Bob said..

Wow...the death of Kurt Cobain is important to the history of rock 
music...how?


Not to focus on Cobain specifically (shudder) but I started thinking 
about this question in general that Bob raised…"how?" When someone 
important in rock dies to soon, it often increases their sales per 
the tragedy and often increases their own legacy per the untimely 
loss. But, who has died where had they NOT died the impact of their 
musical contribution may not have been as significant on the history 
of rock.  I guess I'm just expanding Bob's question of "how"?  
I know this is very subjective but I can't think of many. Be it 
Holly, Hendrix, Lennon, Cobain, Joplin, it seems that they were 
popular, well known and had large impact on music in differing 
degrees, already while living, in terms of their historical impact on 
music. 
The only one that comes to mind for me is Ian Curtis of Joy Division. 
Granted his influence wasn't nearly as felt as those I mentioned 
previously but I wonder to what degree his suicide propelled Joy 
Division popularity and bands that followed with that sound.  I'm not 
knocking Joy Division by the way; I was a big fan back in the day. 
  Anyway, this might only interest me but anyone have others that 
come to mind?  Am I wrong on any of the artists mentioned?  I guess I 
mainly curious per I wonder if an artists untimely death has less 
influence on their ultimate impact on their impact on music then we 
often imagine.  

Any thoughts?
Steve D