Five Rock Stars Who Died Way Too Young

Is there an unspoken rule that states if you become rich and famous you must experiment with drugs? Why can't rock stars get a good enough high on their success alone? Drugs have long been associated with Rock-n-Roll and they have played a major part in taking out some of the most beloved rock stars. Here are five rock stars who met their end way too early.

Elvis Presley
I hardly think that Elvis needs any introduction. When you are referred to as the "King of Rock-n-Roll" what can I say that you don't already know. Elvis is arguably the most recognizable figure of the 20th century and has sold more records than any other musician....ever. But as mentioned above, with fame and success comes drug abuse and tragedy. On August 16, 1977 the "King" officially left the building when he was found by his fiance Ginger Alden in his bathroom floor at Graceland. The cause of death was debated for years. It is widely believed that Elvis's drug addiction was the biggest contributor to causing his heart attack (heart attack was finally declared his cause of death in 1994). Elvis pretty much had a pharmacy in his system when he died. There were 14 different drugs in Elvis's system when he was pronounced dead. The "King" was only 42.

Jimi Hendrix
Widely known as the greatest electric guitarist ever, Hendrix first found success in Europe before striking it big in the U.S. In 1969, Hendrix headlined the world famous Woodstock Festival along with many other famous bands. On September 8th, 1970 in London, Hendrix met his maker at the Samarkand Hotel. The details to this day are still very fuzzy and have not been fully explained. According to Monika Danneman, Hendrix's girlfriend, Hendrix took 9 of her Vesperax sleeping pills while the recommended dosage was half a pill. Hendrix asphyxiated in his own vomit which consisted of a high quantity of red wine. By the time the ambulance arrived in the morning, Hendrix was dead at the age of 27.

Jim Morrison
Widely considered the most charismatic front men of all time, Jim Morrison had all the talent in the world as a singer, songwriter, poet, writer, and filmmaker. Finding most of his success with The Doors, Morrison wrote 4 books and 2 movies. Rolling Stones named him the 47th best singer of all time. All of his success came to a screeching halt on July 3, 1971. It is believed that Morrison overdosed on heroin thinking that he was snorting cocaine. He was found in the bathtub by girlfriend Pamela Courson who is rumored to have given many contradictory statements regarding Morrison's death. Jim Morrison was only 27.

Kurt Cobain
Cobain is best known for his work with the insanely popular grunge band Nirvana. Nirvana, since their beginning, has sold over 25 million records in the U.S. and over 50 million worldwide. Kurt Cobain is considered one of the most influential artist of the 20th century. Cobain's life had its fair share of down times with one of the biggest being when he was kicked out of his mom's house for dropping out of school. He lived under a bridge for some time. Cobain was long addicted to drugs, especially heroin and it eventually led him along with depression to take his own life on April 5, 1994. His body wasn't discovered until April 8, by an electrician. Cobain was only 27.

Sid Vicious
Well known as the bassist for the band Sex Pistols, Sid Vicious might be even better known for all the trouble he got himself in to. In 1978, Nancy Spungen was found dead by Vicious in a hotel in Manhattan, New York. She was stabbed to death with a knife that was purchased by Sid. Vicious gave conflicting accounts to the police and he was arrested for Nancy's murder. After making bail, Vicious attempted suicide by slitting his wrist and was placed in Bellevue Hospital. He then assaulted a man and was sent to Riker's Island Jail in New York for 55 days. After being released, Vicious's family and friends threw a small party to celebrate. Vicious had been clean since he was imprisoned, but that didn't stop his mother from having heroin delivered to the party. Vicious subsequently overdosed and died on the morning of February 2, 1979. A suicide note was found a few days after Sid Vicious was cremated that stated he wanted to be buried with Nancy Spungen. He was 21.