Musicians frequently have a strong impact on their listeners through their music and lyrics, and their words continue to have an impact even after they pass away.
Here are the Famous Last Words Of Legendary Musicians:
Kurt Cobain – “It’s better to burn out than to fade away.”
Kurt Cobain, the lead singer of Nirvana, ended his suicide letter with the well-known words from Neil Young’s 1978 song, “My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue),” “it’s better to burn out than to fade away.” He also signed off with “Peace, love, empathy” and included a brief message expressing his love for his wife and daughter.
Bob Marley – “On your way up, take me up. On your way down, don’t let me down,”
Bob Marley, the iconic reggae musician, was known for infusing his music with spirituality and wisdom. When he passed away at the age of 36 due to melanoma, his last words to his son Ziggy were often misreported as “Money can’t buy life.” In reality, Marley told Ziggy, “On your way up, take me up. On your way down, don’t let me down,” imparting a message of responsibility to his son. Ziggy has expressed that he takes these words seriously and carries them with him.
“Dimebag” Darrell Abbott – “Van Halen”
Dimebag Darrell, a former member of the band Pantera, was tragically killed while performing with his new band Damageplan at the Alrosa Villa nightclub in Columbus, Ohio. He was shot and killed by an obsessed fan just a few minutes into their set. In an interview, Dimebag Darrell’s brother and bandmate Vinnie Paul reflected on their last conversation before going on stage. They were both excited to be playing the last two shows before going home for Christmas and starting work on their second album. The two exchanged their code word “Van Halen” before going on stage to perform, but tragically, Dimebag Darrell was killed just a minute and a half later.
Terry Kath of Chicago – “What do you think I’m gonna do? Blow my brains out?“
Terry Kath, the guitarist of the band Chicago, died tragically at the age of 31 due to an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound. Kath, a gun enthusiast, was playing with his .38 revolver at the apartment of the band’s keyboard tech, Don Johnson. Despite Johnson’s concerns, Kath reassured him that the gun was not loaded and proceeded to wave the weapon around. He then put the gun to his head and exclaimed, “What do you think I’m gonna do, blow my brains out?” Unfortunately, the gun was loaded with a round in the chamber, and Kath died instantly from the gunshot.
Bing Crosby – “That was a great game of golf, fellas. Let’s go have a Coca-Cola.”
Bing Crosby, a popular singer, was a passionate golfer and on October 14, 1977, he spent his last day playing golf at Spain’s La Moraleja Golf Course. One of his course companions, Valentin Barrios, remembered how well Crosby played during his final round and how much he enjoyed it. Despite winning the game, Crosby collapsed just yards away from the clubhouse entrance and died from a heart attack. Earlier that day, he had told his companions that he was feeling much better after his fall in California a few months prior and that he was glad to be playing on such a beautiful golf course.
James Brown – “I’m going away tonight!”
James Brown, the soul legend, died on Christmas Day in 2006 from congestive heart failure. His manager, Charles Bobbit, who was with him at the time, said that Brown’s final words were, “I’m going away tonight,” before taking his last breaths.
George Harrison – “Everything else can wait, but the search for God cannot wait, and love one another.”
After losing his battle with cancer, George Harrison, the famous ex-Beatle, gave a final message to the world that encapsulated his identity and how he lived. His wife, Olivia, informed his fans of his passing and wrote that George left this world in the same way he lived in it: with an awareness of God, unafraid of death, and at peace, surrounded by loved ones and spiritual leaders. George often conveyed the message, “Everything else can wait, but the search for God cannot wait, and love one another.”