Billy Fury was our dead rock n roller I suppose.
He deserves some attention for his body of work - issued some decent 60's rock too, not only greaser stuff.
McCartney is the main genius of The Beatles.
Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon and Steve Winwood are some longtime legends, death should not be a requirement for that recognition.
Jeff Buckley or Curt Cobain? Hmm, I have to stretch my imagination for those names. Why no Elliott Smith then...