5. Life After Death – Notorious B.I.G
Following the landmark success of New York rapper Notorious B.I.G or ‘Biggie Smalls’ 1994 debut ‘Ready to Die’, the young musicians future looked to be an incredibly bright one. From humble, even problematic beginnings on the harsh streets of the city, Biggie- real name Christopher Wallace, had managed to gain the attention of artist/producer Sean Combs aka ‘Puff Daddy’ and began working closely with him to hone his trade. By the time Biggies second album ‘Life After Death’ was ready to drop he was at the top of his game- however overblown East/West coast rivalries resulted in his assassination in March 1997, with the album being released later the same month. He was 24.
4. Mystery Girl – Roy Orbison
Before his death in the December of 1988, Roy Orbison was an extremely accomplished and celebrated artist all over the world. Having carved his teeth whilst the likes of Johnny Cash and Jerry Lewis were in their mid-50’s prime, Orbison spent the 1960’s as one of the most in demand artists in the world. Assuring the survival of the ‘Nashville Sound’ laid down by himself and aforementioned fellow Sun Records artists up until his death, his last works was to be ‘Mystery Girl’, between the recording and release of which Orbison succumbed to a heart attack aged 52.
3. Coda – Led Zeppelin
As the undisputed champions of the 1970’s rock continuation scene, Led Zeppelin spent their twelve career riding the kind of waves the are no longer around to ride. Though never particularly acclaimed in a critical sense of the word, the tireless devotion they bled into their trade led to a maintained popularity that accounted for a string of classic albums. The last of these, entitled ‘Coda’ comprises of a collection of session outtakes (+ subsequent overdubs) spanning a career that lasted from 1968-1980. It was released in 1982- 2 years after the death of drummer John Bonham caused the end of the band.
2. You Know You’re Right – Nirvana
As the last song ever put to tape by Nirvana, the story of this song is an intriguing one. Recorded in January 1994 in Seattle, ‘You Know You’re Right’ did not emerge at all until 2002 after a long winded legal dispute between Kurt Cobain’s wife Courtney Love and ex-band mates Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl over the rights to release the track drew to an overdue climax. Whilst Novoselic and Grohl wished to feature the song as part of a box-set they were compiling, Love insisted that the song be released with more focus as it was ‘a potential hit’. Both right in their own ways I suppose, but in the end they settled on a compromise of releasing it as the first track on a ‘1-CD history’ of the band.
1. Closer – Joy Division
Though a huge cult name in world music to this day, some may be surprised to learn that Joy Division spent just four years together. Formed in Salford, Greater Manchester in 1976- the band were one of the first to pioneer the sounds and concepts now commonly referred to as ‘post punk’. Influenced heavily by other English bands and artists of their time such as David Bowie, Buzzcocks and Sex Pistols- Joy Division grew a steady following throughout their native UK in the late 1970’s- which culminated in the release of their seminal debut album ‘Unknown Pleasures’ in 1979. Though readying for the release of follow up ‘Closer’ and preparing to embark on their first tour of the USA, the band was brought to cease swiftly with the suicide of lead singer Ian Curtis on May 18th 1980.