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Lil Hardin Armstrong -

This jazz musician collapsed on stage during a performance at a memorial for her former husband, Louis Armstrong, in 1971.

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Warne Marsh - Marsh was a saxophonist and member of band Supersax. He died on stage at Donte's, playing the song 'Out of Nowhere.'

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Molière - One of the first stars who dropped dead on stage, this French actor and playwright suffered from tuberculosis and died during a performance of 'Le Malade Imaginaire.'

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Lee Morgan -

A legend of jazz, Lee Morgan was killed by his common-law wife while performing in New York. Heavy snowfall halted the arrival of ambulances, and Morgan bled to death at the venue.

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Mikaben -

Haitian singer Mikaben, real name Michael Benjamin, died in the middle of a concert in Paris on October 15, 2022, after collapsing as he made his way off stage, still in view of fans. It's suspected he suffered a heart attack. He was just 41 years old. 

The singer was appearing at the 20,000-capacity Accor Arena in Paris as a guest of famous Haitian group Carimi. The venue tweeted that he "died after suffering a seizure on stage and despite the efforts of emergency services," which rushed to him when he collapsed. 

Mikaben was a huge figure in Haiti's music scene and Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry tweeted, "I’m shocked by the sudden death of the young and very talented artist Michael Benjamin ‘Mikaben.'" Haiti-born rapper Wyclef Jean, of The Fugees, also called the singer “one of the most influential and inspirational young artists of our generation” in an interview with The Miami Herald newspaper.

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Tiny Tim -

This strange singer was behind the horror hit, 'Tiptoe Through the Tulips.' He collapsed during a performance of the song at a benefit show, and died a few hours later.

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Tommy Cooper - Welsh comedian Tommy Cooper had a heart attack and died on live TV, during a performance at 'Live from Her Majesty's' in 1984.

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Bruce Hampton -

Hampton collapsed on stage during a celebration of his 70th birthday. He died shortly after.

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Sib Hashian - Sib Hashian was a drummer for Boston, who died in 2017, after collapsing in the middle of a performance aboard a cruise ship.

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Alan Marshal - Alan Marshal was a prolific actor on film and stage. His final play was 'Sextette,' which was when he suffered a heart attack on stage.

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Mark Sandman -

Front man of rock band Morphine, Mark Sandman suffered a heart attack on stage at the Giardini del Principe festival in Italy. He died en route to the hospital.

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Detsl -

This Russian rapper died in 2019, suffering a heart attack after stepping off stage. He was 35.

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Louis Vierne - Once the resident organist at the Notre-Dame Cathedral, Louis Vierne played to 3,000 people for his final concert. He ended up having a heart attack.

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Darrell Abbott -

Also known as Dimebag Darrell, the Pantera and Damageplan guitarist was shot and killed by Nathan Gale, who snuck into a Damageplan concert in 2004.

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Joseph Keilberth -

In 1968, Joseph Keilberth collapsed while conducting 'Tristan und Isolde.' Felix Mottl was another conductor who died in the exact same place in 1911.

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Costa Titch -

South African rapper Costa Titch died suddenly on March 12, 2023, after collapsing on stage at a music festival, his family confirmed on Instagram. The 'Big Flexa' rapper, whose real name is Constantinos Tsobanoglou, was just 28. Footage on social media appeared to show Tsobanoglou, who had recently signed to Akon's music label, fall over on stage while performing at Ulta South Africa, in Johannesburg, before being lifted up by someone beside him. He tried to continue his performance but collapsed again. 

“It is with deep pain that we find ourselves having to acknowledge his passing at this time,” Tsobanoglou’s family said in a post on his Instagram. “We are thankful for those emergency responders and all those present in his last hours on this earth." The statement did not mention a cause of death. Tsobanoglou will be remembered as one of the biggest contemporary stars of amapiano music. 

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Big Pokey -

Houston rapper Big Pokey died at age 45 after a scary fall onstage which shocked the audience and ultimately took his life. The Texas-based MC, born Milton Powell, collapsed at a bar in Beaumont late on June 17, 2023, as video footage captured him with mic in hand, letting out a big breath, then tipping backward and passing out, TMZ reports. When he didn't get up, panic ensued and a nurse tried to administer aid until emergency services came and transported him to the hospital, where he eventually died. 

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Laudir de Oliveira -

Best known as a former member of Chicago, Oliveira (left) had a heart attack during a set in Rio de Janeiro in 2017.

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John Taylor -

The revered jazz pianist had a heart attack at the Saveurs Jazz Festival in 2015. He died later at the hospital.

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Brandon Lee -

Son of Bruce Lee, this actor died on set of 'The Crow,' when he was shot by a faulty prop gun.

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Owen Hart - A hit wrestler during the '90s, Owen Hart fell 78 ft from the ceiling onto the ring at the Kemper Arena in Kansas. He was declared dead at the hospital.

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Les Harvey -

In 1972, this musician (right) was electrocuted after touching a microphone. Harvey died from his injuries aged 27.

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Leonard Warren -

Warren was a revered opera singer, who collapsed straight after performing 'Urna Fatale del Mio Destino' ('Fatal Urn of My Destiny') in New York.

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William Ellsworth Robinson - Across the 19th and 20th century, this American magician performed as Chung Ling Soo. He died in 1918, after a gun was fired into his lung during a failed bullet-catch trick.

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Mitsuharu Misawa -

This Japanese pro wrestler died in 2009, after injuring his spine during a match in Japan. He suffered a cardiac arrest, and later died.

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Lasse Eriksson - Eriksson was once one of Sweden's most famous stand-ups. He died during his show, 'Fyra Lyckliga Man 2,' after collapsing on stage.

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Eric Morecambe -

One half of famous comedy couple Morecambe and Wise, Eric had a heart attack right after stepping offstage at the Roses Theater in England.

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P. C. Sorcar -

Sorcar was a hit magician in India, but died of a heart attack in Hokkaido, Japan, during a show in 1971.

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Papa Wemba -

This Congolese musician collapsed during a performance in the Ivory Coast. He was 66.

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Frederick Federici - The British bass-baritone suffered a heart attack after he sang his last note, collapsing through a trapdoor.

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Sid James -

British actor Sid James, known for his numerous roles in the 'Carry On' films, collapsed on stage during the opening night of the play 'The Mating Season' in 1976. He had suffered a heart attack and passed away at the age of 62.

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David Burns -

Broadway star David Burns was 68 when he died during a tryout performance of '70, Girls, 70' in Philadelphia.

See also: Musicians who left bands before their success

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