These artists were on top of the music world and adored by people across the world. Unfortunately, though, their lives were tragically cut short, and in many cases, their deaths came as a complete shock to the public. No matter their cause of death, these late artists left a lasting impact on the world and they will be missed greatly.

1. Kurt Cobain

Kurt Cobain was the lead singer of Nirvana. He was known to have a dark, but brilliantly poetic mind and he placed a great deal of importance on individuality and being unique. In 1994, Cobain committed suicide and was found dead in his home by an electrician at the age of 27. Despite his own self esteem problems, he placed a lot of emphasis on staying true to yourself, once saying, "I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." If he had not taken his life, there's no telling how great of an impact Kurt Cobain could have had on the world. Nirvana's music and Cobain's messages live on and will continue to influence society for years to come.

2. Michael Jackson

It would be a crime for me to write this article without mentioning MJ. Not only did he win over the hearts of many Americans with the Jackson 5, but he also recaptured their hearts with his solo career. However, he didn't stop there. He broke racial barriers by being the first African American male artist to appear on MTV. This set the precedent for many African American artists after him. Jackson was found deceased in his home by his doctor at the age of 50. To say the least, he was "Gone Too Soon."

3. Prince

I still remember the first time I ever watched Prince perform. It was during the 2007 Super Bowl Halftime Show. I will never forget his bright-colored suit and his crazy looking guitar. I had never seen anyone like him before and he intrigued me, just like he did to many other people. Known for his hits, "Purple Rain" and "When Doves Cry," Prince was never a "mainstream artist." He definitely pushed the boundaries of society and created countless timeless songs that will be enjoyed by many generations, young and old.

4. Elvis Presley

Who could forget this American icon? Elvis Presley took the world by storm in the 1950s and continued to do so until his untimely death in 1977. Elvis cranked out copious amounts of hit songs, so it's impossible to name them all, but some notable ones include "Burning Love" and (my personal favorite) "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" There's no question that Elvis and his music are still popular today. In fact, my best friend named her dog after him at a very young age (more than 20 years after his passing). Elvis even found his way into the popular Disney movie, "Lilo and Stitch." No matter who you are, you have probably jammed out to one of his catchy tunes at least once in your lifetime. So to "The King," I only have one thing to say: thank you, thank you very much.

5. Amy Winehouse

As a major fan of Amy Winehouse, I can definitely say that her passing was the hardest celebrity death for me to learn of. Her songs, "Back to Black" and "Valerie" are unforgettable tunes that will play on for years. But what is truly great about Amy is her honesty and her ability to fight through hardships. Amy quietly battled with diseases such as addiction and mental illness, but continued to perform and make music...and she looked great while doing it. With her iconic beehive wig-covered head held high, Amy ignored the critics and stayed true to herself. Unfortunately, Amy succumbed to her alcoholism at the age of 27. An album, Lioness: Hidden Treasures was released after her passing, which includes many songs recorded by Amy that were never made public. I strongly encourage you to listen to this album, as it demonstrates Amy's undeniable talent and untapped potential. And Amy, although your "Tears Dry On Their Own," mine might take a while. Rest in peace.