Buddy Holly, 22 Years Old
One of rock's most central figures of the 1950s was signed to Decca Records after he played opening sets for Elvis Presley and Bill Haley & His Comets. He wrote hits like "Tha'll Be The Day" and "Peggy Sue." He was married in 1958, and one year later he was killed in a freak plane accident. His influence has long inspired artists like Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and Eric Clapton.