Featured photo from We The Pvblic
Written by Guest Contributor, Collen Pryor
This year was undoubtedly full of surprises in the music world, both good and bad. While we tend to celebrate more good, I feel it is necessary to honor those we’ve lost this year.
Photo credit: Michael Ochs Archives
As it comes to the end of 2017, it has been a huge year for music. Starting out with an OG of Rock N Roll, Chuck Berry. He helped shape the genres of music over 40 years with “Johnny B. Goode” and a Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame induction in 1986 before passing at 90 years old on March 18th.
Photo credit: Mel Melcon
Exactly two months later on May 18th, we loose frontman and guitarist, Chris Cornell of Soundgarden and formally Audioslave. While he had a solid career with all bands including going solo for a moment, he was mid tour with Soundgarden and was given raving reviews of the its success. He was 52.
Photo credit: Matthew Eisman
New York Rap artist, Prodigy from Mobb Deep passed on June 20th. The group told stories about growing up in the Big Apple, a lifestyle many can relate to.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Another one of the founding members, Fresh Kid Ice from 2 Live Crew passed on July 13. He is known as one of the most famous Asian artists in the industry.
The next two who hit me the hardest and stopped the world momentarily were Chester Bennington, Linkin Park’s iconic vocalist. The list of their hits can go on and everybody from July 20th and next few days were blaring LP from their car speakers cruising down all the highways. The band rocked us through the early 2000’s all the way to 2017 with One More Light.
Photo credit: Ron Bull
October 1st will be forever one of the darkest days in music festival history and hours later was Tom Petty. He was an artist nearly all of parents smoked their first joint with songs like “Merry Jane’s Last Dance” and “Wildflowers” and had a rocking career spanning nearly 50 years including a Super Bowl halftime show (one of my favorite shows of all time may I say).
Photo credit: Bella Howard
The last artist we can only enjoy through streaming and music videos is Lil Peep, passing November 15th. He was an upcoming artist rising in a unique style of rap,most considering it as “the future of emo music.” Lil Peep gained respect from several big names in the game from his way he rapped about mental health. His career cut way too short at 21.
I didn’t write this to make you sad on this day of celebration, I just wanted to remind everybody to don’t forget to celebrate for the ones who can’t be here this year. No matter what you practice, send love to those no longer on Earth. I gotta tell you, this year’s NYE collaboration in the sky would be something Okeechobee could pull off.
Be safe this upcoming year and safe travels. From our squad to yours, Happy New Year, everybody!