Gone Too Soon

Bobby Darininspired byreported

American singer and actor (1936–1973)

Dionne Warwick first performed (but never recorded) the song in February 1983 on a TV special titled Here's Television Entertainment as a tribute to many performers, including Janis Joplin, Elvis Presley, John Belushi, Cass Elliot, John Lennon, Bobby Darin, Minnie Riperton, Sam Cooke, Harry Chapin, Buddy Holly, Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Croce, Bobby Van, and Karen Carpenter, who had died days earlier.
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Bobby Vaninspired byreported

American actor and game show host (1928-1980)

Dionne Warwick first performed (but never recorded) the song in February 1983 on a TV special titled Here's Television Entertainment as a tribute to many performers, including Janis Joplin, Elvis Presley, John Belushi, Cass Elliot, John Lennon, Bobby Darin, Minnie Riperton, Sam Cooke, Harry Chapin, Buddy Holly, Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Croce, Bobby Van, and Karen Carpenter, who had died days earlier.
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Buddy Hollyinspired byreported

American rock and roll singer (1936–1959)

Dionne Warwick first performed (but never recorded) the song in February 1983 on a TV special titled Here's Television Entertainment as a tribute to many performers, including Janis Joplin, Elvis Presley, John Belushi, Cass Elliot, John Lennon, Bobby Darin, Minnie Riperton, Sam Cooke, Harry Chapin, Buddy Holly, Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Croce, Bobby Van, and Karen Carpenter, who had died days earlier.
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Cass Elliotinspired byreported

American singer (1941–1974)

Dionne Warwick first performed (but never recorded) the song in February 1983 on a TV special titled Here's Television Entertainment as a tribute to many performers, including Janis Joplin, Elvis Presley, John Belushi, Cass Elliot, John Lennon, Bobby Darin, Minnie Riperton, Sam Cooke, Harry Chapin, Buddy Holly, Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Croce, Bobby Van, and Karen Carpenter, who had died days earlier.
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Dionne Warwickinspired byreported

American singer (born 1940)

Dionne Warwick first performed (but never recorded) the song in February 1983 on a TV special titled Here's Television Entertainment as a tribute to many performers, including Janis Joplin, Elvis Presley, John Belushi, Cass Elliot, John Lennon, Bobby Darin, Minnie Riperton, Sam Cooke, Harry Chapin, Buddy Holly, Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Croce, Bobby Van, and Karen Carpenter, who had died days earlier.
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Elton Johndedicated toreported

British singer, songwriter and musician (born 1947)

See also "The Last Song", a single by Elton John, dedicated to Ryan White
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Elton Johninspired byreported

British singer, songwriter and musician (born 1947)

Dionne Warwick first performed (but never recorded) the song in February 1983 on a TV special titled Here's Television Entertainment as a tribute to many performers, including Janis Joplin, Elvis Presley, John Belushi, Cass Elliot, John Lennon, Bobby Darin, Minnie Riperton, Sam Cooke, Harry Chapin, Buddy Holly, Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Croce, Bobby Van, and Karen Carpenter, who had died days earlier.
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Elvis Presleyinspired byreported

American singer and actor (1935–1977)

Dionne Warwick first performed (but never recorded) the song in February 1983 on a TV special titled Here's Television Entertainment as a tribute to many performers, including Janis Joplin, Elvis Presley, John Belushi, Cass Elliot, John Lennon, Bobby Darin, Minnie Riperton, Sam Cooke, Harry Chapin, Buddy Holly, Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Croce, Bobby Van, and Karen Carpenter, who had died days earlier.
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Harry Chapininspired byreported

American singer-songwriter (1942–1981)

Dionne Warwick first performed (but never recorded) the song in February 1983 on a TV special titled Here's Television Entertainment as a tribute to many performers, including Janis Joplin, Elvis Presley, John Belushi, Cass Elliot, John Lennon, Bobby Darin, Minnie Riperton, Sam Cooke, Harry Chapin, Buddy Holly, Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Croce, Bobby Van, and Karen Carpenter, who had died days earlier.
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Janis Joplininspired byreported

American singer (1943–1970)

Dionne Warwick first performed (but never recorded) the song in February 1983 on a TV special titled Here's Television Entertainment as a tribute to many performers, including Janis Joplin, Elvis Presley, John Belushi, Cass Elliot, John Lennon, Bobby Darin, Minnie Riperton, Sam Cooke, Harry Chapin, Buddy Holly, Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Croce, Bobby Van, and Karen Carpenter, who had died days earlier.
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Jim Croceinspired byreported

