The Last Performances Of Iconic Bands

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Whereas guitarist Tom Fogerty left the unique Creedence Clearwater Revival lineup in 1971, the band continued on as a three-piece group up till calling it quits in 1972. But, round 11 years later, the band got here collectively as soon as once more (apart from Tom Fogerty) and performed beneath the identify of the Blue Velvets at their Twentieth-year highschool reunion.

They performed the reunion as soon as once more 5 years later this time with solely John Fogerty and the drummer Doug Clifford. This was the final time that Creedence Clearwater Revival ever performed collectively as a “band.”

Developing: the final efficiency of Black Sabbath’s authentic lineup

Cream

Though the traditional rock group Cream could have reunited for a brief set on the Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame in 1993, the band did not carry out collectively since their present on the Royal Albert Corridor in 1968 up till their four-night reunion in 2005.

Whereas the band performed at New York’s Madison Sq. Backyard in October of 2005, Eric Clapton commented that “In some ways, I want we had left it on the Albert Corridor […] However the provide we had been made was too good to refuse . . . We sounded small and tiny . . . For me, the center had gone out of it, and in addition a specific amount of animosity had crept again in.”

The Police

Though there have been rumors that Sting was going to reunite with the Police, the band had formally damaged up at their top in 1984. But, the group realized {that a} reunion tour would make them sufficient cash to be comfy of their later years, so that they determined to get again collectively.

The trio then toured the world quite a few instances between 2007 and 2008, with their last present being on August 7, 2008 at Madison Sq. Backyard.

Journey

Though Journey went on to tour with Arnel Pineda performing because the lead singer, the band reunited with authentic lead singer Steve Perry in 1996 for his or her album Trial By Hearth. Sadly, Perry injured his hip, which prevented the band from occurring tour to advertise their new album.

The band final toured with Perry in 1986 though they carried out at an all-star live performance in San Francisco 1991 in honor of Invoice Graham. The band reunited with Steve Augeri in 1998 who acted as lead singer till 2006 till he was changed by Arnel Pineda.

R.E.M.

The unique lineup of R.E.M., which included Invoice Berry, final performed collectively at their induction into the Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame in 2007. Then, Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, and Mike Mills performed a full live performance in Mexico Metropolis in November of 2008, telling the group that it was the band’s final time enjoying collectively for “a very long time.”

But, in March, the group got here collectively as soon as once more at a tribute for the band at Carnegie Corridor the place they performed together with Patti Smith. This was the band’s last time enjoying on stage with each other.

Led Zeppelin

In 2007, after a yr of hype and anticipation, the group did a “reunion live performance.” Nevertheless, this was primarily only one huge tease with the band solely having one efficiency and refusing to play every other exhibits.

Followers had an extended wait to see a recording of the present. Celebration Day wasn’t launched till 2012. So far as the long run, it seems like Jimmy Web page and John Paul Jones are keen to go on tour once more, but Robert Plant has been laborious to persuade.

Pink Floyd

It is no secret that Pink Floyd has the flexibility to promote out tickets of each live performance they resolve to play, even with out keyboardists Richard Wright. Nevertheless, David Gilmour does not have plans to do this anytime quickly. This leaves Roger Waters to tour solo, enjoying Pink Floyd’s personal songs.

Nevertheless, the band did reunite at Reside 8 in 2005 and as soon as once more in London in 2011. On the present, David Gilmour carried out “Comfortably Numb” and “Outdoors the Wall” with Nick Mason becoming a member of the band for the tune.

Jimi Hendrix

Sadly, the final present that Jimi Hendrix ever performed was on September 6, 1970, on the Isle of Fehmarn in West Germany. The live performance was for the German Love and Peace Competition, which has since grown into legend being Hendrix’s last efficiency.

Just a few movies of the present survived, though they have been edited collectively to seize many of the live performance. This was Hendrix’s final time on stage, as he handed away lower than 2 weeks afterward September 18, 1970.

Aaliyah

Sadly, the R&B star, Aaliyah, was killed on August 25, 2001, on her manner again from the Bahamas filming the music video for her tune “Rock the Boat.” The crew’s twin-engine Cessna crashed after it was overloaded with passengers and baggage.

Nevertheless, a month earlier, Aaliyah had carried out on The Tonight Present With Jay Leno which was her last-ever efficiency earlier than her premature dying. Fortunately, the present was filmed, so there’s precise documentation of her final efficiency.

Chris Cornell

On Might 18, 2017, Chris Cornell performed his last present with Soundgarden in downtown Detroit on the Fox Theater. Sadly, later that night time, he was found by his bodyguard useless in his lodge room with the reason for dying seems to have been suicide by hanging.

Based on his widow, Vicky Karayiannis, “After we spoke after the present, I seen he was slurring his phrases; he was completely different. When he instructed me he could have taken an additional Ativan or two, I contacted safety and requested that they verify on him.” RIP.

Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath, credited because the godfather of heavy steel, hasn’t launched a studio album with their authentic lineup since By no means Say Die! in 1978. Nevertheless, they continued touring, significantly with Ozzfest from 1997 by 2005. Their last dwell efficiency was on February 4, 2017, of their dwelling city of Birmingham, UK.

They got here again collectively once they had been inducted into the UK Music Corridor of Fame two months later the place they carried out their tune “Paranoid.” The group hasn’t performed collectively on stage since.

Johnny Money

On July 15, 2003, nation singer Johnny Money or The Man In Black gave his final dwell performances in a sequence of shock exhibits in rural Virginia. Most of the songs had been devoted to his spouse, June Carter, who had not too long ago handed away.

He said that “The spirit of June Carter overshadows me tonight with the love she had for me and the love I’ve for her […] We join someplace between right here and heaven. She got here down for a brief go to, I suppose, from heaven to go to with me tonight to provide me braveness and inspiration like she at all times has.” He, in flip, handed away on September 12.

The Beatles

The Beatles went out in fashion on January 20, 1969, once they gave one of the memorable last performances of any band. They carried out on the roof of the Apple workplace constructing at 3 Savile Row in London. The live performance was introduced and shocked pedestrians and the folks working within the surrounding workplace buildings.

The entire efficiency lasted for 42 minutes earlier than it was shut down by the police. Fortunately, it was filmed, with a few of the footage getting used within the Let It Be documentary.

Jim Morrison

In direction of the top of the band’s profession, The Doorways’ performances had the popularity of being less-than-good with Jim Morrison being nearly fully out of his thoughts. That was the case for his or her final present on December 12, 1970, on the Warehouse in New Orleans.

Jim Morrison was significantly uncontrolled that night time, messing up even the best tune and intentionally ruining different songs. Nevertheless, three months after the discharge on L.A. Girl within the spring of 1971, he was discovered useless in his bathtub in Paris from what gave the impression to be an overdose on alcohol and heroin.

Lynyrd Skynyrd

Rock and roll outfit Lynyrd Skynyrd performed their last present with the band’s authentic members on October 19, 1977, at South Carolina’s Greenville Memorial Auditorium. The live performance was set two days after their album Avenue Survivors.

Tragically, the day after the live performance, the band suffered a significant loss when their airplane crashed, killing lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, and backing vocalist Cassie Gaines. After taking a while to grieve, the band reunited in 1987 with Ed King and Johnny Van Zant taking his brother’s place.

The Band

After being on the prime of the music business, the Band determined to name it quits on November 25, 1976. Nevertheless, they needed to make their final present one to recollect and determined that they might host it on Thanksgiving on the Winterland in San Francisco.

They invited lots of the members’ shut buddies together with different musicians comparable to Bob Dylan, Muddy Waters, Van Morrison, and extra. The live performance was additionally recorded and filmed by Martin Scorcese and was launched in 1983 as The Final Waltz.

Nirvana

Whereas most individuals declare that Unplugged for MTV was the band’s final efficiency, that is not the case. In actuality, on March 1, 1994, the band unknowingly performed their final live performance at Terminal 1 in Munich, Germany.

Throughout that point, Cobain was identified with bronchitis and laryngitis and urged him to take an extended break, however he ignored their recommendation and continued to carry out. But, that was the final present the band ever performed, as Cobain’s physique was present in his home in Seattle on April 8, 1994, despite the fact that it was estimated that he took his personal life on April 5.

John Lennon

Technically, John Lennon’s final dwell live performance was on November 28, 1974, the place he appeared as a particular visitor throughout an Elton John live performance in Madison Sq. Backyard. Nevertheless, his final time enjoying in entrance of an viewers was for a tv particular for the leisure firm Lew Grade.

Not lengthy after, he retired from music after the beginning of his son, Sean. Years later, he launched his comeback album Double Fantasy. But, he was assassinated by Mark David Chapman on December 8, 1980.

Motörhead

Simply two and a half weeks earlier than Lemmy Kilmister’s dying, Kilmister was nonetheless enjoying his coronary heart out on stage. The band’s last gig was on December 11, 2015, in Berlin. The present was anticipated to be one of many final for Motörhead’s Fortieth-anniversary tour, who would return to Europe for extra exhibits in January.

Nevertheless, Kilmister’s most cancers was getting extra extreme till he ultimately succumbed to his varied diseases on December 28, 2015. Although his analysis was terminal, he refused to cease touring or recording with the band.

Otis Redding

One of many nice masters of soul, Otis Redding has been labeled as one of many biggest singers in American standard music for being manner forward of his time concerning his musical fashion. Many soul artists each throughout and after his time had been extremely influenced by his accomplishments which nonetheless resonate at the moment.

