it’s through the power of song that
these late band members are honored and
remembered
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
counting down our picks for the top ten
tribute songs to members of the band
for this list we’re looking at songs
performed written or composed by bands
as tributes to a former member we are
also counting solo songs that came from
one band member in relation to another
we’re not including tribute songs from
one singer to another who were not in a
band together as they’re better suited
for a list for another day
number 10 XIX 19 Slipknot
if any goodbye song was to resonate
strongly with emotions of pain heartache
and loss then Slipknot have it perfectly
covered here
along with their track goodbye XIX 19
lyrically mourns the death of founding
bassist Paul Gray who died of a morphine
overdose in 2010 nothing up
the haunting bagpipe sound fuses with
the fierce combination of bass and
emotionally rich vocals courtesy of
quarry tail job to disappear
moving past the band members death when
you’re among the most recognized metal
bands in the world is no easy task but
Slipknot succeeded in honoring the
memory of grey while retaining their
unique sound
number nine knock me down Red Hot Chili
Peppers
much
founding member Hillel Slovak helped lay
the foundations for the eventual success
of the Red Hot Chili Peppers
adopting an experimental approach toward
the art of guitar playing
he would blend rock with more
alternative genres such as funk for
years until he lost control of his
heroin addiction and overdosed in 1988
prompting this tribute a year later
lyrically knock me down is driven by the
band’s desire to turn back the clock and
see slow back again the song relays
important messages about the dangers of
drug abuse to all who hear it all while
paying tribute to one hell of a
guitarist
number eight Australia Manic Street
Preachers
it’s common for Australia to be known as
the land down under and it was the ideal
music destination for the Manic Street
Preachers in 1996
it’s subject matter circulates the 1995
disappearance of founding member richie
Edwards who was eventually presumed dead
in 2008
the song voices the band’s desire to
escape from the hardships and personal
difficulties associated with his site of
disappearance desiring to be free from
it all in Australia to them the furthest
place possible from home
it’s a perfectly executed track that is
highly relatable and sentimental at the
same time deserving a well warranted
spot on our list
number seven white lightning Def Leppard
the life of Steve Clark was one for the
history books he was unstoppable on
stage and renowned for his incredible
ability to run around while playing
guitar as fast as lightning strikes
this was until 1991 when Clark
tragically passed away at the hands of a
prescription drug and alcohol overdose
Def Leppard penned the song is a tribute
to their fallen bandmates referring to
him as white lightning
with its untamed use of electric guitars
combined with some powerful drums and
vocals we take our hats off to Def
Leppard for pulling off such an
incredible tune less than a year after
Clark’s death
number six no one but you only the good
die young queen an angel region for the
sky
break out the tissues mojo holics
because this song is bound to make you
shed adhere
No
Queen frontman Freddie Mercury
tragically lost his life to AIDS in 1991
prompting remaining band members to
bravely grieve his loss through song
the music video showcases footage of
mercury as one of the greatest frontman
of all time
guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger
Taylor do their late bandmate proud
providing unforgettable vocal
performances
it was truly the perfect way to say
goodbye to not only a great singer but a
great man as well
never feared for in number five so far
away Avenged Sevenfold alive the heal
the broken now without that it
this moving tribute pays an honest
homage towards founding drummer James
Sullivan better known as the Rev who was
found dead from an overdose in 2009
it wasn’t the bands only tribute to the
late drummer however as they would
revisit their loss with Saint James
the music video reveals the four
original members growing up together as
friends to eventually become famous as
Avenged Sevenfold
while the song deals with sorrow and
heartbreak for their lost brother it is
contrasted by footage of the Rev
enjoying life with memorable guitar
solos and passionate lyrics this is
truly a tribute for the ages
number four to live is to die Metallica
the versatility of Metallica is simply
unquestionable as demonstrated here this
track begins with an easy listening by
gradually morphing into their classic
metal sound
Oh
along with Megadeth’s in my darkest hour
the song honors the late Cliff Burton
who served as Metallica’s bassist from
1982 until his unfortunate death as a
result of a bus accident in 1986
