The Day the Rock Star Died

English singer Amy Winehouse dies from alcohol poisoning at the unfortunate age of 27; her prolific talent is often overshadowed by her struggles with drug addiction and mental health issues.

Rock and Roll singer Buddy Holly dies in a freak aeroplane accident in 1959, along with Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper; Don McLean dubs the tragedy as ``the day the music died,`` symbolizing a loss of simpler times.

David Bowie's career is marked by reinvention and visual presentation, and his music and stagecraft significantly influence popular music for over five decades.

Elvis Presley, often referred to as ``the King of Rock 'n' Roll,`` finds commercial success in many genres, including pop, country, blues and gospel music, but prescription drug abuse severely compromises his health and leads to his death in 1977.

Despite his short life, singer-songwriter Hank Williams is one of the most celebrated and influential musicians of the 20th century and has been cited as a key musical influence on Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones.

Janis Joplin was one of the most successful and widely known female rock stars of her era; after releasing three albums, she dies of a heroin overdose at the age of 27.

Jim Morrison, co-founder of musical group the Doors, develops an alcohol dependence and dies at the age of 27 in Paris in 1971.

Jimi Hendrix achieves fame in the U.S. after his performance at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 and becomes widely regarded as one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of popular music.

John Denver was one of the most popular acoustic artists of the 1970s; recording and releasing approximately 300 songs, his lyrics reflected his joy in nature and disdain for city life, his enthusiasm for music, and his relationship trials.

Johnny Cash was known for his deep, calm, bass-baritone voice; one of the best-selling music artists, his signature songs include ``I Walk the Line,`` ``Folsom Prison Blues,`` ``Ring of Fire`` and ``A Boy Named Sue.``

Keith Moon was an English drummer for the rock music band the Who; noted for his unique style, alcohol addiction and his often self-destructive behavior, Moon develops a reputation for smashing his kit on stage and destroying hotel rooms on tour.

Michael Hutchence was the founding member, lead singer and lyricist of rock band INXS from 1977 until his death on Nov. 22, 1997.

Singer, songwriter and dancer Michael Jackson is known simply as ``The King of Pop``; his contributions to music and his highly publicized personal life make him a global figure in popular culture for over four decades.

Tom Petty, the lead singer of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and co-founder of the late-1980s supergroup the Traveling Wilburys, sold more than 80 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

Whitney Houston is one of the best-selling music artists, with 200 million records sold worldwide; she is the only artist to chart seven consecutive No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 songs; Houston influences female artists who follow in her footsteps.