50 ‘Last’ Releases From Rock Artists

All good issues should come to an finish, they are saying. And sadly that features the careers of our favourite bands and solo artists.

For some, the finale arrives before anticipated. John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin, to call a couple of, left the world early and thus their final musical releases have been, properly, not exactl meant to be their final.

For others, there is a sense of preparedness. David Bowie, for instance, knew his terminal prognosis would reduce his profession quick. Less gloomy are the circumstances by which a band is obvious about their finish. Simon & Garfunkel, the Band and Pink Floyd are examples of this – after years of music making, it is merely time to maneuver on to a brand new chapter.

In no explicit order, we’re looking at 50 “Last” Releases From Rock Artists — their swan songs, if you’ll. Most have been launched as official singles, others appeared as closing tracks on last albums. Plenty of them arrived properly after the dissolution of bands or the dying of essential band members. Regardless, every left an enduring mark of their respective artists’ careers.

1. Simon & Garfunkel, “My Little Town”

By the time Simon & Garfunkel’s “My Little Town” got here out in 1975, the duo had been cut up up for half a decade. But this was a reconciliation. Paul Simon was then at work on a brand new solo album, however one thing about “My Little Town” begged for his outdated companion’s contribution, and they also collaborated as soon as once more within the studio. It was a Top 10 hit and their final authentic music collectively.

 

2. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, “Leave Virginia Alone”

If Tom Petty’s “Leave Virginia Alone” sounds acquainted to you, which may be as a result of Rod Stewart recorded it for his 1995 album, A Spanner within the Works. It had initially been meant for Petty’s Wildflowers, however deemed too much like one other music for inclusion. Close to 30 years later — and three years after his dying — Petty’s personal model lastly arrived.

 

3. Van Halen, “She’s the Woman”

Not lengthy after Van Halen launched their twelfth album, A Different Kind of Truth, in 2012, Eddie Van Halen’s well being started a extra fast decline. Eight years later, he died on the age of 65. Thus, the final official single to be launched from Van Halen was “She’s the Woman.”

 

4. Elvis Presley, “Way Down”

An monumental quantity of Elvis Presley music has been launched posthumously, a lot of it beforehand recorded stay or launched in another capability. But right here we’re wanting again to simply earlier than the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll handed away. Moody Blue arrived a month earlier than his dying, with the final single, “Way Down,” launched on June 6, 1977.

 

5. David Bowie, “I Can’t Give Everything Away”

Since Bowie’s passing in January 2016, there’s been some vault exercise, however none of it, arguably, has had the identical sort of impression because the third and last single from Blackstar, Bowie’s last studio album. The LP’s first two singles arrived previous to Bowie’s dying, however “I Can’t Give Everything Away” got here after, making it his first posthumously launched single. There can be extra archival music to come back, however this was the ultimate providing Bowie made certain to provide away.

 

6. The Beatles, “Now and Then”

The 2023 promotional marketing campaign for the Beatles’ “Now and Then” made it very clear: this was the final ever Beatles music. Using an outdated demo tape recorded by Lennon within the late ’70s, plus beforehand recorded guitar components by George Harrison, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, a last  collaboration was in a position to happen.

 

7. John Lennon, “Watching the Wheels”

Let’s rewind the tape even additional. Like Bowie, Lennon’s final official single arrived posthumously. “Watching the Wheels,” from Double Fantasy, got here out in March of 1981, a number of months after his homicide in New York City. It went to No. 10 within the U.S.

 

8. George Harrison, “Any Road”

Lennon was the primary Beatle to go away behind a posthumous final single, however not the one. Harrison’s “Any Road” appeared on 2002’s Brainwashed, and once more as a single in May 2003. (Harrison died in 2001.) Jeff Lynne and Jim Keltner, longtime collaborators, performed on the observe, together with Harrison’s personal son, Dhani.

 

9. Billy Joel, “All My Life”

After over a decade away from songwriting, Billy Joel stunned his followers in 2007 with “All My Life,” a music he wrote for his then-wife Katie Lee. (Joel stopped writing new songs after the discharge of River of Dreams in 1993.) It’s unimaginable to say whether or not or not Joel would ever do one thing like this once more, however for the current, it seems he is sticking to his non-writing routine.

 

10. Pink Floyd, “Hey Hey Rise Up”

In case you have not seen over the previous few years, the previous members of Pink Floyd don’t all get alongside. In 2022, David Gilmour and Nick Mason recorded a music in assist of Ukraine titled “Hey Hey Rise Up,” and although it was credited to Pink Floyd, Roger Waters didn’t contribute to the observe. And in case it obtained you hopeful a few potential reunion and extra music, Gilmour made certain to emphasise this was a “one-off” endeavor.

