Andrea Cepeda, University of North Texas

Is there a chance that these musicians passed away under strange circumstances?

Jacob Puestow, University of Wisconsin, Green Bay

While society deifies the person and their works, everyone forgets the human being and their struggles.

Kelsi Karpinski, Michigan State University

Society tells us that the most beautiful art is born out of suffering — a potentially life-threatening lie.

Melissa Lee, State University of New York at Oswego

Spoiler alert: Musicians really like doing drugs.

Jeffrey W. Cope, Texas State University

With a growing list of talented musicians, actors and artists dying at the young age of 27, it’s hard not to wonder what could have been.