The scale of wasted musical talent has been highlighted in a study that reveals pop and rock stars are twice as likely to die young than the rest of the population.

Just three years ago Darrell Abbott, or 'Dimebag Darrell', the Pantera guitarist was killed on stage during a concert in Ohio.

The turn of the millennium has also seen TLC's Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopez die in a car crash, Beatles guitarist George Harrison die of cancer, Joe Strummer from The Clash have a heart attack and John Entwistle from The Who die from a drug overdose.

It comes as no surprise that long term alcohol and drug problems are responsible for a quarter of the deaths of the 20th century's biggest stars. Take a look back and see how the world's favourite artists fell to the live fast die young philosophy.