25 Performers We Wish We Could See One More Time

Last updated on October 6th, 2023 at 08:01 am

It doesn’t matter what your favorite genre of music is, there are many artists who have been taken from us way too soon, leaving us wishing that we could just see them one last time.

Whether it was their amazing stage presence, vocals that made you tear up, or maybe just the vibe they had on stage, you will never be satisfied knowing you can’t see them anymore. We’ve been there too, and we totally understand—which is why we made this list!

Read on to discover the best of the best, the 25 performers we wish we could see one more time.

1. Elvis Presley

elvis presley sitting in a yellow shirt — Image is in the Public Domain

First on our list of performers we wish we could see one more time is the King of Rock n’ Roll, Elvis Presley. Going to an Elvis show back in the day was a huge event. While we would prefer our hearing not to be damaged by the screaming women who packed his shows, it would be soul-changing to see the man who started it all. Elvis Presley held our hearts from his earliest singles to his final album.

From singing along with “Can’t Help Falling in Love” to dancing along as he swayed his famous hips, we are devastated that Elvis was taken from us so soon.

Related: How Did Elvis Die?

2. Prince

prince height prince on stage singing in a blue suit — MIAMI – FEB 4: Prince performs during half-time for Super Bowl XLI between the Chicago Bears and the Indianapolis Colts at Dolphin Stadium on February 4, 2007 in Miami. Image from Shutterstock.

Next to the King, Prince is one of the other performers we wish we could see one more time. With high-energy crowd members who would dance along with his tunes to the moves Prince was performing onstage, there is no way a recording can compare to the chills you could get from seeing him live.

Related: How Did Prince Die?

3. Michael Jackson

michael jackson's net worth Michael Jackson getting out of a car in a red outfit. — LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – Exact date unknown – circa 1990 – Michael Jackson arriving at a celebrity event. Image from Shutterstock.

Michael Jackson’s stage presence was like no other. From his moonwalking to jumping through fireworks, there was just something soul-touching about seeing this man perform on stage. While you can get an idea from his last movie, This is It, an empty audience can’t compare to the usual crowds of thousands who showed up for his performances.

Related: How Did Michael Jackson Die?

4. The Allman Brothers

allman brothers band songs gregg allman playing the piano — Image from Shutterstock.

While the Allman Brothers performed Southern rock music for years, they were never the same after the death of Duane Allman in 1971. We wish we could have been there for one of their original shows, where listeners felt like they were part of the music and that their presence on this earth mattered.

5. Bob Marley

Image of a Bob marley record with its case — Image from Shutterstock.

Bob Marley is another of the performers we wish we could see one last time, as his music, which enumerates vibes of peace, love, and freedom, just isn’t the same on our playlist. There’s just something about sitting on the grass in a field with hundreds of Marley fans beating out a rhythm that can never be recreated.

Related: 25 Singers Who Were Murdered

6. Tupac

who killed tupac rappers who got shot — Rome, January 11, 2019: Collection of covers and cd inserts of the singer Tupac Shakur, considered by many to be one of the greatest hip hop artists of all time. selective focus. Image from shutterstock.

While seeing Bob Marley might have brought us feelings of peace and love, seeing Tupac live was a truly life-changing moment. Feeling the struggle of marginalized Americans put to catchy words would be an eye-opening and life-altering experience. Unfortunately, many never got to experience this, as Tupac was killed early in his career.

7. The Beatles

a stamp showing the four beatles members when they were young — Image from Shutterstock

There isn’t anyone on this earth that doesn’t consider The Beatles as someone they wish they could see. Back in the early stage of concerts, watching a Beatles performance surrounded fans with feelings of being carefree and happy that can’t be recreated when you listen to a recording. When it comes to performers we wish we could see one more time, the Beatles are one of the most obvious choices.

Related: The 10 Best Beatles Songs

8. Whitney Houston

whitney houston movie whitney houston on the red carpet in a pink dress — 23FEB2000: Pop star WHITNEY HOUSTON at the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. Paul Smith / Featureflash

Superstar Whitney Houston is definitely one of the performers we wish we could see one more time. Her voice was so astounding; recordings just don’t do it justice. Seeing Whitney perform on stage brought the audience feelings of pride and awe, and we wish we had the opportunity to experience it just once.

Related: How Did Whitney Houston Die?

9. Notorious B.I.G

notorious big record next to its cover on a white background — Image from shutterstock.

Notorious B.I.G. concerts were known for their chill and ‘cool’ vibe, making the audience feel as if they were a team. Sadly, Notorious B.I.G. was killed early in his career, robbing many fans in the music industry of the chance to see him live on stage, which is especially sad when you consider he made some of the best rap songs of all time.

