Hard to pin down just exactly what makes that "next 10 years" potentially so intriguing -

Obviously, Otis Redding might have matured into an even better vocalist than Marvin Gaye, although the lower range might have limited him.

Hendrix at 35 might have been amazing, but he might already have peaked when one thinks about it.

Buddy Holly, because he was just so good, so young.

Cobain, maybe to see what he would have done as a songwriter in his 30s.

Maybe a sleeper pick - Andrew Wood?

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Posted by HodsonTiger13

Member since Jan 2023

737 posts

Posted on 2/21/23 at 1:58 pm to Ace Midnight

Some good thoughts.

Add Nick Drake (died age 26) and Elliot Smith (died age 34) to the 'suicide rock' club.

Buddy Holly is my pick behind Sam Cooke. As you said, so great so young and we really didn't get to see what heights he'd reached. The NY Apartment tapes are a must hear though.

Agree that Hendrix may have already peaked but... what a peak! He may have gone away from rock gone more into a strictly blues performer.

No mention of early jazz deaths:
Bessie Smith - died age 43, car crash
Billie Holiday - age 44
Bix Beiderbecke - age 28
Charlie Parker - died at 34
Charlie Christian - died age 25 from TB
Django - died 43
Glenn Miller - plane crash at age 40
James Booker - age 43 - in New Orleans Charity

John Coltrane - age 40 - liver cancer

Scott Joplin - 49

George Gershwin - died age 39 of a brain tumor - again, at his height

This is why I discussed rock only but those are some notables from the world of music...

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