Heart attacks. Plane crashes. Car crashes. Drug overdoses. Murder. Over the years, these have become some of the most common causes of the often shocking deaths in the music industry. On a lighter note, some might argue that even ham sandwiches have been involved.

Regardless of the cause, take a look back at these musical icons that have left us way, way, way too soon - yet have left us with legacies that will live on forever. The majority of these deaths, in addition to being sudden and shocking, were in some way either ironic or just completely messed up. Rock on...

Michael Jackso...

Who says looks don't get you far? Certainly no one who watched last night as Kris Allen took the coveted title of American Idol Season 8 winner. After the announcement, he seemed as shocked as we all were and was left with very little to say.

How is it that Kris Allen was able to take home the grand prize when Lambert is clearly the stronger, more artistic and original singer? Well, Allen is simply more likable. Perhaps because of his looks or perhaps because he is the boy next door. As Lambert was by far the most original, "out of the box" contestant the show has ever seen, All...

Paul Rodgers will no longer be kneeling before Queen - he has quit the rock super-group to concentrate on reforming Bad Company.

Rodgers recently toured with Queen founders Brian May and Roger Taylor and fronted the group on its first release of new material since the death of Freddie Mercury. Fans hope that Queen + Paul Rodgers would become a permanent fixture, but the singer insists his collaboration with May and Taylor was never meant to be forever.

And, as he plans for dates with his old band Bad Company, Rodgers tells Billboard.com, "At this point we're gonna sit back from ...

For those of you who remember my infamous predictions from the Top 13, I beg your forgiveness. For those of you who don't remember or didn't bother reading, let's just move on. On the bright side, at least I had Adam Lambert in the Top 3!

This time around, I'd like to do it differently. Instead of simply picking who I think will finish first, second, and third, I'm going to list five reasons why each of the remaining three contestants can walk away as the next "American Idol." Yeah, that's right, I'm implying that Adam isn't a lock, regardless of whom he faces in the finals.

If he...

Johnny Depp is the star most women would love to share a candlelit dinner with.

The Pirates Of The Caribbean actor was first choice in a poll to find the most popular celebrity dates, with women choosing him as their favorite fantasy companion - beating heart-throb George Clooney into second place.

Girls Aloud beauty Cheryl Cole was top amongst the males polled, with Jennifer Aniston and British model Kelly Brook also proving popular.

The survey, for environmental charity WWF, also found that Elvis Presley, Freddie Mercury and Marilyn Monroe were the three late celebrities th...

With the countless amounts of songs floating around out there, and with more and more artists allowing American Idol to use their music, why are some of the show's contestants content to trot out the same old songs that have already been done to death? And why do some Idol hopefuls insist on choosing songs that are all wrong for their vocal range or style?

According to the judges, song selection is half the battle. You could have the voice of an angel, but if you're treating Simon and the gang to "Unbreak My Heart" for the millionth time, chances are they won't be jumping out of their...

Former Led Zeppelin star Robert Plant has picked up his second major award of the new year after he was named the Greatest Voice in Rock in an online radio network poll.

Plant, who was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the Queen's New Year's Honors list for his services to music and the entertainment industry, has topped Planet Rock's new The Greatest Voice in Rock Top 40 ahead of Freddie Mercury and Mercury's Queen replacement Paul Rodgers.

The only woman to make the new list is Janis Joplin.

The top 10 are:

1. Robert Plant

2. Freddie Mercury

...

Queen star Brian May did not realize his band mate Freddie Mercury was gay for years - because the flamboyant star had a string of girlfriends.

The pair were close during the early days of the band, but the legendary guitarist insists he had no inclination of Mercury's homosexuality.

He tells Britain's Daily Express, "No, I didn't know. I don't think even he was fully cognizant in the beginning. You're talking to someone who shared rooms with Fred on the first couple of tours, so I knew him pretty well. I knew a lot of his girlfriends and he certainly didn't have boyfriends, tha...

Katy Perry owes her success to Freddie Mercury - because he inspired her to become a star.

The I Kissed A Girl hit-maker looked up to Mercury - who died in 1991 - from a young age and cites his no-nonsense attitude as a big influence.

Perry says, "Freddie Mercury from Queen was - and remains - my biggest influence. The combination of his sarcastic approach to writing lyrics and his 'I don't give a f**k' attitude really inspired my music."

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(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)

Marilyn Monroe was originally christened Norma Jean. Archibald Leach opted for the more debonair nom de guerre Cary Grant. At the age of 10, musical prodigy Steveland Morris was dubbed (by Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr.) "Little Stevie Wonder." These aren't the only celebrities who bid farewell to the names bestowed upon them in infancy; among those in the public eye, adopting a more star-worthy moniker seems to be the rule, not the exception.

Stage Names

Where stage names are concerned, some stars keep it succinct. Musicians Cher and Seal shortened their names from Cherilyn and ...

Sean 'Diddy' Combs, Freddie Mercury and Keith Richards are among a long list of stars whose bizarre behavior features in upcoming tell-all book "Rock Star Babylon."