 

11. Led Zeppelin, “Fool in the Rain”

Led Zeppelin’s reign was not all that lengthy in comparison with different rock bands, however they definitely made essentially the most of it. In December of 1979, nearly a 12 months earlier than they’d formally name it quits, they launched “Fool in the Rain,” the one single from In Through the Out Door. Led Zeppelin by no means carried out it stay, and as soon as drummer John Bonham died in December 1980, it turned evident that the band had run its course.

 

12. Nirvana, “Pennyroyal Tea”

On March 1, 1994, Nirvana carried out a live performance in Munich, Germany, with no concept it might be their final. By April 5, Kurt Cobain was useless on the age of 27. The third single from In Utero, “Pennyroyal Tea,” was speculated to be put out the next month, however the launch was canceled on account of Cobain’s dying. Though the one had been made and distributed in some international locations, only a few copies survived this period.

 

13. Talking Heads, “Sax and Violins”

In December of 1991, Talking Heads ended. The similar month, their final music, “Sax and Violins,” arrived. It appeared within the science fiction movie Until the End of the World, a poorly acquired endeavor directed by Wim Wenders. The music, although, was not unsuccessful when launched as a single, reaching No. 1 on the U.S. Modern Rock Tracks chart.

 

14. The Allman Brothers Band, “Old Friend”

The street was not at all times straightforward for the Allman Brothers Band, whose profession was peppered with loss. Their last album, Hittin’ the Note, arrived in 2003, and although there have been no official singles from it, the closing observe touches on that lasting sense of grief: “You know hard times just an old friend / just an old friend to me.”

 

15. The Doors, “An American Prayer”

Seven years after Jim Morrison’s passing, his voice was revived. In 1978, the Doors launched An American Prayer, that includes music the remaining band members wrote to accompany a few of Morrison’s spoken phrase recordings. The title observe closes the album, a bittersweet sendoff: “Where are the feasts we were promised? Where is the wine?“

 

16. Jimi Hendrix, “Stepping Stone”

Hendrix’s profession lasted lower than a decade, however he wasted no time throughout it. On April 8, 1970, he launched “Stepping Stone,” a music whose origins might be heard in Hendrix’s Woodstock efficiency. Five months later, the guitarist can be useless on the age of 27, and different variations of the music can be launched posthumously.

 

17. The Grateful Dead, “Just a Little Light”

While it could be true that the spirit of the Grateful Dead has lived on even after their dissolution — particularly with the Dead and Company spinoff — the fact is that the unique Dead successfully ended when Jerry Garcia died in 1995. Their final studio single was “Just a Little Light,” that includes keyboardist Brent Mydland on lead vocals.

 

18. Rush, “The Garden”

Rush’s profession did not a lot finish abruptly because it fizzled out. Their last album, Clockwork Angels, was launched in 2012, with the ultimate single, “The Garden,” arriving in April 2013. “I’ve always wanted to do that kind of song where the melody was the thing that made it connect with you, that gave it resonance, where the voice kind of comes out of the soundscape and delivers the story to you in a heartfelt way,” Geddy Lee mentioned on the time. “To achieve that without it being schmaltzy or feeling forced, and with the music around the voice to be very relaxed, I think can only come from years of playing and from confidence.”

 

19. The White Stripes, “Conquest”

The final single the White Stripes launched earlier than their breakup was truly not even one among their very own songs. It was a canopy of “Conquest,” written by Corky Robbins and made fashionable within the ’50s by singer Patti Page. In addition to Jack and Meg White, Regulo Aldama performed trumpet on the observe.

 

20. Black Sabbath, “Isolated Man”

The title of Black Sabbath’s 2016 EP The End is fairly self-explanatory. Produced by Rick Rubin, the eight-track challenge was recorded throughout the identical time as 2013’s 13. Four of the tracks have been stay recordings from earlier tour stops, which means the final authentic studio observe to be launched was “Isolated Man.”

 

21. The Band, “French Girls”

After years on the street and quite a lot of regarding accidents involving substances, the Band retired from stay performing with 1976’s The Last Waltz. But that wasn’t the tip of their recording profession. A couple of extra albums adopted, the final of which, Jubilation, arrived in 1998. It did not embody all the unique members — Robbie Robertson didn’t take part and Richard Manuel died in 1994 — nevertheless it was nonetheless credited to the Band. The closing observe was penned by their quietest member, Garth Hudson, an instrumental music titled “French Girls.”

 

22. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, “No Tears Left”

The precise lineup of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young modified a lot of instances over time. In the late ’90s, Neil Young rejoined the group and the end result was 1999’s Looking Forward, the final album CSNY would launch, and Stephen Stills’ “No Tears Left” turned the ultimate single.

 

23. David Crosby, “Rodriguez for a Night”

David Crosby’s dying in January 2023 got here as a shock to many. Just two years earlier, he’d launched what would wind up his last album, For Free, that includes friends like Michael McDonald and Donald Fagen. Crosby’s final single, then, was “Rodriguez for a Night,” which was co-written with Fagen and Crosby’s personal son, Raymond.