this track uses elements taken from
Burton himself featuring the title as a
quote he was commonly known to use
alongside previously unheard riffs he
himself had written before his untimely
passing
number three all those years ago George
Harrison shuttin all about love well let
you do like an ah the death of John
Lennon rocked not only the music
industry but the entire world when he
was assassinated on December 8 1980
this moving tribute by fellow Beatle
George Harrison serves as an appropriate
trip down the very nostalgic lane of
Beatlemania it paints a picture of one
former bandmates missing another
reminding all of their unique brotherly
bond featuring fellow bandmates Paul
McCartney and Ringo Starr the tune is
unabashedly cheery while the song’s
lyrics see Harrison documenting the life
and friendship of the former Beatle
Oh
number two back in black ac/dc five
months following the death of lead
singer Bon Scott ac/dc released this now
iconic track to incredible commercial
acclaim and success
not only did it establish the band’s new
frontman Brian Johnson as the ideal
replacement but it did not deter from
the sound that made the Bon Scott lead
ac/dc tracks memorable
that is to say it rocked the band paid
tribute to his legacy without sounding
morbid or melancholic instead channeling
his iconic stage presence and voice
through his head bang friendly vibe
just–how bond would have wanted it
before we pay tribute to our number one
pick here are a few honorable mentions
to sweet Melissa
I’m calling all my oldest friends say
sorry for this mess wearing
number one shine on you crazy diamond
pink floyd– remember
like the Sun Floyd’s original bandleader
sid barett shone brightly but owning to
his fragile mental state he was deserted
by the band in 1968 years later
Said’s tragic fall inspired much of the
band’s wish you were here album
including most notably shine on you
crazy diamond
strangely a completely unrecognizable
Barrett actually turns up at the studio
while the band was working on the
project intent on recording his guitar
lines passionate heart felt while
unmistakably Pink Floyd shine on
captures much of sids character and the
band’s feelings towards him
Syd may not be mentioned by name but
he’s there in spirit and sneakily in the
songs title
so do you agree with our list which
songs did we miss
for more great top 10s published every
day be sure to subscribe to
watchmojo.com
you
these late band members are honored and
remembered
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
counting down our picks for the top ten
tribute songs to members of the band
for this list we’re looking at songs
performed written or composed by bands
as tributes to a former member we are
also counting solo songs that came from
one band member in relation to another
we’re not including tribute songs from
one singer to another who were not in a
band together as they’re better suited
for a list for another day
number 10 XIX 19 Slipknot
if any goodbye song was to resonate
strongly with emotions of pain heartache
and loss then Slipknot have it perfectly
covered here
along with their track goodbye XIX 19
lyrically mourns the death of founding
bassist Paul Gray who died of a morphine
overdose in 2010 nothing up
the haunting bagpipe sound fuses with
the fierce combination of bass and
emotionally rich vocals courtesy of
quarry tail job to disappear
moving past the band members death when
you’re among the most recognized metal
bands in the world is no easy task but
Slipknot succeeded in honoring the
memory of grey while retaining their
unique sound
number nine knock me down Red Hot Chili
Peppers
much
founding member Hillel Slovak helped lay
the foundations for the eventual success
of the Red Hot Chili Peppers
adopting an experimental approach toward
the art of guitar playing
he would blend rock with more
alternative genres such as funk for
years until he lost control of his
heroin addiction and overdosed in 1988
prompting this tribute a year later
lyrically knock me down is driven by the
band’s desire to turn back the clock and
see slow back again the song relays
important messages about the dangers of
drug abuse to all who hear it all while
paying tribute to one hell of a
guitarist
number eight Australia Manic Street
Preachers
it’s common for Australia to be known as
the land down under and it was the ideal
music destination for the Manic Street
Preachers in 1996
it’s subject matter circulates the 1995
disappearance of founding member richie
Edwards who was eventually presumed dead
in 2008
the song voices the band’s desire to
escape from the hardships and personal
difficulties associated with his site of
disappearance desiring to be free from
it all in Australia to them the furthest
place possible from home
it’s a perfectly executed track that is
highly relatable and sentimental at the
same time deserving a well warranted
