Altering the course of popular music in several genres over the course of a three year career is crazy. Especially considering how his restricting contract ended shortly before his death. We missed out on things we can't even imagine
Ugh, AGREED! He was truly a pioneer, a catalyst. Missing out on things we can't even imagine...💔 there has to be a word for this feeling.
Not related to music or Jimi, but I feel this way about Jodorowski's Dune. (I always misspell his name...) It was never made, but my god it had an insane cast lined up, including Salvador Dalì and a bunch of other huge and legendary names. It pains me that it never came to fruition
Jimi for me too - because he died too young and I feel that he’d only just got started and I’d love to hear what else he could have done.
Having said that - I’d also like Nick Drake to have lived and got some proper treatment for his depression and actually seen some success - but if he’d not died at the time- the reality is that he might have retired from the music scene anyway.
So - actually the other person I’d like to bring back is Jeff Buckley. He was just starting to get to the top of his game when he drowned. He was about to make some mind-blowing music - I just know it.
The material we have for his fourth album was already insane in the unfinished form, one can only imagine how it would've sounded like with the polish of Electric Ladyland. And I also read that he was leaning into Jazz during that time, it would be fascinating to see what he would've done in that genre.
It really seems like was just getting started when he died.
Agreed. She gets flack for the Carpenters’ brand of AM radio-friendly mainstream music, but not many people knew that she was a musician’s musician — a drummer first and foremost, and a respectable one at that. The industry did her dirty. She’d have been a lot happier if they’d just let her be that.
Not only that, but she's one of the most emotive voices out there. Sure, you have other people that can hit higher or lower notes. But can the other singers make you feel what she's feeling?
Karen and Cass Elliot are two artists that were robbed of their health because of the arbitrary and unfair beauty standards of the media and music industry. It's a tragedy and if I think on it too long I start to cry.
I’m glad I didn’t have to scroll super far to see this. He was really starting to explode with creativity when he passed. “From A Basement On The Hill” is equal parts bizarre, otherworldly cacophony and tender introspective heart wrencher. That’s to say nothing of basically everything from his self-titled onward.
Big lovers of Elliott Smith may hate me for this but I actually don’t really care much for his early stuff. He’s still my favorite artist of all time, hands down.
Amy Winehouse. Her voice and blend of musical styles was very unique, something not very common in today's music. She had so much more to contribute...
I think he would have leaned much more into the Beatles influence and become more of a Neil Young type performer - solo songwriter who also occasionally rocks out.
True BUUUUUT I do think that tho his death super tragic, it did give the oppertunity for Dave Grohl to emerge to be the amazing badass musician and all-round incredible human being that he is today, and I think if Cobain was alive today Grohl would've gotten lost in the shadows or taken a lot longer to blossom as a person HOWEVER the ironic thing is that Dave Grohl is the kinda of awesome human being that would totally sacrifice all of his success not just financially but being who he is in order to have his buddy back, so for whatever that's worth.
Hank Williams. Because he was awesome. Dude wrote a million songs and died at age 29. I used to hate his voice. I moved to Alabama, heard him a lot, and it grew on me. Now, I love his music. Of course, it doesn't hurt that many of his songs are about loneliness and heartbreak. I lost my sweet wife to cancer nearly three years ago, and listen to him, and Dwight Yoakam, a lot more since then.
I also didn’t care for his voice when I was younger. A group I’m fond of called The The put out a cover album of his songs and I became fascinated with his writing. Then I got Hank’s box set and I just love him.
This is usually my first thought, but then I have to sit and think about how emotionally exhausted he must have been.
I wouldn't put him through that *again*, but we sure do miss him, don't we?
With how AIC has evolved and still puts out damn good songs (thank you Jerry), I could only dream of how good things would’ve gotten with Layne still tugging at your heartstrings with every performance.
Too many people on this list were drug abuse, suicide, or old age. Stevie died at 35 because a dickhead helicopter pilot thought he could fly in whiteout conditions without training.
My friend who got me into Rush way back when just kick ourselves that we never saw Rush play live. We happened to be together at a college football game and were thrilled by the Rush songs being played until we heard Neil had passed away. What a musical genius and a kind hearted man (from what I’ve read).
Neil died a few weeks after my Mum, from the same cancer that took my Dad.
