Whitney Houston and Other Musical Stars We Lost Too Soon

The world was stunned when on Saturday, February 11, 2012 an announcement was made that legendary singer Whitney Houston passed away at 3:55 p.m. Currently, the cause of her death is unknown. She's had a long-standing battle with drugs and alcohol and in May 2011, she entered rehab to receive treatment for alcohol and drug dependency.

The music talent was discovered by Clive Davis in the 1980s and she went on to become a star in the film and music world. Whitney sold an incredible 200 million albums worldwide and received numerous awards and nominations including winning 30 Billboard Music Awards. The beauty was also one of the first women of color to be on the cover of Seventeen magazine. When one thinks of the star, the 1992 movie "The Bodyguard" and the song "I Will Always Love You" likely come to mind. There's no doubt her supreme talent won't be forgotten. At only 48-years-old, she's only the latest of a long line of incredible talents who we lost too soon.

Amy Winehouse

The singer was one of those talents who seemingly came out of nowhere and knocked listeners off their feet with her soulful vintage-sounding voice that hasn't been heard in quite some time. The 27-year-old died on July 23, 2011 in London. Amy faced years of drug and alcohol problems and passed away due to alcohol poisoning. However, it was recently learned that the investigation might be reopened after the coroner's qualifications were questioned. Other than her soulful voice belting out songs such as "Rehab," she's most known for her beehive hairdo and eyeliner.

Aaliyah

The Brooklyn-born singer was known for her beauty, charm, smarts, stage presence and voice, all of which were cut short on August 25, 2001 in a plane crash. She did three albums in her career. At 14-years-old, she released "Age Ain't Nothing But a Number" which sold 1 million copies, in 1996 "One in a Million" sold 2 million copies, and her third and final record "Aaliyah" was released in July 2001. The songstress was only 22 when she passed.

Kurt Cobain

The rocker and lead singer started learning guitar at 14-years-old and never looked back. In the late 80s, he and Krist Novoselic formed the band Nirvana. Along with Chad Channing, the band released "Bleach" in 1989 and with Channing out and Dave Grohl in, they released the album "Nevermind" in 1991. That album propelled that band into huge success and fame. Kurt developed a heroin habit in the 80s, married Courtney Love in 1992 and they had a child together that same year. The band released "In Utero" in 1993. In 1994, he checked into rehab for one day before leaving; he was found dead from a self-inflicted gun shot would to the head on April 8, 1994 at the age of 27.

Tupac Shakur

The rapper, also known as 2Pac, was born in New York and became a legend for his incredible talent as a hip hop artist. Some may not know that as a teenager, he took ballet and acting classes. In 1991 as a solo artist, he released "2Pacalypse Now" and continued to release several other albums as well as appear in films. He was shot while riding in a car in Las Vegas and passed away six days later on September 13, 1996 at 25-years-old. His killer was never caught.

There have been many other legendary musicians who died way too soon, but they leave behind their talents that will stay with us always.

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Whitney Houston and Other Musical Stars We Lost Too Soon