Sid Vicious is a even more classic example. He died so young that he never got the chance to fuck up any part of why people liked him, or even get remotely big enough to begin to "sell out" like all his similar names get accused of.

Even a few more months could have tainted his legacy, so him dying that young is how a garbage musician living a self destructive life could have a "legacy" instead of just being a forgettable former band member of some band.