Jimi Hendrix, 27, 1942–1970

Jimi Hendrix was 15 when he got his first acoustic guitar and later would become one of the greatest guitarists the world of music has ever known. Arguably, his most significant performance was his controversial rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner at Woodstock in 1969.

Hendrix was photographed together with Black Betty, his beloved guitar, the day before he overdosed on prescribed sleeping pills, passing away on September 18, 1970. The Hey Joe singer-songwriter is one of the first members of the 27 Club, composed of stars who died at that age). At the time of his demise, Hendrix was recording music for a fourth studio album.