The book, slated for release in July, recounts some of the stars' most embarrassing moments - compiled by author Jon Holmes. A publishing insider calls the book a "take-no-prisoners tell-all."

He tells The National Enquirer, "Holmes writes that rap honcho Sean Combs dropped his nickname 'Puff Daddy' because he was sick of the snickers he received - the Brits consider 'puff' a term for homosexual.

"Freddie (Merc...

"You can't compare my legs to Tina's. She has the legs!" Beyonce Knowles insists her Grammy Awards duet partner Tina Turner has better legs than she does.

"Lemonade. That's something I never really cared about before. I drank a lot of coffee and have replaced that with lemonade." Pregnant Jessica Alba is craving the soft drink.

"Yesterday we had Led Zeppelin blaring through the house. Most new moms play Beethoven, but we're playing Metallica, Bob Marley, The (Rolling) Stones." Christina Aguilera and her husband Jordan Bratman are serenading their four-week-old baby MAX with rock ...

It's another dose of "Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann," and this episode went down as smoothly as chunky peanut butter on dry toast topped with Bubblelicious gum.

Reflecting on song choices last week, I lamented the lack of songs from the new millennium, and I think the producers heard me on this one. Wait, what was that? The Spice Girls' "Spice Up Your Life" came out in 1997? Scratch that. Let me make a Dionne Warwick psychic prediction. Next week's opening song and dance number will most likely be "Tubthumping" by Chumbawumba, with a special appearance by The Cranberries. Lo...

Capitol Music Group will release a digital EP from pop-rock songstress Katy Perry - entitled Ur So Gay - through iTunes and other online retailers on November 20th, 2007.

The Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter has been wowing crowds with her catchy songs and larger-than-life charisma at recent shows with Yellowcard, Mika, and the Starting Line, while everyone from Blender Magazine to online bloggers have been singing her praises.

The Ur So Gay EP includes the title track, a hilarious kiss-off to an ex-boyfriend; a club remix of the song by DJ/producer Junior Sanchez (Madonna, Sh...

British rockers Queen are to release a free song download to raise awareness of World AIDS Day - 17 years after frontman Freddie Mercury died from the illness. The We Will Rock You hitmakers - ambassadors to Nelson Mandela's global 46664 HIV/AIDS initiative - will release Say It's Not True to coincide with the day itself, this weekend.

The track, written by drummer Roger Taylor in 2003 and featuring former Free vocalist Paul Rodgers, deals directly with the disease.

Taylor says, "By making the song available for free we hope to help Nelson Mandela with his campaign to get across t...

With his debut solo album Elect the Dead, System of a Down front man Serj Tankian delivers a record that's certain to satisfy old fans and win plenty of new ones. It rocks, it inspires, and it pushes the boundaries of what we've come to expect from one of music's most talented and dynamic vocalists.

Starpulse.com caught up with Serj days before the album's October 23rd release date to discuss the current state of American politics and the role it plays in his music, his plans for the future, and making songs that'll cause a person to explode out of their rectum.

You put out a gre...

Happy Birthday to "Charmed" actress Rose McGowan (1973), musician Dweezil Zappa (1969), Racer X bassist Juan Alderete (1963), singer Loudon Wainwright III (1946), drummer Buddy Miles (1946), Queen singer Freddie Mercury (1946; d. 1991), Scottish singer Al Stewart (1945), German film director Werner Herzog (1942), screen bombshell Raquel Welch (1940), Australian "007" George Lazenby (1939), actor William Devane (1939), actress/singer Carol Lawrence (1934), comedian Bob Newhart (1929), deadball era baseball player Nap Lajoie (1874; d. 1959), American outlaw Jesse James (1847; d. 1882), German...

Queen are planning a return to the charts in 2008 after recording nine new songs with singer Paul Rodgers. The "Show Must Go On" rockers are said to be delighted with the progress they're making on their first studio album since frontman Freddie Mercury's death in 1991.

And former Free and Bad Company star Rodgers is so happy with his new bandmates, he's hoping to tour with them again.

He tells Billboard.com, "With Queen and myself, it's a very organic thing. We're letting it sort of develop itself naturally and not pushing it or giving it any pressure. We go in, just the three ...

Tragic Queen star Freddie Mercury has been turned into a resin sculpture as part of a new collection of heavy rock musicians such as Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford, AC/DC guitarists Angus and Malcolm Young, and late Pantera star 'Dimebag' Darrell Abbott.

Bosses for collectible sculpture firm KnuckleBonz, Inc. reveal they've created the new figures to capitalize on demand from rock fans.

The company creates limited edition sculptures of music icons, which are cast in a poly-resin and hand-painted in fine detail. All 3,000-limited edition sculptures are hand-numbered and includ...

Borat star Sacha Baron Cohen has reportedly emerged as the frontrunner to portray tragic Queen frontman Freddie Mercury in a biopic produced by Robert De Niro. The funnyman has beaten his Sweeney Todd co-star Johnny Depp for the lead role after impressing the film's producers, reports British newspaper The Sun.