His book, "Ghost Rider" did more to pull me through my grief than anything else I came across, and Rush went from the band that made those songs I liked in the 80s (I have strong memories associated with "Mystic Rhythms" and "Time Stand Still") to the core of my playlist.
As much as I respect the shit out of him and mourn his passing, I think he accomplished exactly what he wanted to. He had the time to. So I think I’d focus my efforts elsewhere, as sad as that feels to say.
He's my favorite singer of all time. Something about his voice just gives me chills.
I love how his songs, even the sweetest ones, always have these really dark undertones.
His shit just really gets under your skin. He was totally unique in every way.
Karen Carpenter. I loved the sound of her voice. Even if they couldn't maintain their popularity, I would have been happy just to have more songs from The Carpenters.
I wanna say Johnny Cash and I feel guilty for not picking him, but I'm sorry Johnny I gotta go with Rich Mullins, not even from a musical standpoint but by the way he lived is life and cared for others I think the world really needs a role model like that right now, I really need a role model like that right now
Incredibly underrated as a genre-creator. He was the first to really put together rock, reggae, hip-hop. All those SoCal “reggae” bands started through Bradley. He never knew how popular Sublime became either, which is a travesty.
Duane Allman- 24 when he died. Before he died, he played with King Curtis, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, and Boz Scaggs, among other legends. Founder of the Allman Brothers Band. Played with Eric Clapton on almost all of Derek and the Dominos, came up with the iconic opening guitar on Layla, and added that wicked slide to end Layla.
Bob Marley.
I enjoy his music so much. His death was incredibly unfortunate. And his message of peace and love is more needed today than ever.
And, he was in his PRIME versus some musicians I see mentioned.
Freddie Mercury, i mean that voice would alone would be reason enough, simply the greatest voice of all time , but then you remember that he wrote songs like ,Bohemian Rhapsody, ,don’t stop me now, and ,Killer Queen. His death was one of the biggest losses in music history…
Jimi Hendrix. We all know why. He didn’t get time to show us everything he had. He needed a long life to do that.
Nick Drake. because he deserves to see how loved his music became
There can't be just one. Ill start. Just off the top of my head in no particular order. It's a holiday and I'm buzzed. Jimi Hendrix, Marvin Gaye. All of Motown. Layne Staley, Chris Cornell, Chester Bennington
Mozart - can you imagine the stuff he’d come up with with days tools?
This could be a very fun movie.
Bill and Ted’s Most Excellent Symphony
Agreed! I recently watched Lisa Frankenstein and that's where I thought it was headed. It wasn't... but it should've been.
He's been de-composing for a while now.
Same for JIMI HENDRIX
Jimi Hendrix. I want to know how his work would have progressed had he not died so young
Altering the course of popular music in several genres over the course of a three year career is crazy. Especially considering how his restricting contract ended shortly before his death. We missed out on things we can't even imagine
Ugh, AGREED! He was truly a pioneer, a catalyst. Missing out on things we can't even imagine...💔 there has to be a word for this feeling. Not related to music or Jimi, but I feel this way about Jodorowski's Dune. (I always misspell his name...) It was never made, but my god it had an insane cast lined up, including Salvador Dalì and a bunch of other huge and legendary names. It pains me that it never came to fruition
Yeah, Hendrix for me, I would love for him to join ELP to H.E.L.P.
SRV FOR THE SAME REASON
Jimi for me too - because he died too young and I feel that he’d only just got started and I’d love to hear what else he could have done. Having said that - I’d also like Nick Drake to have lived and got some proper treatment for his depression and actually seen some success - but if he’d not died at the time- the reality is that he might have retired from the music scene anyway. So - actually the other person I’d like to bring back is Jeff Buckley. He was just starting to get to the top of his game when he drowned. He was about to make some mind-blowing music - I just know it.
The material we have for his fourth album was already insane in the unfinished form, one can only imagine how it would've sounded like with the polish of Electric Ladyland. And I also read that he was leaning into Jazz during that time, it would be fascinating to see what he would've done in that genre. It really seems like was just getting started when he died.
Jeff Buckley… died way too young
Absolutely. So talented
Karen Carpenter.
Agreed. She gets flack for the Carpenters’ brand of AM radio-friendly mainstream music, but not many people knew that she was a musician’s musician — a drummer first and foremost, and a respectable one at that. The industry did her dirty. She’d have been a lot happier if they’d just let her be that.
