Keith Flint of The Prodigy
The music world was rocked by another high-profile suicide, as The Prodigy’s Keith Flint was found dead in his Essex home on March 4. Sadly, Keith joins a growing group of musicians who have decided to end it all. If you or someone you know are experiencing suicidal thoughts, call 911, or call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
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Avicii
Avicii (d. April 20, 2018) committed suicide in Muscatt, Oman, after battling poor mental health issues for years. The Swedish musician DJ rose to prominence in 2011 with his single “Levels.” He was a world-known and highly respected EDM musician.
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Kurt Cobain
The death of Kurt Cobain (d. April 5, 1994) shocked an entire generation. The Nirvana frontman battled with substance abuse and depression for years, but the grunge icons’ suicide still left many heartbroken. Known for songs like ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit,’ ‘All Apologies,’ and ‘Heart Shaped Box,’ Kurt’s influence is still felt on music today.
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Kim Jonghyun
Like Kurt Cobain, Kim Jonghyun was only 27 when he committed suicide (d. December 18, 2017). The South Korean singer-songwriter was best known as the main vocalist in Shinee, releasing twelve albums with the group. He was also a successful solo artist, but battled a ‘devouring’ depression for years.
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Ian Curtis
Joy Division singer Ian Curtis (d. May 18, 1980) battled with epilepsy and depression for years. The singer of such songs as “Love Will Tear Us Apart,” “Transmission,” and “Disorder” was found dead in his Cheshire home. He was only 23 years old.
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Wendy O. Williams
Wendy O. Williams (d. April 6, 1998) was dubbed the ‘Queen of Shock Rock’ while fronting the punk rock band Plasmatics. Her onstage theatrics involved partial nudity, explosions and chainsaws, while she sang about sexual and anti-authoritative themes. She struggled with mental health issues following her retirement in 1991. She died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
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Brad Delp
As the voice of the rock band Boston, Brad Delp (March 9, 2007) found success with such classic rock standards as “More Than A Feeling,” “Don’t Look Back,” and “Amanda.” He committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning in his New Hampshire home.
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Simone Battle
Simone Battle (d. September 5, 2014) was an American actress and singer who was a finalist on the 2011 season of ‘The X Factor US.’ She was part of the pop group G.R.L. following her time on the show, and appeared in ‘We The Party’ in 2012. She was found dead in 2014, as a spokesperson said she suffered depression due to financial troubles.
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Keith Emerson
Keith Emerson (d. March 11, 2016) was one of the icons of progressive rock. As one third of the supergroup Emerson Lake & Palmer, he found success with albums like ‘Tarkus,’ ‘Trilogy’ and ‘Brain Salad Surgery.’ Unfortunately, he suffered from heart disease and depression associated with alcohol. He passed away from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
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Del Shannon
Del Shannon (d. February 8, 1990) topped the charts in 1961 with the massive hit, “Runaway.” Though the singer-songwriter would never match that success, he continued to record and perform for nearly three decades afterward. After battling depression, he took his own life with a firearm in his Santa Clarita home.
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Mindy McCready
Mindy McCready (d. February 17, 2013) was 37 when she died. The county music singer’s debut album, 1996’s ‘Ten Thousand Angels,’ went platinum twice. She topped the Billboard country charts with “Guys Do It All The Time.” She passed away from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Cleburne County, Arkansas.
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Elliott Smith
As a beloved singer-songwriter, Elliott Smith (d. October 21, 2003) rose to mainstream prominence when his song “Miss Misery” was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song in 1998. He died at age 34 from a self-inflicted stab wound to his chest.
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Jill Janus
Jill Janus (d. August 14. 2018) was the powerful vocalist leading such metal bands as Huntress, The Starbreakers and Chelsea Girls. A former opera singer that followed her love of thrash metal, Janus revealed in 2015 that she had been living with bipolar disorder since her early teens and was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. Later in life, she experienced dissociative identity disorder and schizophrenia. She committed suicide near Portland, Oregon.
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Chris Cornell
Chris Cornell (d. May 18, 2017) captivated a generation as the frontman for Soundgarden, Audioslave and Temple of the Dog. Considered one of the best lead singers of all time, Chris battled with depression for most of his life. The grunge/metal icon passed away in a Detroit hotel room, after performing with Soundgarden just hours before.
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Chester Bennington
Chester Bennington (d. July 20, 2017) was best known as the singer of Linkin Park, though he also sang for Dead by Sunrise, Grey Daze and the reunited Stone Temple Pilots. One of the most iconic voices of the early 2000s, Chester struggled with mental health and drug abuse issues throughout his life.
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Mark Linkous
Mark Linkous (d. March 6, 2010) was known as the leader of indie rock band Sparklehorse and Dancing Hoods. A critically-acclaimed singer, he worked with such singers as Tom Waits, Sage Francis, PJ Harvey and Julian Casablancas. Having battled depression for many years, and greatly shaken by the death of close friend Vic Chesnutt, he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
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