What better way to honor a lost bandmate than through song? These three stunning yet devastating tribute songs were written for band members after their deaths, and it still hurts to listen to them decades later.
Let’s take a look, shall we? Grab your tissues.
Videos by American Songwriter
1. “Elegia” by New Order
New Order came to life when the remaining band members of Joy Division got together to continue on after the death of frontman Ian Curtis. Understandably, they didn’t want to continue using the Joy Division name.
The band was devastated by the sudden death of Curtis in 1980, and the wounds still hadn’t quite healed by 1985. To honor Curtis, the band put together the stunning instrumental “Elegia” as a tribute to the late frontman. The song has been used in quite a bit of media, namely Stranger Things and The Crown. We recommend listening to the full, 17-minute version.
2. “Shine A Light” by The Rolling Stones
You can probably recognize this song, even if you’re a minor Rolling Stones fan. However, not everyone knows that this track is actually one of the most devastating tribute songs out there.
Founding member of the Stones, Brian Jones, passed away in 1969 following increasingly concerning issues with drug and alcohol use. Mick Jagger originally wrote “Shine A Light” before his death as a way to deal with his friend’s addiction. The song was later edited and released as a tribute to Jones after his death.
Many tribute songs are often morose, but this song is an upbeat, delightful celebration of Jones’ life and a hopeful prayer for happiness in the afterlife.
3. “All Those Years Ago” by George Harrison
We couldn’t leave this one out. “All Those Years Ago” is one of the most devastating tribute songs of the 20th century. This song was written by former Beatle George Harrison after the murder of his friend and former bandmate, John Lennon, in 1980.
“All Those Years Ago” was released in 1981 and appears on Harrison’s album Somewhere In England. It’s a touching, heartwrenching elegy to Lennon that also features contributions from Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr.
Photo by Solomon N’Jie/Getty Images
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