In 2004, Kinks singer Ray Davies was shot in the leg while on holiday in New Orleans. The 59-year-old was shot when running after two men who stole his girlfriend's purse at gunpoint. Davies was admitted to the Medical Centre of Louisiana but his injuries were not considered serious.

On 8th Dec 1980, John Lennon was shot five times by 25 year old Mark Chapman outside the Dakota building in New York City where John and Yoko lived. Chapman had been stalking Lennon for days outside the Dakota apartments and asked for an autograph as Lennon walked through the courtyard. As he signed a piece of paper Chapman fired.

Kurt Cobain committed suicide by shooting himself in the head at his home in Seattle in 1994. His death was officially ruled a suicide by self-inflicted shotgun wound to the head. Since then, the circumstances surrounding his death have fueled much analysis and debate.

Reggae producer King Tubby was killed on 6th February 1989 after being shot in the street outside his home.

60's producer Joe Meek, shot himself dead on 3rd February 1967 after killing his landlady. (Meek produced 'Telstar' the 1962 UK and US No.1 single by The Tornadoes).

In 2005, US singer Marc Cohn survived being shot in the head during an attempted car jacking as he left a concert in Denver, Colorado. Cohn was struck in the temple by the bullet but it did not penetrate his skull. Police said a man tried to commandeer Cohn's tour van as it left after a show, the attacker was fleeing police after trying to pay a hotel bill with a stolen credit card.

In 1996, rap star Tupac Amaru Shakur died after being shot when he was driving through Las Vegas, 13 bullets were fired into his BMW. The incident was blamed on East and West Coast Gang wars.

Al Jackson, drummer with Booker T and the MG's was shot dead by burglars at his home 1st October 1975.

In 1984, Marvin Gaye was shot dead by his father during a violent argument at his parent's home in Los Angeles. His father was later charged and found guilty and was sentenced to five years for voluntary manslaughter.

Terry Kath, guitarist with US group Chicago, accidentally shot himself dead on January 23rd 1978. Kath's last words were "Don't worry it's not loaded" as he put the gun to his head and pulled the trigger. The guitarist and singer was killed instantly.

Wendy O Williams, singer with New York punk band The Plasmatics died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds on April 6th 1998.

Mick Jagger was accidentally shot in the hand during filming of 'Ned Kelly' in Australia in 1969.

R&B singer Johnny Ace shot himself dead during a game of Russian roulette backstage at a concert in Houston.

Soul singer Sam Cooke was shot dead by his manager Bertha Franklin, who claimed to have been assaulted by Cooke while staying at the Hacienda Hotel, Los Angeles. Cooke was 33 years old.

Enjoying his own birthday celebrations in 1976 singer Jerry Lee Lewis accidentally shot his bass player Norman Owens in the chest. Lewis had been blasting holes in an office door. Owens survived but sued his boss.

In 1976, Former Beatles roadie Mal Evans was shot dead by police at his Los Angeles apartment. His girlfriend called police when she found Evans upset with a rifle in his hand; he pointed the gun at the police who opened fire.