 

24. The Monkees, “Unwrap You at Christmas”

Who would have thought the Monkees’ last music can be a vacation one? The beloved TV-born band put out their final album in 2018, merely titled Christmas Party. “Unwrap You at Christmas” was the one single, written by Andy Partridge of XTC and sung by Micky Dolenz.

 

25. Bob Seger, “Busload of Faith”

Technically, Bob Seger solely mentioned he isn’t taken with touring anymore, not essentially making music total, nevertheless it’s turn out to be fairly clear over the previous few years that he is aiming to decelerate and appears to discuss his profession previously tense. He launched his final album, I Knew You When, in 2017, with one single, “Busload of Faith.”

 

26. Jeff Beck, “This Is a Song for Miss Hedy Lamarr”

Over the summer time of 2022, Jeff Beck launched 18, a collaborative album recorded with Johnny Depp, that includes covers of the Velvet Underground’s “Venus in Furs,” Brian Wilson’s “Caroline No” and others. Fans did not realize it on the time, however this might be the final music Beck put forth earlier than his dying in January 2023. “This Is a Song for Miss Hedy Lamarr,” one among solely two originals on 18, was its one and solely single.

 

27. The Kinks, “Scattered”

Since roughly the mid ’90s, Ray and Dave Davies of the Kinks have targeted on their respective solo careers. Though there have been a lot of re-releases, the final authentic single they put out was 1993’s “Scattered,” a music that was partly devoted to Annie Florence Davies, the brothers’ mom.

 

28. Little Richard, “Puppy Dog Song”

Sometimes, issues get placed on the again burner. Such was the case with Little Richard’s Southern Child, an album that was initially meant for launch in 1972, however was shelved till 2005, when it lastly noticed the sunshine of day and served as Richard’s last album. Its closing observe was “Puppy Dog Song,” co-written with Chuck Rainey.

 

29. Meat Loaf, “Speaking in Tongues”

It wound up becoming that Meat Loaf and his longtime collaborator Jim Steinman died roughly a 12 months other than each other in 2022 and 2021, respectively. Their final album collectively, Braver Than We Are, arrived in 2016, with the ultimate single being “Speaking in Tongues,” that includes Stacy Michelle.

 

30. Warren Zevon, “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”

Warren Zevon knew he was dying when he started recording 2003’s The Wind, shortly after being identified with inoperable most cancers. His cowl of Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” launched because the album’s final single, is about as poignant as they arrive — a person properly conscious that the area between him and no matter comes after life was approaching quick, and but did not scare him.

 

31. Buffalo Springfield, “On the Way Home”

By the time “On the Way Home” was launched as a single in 1968, Buffalo Springfield was roughly over. It’s becoming, then, that their last album collectively was titled Last Time Around, although it was completed largely to fulfill contractual agreements. “On the Way Home” is the one music on the album to function authentic bassist Bruce Palmer, plus Richie Furay singing the lead vocal and Neil Young enjoying piano.

 

32. The Byrds, “Full Circle”

Is there a greater title for a final launch than “Full Circle?” Arguably not. In 1973, the Byrds reunited to document the self-titled album that will turn out to be their final. “Full Circle,” penned by Gene Clark, was launched as a single twice: as soon as in April 1973 and once more in August 1978.

 

33. Dio, “Electra”

“Electra” was not solely the final single launched by Dio previous to Ronnie James Dio’s dying in May 2010, but additionally the final music the band recorded collectively earlier than his passing. (*50*) Dio mentioned in an interview performed in 2009, the identical 12 months he was identified with abdomen most cancers.

 

34. Creedence Clearwater Revival, “Someday Never Comes”

CCR’s breakup was not precisely clear. In reality, their final album, Mardi Gras, was additionally their first and solely to be recorded as a trio, following the departure of Tom Fogerty. Even then, tensions have been nonetheless excessive amongst the remaining members. “Someday Never Comes” served as the ultimate single, penned by John Fogerty. The band would cut up up not lengthy after the LP was launched in April 1972.

 

35. Dire Straits, “Ticket to Heaven”

Dire Straits went out on the most important bang they might. The follow-up to the extremely profitable Brothers in Arms (1985) was 1991’s On Every Street, co-produced by the band and Mark Knopfler himself. Six singles have been launched, the final of which was “Ticket to Heaven.”

 

36. Emerson, Lake & Palmer, “Street War”

Unfortunately, Emerson, Lake & Palmer’s last album, 1994’s In the Hot Seat, was a business flop. Its closing observe, “Street War,” had truly been began by Greg Lake a number of years prior throughout 1988 classes with Geoff Downes, finally discovering a house on In the Hot Seat.

