Jimi Hendrix earned three UK top ten hits with "Hey Joe," "Purple Haze," and "The Wind Cries Mary." He achieved fame in the U.S. after his performance at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. In 1968, his third and final studio album, Electric Ladyland, reached number one in the U.S. and it was his most commercially successful release, and his only number one album. As the world's highest-paid performer, he headlined the Woodstock Festival in 1969 and the Isle of Wight Festival in 1970. He died from Barbiturate-related Asphyxia on September 18, 1970, at the age of 27. Jimi Hendrix was arguably the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music.

Elvis Presley was regarded as an icon of the 20th century, and was often referred to as "the King of Rock and Roll." With an enormous body of hit singles, commercial success in many genres, including pop, country, blues, and gospel music, he is the best-selling music artist in the history of recorded music. Prescription drug abuse severely compromised his health and he died suddenly in 1977 at his Graceland estate, just 42 years of age. Presley is one of the most celebrated and influential musicians of the 20th century.

Jim Morrison co-founded the Doors in 1965 and recorded a total of six studio albums. Morrison developed an alcohol dependence which at times affected his performances on stage. He died at the age of 27 in Paris. As no autopsy was performed, the exact cause of Morrison's death remains unknown to this day. Since his death, his fame has endured as one of popular culture's most rebellious and oft-displayed icons, representing the generation gap and youth counterculture. Sometimes referred to by other nicknames, such as "The Lizard King," "Mr. Mojo Risin'" and "King of Orgasmic Rock."