American singer-songwriter (1943–1973)

Dionne Warwick first performed (but never recorded) the song in February 1983 on a TV special titled Here's Television Entertainment as a tribute to many performers, including Janis Joplin, Elvis Presley, John Belushi, Cass Elliot, John Lennon, Bobby Darin, Minnie Riperton, Sam Cooke, Harry Chapin, Buddy Holly, Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Croce, Bobby Van, and Karen Carpenter, who had died days earlier.
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Jimi Hendrixinspired byreported

American guitarist (1942–1970)

Dionne Warwick first performed (but never recorded) the song in February 1983 on a TV special titled Here's Television Entertainment as a tribute to many performers, including Janis Joplin, Elvis Presley, John Belushi, Cass Elliot, John Lennon, Bobby Darin, Minnie Riperton, Sam Cooke, Harry Chapin, Buddy Holly, Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Croce, Bobby Van, and Karen Carpenter, who had died days earlier.
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John Belushiinspired byreported

American actor (1949–1982)

Dionne Warwick first performed (but never recorded) the song in February 1983 on a TV special titled Here's Television Entertainment as a tribute to many performers, including Janis Joplin, Elvis Presley, John Belushi, Cass Elliot, John Lennon, Bobby Darin, Minnie Riperton, Sam Cooke, Harry Chapin, Buddy Holly, Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Croce, Bobby Van, and Karen Carpenter, who had died days earlier.
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John Lennoninspired byreported

British musician (1940–1980)

Dionne Warwick first performed (but never recorded) the song in February 1983 on a TV special titled Here's Television Entertainment as a tribute to many performers, including Janis Joplin, Elvis Presley, John Belushi, Cass Elliot, John Lennon, Bobby Darin, Minnie Riperton, Sam Cooke, Harry Chapin, Buddy Holly, Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Croce, Bobby Van, and Karen Carpenter, who had died days earlier.
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Karen Carpenterinspired byreported

American singer and drummer (1950–1983)

Dionne Warwick first performed (but never recorded) the song in February 1983 on a TV special titled Here's Television Entertainment as a tribute to many performers, including Janis Joplin, Elvis Presley, John Belushi, Cass Elliot, John Lennon, Bobby Darin, Minnie Riperton, Sam Cooke, Harry Chapin, Buddy Holly, Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Croce, Bobby Van, and Karen Carpenter, who had died days earlier.
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Minnie Ripertoninspired byreported

American singer (1947–1979)

Dionne Warwick first performed (but never recorded) the song in February 1983 on a TV special titled Here's Television Entertainment as a tribute to many performers, including Janis Joplin, Elvis Presley, John Belushi, Cass Elliot, John Lennon, Bobby Darin, Minnie Riperton, Sam Cooke, Harry Chapin, Buddy Holly, Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Croce, Bobby Van, and Karen Carpenter, who had died days earlier.
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Otis Reddinginspired byreported

American singer and songwriter (1941–1967)

Dionne Warwick first performed (but never recorded) the song in February 1983 on a TV special titled Here's Television Entertainment as a tribute to many performers, including Janis Joplin, Elvis Presley, John Belushi, Cass Elliot, John Lennon, Bobby Darin, Minnie Riperton, Sam Cooke, Harry Chapin, Buddy Holly, Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Croce, Bobby Van, and Karen Carpenter, who had died days earlier.
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Ryan Whitededicated toreported

American AIDS spokesperson and "poster boy" (1971–1990)

Jackson's version of "Gone Too Soon" was dedicated to the memory of Jackson's friend Ryan White, a teenager from Kokomo, Indiana who came to national attention, after being expelled from his school for having HIV/AIDS.
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Sam Cookeinspired byreported

American singer and songwriter (1931–1964)

Dionne Warwick first performed (but never recorded) the song in February 1983 on a TV special titled Here's Television Entertainment as a tribute to many performers, including Janis Joplin, Elvis Presley, John Belushi, Cass Elliot, John Lennon, Bobby Darin, Minnie Riperton, Sam Cooke, Harry Chapin, Buddy Holly, Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Croce, Bobby Van, and Karen Carpenter, who had died days earlier.
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Usherinspired byreported

American R&B singer (born 1978)

At the memorial, R&B singer Usher performed "Gone Too Soon" as a tribute to the singer.
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Who it's about