Playing God: What Musician Who Died Young Would You Want to live another 10 Years?

And you can only pick one and it is only 10 years. Just play along...


Jimi Hendrix. Died age 27. For a few of these more life would mean sobering up (say, someone invented 'rehab' 20 years earlier). Innovative genius guitarist. Excellent songwriter. Was exploring blues and continuing to grow as an artist.

Jim Morrison. Died age 27. Singer/songwriter/performer but he'd grown weary of the 'rock god' status and moved to Paris. Likely, he'd have continued his poetry pursuits and continued to move away from music.

Janis Joplin. Died age 27. Singer/performer. She would have continued to grow as an artist.

Buddy Holly. Age 22 at death. His New York apartment sessions are a must hear (the stripped down ones). What would a Buddy Holly into the 1960s have been like? Would he have been an 'oldies act' or continued to grow? Gone 'country'? Been a producer?

Sam Cooke. Age 33 at death - shot by a motel clerk who may have been in on a scheme by a prostitute to rob Cooke. Amazing singer and performer. He was already becoming a producer and label owner - sort of a pre-Berry Gordy Berry Gordy. Would he have continued this path or gone back to gospel?

Bob Marley. Innovator and musical genius, Bob died at age 36. He was at the height of his talents and another decade would have kept him on track.

John Lennon. 40 when killed, John had seemingly found a bit of peace as a house husband. He and Paul were friends again and a film was made of their last visit together, clowning around New York. Double Fantasy is a bit overrated IMHO based on his death but has some solid songs. Another ten years with Sean would have been nice and a reconciliation with Julian which I don't believe had happened. Artistically, his best music was likely behind him - but what music - and the angry young 'my mummy's dead' man was as well.

My pick: Sam Cooke.

Who else you got and who is your choice?

How would their career have evolved?

Edited to add some great suggestions from the readers/commentators:

Otis Redding. Age 26 when he died. Electric performer (see Monterey Pop, among others). Lost a great soul singer in a tragic plane accident.

Stevie Ray Vaughan. Vaughan was 35 when he also died in a plane crash. Blues/rock guitarist who brought the music to the attention of a new generation. More great albums and SRV had gotten over his addiction demons. A sad loss.

Randy Rhoads was 25 when he died in a plane crash. The documentary on him is worth a watch and you'll be struck by what an absolute waste his death was. Pilot was buzzing by the tour bus and 'pilot error' appeared to be the cause of death. Big loss for rock and for Ozzy.

Marvin Gaye. Dead at 44 after being shot by his father. Genius performer, composer, and producer his early death was a great loss. A bio pic has been in the works for years but haven't heard any recent updates. Gaye also struggled with addiction. His 1983 NBA All-Star National Anthem was one of many amazing moments in his career.

Amy Winehouse also died at age 27. Kurt Cobain? Also died at 27. That's a tough year!

Richard Hoon did make it to age 28. He died in New Orleans of an overdose in Blind Melon's tour bus.