His final efficiency, nonetheless, was Decemberember 9, 1967, in Celeveland, Ohio. There, he carried out a rendition of the observe “Respect” for an episode of the regional music present. Sadly, he died 4 days later in a airplane crash that additionally took 4 members of his backing band, The Bar-Keys.

Elvis Presley

It is no secret that the King of Rock and Roll made contributions to music that formed what we all know at the moment. One of the vital vital cultural icons of the Twentieth century, he continued to make and carry out music for the higher a part of his profession.

But, his last efficiency was on June 26, 1977, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Just a few months later, he was discovered useless in his lavatory on August 16, 1977, after years of prescription drug abuse. He was scheduled for one more spherical of excursions not lengthy earlier than his dying.

Sid Vicious

Sid Vicious, born John Simon Ritchie, was the bassist and a vocalist for the long-lasting punk rock band Intercourse Pistols. A identified heroin addict, he was accused of stabbing and killing his girlfriend Nancy Spungen on October 12, 1978.

Ten days after her dying, Vicious tried suicide by slitting his wrists with a shattered mild bulb and as soon as once more when he tried to leap out of a hospital window. He was arrested and charged with assault on December 9, 1978, and after making bail, was discovered useless of a heroin overdose on February 1, 1979. His final present had been on January 14, 1978 in San Francisco.

Freddie Mercury

There is no doubt that Queen, and particularly Freddie Mercury, is without doubt one of the most influential bands of all time. Touring all around the globe within the Nineteen Eighties, Mercury was ultimately identified with AIDS and the group was pressured to cease touring.

But, his final efficiency in entrance of a dwell viewers was on August 9, 1986, in Knebworth, England. There was a crowd of over 120,000 folks at Cricket stadium with the efficiency being thought-about one of many bands biggest.

Frank Sinatra

A singer, actor, and producer, Frank Sinatra is hailed as one of the influential musicians of the Twentieth century. Promoting greater than 150 million information worldwide, he has additionally garnered the title as one of many best-selling musicians of all time. He launched quite a few albums over his profession and even had a residency at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas the place he performed lots of his exhibits.

At 70 years outdated, his last live shows had been on the Fukuoka Dome in Japan in December 1994. Nevertheless, his last present was on February 25, 1995, in Palm Springs on the Desert Basic golf match. He died in Might 1998.

Tupac Shakur

Born Lesane Parish Crooks, Tupac Shakur is taken into account to be one of many biggest hip hop artists of all time. He was the icon of West Coast hip hop integrating social points into his music, bringing consciousness concerning the issues with race and poverty.

His last present was on the Home of Blues in Los Angeles on July 4, 1996. He was later shot in a drive-by capturing in Las Vegas on September 7, 1996 and died 6 days later. Sadly, the gunman was by no means captured, though folks consider it was somebody from the East Coast hip hop scene.

George Harrison

George Harrison is best-known because the lead guitarist of the Beatles and earned the nickname of the “Quiet Beatle” each throughout and after his time within the group. Whereas he wasn’t the first songwriter for the Beatles, he’s credited for writing songs comparable to “Taxman,” “Inside With out You,” “Right here Comes the Solar,” and extra.

He had a profitable solo profession after the Beatles disbanded together with his final present being on January 23, 1998, in Jackson, Tennessee. There, he carried out “Your True Love” on the memorial service for Carl Perkins, together with his efficiency being recorded.

Michael Jackson

Whereas Elvis Presley would be the King of Rock, Michael Jackson is the King of Pop, and is arguably simply as influential as Presley himself. Starting his profession at a younger age within the Jackson 5, he grew to change into a worldwide determine and one of many biggest entertainers of all time.

Sadly, his final present was on June 23, 2009 in Los Angeles through which he was filmed performing for his This Is It tour in London, He died simply two days later though his last efficiency was utilized in a movie launched after his dying.

Infamous B.I.G.

Christopher Wallace, also called Infamous B.I.G. or Biggie Smalls, was an East Coast rapper who was in competitors with Tupac within the Nineties. Thought to be one of many biggest rappers of all time, he’s additionally credited with placing hip hop in New York on the map as West Coast was thought-about the holy land for the style.

His final present was on March 7, 1997, on the eleventh Annual Soul TrainMusic Awards on the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. He was fatally shot in a drive-by capturing simply two days later whereas nonetheless in Los Angeles.

Whitney Houston

Top-of-the-line-selling musicians of all time, Whitney Houston has additionally been acknowledged by Guinness World Data as probably the most awarded feminine artists ever. Whitney Houston carried out for the final time on February 9, 2012, the place she carried out along with her pal Kelly Value.

Two days later, she was discovered useless in her room on the Beverly Hills Hilton on February 11. Her dying was particularly mourned contemplating that the 2012 Grammy’s had been hosted the very subsequent day,.

