4 Talented Musicians Who Didn’t Get Famous Until After They Died

Hitting it big in the music industry is no easy feat. And many of the most talented artists the world has seen didn’t get to enjoy the accolades that their contemporaries got until after they passed away. These four talented, legendary musicians didn’t get quite so famous until after they died.

It’s worth noting that many of these artists did get some recognition while they were alive. However, their names didn’t become quite as legendary until after they passed on.

1. Ian Curtis

Ian Curtis was 23 years old when he died in 1980 by suicide. He was known as the frontman of the now-famous band Joy Division. During the band’s short-lived career, they attracted mainly small crowds. However, after Curtis’ death, Joy Division went on to become a beloved band in the post-punk genre. The only album Curtis was alive for was the 1979 record Unknown Pleasures, which has since gained cult classic status.

2. Otis Redding

When it comes to musicians who became famous after they died, we can’t leave out this incredible artist. Otis Redding was only 26 when he died in 1967. Before his death, the singer/songwriter was only known in small music circles in the American South and only briefly toured before his death. “(Sittin’ On The) Dock Of The Bay” was recorded just three days before he was killed in a plane crash, and the song went on to become the first posthumous track to become a no. 1 hit on the Billboard charts.

3. Robert Johnson

Robert Johnson died too young at the age of 27 in 1938. He started his career as a guitarist with little luck and little skill. After taking a break for a while, he returned to the blues world significantly better at his craft. Rumors spread that he sold his soul to the devil at a crossroads to get as good as he did. And unfortunately, the young Johnson was found dead in Greenwood, Mississippi before his career could really take off. After his death, the few recordings he had went on to become cult hits in 1961 after Columbia Records released them on a compilation record.

4. Eva Cassidy

Nobody interpreted jazz and blues music quite like the talented Eva Marie. She passed away in 1996 at only 33 years old from melanoma, and she was pretty much unknown outside of D.C. by the time of her death. However, two years later, the BBC played some of her songs and launched her posthumously into stardom. Three of her songs even reached no. 1 on the UK charts.

Photo by Michael Ochs Archives

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