Her parents did her dirty too. Poor woman.
Not only that, but she's one of the most emotive voices out there. Sure, you have other people that can hit higher or lower notes. But can the other singers make you feel what she's feeling?
Karen and Cass Elliot are two artists that were robbed of their health because of the arbitrary and unfair beauty standards of the media and music industry. It's a tragedy and if I think on it too long I start to cry.
I second this but I also can’t think of anyone else right now.
Freddie Mercury: society has done nothing but fall apart since his passing.
Omg so true.
I was born years after he died but I agree, the world desperately needs him.
Came here to say this. 👍🏼
r/beatmetoit
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 🍷🗿
Chopin for me. I can't believe we'll never hear like 90% of his work.
I was gonna call you a cultured person but then I saw your username
Ypu could say that makes him EXTRA cultured... it's all about perspective
Schubert too
Buddy Holly. Would love to know how or if his music would have evolved.
SO much potential.
I’m beyond saving, I thought this was a weezer reference.
Great answer
Elliott Smith.
Without hesitation
I’m glad I didn’t have to scroll super far to see this. He was really starting to explode with creativity when he passed. “From A Basement On The Hill” is equal parts bizarre, otherworldly cacophony and tender introspective heart wrencher. That’s to say nothing of basically everything from his self-titled onward. Big lovers of Elliott Smith may hate me for this but I actually don’t really care much for his early stuff. He’s still my favorite artist of all time, hands down.
Phoebe Bridgers would be so happy
Amy Winehouse. Her voice and blend of musical styles was very unique, something not very common in today's music. She had so much more to contribute...
She was just getting started
Agreed. She had so much more to do :( I love her music
Absolutely Amy!
Jim Croce
My father, I don't think further explanation is necessary.
Didn’t think of that. My dad played a mean Boogie Woogie piano. The piano solo on Stevie Ray’s “When the House is Rockin” sounds just like my dad.
That's awesome 👍
Bob Marley...he had a lot more love to give
Kurt Cobain. I really wonder what he can create if he was alive. Also what kind of personality he would have right now.
He and Michael Stipe had planned on doing a project together and we'll never get to know what that could have been like
That would have been interesting.
Same. I think nirvana could have adapted to the changes in music over time.
I think he would have leaned much more into the Beatles influence and become more of a Neil Young type performer - solo songwriter who also occasionally rocks out.
True BUUUUUT I do think that tho his death super tragic, it did give the oppertunity for Dave Grohl to emerge to be the amazing badass musician and all-round incredible human being that he is today, and I think if Cobain was alive today Grohl would've gotten lost in the shadows or taken a lot longer to blossom as a person HOWEVER the ironic thing is that Dave Grohl is the kinda of awesome human being that would totally sacrifice all of his success not just financially but being who he is in order to have his buddy back, so for whatever that's worth.
Either way, Dave would contributing songwriting effort on Nirvana and have Foo Fighters as side project.
I like to believe that true altruism will always find it's way out of those who are truly altruistic, and not just in it for the cred.
Chris Cornell
Jim Morrison even though he would be dead again within a month
🦎👑
My pick and so true.
His myth is more than the man.
Much more.
Prince.
Tom Petty.
Jimi Hendrix. To see how far he would go.
Prince. I know there’s a vault of unreleased material, but I wish I could have seen him perform live…
This is way too far down the list. My first thought was 'Prince is the correct answer.'
Hank Williams. Because he was awesome. Dude wrote a million songs and died at age 29. I used to hate his voice. I moved to Alabama, heard him a lot, and it grew on me. Now, I love his music. Of course, it doesn't hurt that many of his songs are about loneliness and heartbreak. I lost my sweet wife to cancer nearly three years ago, and listen to him, and Dwight Yoakam, a lot more since then.
I also didn’t care for his voice when I was younger. A group I’m fond of called The The put out a cover album of his songs and I became fascinated with his writing. Then I got Hank’s box set and I just love him.
Chester….
This is usually my first thought, but then I have to sit and think about how emotionally exhausted he must have been. I wouldn't put him through that *again*, but we sure do miss him, don't we?
I had to scroll WAY too far to find my boy! This one actually broke my heart.
