The Death Of Music Legends: Which Saddened You The Most?

Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston without a day. I still remember the shockwaves that went around the world when news of their deaths broke. Many of us grew up listening to their music so for them to die at a relatively young age, and to know that they would never bring out new music for their fans was a feeling I can't put into words.

A few that have already been mentioned here. Stephen Gately, Amy Winehouse, Michael Jackson, George Michael... all legendary acts that contributed greatly to the world of music. They definitely made their mark, still have an army of fans all over the world and will always be missed.

George Michael. We found out on Christmas day that he was no longer with us and what a sad Christmas that was. George Michael was a legend. I lived through the Wham! years, remember when he became a solo artist, and when he was arrested for 'lewd conduct' he dealt with it with so much frankness and humour, you couldn't not love him. George will forever be missed. 😥

Michael Jackson, Prince, Aretha Franklin... all the greats. It was a very sad day in music when they all left us. I grew up listening to these guys and I got my love of Aretha from my parents, so it felt like a massive part of my childhood had gone.

Boyzone's Stephen Gately without a doubt. I can't believe it's been thirteen years since he left us as it feels like it was only yesterday. I still remember the shock and devastation I felt when I heard that Stephen had passed away due to a heart condition. He was so young, only 33. I was a huge Boyzone fan but it was more than that. Stephen always seemed like such a gentle soul who wouldn't hurt a fly. He was one of the first people in a boy band to publicly come out which took real guts. He just seemed to enjoy life and what he did, so for all that to be snatched away at a young age was so cruel. If his fans were as devastated as they were, I dread to think of the affect his death had on his family. I just hope he didn't suffer and that he's at peace. 😥

Karen Carpenter is one that springs to mind. I were about 11 at the time. We were all big Carpenters fans and loved their music. It was a real shock to hear that Karen had passed away. Our thoughts immediately turned to Richard because it were obvious that they shared a very close bond. Anyone who had a sibling would have a strong idea of how he felt. Back in the early eighties, people didn't know about eating disorders the way they do now. Some people had never even heard of anorexia nervosa. But Karen's death highlighted this issue and people were able to get help for an illness that many people had had no knowledge of.

For me it was Amy Winehouse. I loved her music, her flamboyance, her attitude. I know a lot of people say that they weren't shocked by her death but I remember how shocked and upset I was when I first heard the news. Amy made some bad choices in life which sadly led to her dying far too early. But she was an icon with a huge amount of talent and an amazing voice. I really do believe that her star would never have faded. Had she lived she would have gone on to become a legend like Madonna.

I was a big Marvin Gaye fan so I have to admit it did get me when I heard that he'd died. The circumstances in which he died, having been shot and killed by his own dad during an argument, was also very sad and shocking. My boys have driven me round the bend and back again twice over in one go but never could I imagine doing that to any of them. Marvin had an amazing voice and was one of the biggest talents of the twentieth century. It's so sad that he went far too soon.

I was just talking to my mother-in-law who's staying with us right now about Loretta Lynn passing away. My MIL, like a lot of my family, is a big country music fan, so I knew that this would be pretty big news for her.

I still remember when Michael Jackson died. While I was stunned - like most of us were - my cousin was deeply, deeply saddened. At first I didn't realise just how he was affected by Michael's death but it soon became apparent. He had been a huge fan from the time he was tiny. He had just bought tickets to see his idol in concert... and of course he never got to go. I think for me, that was the first time I saw a member of my family get very upset over the death of someone in the public eye.

I myself was shocked by the deaths of Chris Cornell, and more recently Joey Jordison and Tayler Hawkins. My siblings and I - much of our family in fact - are huge rock fans, so I can't say we were unaffected by it. But I think the death that upset me the most was Chester Bennington's. Even now I'm still quite saddened by it. There are many reasons why it affected me the way that it did, and not just because I was - and still am - a big Linkin Park fan. Chester, even though I didn't know him personally, seemed like a genuinely nice guy - all the Linkin Park members did. It's one of my biggest regrets that I never got to see them with Chester in the band (although I did get to see Mike Shinoda perform with Fort Minor!) I also think it's knowing how he died and the pain he must have been in to take his own life. I only wish he'd been able to get the help he needed and then he'd still be with us, and more importantly, with his family.

Rest in peace, Chester. ❤️🕊️🕯️

I guess John Lennon was a big one, more by the way he died rather than him actually dying, which would have been bad enough. Elvis (Presley) was another big one, he died a few weeks before I left school in 1977, and whilst he was probably out of my supposed demographic at the time, I always liked him (and still do). A lot of the teachers at school were upset by his passing and the mood at school for a couple of days after he died was fairly sombre.