10 Musicians Who Still Performed When They Knew They Were Dying

10 Musicians Who Still Performed When They Knew They Were Dying

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today, were looking at artists who continued performing live while knowing how close they were to the end.

Bob Marley

An icon not just of reggae but also of Jamaica as a whole, Bob Marleys music and message continue to resonate more than 40 years after his death. In 1977, the musician was diagnosed with melanoma under his right big toenail. Though his doctors advised amputation, he refused. He continued performing around the world. In September 1980, he collapsed during a jog in Central Park, later learning his cancer had spread. His final concert was two days later in Pittsburgh. The remainder of the tour was canceled and he sought alternative medicine treatments for his illness. He passed away on May 11, 1981, at age 36.

Eva Cassidy

Renowned for her remarkable soprano voice, Eva Cassidy's fame grew considerably in the years following her tragically short life. In 1993, a malignant mole was removed from Cassidy's back. Three years later, she experienced an intense, prolonged pain in her hip. She then learned that her cancer had spread to her lungs and bones. Cassidys final public appearance was that year, at a benefit concert in her honor at The Bayou in Washington, D.C., which she closed with an emotional rendition of "What a Wonderful World. She died on November 2, 1996, at age 33.

Gord Downie

As frontman and lyricist of The Tragically Hip, Gord Downie was true Canadian music royalty. Though his Canada-centric songwriting might have limited their appeal outside of their home country, that didn't really matter, given how adored they were there. When news broke in 2016 that Downie had been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, fans were devastated. But the band continued touring, with their final tour chronicled in the documentary, "Long Time Running. Due to memory issues from his illness, Downie had to use multiple teleprompters during the band's final shows. Their last concert was held on August 20, 2016 and simulcast live to millions. Downie also performed some solo concerts afterward, before passing away on October 17, 2017, at age 53.

Jimmy Buffett

Jimmy Buffetts music is imbued with a carefree, good vibes spirit, one thats provided comfort to many during times of sadness and stress. Though Buffett died following a four-year battle with Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare skin cancer, he continued performing and touring steadily during those years. He didn't disclose his illness, but he did have to cancel some shows due to health issues. His final performance was an impromptu concert on July 2, 2023 at Sunset Cove, a restaurant in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. He passed away on September 1, 2023 at age 76.

Gregg Allman

In some ways, its remarkable that Gregg Allman lived for as long as he did. The founding member of the Allman Brothers Band's life was complicated by his substance use disorder, particularly alcohol. In 2007, Allman was diagnosed with hepatitis C. The following year, tumors were found in his liver, requiring a transplant. However, he was diagnosed with liver cancer just two years later in 2012. Though Allman was told he had between 12 and 18 months left, he lived for far longer than predicted and continued recording and performing. His final performance was on October 29, 2016 in Atlanta, as part of the Laid Back Festival. He passed away on May 27, 2017, at age 69.

Toby Keith

With hits spanning the 90s, 2000s, and 2010s, Toby Keith was a true country music legend. In June 2022, Keith broke news of his stomach cancer diagnosis at the end of the previous year. Though he understandably didnt perform very much in his final years, the times he did were very poignant. His final TV performance was at the inaugural People's Choice Country Awards at the Grand Ole Opry, where he was also honored with the "Country Icon" award. In December 2023, Keith played three sold-out concerts at Las Vegas' Dolby Live at Park MGM. He passed away on February 5, 2024, at age 62.

Tammi Terrell

Best known for her incredible duets with Marvin Gaye, young vocalist Tammi Terrell seemed poised for decades of musical success. This became far less certain in 1967, when she collapsed into Gayes arms during a concert. Though she was initially diagnosed with exhaustion, it was later revealed to be something far more serious: a brain tumor. She continued performing while also undergoing numerous surgeries in hopes of saving her life. Sadly, Terrell's health troubles persisted and by 1969, she had to stop performing for good. She died on March 16, 1970, at age 24.

Warren Zevon

One of the most idiosyncratic songwriters of his era, Warren Zevons lyrics were as rich in detail as they were in heart and humor. In August 2002, the beloved artist announced he had been diagnosed with mesothelioma, a rare cancer associated with exposure to asbestos. A regular guest on David Letterman's talk shows, Zevons final performance and public appearance was on the Late Show. This was not just a performance of a single song. Rather, practically the whole show was an ode to Zevon, who performed three songs and was interviewed, delivering this timeless advice. Zevon passed away on September 7, 2003, at age 56.

Aretha Franklin

The undisputed "Queen of Soul," Aretha Franklin was still performing up until the very end. While time had taken somewhat of a toll on her powerhouse vocals, she was still able to wow a crowd. However, medical issues required her to cancel shows at various points over the years. For years, there had been speculation that she had been fighting pancreatic cancer, which her family confirmed upon her passing. Her final performance, on November 17, 2017, at Elton John's yearly AIDS Foundation gala, was described by John himself as "phenomenal." Though Franklin was visibly unwell, she still managed to pull off a jaw-dropping curtain call. Franklin passed away on August 16, 2018, at age 76.

Glen Campbell

In 2011, just a few months after announcing he would be embarking on a final "Goodbye Tour, country music icon Glen Campbell broke the news of his diagnosis with Alzheimers disease. Despite this, he continued on with his tour, performing with a band made up of family members and delivering shows overflowing with emotional resonance. While Campbell had some performance difficulties, his voice was still in great shape. The tour lasted over a year, beginning in Toronto and ending in Napa, with 148 concerts performed. Campbell passed away on August 8, 2017, at age 81.

Have you ever seen an artist perform live when they knew they were dying? Let us know in the comments.