Sometimes band breakups and endings are nothing more than the result of a tragic or untimely death.
Listen to some of our favorite artists whose careers were cut short…
ALEXIS’ PICKS:
Artist: The Beastie Boys | Song: Girls In April 2012, the trio became only the third rap group to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Amonth later Adam “MCA” Yauch died of cancer.
Artist: Queen | Song: Don’t Stop Me Now Freddie Mercury was the voice of Queen. Although the band has toured since his death in 1991, the group can never be the same without him.
Artist: Otis Redding | Song: Cigarettes and Coffee Redding died at the age of 26 in a plane crash.
Artist: Janis Joplin | Song: Mercedes Benz Miss Joplin overdosed on heroin at the age of 27.
Artist: 2Pac| Song: Keep Ya Head Up On September 7, 1996, Tupac Shakur was shot multiple times after attending a boxing match in Las Vegas. He died at Southern Nevada University Medical Center six days later.
DEE’S PICKS:
Artist: The Doors | Song: Soul Kitchen The Doors continued on a few years after Jim Morrison‘s death, and even did reunions, but I don’t think the band was the same following the passing of its frontman.
Artist: Sam Cooke | Song: Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen Sam Cooke was only 33 years old when he was shot and killed. Even during his short career, he was an influential creative. I can’t imagine what he would have done with more years to live.
Artist: Nirvana | Song: All Apologies Nirvana was formed a year before I was born and ended when I was around 5 years old. Still, I grew up listening to Kurt Cobain‘s work because my mom was a fan.
Artist: Nick Drake | Song: Milk and Honey Nick Drake‘s music was, and still is, so beautiful. It’s a shame that he passed away when he was only 26 years old.
Artist: TLC | Song: Waterfalls Lisa Lopes‘ unexpected death didn’t necessarily end TLC, but it wasn’t the girl group I loved as a child.
This is such a great idea for a mix. Kudos to whoever came up with it!