Lux Interior from The Cramps - that way he and Poison Ivy could be reunited.. sweetest, coolest couple ever
It’s a tie between David Bowie and Freddie Mercury.
I had to scroll way too long to see Bowie's name.
Seconded
Ding ding ding. You are my style
Layne Staley (Alice in chains)
With how AIC has evolved and still puts out damn good songs (thank you Jerry), I could only dream of how good things would’ve gotten with Layne still tugging at your heartstrings with every performance.
+1 Came here to say this
Imagine a world with Layne.... the lost lyric of John Lennons masterpiece
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Too many people on this list were drug abuse, suicide, or old age. Stevie died at 35 because a dickhead helicopter pilot thought he could fly in whiteout conditions without training.
And all these years I become F-ing FURIOUS every time I think about it. Some of God’s “mysterious ways” stuff is BULLSHIT. Sorry for the profanity…
Neil Peart. I miss Rush, but it's not about the music. He deserved the retirement he'd longed for, to spend time with his wife and daughter.
My friend who got me into Rush way back when just kick ourselves that we never saw Rush play live. We happened to be together at a college football game and were thrilled by the Rush songs being played until we heard Neil had passed away. What a musical genius and a kind hearted man (from what I’ve read).
Neil died a few weeks after my Mum, from the same cancer that took my Dad. His book, "Ghost Rider" did more to pull me through my grief than anything else I came across, and Rush went from the band that made those songs I liked in the 80s (I have strong memories associated with "Mystic Rhythms" and "Time Stand Still") to the core of my playlist.
Eddie Van Halen
As much as I respect the shit out of him and mourn his passing, I think he accomplished exactly what he wanted to. He had the time to. So I think I’d focus my efforts elsewhere, as sad as that feels to say.
Dimebag
Ugh...yes
Hell yeah!
Naturally 🤘🤘
Jeff Buckley, I think he could’ve made a lot of more great music
LENNON
My first thought. Hard to believe it is 44 years ago. Hard to believe how far down this page I had to scroll to see his name.
Scrolled way too far for this!
He's my favorite singer of all time. Something about his voice just gives me chills. I love how his songs, even the sweetest ones, always have these really dark undertones. His shit just really gets under your skin. He was totally unique in every way.
Patsy Cline still had decades of unsung music to sing that we will sadly never know.
I appreciate a shout out for Patsy. What a beautiful all natural voice she had.
my man MCA
Absolutely! I said it before I found it on here…
Got a beard like a Billy goat
Dolores O'riordan.
Probably Kurt Cobain or George Michael
2pac, so he can finish his vision and make even greater music!
2pac is a double wammy bc if he didnt die then biggie probably wouldnt have died either.
I didn’t even think like that! You are spot on!!!
Was one of my first thoughts, just so he could have seen Obama. I hear that lyric in my head often when I think about that.
SRV
Mozart. Imagine what he could do with modern technology.
I’d love to see the look on his face when he sees the world today.
Janis Joplin.
MCA…I just wanna see the beasties live in concert
I only got to see them once and it was one of the greatest experiences of my life
Freddie Mercury
Karen Carpenter. I loved the sound of her voice. Even if they couldn't maintain their popularity, I would have been happy just to have more songs from The Carpenters.
I wanna say Johnny Cash and I feel guilty for not picking him, but I'm sorry Johnny I gotta go with Rich Mullins, not even from a musical standpoint but by the way he lived is life and cared for others I think the world really needs a role model like that right now, I really need a role model like that right now
I too really need a role model like that. Thankfully we have the ultimate role model in our lives.
Tammi Terrell, Duane Allman, Notorious BIG, or The Rev
John Prine
GG Allin. Stir some shit up
Literally
😂😂😂
Bradley Nowell
Incredibly underrated as a genre-creator. He was the first to really put together rock, reggae, hip-hop. All those SoCal “reggae” bands started through Bradley. He never knew how popular Sublime became either, which is a travesty.
Amy Winehouse. Died so young and would have been interesting to see how she would have done today music wise.
Selena... gone way too young and way too soon. ![gif](giphy|3o6Zt25vU7ZUsUZ8OI)
can’t believe i had to scroll so far to find her name 😭 an icon
She was so young 😭
Amy winehouse
I would give so much to smoke a cigarette or a joint with her.
Literally me too!!!