An insider says, "Filmmakers are working flat out to get the best possible script. Sacha loves the idea he can get away with playing Freddie after modeling Borat's look on him."

Mercury died from an AIDS-related illness in 1991. He was 45.

Picture Galleries:

- Sacha ...

"I used to have this overwhelming fear of sharks, so I took up surfing to get over it." Giovanni Ribisi is no longer afraid to go into the ocean.

"I think beauty is on the inside so I asked to see all the girls' X-rays." Miss USA judge Jerry Springer reveals how he picked a winner on Friday night.

"I've been thinking about doing something more electronic. I was a really big Wham! fan and still am." British singer K.T. Tunstall eyes a surprising new direction.

"Steve Buscemi and I talk about it all the time. One year my Christmas card was Steve dressed as me." Moviemaker John...

Pop sensation Mika hopes critics will stop comparing him to British music legends Queen - because he doesn't want to be associated with Freddie Mercury's dress sense. Mika, who yesterday dubbed Scissor Sisters "mediocre", admits he finds it tough when the press liken his music to that released by the group's late flamboyant frontman.

He tells the New York Daily News, "I get tired of talking about it.

"I would be willing to more if that's where I was coming from. Just so long as they don't compare our dress sense."

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Networ...

Johnny Depp is reportedly in negotiations to portray tragic Queen frontman Freddie Mercury in a biopic produced by Robert De Niro.

The Pirates Of The Caribbean star is the early favorite to land the role, according to MTV News.

Visit Johnny Depp's Starpulse Page for a gallery of photos, biography, recent and archived news, and much more!

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)

Acerbic American Idol judge Simon Cowell has slammed new UK pop sensation Mika - after he told the hotly-tipped star "not to bother" with a career in music.

The singer, born Mika Penniman, has been hailed as the new Freddie Mercury and is expected to top the British singles chart this week with debut single, Grace Kelly.

The 23-year-old recalls, "I managed to get a demo to him before he became a household name. He hadn't done any of the Pop Idol stuff. When I walked in and played my song, he said, 'You've got a good voice but your songwriting... you may as well not bother.'"

...

Queen guitarist Brian May is backing Johnny Depp to play late frontman Freddie Mercury in an upcoming biopic. May says, "Discussions are at an early stage. Johnny Depp is fantastic. He would be a worthy counterpart for Freddie on screen."

The surviving members of the band - May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon - are all involved in the project which will tell the life story of the singer, who died of an AIDS-related illness in 1991.

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)

A film tribute to rock band Queen is being produced, prompting a battle between the biggest showbiz names desperate to be cast as the late Freddie Mercury. The musical, which features the band's hits, has been a massive success. But this movie is the first ever attempt to document the charismatic singer's life.

Mercury died of an Aids-related illness in 1991. The surviving members of the band - Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon - will all be involved in the project.

Guitarist May says, "There is a film in the pipeline and we're all involved in it. I'm not allowed to say ...

The new-look Queen are in the studio recording the band's first album since late frontman Freddie Mercury died in 1991. Guitarist Brian May recruited former Free singer Paul Rodgers to take over vocal duties for a series of live dates earlier this year.

And the pair are now with drummer Roger Taylor recording new Queen songs for a forthcoming release.

May says, "Roger, Paul and I have been in the studio the last few days working on new material. Quite an occasion really. This is our first new Queen recording session for 15 years. It sounds pretty amazing to my ears. Very differe...

Legendary rockers The Who are the first winners of the Freddie Mercury Lifetime Achievement Award. Surviving members Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend will pick up the honor at the new Vodafone Live Music Awards in London next month.

The award was voted for by executives from all the major British record labels. It has been set up to honor the late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, who died in 1991.

A spokesman says, "Freddie would surely have approved of this. He loved nothing more than the sound of a guitar being played with passion and skill."

(This news article provided by...

A tribute to the late Freddie Mercury taking place in his birthplace of Zanzibar is set to be wrecked by a Muslim group. The Queen singer, who tragically died of AIDS in November 1991, would have been 60 on Tuesday and to acknowledge the landmark date a beach party has been organized on the East African island for this Saturday.

However, the Association for Islamic Mobilization and Propagation (Uamsho) has now called for the event to be cancelled because Mercury's promiscuous gay lifestyle goes against the laws of Islam.

Abdullah Said Ali, the head of Uamsho, said: "We do not want...

Happy Birthday to "Charmed" actress Rose McGowan (1973), musician Dweezil Zappa (1969), Racer X bassist Juan Alderete (1963), singer Loudon Wainwright III (1946), drummer Buddy Miles (1946), Queen singer Freddie Mercury (1946; d. 1991), Scottish singer Al Stewart (1945), German film director Werner Herzog (1942), screen bombshell Raquel Welch (1940), Australian "007" George Lazenby (1939), actor William Devane (1939), actress/singer Carol Lawrence (1934), comedian Bob Newhart (1929), deadball era baseball player Nap Lajoie (1874; d. 1959), American outlaw Jesse James (1847; d. 1882), German...