Death may stop the tour, but it doesn’t stop the music. These artists left the stage far too soon, but their voices rose even higher in the charts after they were gone. Whether it was a final single, a posthumous release, or a surge of love from fans, these #1 moments prove that great songs live forever.
Otis Redding – “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay”
Otis Redding recorded this soulful classic just three days before he died in a plane crash in 1967. In 1968, it became the first-ever posthumous #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. His whistled outro, added in the studio, is now one of music’s most bittersweet moments.
Janis Joplin – “Me and Bobby McGee”
Released in 1971 after her death the year before, Janis Joplin’s take on this Kris Kristofferson song soared to #1. It’s full of grit, longing, and that unmistakable Joplin fire. She never got to see its success—but the world sure felt it.
Jim Croce – “Time in a Bottle”
Originally an album cut, this track found new life after Croce’s death in a plane crash in 1973. Fans connected deeply with its lyrics about time and memory. It reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 just months later.
John Lennon – “(Just Like) Starting Over”
Lennon was tragically killed in December 1980. Just weeks later, his new single went to #1. It wasn’t just a hit—it became a farewell anthem for fans around the world who were mourning and celebrating all at once.
The Notorious B.I.G. – “Mo Money Mo Problems”
Biggie’s second chart-topping single dropped after his death in 1997. With Puffy and Mase riding the beat, and Diana Ross sampled in the hook, it was a massive hit. Biggie proved he could dominate from beyond the grave.
Tupac Shakur – “How Do U Want It” / “California Love”
2Pac’s chart success didn’t stop after his death in 1996. “How Do U Want It” and “California Love” both hit #1, part of a run that showed just how powerful his music had become. His posthumous output kept flowing for years.
XXXTENTACION – “Sad!”
After XXXTENTACION was shot and killed in 2018, “Sad!” jumped to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It made him the first lead artist since Biggie to earn a posthumous #1. The track’s haunting honesty connected with an entire generation.
Juice WRLD – “Lucid Dreams” (Billboard 200 Album #1)
While “Lucid Dreams” peaked at #2, Juice WRLD’s album Legends Never Die debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 after his death in 2019. The title alone felt prophetic. His music continues to guide a generation through emotion and loss.
Whether they were legends in life or artists just getting started, these musicians reached #1 after their time on Earth had ended. Their art kept speaking, climbing charts, and touching hearts. That’s the power of music—it never truly leaves us.