6 Artists Who Died Too Soon in the 1980s

To be an artist is difficult. You’re often more sensitive to the outside world than the average person. Your internal thoughts are vibrant and all consuming. You often deal with great highs and immeasurable lows. Even thoughts of death seem to creep in more to your psyche than they do for most people on the street.

Given all this, perhaps it’s no surprise that some of our greatest artists die too soon. And here below, we wanted to explore the lives of six different world-changing artists who went on to pass away long before they should have.

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John Lennon (October 9, 1940 – December 8, 1980)

The Liverpool, England-born songwriter and performer who rose to global fame and popularity thanks to the iconic band The Beatles was sadly gunned down in New York City by a crazed fan just after his 40th birthday. On his way to a recording, Lennon was signing some autographs on the street around 5 p.m. Then he went off to a recording session. But when he came back one of the people he signed for, Mark David Chapman, was waiting for him. At about 10:50 p.m., Chapman shot Lennon four times, killing him. For the “Imagine” songwriter, it was a horrible end to the life of one of the most influential musicians ever.

John Bonham (May 31, 1948 – September 25, 1980)

John Bonham may be the most influential rock drummer of all time. With his big, hefty hits and his relentless approach, the kit man for Led Zeppelin continues to inspire players today. But one thing people should not emulate about Bonham’s life was his propensity for alochol abuse. The artist died at just 32 years old after drinking 16 shots of vodka at breakfast and then much more throughout the day during band rehearsal. After he was pronounced dead, coroners determined he’d had some 40 shots of liquor in just 24 hours. He died, choking on his own vomit.

Bob Marley (February 6, 1945 – May 11, 1981)

The Jamaican-born reggae artist Bob Marley’s death is a strange one. In July 1977 it was determined he had malignant melanoma under the nail of his right big toe. Doctors suggested he have the toe amputated but Marley declined and continued to tour. But the cancer continued to advance in his body and due to his religious beliefs, Marley would not allow traditional Western medicine. Later, after getting on a plane for Jamaica, the aircraft made an emergency stop in Miami where Marley was taken to a hospital for urgent care but he died there on May 11, 1981, at 36. One of the greatest voices and lyricists of the century has been missed ever since.

Karen Carpenter (March 2, 1950 – February 4, 1983)

Co-founder of the popular 1970s duo The Carpenters with her brother Richard, Karen Carpenter had a sweet, ranging voice, a talent for drumming and a lovely frontwoman style. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, The Carpenters rose to fame in the late 1960s when the group signed with the burgeoning A&M Records. But fame didn’t suit her, sadly, and she began to develop symptoms of anorexia nervosa in the mid-1970s. She died of heart failure due to complications from the illness in 1983 at just 32 years old.

Bon Scott (July 9, 1946 – February 19, 1980)

The Scottish-born, giant-voiced former lead singer for AC/DC, Bon Scott was just 33 years old when he passed away. Known for songs like “T.N.T.,” “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” and “Highway to Hell,” Scott helped his buzzing, Australian-born rock band rise to global fame and popularity. But on February 18, 1980, he passed out and never woke up. When he was taken to the hospital the next day, he was pronounced dead on the scene. The cause? Acute alcohol poisoning. And thus the world lost one of the biggest singing voices on the planet.

Marvin Gaye (April 2, 1939 – April 1, 1984)

Speaking of incredible singing voices, the Washington, D.C.-born Marvin Gaye may boast the best male singing voice ever. But it was just a day before his 45th birthday that he died, depriving the word of more sublime music. For the singer of songs like “Let’s Get It On” and “What’s Going On?” his death is especially tragic as he was murdered by his own father at their house in Los Angeles after an argument. The murder came after Gaye was trying to break up a fight between his parents and that’s when his dad shot him twice, piercing his heart. It seems an almost impossible outcome for such a great and influential person.

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