Billie Holiday. Followed by Janis. And chalk me up to Kobain, too. (of course, I’m following the OP’s rule of no Lennon.)
I’d like to see a Lynyrd Skynyrd/Buddy Holly twin bill.
Or maybe a Jackie Wilson/Otis Redding show…
must resist… must resist mentioning Jerry…… OP said no Grateful Dead…. must resist…… must….
RE: Bass player: Your WANT, you NEED Jaco Pastorious in the Zombie band. Meet the man who invented (literally, as well as figuratively) the fretless (electric) bass. Go sit back, put some Weather Report on the headphones and have an incredible eargasm.
….do not say Jerry…do not say Jerry….do not say Jerry….
Oh, if we are going to promote this show, can we get Phil Ghram?
The bass player in my dead band would HAVE to be Mark Sandman. Frightfully inovative player who turned the fretless bass (made famous by players such as Pastorious and Les Claypool) into a lead instument. Sandman himself built his own fretless basses, including his custom built two-string fretless bass, with which he could make some beautiful music. Sandman was also one of a handful of inovative bass players to turn the instrument into a lead intrument rather than a rhythm section instrument.
For some great Mark Sandman bass playing, as well as some generally soulful music, pick up some stuff from either of his bands: Morphine (fairly easy to find) or Treat Her Right (a bit trickier). His sudden and tragic death (heart attack, IIRC) in 1999 was a shock to the music world.
I remember hearing that the bassist from Morphine died last year, but I was unaware that he was such an innovator.
Rhythmdvl, good call with Jaco.
John Bonham of Led Zeppelin is my choice, hands down!
Sandy Denny
Tim Hardin
Harry Chapin
Would have made an interesting team - sadly missed
Rick Nelson. (AKA Ricky Nelson)
My sister was playing his records when I was born, so I guess it isn’t a total surprise that I fell head over heels in love with him much later. Still am, for that matter.
Sigh-what a waste.
Scotti
I’d kill to see the whole Rat Pack do a show together.
And another vote for Cobain.
Oh, and they aren’t dead, but I’m still extremely depressed that Toad the Wet Sprocket broke up.
Johnny Thunders.
So he could die again on stage like he was supposed to.
argyle, did you see me reply on “abused song?” I really want to know (if you know) what were they thinking- pants, genocide, genocide, pants? What could they possibly do with it? I just wish Iggy was more like Jello.
My goodness argyle! All these folks youre mentioning! I havent heard about them much, not many people I know know about them! Punk lives!
Sid Vicious? no way. Legends are supposed to die; he’d probably be selling shoes right now at Payless had he lived!lol
G.G. Allin? ak! no…
Lots of good choices: I myself have to say Jimi Hendrix.
I’d love to see Eddie Cochran, Marc Bolan, the original Zeppelin and Hank Williams, Jr., back from the dead, but my first choice will always Bessie Smith–the empress of the blues. Even on bad quality LPs from the '30s, she’s mind-blowing.
Randy Rhoads. There’s no telling what heights he could have reached over the years.
I also miss Nicholas “Razzle” Dingley, even though there’s no way in hell (or Helsinki) that Hanoi Rocks would reunite even if he did rise from his final resting place on the Isle of Wight, prodigious mane intact. Sigh.
It seems like all the musicians I’ve really loved have died. So now I love James Hetfield, heh heh heh…
betenoir:
I thin the plan was to use only the opening of “Holiday In Cambodia” for the Dockers commercial. The rest of the song probably wouldn’t make to many more preppy types buy the pants. However, the first :30, with the it’s looming bass line and eerie guitar, would probably make a pretty good commercial with a secret agent or guy-on-the run motif.
I’d certainly like to see Hank Sr. back from the dead. I wouldn’t mind seeing Hank Jr. move that way a little more quickly. 
Alas, he’s still kicking, and cranking out variations on the theme of “I’m a redneck who likes to drink, and Hank Williams was my daddy”.
Of course, maybe the one true Hank died at the right time–perhaps he had the decency to drink himself to death before he “jumped the musical shark” (see my “Dead Living Rock Stars” thread).
I must say, though, Hank Williams III kicks my ass. He’s distinctive, he’s talented, and I hear he doesn’t get along with his dad. Three for three.
Thumbs up on Bessie Smith, BTW…
Dr. J
John Bonham.
On a related note, can we shoot Jimmy Page for selling out to rap, then bring him back with Bonzo? I’d also like to see all the ex-Yardbirds guitarists together (Page, Clapton, and that other guy whose nam I can’t remember)