Top 10 Thursday: Top 10 Most Tragic Deaths in Music

So I've decided to change my Top 5 Lists to Top 10 Lists. Because five just isn't enough, really. Especially since this Top 10 list is dealing with a heavier subject. Today, we look at the tragic deaths of musicians' lives cut short. Now of course, this list is entirely subjective, and other musicians' deaths may affect other people more in different ways. I tried not to go by just how much I like the musician (although that did come into play), but rather factor in the circumstances of the death, the age, and the potential for the musician. With those ideas in mind, let's take a look at my list of the Top 10 Most Tragic Deaths in Music.

10. Selena

Selena's death was so young and so unexpected. When she was shot in early 1995 over a financial dispute, it struck the American community with shock and caused across-the-country mourning. In addition to being an influential and popular artist, she was also a great person, visiting school to speak to kids about the importance of education. At only 23, Selena was taken way too soon.

9. Kurt Cobain

To say Kurt Cobain revolutionized music is an understatement. After the release of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" in 1991, rock music changed forever. And in the middle of all the attention and notoriety, Kurt tragically cut his life short in 1994. His suicide note stated that it was "better to burn out than to fade away", but I can't help but be struck by all the music that Cobain had yet to offer. Sadly, he became another member of The 27 Club, a club with a disturbing amount of talented members.

8. Sam Cooke

Known as the "king of soul", Cooke was indeed one of the most influential artists in soul music. His music led to the likes of Aretha Franklin, James Brown, and many more to become popular. Sadly, Cooke's life was ended by a fatal shooting at a motel. The details are unclear on whether the shooting was in self-defense or not, but it was still a tragic loss to the music industry. He was such an influential performer and person.

7. Aaliyah

Aaliyah marks the youngest death on my list, which just makes it all the more tragic. At the time, Aaliyah was nothing short of a superstar, making hit after hit after hit. Then that fateful plane crash came, killing her and eight others. At only 22, we could have seen Aaliyah become as much of a superstar as Beyoncé, or J. Lo. But unfortunately, the world was not given this opportunity. At least we had her for a little while.

6. Doug Hopkins

Another victim to depression, Hopkins was the original lead guitarist and co-founder of the Gin Blossoms. He wrote two of the band's biggest hits, "Hey Jealousy" and "Found Out About You", but unfortunately wasn't with the band to experience their success. He was fired by the band due to his crippling problems with alcohol, and had to give up his share of the songwriting royalties as well. As the Gin Blossoms grew more popular, Hopkins grew more despondent, and tragically took his own life in December 1993.

5. Janis Joplin

Janis Joplin is another member of the 27 Club, and I put her on the list for what may be a superficial reason, but I feel makes the early death more tragic: In every photo I see of Janis Joplin, she has the happiest smile on her face, making her look like the absolute sweetest person in music. Her death of a heroin overdose in 1970 is not only tragic for this reason, but also because it caused her to miss some of her biggest successes, such as "Mercedes Benz" and "Me and Bobby McGee", her only number 1 hit.

4. Marvin Gaye

One of the biggest influences in R&B, gone in 1984 after being shot by his father. Marvin Gaye has recorded some of the most enduring songs of the 70's, and it just doesn't seem fair that he had to die so early, especially under such terrible circumstances. Marvin Gaye's death shocked his audience and his celebrity friends alike. One of the most shocking deaths in music history, truly.

3. John Lennon

John Lennon's legacy will live on forever as one of the most inspirational musicians out there. Unfortunately, his life was cut short by Mark David Chapman. The fact that someone would want to murder such a peaceful, loving man strikes me as crazy. If I was alive at the time of John's death, I think I would have been crying. Such an unfair and tragic way to go.

2. Freddie Mercury

Very few songs literally send chills down my spine, but god damn if Freddie Mercury doesn't do it every time I hear his voice. A brilliant and talented performer, Mercury's life ended in 1991 from complications of AIDS. This is the type of performer that you hope sticks around forever. No one lives forever, but it's such a shame that he had to go so early. Long live Mercury's legacy.

1. Michael Jackson

I'm actually too young to say that I was around to witness most of these tragic deaths, but I know from experiencing the time that Michael Jackson's death made the world stop. One of the biggest stars in music, EVER, dead at 50. But it's not just my experience that makes this death sad; it's the fact that this happened right before Michael Jackson's massive comeback concert tour, This I It. We could have seen one of the biggest comebacks in music history, but instead, we saw the end to a troubled life and a firecracker of talent.