i actually thought about len bias the first time i did cocaine.

Joe Strummer and Johnny Cash.

who was this

It wasn't more than I expected I guess, but Elliott Smith was really sad. I didn't cry over it. I just felt sad, not so much that there'd be no more music but at how someone can get to the point where they can convince themself the best course of action is to stab themselves in the heart. Such a sad experience of life.

Michael Hedges - I just felt a tremendous sadness at what the world lost with the death of this kind weirdo who played such amazing guitar.

George Harrison - I'm not even a huge fan - All Things Must Pass and Brainwashed are about all I need of his - but, like Hedges, he was just one of those tremendously good people whose loss seems much bigger somehow.

Greg Shaw of Bomp fame

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/longterm/memories/bias/launch/bias1.htm

marvin gaye
orson welles
johnny thunders
elvis
jack nance
the voice

Clyde Simmons shook me up. (eagles defensive lineman who played with Reggie White)
and speaking of, Reggie White passing made me pretty sad. He was an interesting guy who people adored and he was way too young.

mitch hedberg's death really pissed me off

Clyde Simmons was at the retiring of White's number in December. Did you mean Jerome Brown, or did Clyde die in the past couple months?

oops, too much booze last night.
yes, i meant Jerome Brown.

HST and Elliott Smith crushed me. I still feel it.

i've thought this thread was ridiculous, but then i thought of one: keith haring.

he grew up in the same town i did. and even though he was 12-13 years older than me, i knew who he was. a few months before he died, i saw him walking around the park and it was like he knew he was going to die and was just soaking it all up. i was 8 and i could figure this out. and when he died, it was this huge thing. i was like, "but i just saw that guy in the park." since then, i try to point out his art to whomever i'm with when i see it and i always think of him walking through that park.

i guess only elliott smith