spot on our list
number seven white lightning Def Leppard
the life of Steve Clark was one for the
history books he was unstoppable on
stage and renowned for his incredible
ability to run around while playing
guitar as fast as lightning strikes
this was until 1991 when Clark
tragically passed away at the hands of a
prescription drug and alcohol overdose
Def Leppard penned the song is a tribute
to their fallen bandmates referring to
him as white lightning
with its untamed use of electric guitars
combined with some powerful drums and
vocals we take our hats off to Def
Leppard for pulling off such an
incredible tune less than a year after
Clark’s death
number six no one but you only the good
die young queen an angel region for the
sky
break out the tissues mojo holics
because this song is bound to make you
shed adhere
No
Queen frontman Freddie Mercury
tragically lost his life to AIDS in 1991
prompting remaining band members to
bravely grieve his loss through song
the music video showcases footage of
mercury as one of the greatest frontman
of all time
guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger
Taylor do their late bandmate proud
providing unforgettable vocal
performances
it was truly the perfect way to say
goodbye to not only a great singer but a
great man as well
never feared for in number five so far
away Avenged Sevenfold alive the heal
the broken now without that it
this moving tribute pays an honest
homage towards founding drummer James
Sullivan better known as the Rev who was
found dead from an overdose in 2009
it wasn’t the bands only tribute to the
late drummer however as they would
revisit their loss with Saint James
the music video reveals the four
original members growing up together as
friends to eventually become famous as
Avenged Sevenfold
while the song deals with sorrow and
heartbreak for their lost brother it is
contrasted by footage of the Rev
enjoying life with memorable guitar
solos and passionate lyrics this is
truly a tribute for the ages
number four to live is to die Metallica
the versatility of Metallica is simply
unquestionable as demonstrated here this
track begins with an easy listening by
gradually morphing into their classic
metal sound
Oh
along with Megadeth’s in my darkest hour
the song honors the late Cliff Burton
who served as Metallica’s bassist from
1982 until his unfortunate death as a
result of a bus accident in 1986
this track uses elements taken from
Burton himself featuring the title as a
quote he was commonly known to use
alongside previously unheard riffs he
himself had written before his untimely
passing
number three all those years ago George
Harrison shuttin all about love well let
you do like an ah the death of John
Lennon rocked not only the music
industry but the entire world when he
was assassinated on December 8 1980
this moving tribute by fellow Beatle
George Harrison serves as an appropriate
trip down the very nostalgic lane of
Beatlemania it paints a picture of one
former bandmates missing another
reminding all of their unique brotherly
bond featuring fellow bandmates Paul
McCartney and Ringo Starr the tune is
unabashedly cheery while the song’s
lyrics see Harrison documenting the life
and friendship of the former Beatle
Oh
number two back in black ac/dc five
months following the death of lead
singer Bon Scott ac/dc released this now
iconic track to incredible commercial
acclaim and success
not only did it establish the band’s new
frontman Brian Johnson as the ideal
replacement but it did not deter from
the sound that made the Bon Scott lead
ac/dc tracks memorable
that is to say it rocked the band paid
tribute to his legacy without sounding
morbid or melancholic instead channeling
his iconic stage presence and voice
through his head bang friendly vibe
just–how bond would have wanted it
before we pay tribute to our number one
pick here are a few honorable mentions
to sweet Melissa
I’m calling all my oldest friends say
sorry for this mess wearing
number one shine on you crazy diamond
pink floyd– remember
like the Sun Floyd’s original bandleader
sid barett shone brightly but owning to
his fragile mental state he was deserted
by the band in 1968 years later
Said’s tragic fall inspired much of the
band’s wish you were here album
including most notably shine on you
crazy diamond
strangely a completely unrecognizable
Barrett actually turns up at the studio
while the band was working on the
project intent on recording his guitar
lines passionate heart felt while
unmistakably Pink Floyd shine on
captures much of sids character and the
band’s feelings towards him
Syd may not be mentioned by name but
he’s there in spirit and sneakily in the
songs title
so do you agree with our list which
songs did we miss
for more great top 10s published every
day be sure to subscribe to
watchmojo.com
you
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