2016 – although emotionally turbulent at times – has been officially marked as “The Year The Music Died.” For those of you not privy to the reasoning behind this, that would be because of the incredible amount of music greats who have found their time on earth at its end this year. Although we cannot begin to describe the intensity with which each of those humans impacted the world over with their talents and the causes for which they all dutifully fought, we can bring a moment of silence for each of the big guns. We’ve also listed some of their most underrated tracks to ponder, as though we haven’t gotten enough of them while mourning their deaths.
One thing to remember – however – perhaps as a silver lining is that these incredible individuals have further set their mark on the world with news of their passing. More musicians are finding solace in their work, inspiration in their struggle, and a new wave of incredible music has begun to bless the ground we walk on. So – though this year was a devastating blow to music and the world at large – 2016 serves as the catapult into more grounded and groundbreaking art.
David Bowie – January 10th, 2016
Must Listen:
“I’m Afraid of Americans”, Earthling (1997)
“Wild Is The Wind”, Station To Station (1976)
“Moonage Daydream”, The Rise And Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars (1972)
“Under Pressure” (w/ Queen), Hot Space (1982)
Glenn Frey – January 17th, 2016
Must Listen:
“That Girl”, No Fun Aloud (1982)
“Soul Searchin’”, Solo Collection (1995)
“Smuggler’s Blues”, The Allnighter (1984)
“Seven Bridges Road”, Eagles Live (1980)
“Part of Me, Part of You”, Strange Weather (1992)
Paul Kantner – January 28th, 2016
Must Listen:
“Ice Cream Phoenix”, Crown of Creation (1968)
“Two Heads”, After Bathing At Baxters (1967)
“When The Earth Moves Again”, Thirty Seconds Over Winterland (1973)
“Miracles”, Red Octopus (1975)
“Runaway”, Earth (1978)
Maurice White – February 4th, 2016
Must Listen:
“Help Somebody”, Earth, Wind & Fire (1971)
“Kalimba Story”, Open Our Eyes (1974)
“Serpentine Fire”, All ‘n All (1977)
“Boogie Wonderland”, I Am (1979)
Phife Dawg – March 23rd, 2016
Must Listen:
“Excursions”, The Low End Theory, 1991
“Youthful Expression”, People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, 1990
“Crew”, Beats, Rhymes & Life (1996)
Merle Haggard – April 6th, 2016
Must Listen:
“Ever-Changing Woman”, Back To The Barrooms (1980)
“I’m Bringin’ Home Good News”, Pride In What I Am (1969)
“Footlights”, Serving 190 Proof (1979)
Prince – April 21st, 2016
Must Listen:
“Creep” at Coachella 2008
“The Most Beautiful Girl In The World”, The Gold Experience (1995)
“Sometimes It Snows In April”, Under The Cherry Moon (1986)
Leonard Cohen – November 10th, 2016
Must Listen:
“Lady Midnight”, The Best of Leonard Cohen (1975)
“You Want It Darker” (2016)
“Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye”, The Best of Leonard Cohen (1975)
Sharon Jones – November 18th, 2016
Must Listen:
“This Land Is Your Land”, Up in the Air Soundtrack (2010)
“Casella Walk”, Daptone 7 Inch Singles Collection, Vol. 1 (2006)
“I Learned the Hard Way”, Miss Sharon Jones (2016)
George Michael – December 25th, 2016
Must Listen:
“Find Me Somebody to Love” cover
“Moment With You”, Ladies & Gentlemen (1998)
“Feeling Good”, Twenty Five (2006)
“Monkey”, Faith (1987)
“Heal The Pain”, Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 (1990)
**List contributions by Elizabeth Schneider + Meredith Schneider
