Idolator

When musicians die, they don't just go to heaven—they go to rock and roll heaven, where, as we understand it, they surround themselves with other performersand occasionally get together for an all-star rendition of "Purple Haze." And ever since the invention of airbrushing, numerous brave souls have done their best to portray this wondrous world, with varying results. After the click-through, a gallery of some of their finest work, plus our tips for aspiring artists:

BE NONDESCRIPT You never know who's gonna die next. That's why you should always be sure to have a few ringers in the background—someone who, from a distance, could be easily mistaken for any number of soon-to-expire rockers. You could illustrate a guy who looks somewhat like a Lynyrd Skynyrd bassist, for example. Or you could draw someone with a striking resemblance to those devil-winged guitarists we all know and love.




BE SURE TO CAPTURE ARTISTS IN THEIR PRIME People want to see their favorite musicians not in their late-in-life "ugly" phase, but in their vital, rocking youth. That's why you shouldn't draw Elvis as corpulent, and why you shouldn't portray Buddy Holly as corpse-like.





BE FAITHFUL TO THE OLD SCHOOL Remember: Everyone is in heaven. What if some of them were to meet? Wouldn't that be perfect? For example, Tupac finds time in this clip to hang with Sammy Davis Jr., Bob Marley, Marvin Gaye, and a greeter who may or may not be Redd Foxx.




BE ACCURATE IN PORTRAYING WHAT HEAVEN IS REALLY LIKE Of course Eazy-E would be ascending a mountain with the other angels. Why wouldn't he?




BE FUNNY Don't be afraid of putting a little humor in the clouds! If your favorite dead rocker had a bad habit, like smoking or eating or being Jim Morrison, then it only makes sense that they'd be carrying on these habits while dead. Oh, Roy Orbison: Will you ever stop wearing those sunglasses? Heaven must be shining pretty brightly on you, old friend!