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10 Musicians Who Found Fame After Their Untimely Death

We delve into the stories of ten musicians who, despite initial obscurity, ultimately achieved the recognition and admiration they deserved.

BY SAGARIKA C

PUBLISHED SEP 25, 2023

Otis Redding, Jim Croce and Bradley Nowell | Getty Images

These Musicians Achieved Legendary Status After Their Demise

Image Source: Pexels | Photo by Roy Reyna

Throughout history, countless musicians have faced the cruel irony of obscurity during their lifetimes, only to be celebrated as legends posthumously. These extraordinary artists possessed unparalleled talent and made groundbreaking contributions to music, yet their brilliance remained hidden from the masses. In this article, we delve into the stories of ten remarkable individuals who, despite initial obscurity, ultimately achieved the recognition and admiration they deserved, forever imprinting their indelible mark on the world of music long after their untimely departures.

1. Robert Johnson (1911-1938)

Robert Johnson's Gravestone | Getty Images

Robert Johnson, who died at 27, initially struggled as a guitarist. But after a mysterious hiatus, he returned with astonishing skills, fueling the legend of him selling his soul for musical prowess. He traveled from the Mississippi Delta to Chicago, New York, and even Canada, performing at various venues. His recordings were limited, including sessions in Texas and Dallas. His death a year later near Greenwood, Mississippi, remains shrouded in mystery. Johnson remained obscure until 1961 when Columbia Records released "King of the Delta Blues Singers," catching the attention of blues and rock musicians like Eric Clapton and Keith Richards. A legend was born, 23 years after his passing.

2. Otis Redding (1941-1967)

Otis Redding, the iconic R&B and soul singer, led a relatively quiet career until fate intervened. Despite early singles and a debut album, his music struggled to crack the top charts. In a twist of destiny, during a houseboat retreat in Sausalito, California, he and Steve Cropper, the guitarist for Booker T & the MGs, crafted "Dock of the Bay" from napkin scribbles. Tragically, just days after recording, Redding's plane crashed in bad weather. Cropper's remix of the song, complete with seagulls and ocean sounds, soared to number one, making Redding the first posthumous chart-topper. His genius was finally recognized.

3. Jim Croce (1943-1973)

Jim Croce, a talented musician, struggled to make a name for himself with two unsuccessful albums. He took up part-time welding gigs in Philadelphia to make ends meet while continuing to create music in his spare time. The turning point came with his third album, "You Don't Mess Around with Jim," inspired by the impending arrival of his child. Despite radio play and appearances on shows like "The Tonight Show" and "American Bandstand", Croce's gigs remained modest. Tragically, after scoring a number one hit with "Bad Bad Leroy Brown," he perished in a plane crash in 1973, launching his posthumous fame with albums like "I Got a Name" and a lasting impact on film soundtracks.

4. Nick Drake (1948-1974)

The gravestone of musician Nick Drake | Getty Images

Nick Drake, the enigmatic British folk singer-songwriter, languished in obscurity during his lifetime. His haunting albums like "Five Leaves Left," "Bryter Layter," and "Pink Moon" went largely unnoticed. Drake's mental struggles led to a reclusive existence, living on a meager £20-a-week stipend from Island Records. His tragic overdose in 1974 seemed to consign him to obscurity, but the early '80s brought recognition from music luminaries like Robert Smith, Kate Bush, and Paul Weller. A Volkswagen commercial in 1999 rekindled interest in his music, catapulting his albums to multi-million sales figures, and firmly establishing his legacy in music history.

5. Sid Vicious (1957-1979)

Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen | Getty Images

Sid Vicious, a punk rock icon known for his tumultuous life, epitomized rebellion, drugs, and chaos. Despite his lack of bass-playing skills, he became the Sex Pistols' bassist, chosen for his punk persona by manager Malcolm McLaren. However, his time with the band was a chaotic disaster, marked by obnoxious behavior and a notorious American tour. His life took a darker turn when his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, was found stabbed to death in their hotel room. Sid's subsequent arrest struggles in prison, and tragic overdose in 1979 cemented his status as a punk rock anti-hero, forever remembered in the annals of music history.

6. Ian Curtis (1956-1980)

Ian Curtis, the enigmatic frontman of Joy Division, faced a tumultuous journey in his brief life. Despite the band's brilliance, financial struggles loomed large. Curtis battled epilepsy, substance abuse, a broken marriage, and complicated relationships. Tragically, he succumbed to his demons, ending his life just before a pivotal North American tour. Joy Division's legacy grew in his absence, with albums like "Unknown Pleasures" and "Closer" influencing bands like U2 and Radiohead. Curtis' story lives on through compilations, books, movies, and even the idea of turning his former home into a Joy Division museum.

7. Hillel Slovak (1962-1988)

Hillel Slovak in Red Hot Chili Peppers | Getty Images

Hillel Slovak, a key figure in the early days of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, embarked on his musical journey alongside high school pals Anthony Kiedis and Michael "Flea" Balzary. They dabbled in music, played gigs, and had their fair share of adventures. Eventually, they formed the band, originally called Tony Flow and the Miraculously Majestic Masters of Mayhem before adopting the more manageable name we know today. While Hillel contributed to the band's first three albums and an EP, the Chili Peppers struggled to break into the mainstream. Tragically, Hillel's life was cut short by a heroin overdose. Despite doubts, the band persevered with new members, achieving massive success, all while fondly remembering Hillel as a founding member.

8. Eva Cassidy (1963-1996)

Eva Cassidy's musical journey was one of hidden brilliance. Prior to her tragic battle with melanoma and untimely passing at 33, she remained a relatively unknown talent, mainly confined to Washington, D.C. However, destiny had a different plan. Two years after her death, the BBC introduced her songs to a wider audience, sparking a search for her live performances. The release of the compilation album "Songbird" in 1998 catapulted her to chart-topping success in the U.K., and subsequent posthumous releases solidified her global stardom. With plans for a biographical movie, Eva Cassidy's legacy continues to flourish.

9. Jeff Buckley (1966-1997)

Jeff Buckley, son of folk legend Tim Buckley, initially struggled to find his musical footing. In the '90s, he secured a record deal with Columbia and released the incredible "Grace" album in 1994. While it was critically acclaimed, mainstream success proved elusive. Tragically, on May 29, 1997, Jeff drowned in the Wolf River Harbor. His death sparked renewed interest in "Grace," and posthumous releases like "Sketches for My Sweetheart the Drunk" followed. Artists from Chris Cornell to PJ Harvey celebrated his talent, and his rendition of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" gained new life, topping iTunes charts after an "American Idol" feature in 2008.

10. Bradley Nowell (1968-1998)

In the spring of 1996, Bradley Nowell and his band Sublime were on the brink of a breakthrough. Their third album, renamed "Sublime," perfectly matched the emerging ska-punk scene in Southern California. However, Bradley battled a growing heroin addiction. Tragically, during a tour in Northern California, he was found lifeless in a San Francisco motel room, a victim of a heroin overdose. Sublime's third album soared to success posthumously, reaching the top 20 on Billboard and selling over 17 million copies worldwide, solidifying Bradley Nowell's lasting legacy.