Not to make it too convoluted, but maybe cap the wait-list at three? In other words, if you have the next 3 artists lined up and then someone dies, the oldest one in the cue gets dropped? I mean, it's only like ten of us actively playing the game so if someone gets really upset that their winning pick got dropped, they can always resubmit it next time they win?

I just feel like an iconic musician's death trumps all.