3 Country Musicians Who Became Famous After Their Deaths

To die early is to live long through legacy. Paradoxical, yes, but one that many writers, actors, painters, and musicians have benefited from. Beneficial in the sense that their work outlived them. Despite their deaths being tragic, to become famous after death is a poetic ending to a well-lived life. A troubled one, maybe, but if it weren’t for these troubles the work created by these artists may not have been able to stand the test of time.

Many musicians have passed on far too early. Kurt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and so many others. However, they were famous before and after they died. So, the paradox doesn’t necessarily apply to them. It’s the musicians who lived in obscurity, to then die and become legendary which it does. Here are three musicians who became famous after they died.

1. Robert Johnson

Known for making a deal with the devil to garner his guitar skills. Robert Johnson died in 1938 from a poisoned glass of whiskey. Before his death, he saw little to no success, as his song “Terraplane Blues” was considered to be his only hit. Although, in 1961, Columbia Records released King of The Delta Blues and Johnson then became one of the founders of the blues. And due to its influence, one of the founding fathers of rock ‘n’ roll.

He was only 27-years-old when he died, also making him the founder of the morbidly popular “27 Club.” A question that arises in light of Johnson’s death is—Would he have been as popular and influential if it wasn’t for his early departure? No one can say for sure, but it seems Johnson’s premature death has lots to do with his folkloric image and lasting influence.

2. Townes Van Zandt

“I don’t envision a very long life for myself. Like I think my life will run out before my work does, you know. I’ve designed it way,” is a tragically prophetic quote from Townes on the album Townes Van Zandt Be Here To Love Me. Dying at 52 from a heart attack brought on by alcoholism, Townes seemingly lived his life intending to die as insignificant and live on as one of the greatest songwriters of all time.

A self-sabotaging byronic hero, Townes’ commitment to this way of life was his fatal flaw. During his life, he was known merely for playing around Austin in clubs and bars and his career did not stretch much further. When Townes’ friend, Steve Earle, was asked about his lack of fame in an interview he simply said, “It’s his own fault. He shot himself in the foot.” Since he died in 1997, Townes’ music has become a country legend and his lyrics transcend time itself.

3. Blaze Foley

Foley was murdered trying to protect an elderly man from his son who was trying to kill him and collect his life insurance. Prior to that, Blaze Foley was seemingly a name that only people in Texas knew. During his strive for fame, Foley suffered from polio, abuse, a failed marriage, and addiction. Given these hardships, Foley never reached the success he aspired for while alive.

To this day, the one thing that put Foley on the map was John Prine’s cover of his song “Clay Pigeons.” In addition, Ethan Hawke made a film titled Blaze, aiming to spread the word about the songwriting legend. Without Prine’s cover or Hawke’s film, Foley’s death might have been in musical vain. Worse, people may have never been able to hear just how good he truly was.

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