (Died: March 9, 2007, at the age of 55)
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Brad Delp, the lead singer for Boston, had a powerful voice that contributed to the success of hits like “More Than a Feeling.” His death on March 9, 2007, was ruled as suicide, and he was 55 years old.
Randy Meisner (Died: July 27, 2023, at the age of 77)
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Randy Meisner, founding Eagles bassist, contributed to the band’s massive success. He left the Eagles in 1977 and pursued a solo career. Meisner died on July 27, 2023, in Los Angeles, at the age of 77, from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Hal Blaine (Died: March 11, 2019, shortly after his 90th birthday)
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Hal Blaine, a prolific and influential studio drummer, played on numerous hit records as part of the Wrecking Crew. He passed away on March 11, 2019, just weeks after celebrating his 90th birthday.
Ray Thomas (Died: January 4, 2018, at the age of 76)
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Ray Thomas, a founding member of The Moody Blues, contributed to the band’s experimental sound with his vocals, harmonica, and flute. He left the band in 2002 and announced his prostate cancer diagnosis in 2014. Thomas passed away on January 4, 2018, at the age of 76.
Robbie Robertson (Died: August 9, 2023, at the age of 80)
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Robbie Robertson, a key creative force in The Band, played a significant role in the group’s success. He contributed to iconic songs like “The Weight” and “Up on Cripple Creek.” Following a lengthy illness, Robertson died on August 9, 2023, in Los Angeles, at the age of 80.
