Heartbreaking tales of these fleeting stars
Let´s take a look into music history and discover the last recordings these famous artists ever made. Click on the gallery to get started.
The final recording by The King, 'Way Down,' took place in October 1976. Serving as Elvis' last single, it preceded his passing on August 16, 1977.
The final song recorded by the iconic guitarist before his death ironically focused on the theme of birth. This track, which was recorded on August 22, 1970, concludes his album 'Cry of Love' that was released after his death.
The final song by Johnny Cash, 'Like the 309,' came out in 2006, three years after his death.
In December 1970, Jim Morrison, Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger, and John Densmore were last recorded together in the studio. Their song was included in their 1971 album 'L.A. Woman,' following Morrison's death.
'Mother Love' was recorded in May 1991 at Mountain Studios in Montreux, Switzerland, making it the final song the legendary singer collaborated on with Queen. Tragically, Freddie Mercury passed away six months later.
Shortly before his tragic suicide in 2017, the ex-Soundgarden singer created 'You Never Knew My Mind,' a song inspired by the poetry of Johnny Cash.
The famous three-member band recorded 'You Know You're Right' at Robert Lang Studios in North Seattle in January 1994, a few months before Cobain's death. However, the song wasn't made available to the public until October 2002.
Janis Joplin's final recording, 'Mercedes Benz,' became one of her most popular songs. It was recorded a mere three days before her tragic death on October 4, 1970.
Tom Petty collaborated with Chris Hillman from the Byrds in 2017, recording two songs during his final time in the studio.
'Because' was the final song the Fab Four recorded at Abbey Road Studios in 1969.
The band's final song, 'I'm Gonna Crawl,' was recorded at ABBA's Polar Studios in Stockholm, Sweden in November 1978. This track is featured on their album 'In Through the Out Door.'
Reed's last studio recording was in collaboration with the band Metric from Canada back in 2012. The track is featured on their album 'Synthetica.'
John Lennon's final recorded song was not his own creation, but rather his wife Yoko Ono's track titled 'Walking on Thin Ice'. Lennon was actually holding the tape featuring the song's final mix when he was shot in 1981.
In April 1969 at Olympic Sound Studios in London, the late Rolling Stones guitarist played the congas while the song 'Midnight Rambler' was recorded. Since the instrument isn't audible in the song, there has been speculation about his contribution. However, he is still credited for it.
Bon Scott did not record his final work with AC/DC. Instead, he joined forces with French band Trust in London in February 1980. Tragically, the iconic singer passed away just six days after this collaboration.
In 1986, Sting, Stewart Copeland, and Andy Summers reunited in the recording studio for the last time to re-record 'Don't Stand So Close to Me ’86.'
Joel's final recorded song is 'Christmas in Fallujah', but he did not perform it. The song, sung by Cass Dillon, was released in 2007, with all proceeds going to the veteran charity Homes for Our Troops. Billy Joel is still alive but retired from music many years ago.
Ronnie Van Zant, the former lead singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd, tragically perished in a plane accident along with two other band members on October 20, 1977, after having recorded their final song with the band in August.
The final track of Ronnie James Dio, titled 'Electra,' was recorded in 2009 and made available in 2010, coinciding with the vocalist's passing.
In December 1985, Phil Lynott, the renowned lead singer of Thin Lizzy, completed his final recording at his personal studio in Richmond, England. Lynott showcased his skills on the bass and contributed backing vocals to a track by Colbert Hamilton, also known as the "Black Elvis."
Bryan Ferry and his band made their final visit to the studio to record their song 'Avalon' in the Bahamas in 1982.
The former member of the Beatles completed his final song approximately two months prior to his death, which occurred on November 29, 2001. Shortly after Harrison's passing, 'Horse to the Water' was released.
Lemmy's final recorded song diverged from his Motörhead repertoire as he joined forces with Swiss musician Chris Declercq in 2014.
In 1968, Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, and Ginger Baker reunited one last time in the studio. Their purpose was to record 'Badge' as part of the album 'Goodbye' which marked their final studio endeavor. Interestingly, The Beatles' George Harrison provided assistance in writing the song, although he was credited as "L’Angelo Misterioso" due to contractual reasons at the time.
'Little Martha' was the final track the guitarist recorded for the Allman Brothers Band. It was recorded in October 1971, shortly before Allman's passing.
The lead singer of the Grateful Dead, who passed away in 1995, made a rendition of Jimmie Rodgers' track 'Blue Yodel #9.' This song is included in the album 'The Songs of Jimmie Rodgers: A Tribute,' which was released in 1997.
'On the Way Home,' written by Neil Young, marks the final recording by the five original band members. The historic event took place in 1967 at the Sunset Sound Studios in Los Angeles.
Winter's last recording was an acoustic version of Son House's 'Death Letter' on February 4, 2013.
Sources: (Ultimate Classic Rock)
The last songs of these famous singers
Some were recorded just some days before their deaths
MUSIC Recordings
Do you ever think about the final song recorded by your favorite musicians before they passed away? Or the last song recorded by an iconic band before they broke up?
Let´s take a look into music history and discover the last recordings these famous artists ever made. Click on the gallery to get started.