Glenn Frey With The Eagles

The founders of the traditional rock group included Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner They ultimately grew to become one of the profitable teams of the Seventies and are actually ranked No. 75 in Rolling Stone’s listing of the 100 Biggest Bands of All Time.

Though the Eagles nonetheless tour at the moment, their final present with authentic founding member Glenn Frey was on July 29, 2015, the final present of a tour. Frey died unexpectedly on January 18, 2016, on the age of 67.

Janis Joplin

Though there have been many well-known rock and roll musicians throughout her time, few ladies had been as profitable and standard as Janis Joplin. Throughout her time, she launched three albums along with her fourth album, Pearl, was launched posthumously and reaching No.1 on the Billboard charts.

She was additionally posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame in 1995. Her last present was at Harvard Stadium in Boston for a sold-out viewers on August 7, 1970. On October 4 of that yr, she would die of an unintended heroin overdose.

Stevie Ray Vaughn

Stevie Ray Vaughn was a guitarist who was influential within the revitalization of blues within the Nineteen Eighties. He is generally known as one of many biggest if not the very best guitarists of all time. Sadly, his life was lower quick by a horrible accident.

On the night of August 27, 1990, Vaughn carried out together with his band Double Hassle as particular visitors on the Alpine Valley Musical Theater in Wisconsin together with Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, and Vaughn’s brother. After the present, Vaughn and a few others boarded a helicopter again to Chicago which crashed and killed Vaughn.

B.B. King

Riley B. King, or B.B. King, was a blues singer, songwriter, electrical guitarist, and document producer. He’s credited with serving to progress the evolution of electrical guitar. Nicknamed the “King of Blues,” King was identified to common round 200 live shows a yr and in 1956 managed to play 342 exhibits.

His final efficiency was on the Home of Blues in Chicago on October 3, 2014, the place he needed to cease enjoying as a result of he did not really feel nicely. He died a number of months afterward Might 14, 2015.

Brian Jones

Brian Jones was a founding member of the Rolling Stones, but by 1968, his drug and alcohol issues had begun to spiral uncontrolled. Then, on December 11, 1968, the group carried out for a deliberate tv particular titled the “Rock and Roll Circus.”

The band was set to go onstage at 5 AM though the footage was by no means launched because it did not meet requirements. Little did they know, however this was Brian Jones final present with the band. He was then fired from the band not lengthy after and ended up drowning in his pool on July 3, 1969.

David Bowie

In 2004, musician and music icon David Bowie was on a European tour the place he performed the Hurricane Competition in Scheessel, Germany. Nevertheless, instantly after after his efficiency, we went to be handled for what he thought was only a pinched nerve in his shoulder.

What really was mistaken was that he had an acutely blocked artery that required speedy remedy. Due to his failing well being, this was the final tour he ever performed. He did make just a few transient appearances, together with his final efficiency being in November 2006 with Alicia Keys.

Ella Fitzgerald

“The First Woman of Music,” Ella Fitzgerald first started her singing profession in 1934 after she gained a contest on the Apollo Theater in Harlem. All through her profession,she collaborated with a few of the different nice artists of her time together with Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, Dizzy Gillespie, and extra.

Her final live performance was on June 27, 1991 at New York’s Carnegie Corridor, the twenty sixth time that she had carried out there. She sang sitting down and felt a bit beneath the climate. She then succumb to her diabetes in 1996 at her dwelling in Beverly Hills.

Jerry Garcia

Jerry Garcia is greatest remembered because the lead guitarist and partial vocalist for the long-lasting psychedelic jam band the Grateful Useless. Jerry was a founding father of the group and performed with them for thirty years whereas additionally turning into concerned in varied aspect initiatives.

Nevertheless, his final efficiency was for a Grateful Useless present on July 9, 1995, at Soldier Discipline in Chicago. Sadly, he handed away a month later in a drug rehabilitation facility from a coronary heart assault in August 1995 on the age of 53.

Paul Simon

Paul Simon wasn’t very open about when his last efficiency was going to be, hinting at retirement for over a yr and a half. Nevertheless, after touring for his album Stranger to Stranger, he instructed New York Instances, “Showbiz does not maintain any curiosity for me … I’m going to see what occurs if I let go. Then I’m going to see, who am I? Or am I simply this individual that was outlined by what I did?”

He then introduced his retirement on February 5, 2018, saying that after his upcoming tour he would name it quits. His final present was on September 24, 2018.

Ronnie James Dio

Ronnie James Dio was a distinguished determine within the steel style who based or fronted quite a few teams comparable to Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, Dio, Rainbow, and Elf. He was a extremely influential particular person within the style and is even chargeable for popularizing the “satan horns” hand image which has change into iconic for rock and toll on the whole.

His final ever live performance was with the group Heaven & Hell which occurred on August 29, 2009. Dio handed away from abdomen most cancers on Might 16 2010.