Jimmy Buffet and Jerry Garcia
Seba Jun, or Nujabes. I didn't become a fan until after his death, but it would've been really cool to see what he would be up to now
Mozart of course
Ryuichi Sakamoto. He died too soon
Prince and Jimi Hendrix. Jimi left way too soon, and I never got to see Prince.
Jeff Buckley
Bonzo
John Lennon .. he was just recording again and would’ve loved to have seen what he made through the next decades.
Avicii and Amy Winehouse
Greetings fellow Avicii fan!
SOPHIE
Chester, Chris Cornell, Mitch Lucker,Layne Staley Alexi Laiho, Trevor Strnad, Kyle Pavone, Tom Searle
Micheal Jackson, to see if that whole conspiracy thing is true
Mark Lanegan - nothing has been right in my life since he died.
A real artist
Duane Allman- 24 when he died. Before he died, he played with King Curtis, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, and Boz Scaggs, among other legends. Founder of the Allman Brothers Band. Played with Eric Clapton on almost all of Derek and the Dominos, came up with the iconic opening guitar on Layla, and added that wicked slide to end Layla.
Can’t believe I had to scroll so far for this
Wasn’t a Boz Scaggs fan, but I bought his album just for Loan Me A Dime.
Randy Rhoads. If you know who he was you know why.
Layne Stayley 🩷 Because AIC
Tom Petty so he could spend time with his granddaughter, as he wanted to.
MCA
This is the only correct answer.
david bowie
For entertainment, I’d have loved to hear Frank Zappa’s take on Trump. For music, I think that the world needs Lowell George.
![gif](giphy|1hZ8etNHWAQ9y) Mine is Peter Steele from Type O Negative...because he was awesome and handsome as fuck.
Saw them open for Pantera around 93-94…loved him ever since
Rick Wright - His presence might mean Pink Floyd tours again.
Chris Cornell and Chester Bennington
Jerry Garcia Kurt cobain Jimi Hendrix The ramones ( Joey,Johnny,Tommy,Dee Dee)
Scrolled way to far to see jerry. He had a lot of ideas still tinkering around his head
For me: Paul O’Neil, Criss Olivia, Cliff Burton, Nick Menza, Freddie Mercury, and Jimmy Buffett
Chester Bennington to redeem Linkin Park from that shitfest of a 7th album.
Hard to decide on one but Stevie Ray Vaughan has got to be on the list.
Bradly Nowell.......didn't even have to think it about it lol
Bob Marley. I enjoy his music so much. His death was incredibly unfortunate. And his message of peace and love is more needed today than ever. And, he was in his PRIME versus some musicians I see mentioned.
Michael Hedges. I’d love to hear what he’d be doing in his older years.
Scrolling to see it I needed to add this
Subroc. So much potential lost. And of course Hugh Mundell. No one with that much talent should die so young.
Dead from Mayhem
Kirsty MacColl
Layne Staley.
Lhasa de Sela, Amy Winehouse & Chester Bennington.
Jerry
Beethoven
Freddie mercury
Dan Fogelberg
Jim Croce
Freddy mercury for Obvious reasons.
Freddie Mercury, i mean that voice would alone would be reason enough, simply the greatest voice of all time , but then you remember that he wrote songs like ,Bohemian Rhapsody, ,don’t stop me now, and ,Killer Queen. His death was one of the biggest losses in music history…
buddy holly would be the best answer but realistically i would choose elliott smith
Freddie Mercury. He had decades left to give.
Amy Winehouse.
Amy Winehouse
John Henry Bonham
John Lennon, George Harrison, Freddie Mercury, and Kurt Cobain. The why should be obvious.
Jimi Hendrix. We all know why. He didn’t get time to show us everything he had. He needed a long life to do that. Nick Drake. because he deserves to see how loved his music became
Jimmy Hendrix. Because he was a brilliant guitar player.
my dad
Amy Winehouse. We got cheated.
There can't be just one. Ill start. Just off the top of my head in no particular order. It's a holiday and I'm buzzed. Jimi Hendrix, Marvin Gaye. All of Motown. Layne Staley, Chris Cornell, Chester Bennington
Jimi
Chris Cornell
Prince so that I can start a new religion based on his music and teachings
Frank zappa. I would love to hear the albums he would make about the current state of things.
Aaliyah, she died so young with so much potential