 

37. Stevie Ray Vaughan, “Little Wing”

There are few guitarists who would not title Stevie Ray Vaughan as one of the vital influential blues gamers there ever was. Vaughan died in a helicopter crash in 1990, however a little bit over a 12 months later, a posthumous album titled The Sky Is Crying arrived. The final single was a canopy of Hendrix’s “Little Wing,” with a becoming “fly on” message.

 

38. Cream, “Badge”

If it wasn’t clear from the title of Cream’s last album, Goodbye, the band was already over by the point the album was launched in February 1969. A month after that got here their final single, “Badge,” which was co-written by Eric Clapton and George Harrison. (It was a Top 20 hit within the U.Okay.)

 

39. Janis Joplin, “Get It While You Can”

“We may not be here tomorrow,” Janis Joplin sings in “Get It While You Can,” the final single from 1971’s Pearl. It was solely her second solo album, nevertheless it was already a posthumous one — Joplin died in October 1970, three months earlier than it was launched.

 

40. Marvin Gaye, “Lucky, Lucky Me’

Like a few other songs on this list, Marvin Gaye’s “Lucky, Lucky Me” is an example of something recorded and ultimately shelved. Gaye recorded “Lucky, Lucky Me” in 1964, but it would be another 30 years before it saw the light of day on 1994’s The Very Best of Marvin Gaye, which also marked a decade since his death.

 

41. Leonard Cohen, “Moving On”

There is only so much time in one’s life. The last album Leonard Cohen released in his lifetime was 2016’s You Want It Darker, but the journey wasn’t quite over there. Thanks for the Dance arrived in 2019, featuring leftover compositions from 2016, finished with the help of Cohen’s son, Adam. “[We had] conversations about what instrumentation and what emotions he wished the finished work to evoke,” Adam told The New York Times in 2019, “sadly, the truth that I’d be finishing them with out him was given.” “Moving On” was the last single, released in January 2020.

 

42. Oasis, “Falling Down”

It’s one of the best known sibling splits in music: the Oasis brothers. In March of 2009, the band released their very last single, “Falling Down,” from Dig Out Your Soul. Less than six months later, Oasis was no more and have not reunited since.

 

43. The Clash, “This Is England”

After half a dozen albums, the Clash called it quits at the top of 1986. Just before that, they released Cut the Crap, which included their last single, “This Is England,” an anthemic number about the then-current state of Britain.

 

44. Funkadelic, “Ain’t That Funkin’ Kinda Hard on You?”

Following Funkadelic’s dissolution in the ’80s, George Clinton kept fans interested with his P-Funk collective. Then, in 2014, Funkadelic miraculously returned with First Ya Gotta Shake the Gate. The second and last single, “Ain’t That Funkin’ Kinda Hard on You?,” was released along with Clinton’s autobiography, Brothers Be, Yo Like George, Ain’t That Funkin’ Kinda Hard On You?

 

45. The Cars, “Free”

In 2011, a year after reuniting, the Cars released Move Like This, which wound up at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 and was their first and only album without bassist/vocalist Benjamin Orr. Their final single was “Free.” This was followed by a tour, but the Cars have been dormant ever since.

 

46. Roy Orbison, “I Will Always”

In 1966, Roy Orbison’s wife Claudette died in a motorcycle accident. Two years later, a fire destroyed his home and killed two of his sons. In 1969, understandably not the man he once was, Orbison stepped into the studio and recorded an album titled One of the Lonely Ones. It went unreleased for close to 50 years, but in 2015, Orbison’s family found the project in the archives and finally released it. Its final track was a song written by Don Gibson, “I Will Always.”

 

47. INXS, “Mediate”

INX’s final project ended up being pretty unique. In 2010, they released Original Sin, an album full of re-recordings of their older songs, “re-invented,” as Jon Farriss put it at the time. Their last single, then, was a brand new version of 1987’s “Mediate,” featuring the British rapper Tricky.

 

48. Aretha Franklin, “Rolling within the Deep”

Who would have thought that Aretha Franklin’s final single would be none other than a cover of one of the biggest hits of the 21st century? Franklin’s rendition of Adele’s “Rolling within the Deep” also featured a snippet of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” and appeared on 2014’s Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics.

 

49. Robert Palmer, “Need Your Love So Bad”

Approximately four months before his death in September 2003, Robert Palmer put out Drive, an album of mostly covers. The last of them was “Need Your Love So Bad,” the classic blues number first recorded by Little Willie John in 1955.

 

50. Jimmy Buffett, “Bubbles Up”

Jimmy Buffet, who died in September 2023, left an inspiring parting gift for his fans in the form of a final single titled “Bubbles Up.” “When the journey will get lengthy / Just know that you’re cherished,” he sings. “There is gentle up above / And the enjoyment is at all times sufficient / Bubbles up.”