10. Janis Joplin

janis joplins figure in the madam tussands wax museum — Image from Shutterstock.

Janis Joplin had an amazing stage presence, and she was known to make eye contact with fans while she sang and danced, so you would really feel as if you were included in her performance. She performed with a passion that can’t be captured in a recording, making her one of the performers we wish we could see one more time.

Related: How Did Janis Joplin Die?

11. Jimi Hendrix

famous musicians who are color blind jimi hendrix playing guitar on stage jimi hendrix songs — SAN FRANCISCO, USA – OCT 5, 2015: Jimi Hendrix at the Madame Tussauds museum in SF. It was open on June 26, 2014. Image from Shutterstock.

Jimi Hendrix performed shows that were a sight to behold, sometimes smashing his guitar or even lighting it on fire. Plus, of course, his guitar playing was unparalleled, and he is often referred to as one of the greatest guitar players of all time. If only we could see him live and watch the way his fingers would fly over the strings.

Related: 15 Best Jimi Hendrix Songs

12. David Bowie

david bowie on stage in a white shirt holding a microphone — Image from Shutterstock.

David Bowie was known for his unique costumes and makeup, which, although he toned it down as he grew older, he is still one of the performers we wish we could see one more time. His catalog was so vast that there are dozens of classic songs that it’d be awe-inspiring to see live.

Related: 25 Best David Bowie Songs

13. Oasis

band oasis performing on stage — Image from Shutterstock.

Oasis was only a band for just under two decades, but they left a mark on rock music history like no other. From their Brit rock vocals to their laid-back rhythms, fans would go crazy for their onstage vibe. Watching Oasis onstage was like watching a best friend perform, and we wish we could experience it again.

14. Nirvana

Seeing Nirvana onstage was, well, nirvana. Their energy and heart could be felt through the words of their songs and the wild performances of each member. Unfortunately for fans, their time as a band was much too short, and the death of Kurt Cobain took the experience of seeing them live away from us forever.

Related: How Did Kurt Cobain Die?

15. The Smiths

the band the smiths performing on stage — Image from Shutterstock

The Smiths were only a band for five short years, and though there were rumors of a reunion, those were put to rest when Andy Rourke died in 2023. We just wish we could experience the incredible vibe of being in the audience of a Smiths concert one more time.

Related: Celebrities Who Died in 2023

16. Simon and Garfunkel

simon & garfunkel songs — BARCELONA, SPAIN – JUNE 2: Kings of Convenience band performs at San Miguel Primavera Sound Festival on June 2, 2012 in Barcelona, Spain. Image from Shutterstock.

Simon and Garfunkel are among the performers we wish we could see just one more time. Although their fights off stage are well known, their performance onstage was cohesive and really made you feel like you were part of something. If only they could’ve grown past their differences.

17. Selena

who killed selena? image of selenas wax figure from madam tussands — Image from Shutterstock.

Selena had an air about her that could not be put into words. Seeing a Selena concert, where she arrived onstage in a carriage wearing a sparkly outfit, gave you the feeling that life was a dream and you could someday be in Selena’s place. Tragically, Selena’s life was snuffed out too early, ending the dream for millions.

18. Amy Winehouse

amy winehouse on the red carpet in a black dress — Image from Shutterstock.

Amy Winehouse was known for singing songs that connected right to your feels. While her recordings on Apple Music are beautiful, you truly had to be in the audience of one of her shows to feel the connection. If only we could see her perform her first album just once more.

19. Queen

how did freddie mercury die? the wax statue of freddie mercury in the Netherelands — Image from Shutterstock.

Queen is one of the performers we wish we could see one more time, and it’s no mystery why. Their performances were known to be electrifying, especially thanks to the voice and onstage energy of Freddie Mercury, who was taken from this earth much too soon.

Whether he was playing piano, singing, or dancing, seeing Freddie Mercury onstage was like no other experience, and he was considered the best in many genres.

20. Linkin Park

how did chester bennington die famous people who committed suicide chester bennington in a white tank leaning down on stage as he sings into a mic — Image from Shutterstock.

Linkin Park was one of the greats when it came to alternative rock, and we will never forget the first time we heard “Crawling” and our souls were changed. Sadly, the band has been on what will likely be a permanent hiatus since the death of their lead singer, Chester Bennington.

21. Tina Turner

tina turner album on a white background — Image from Shutterstock

Watching Tina Turner perform on stage was like watching woman power come to life. Not only did she overcome an abusive relationship, but she went on to be one of the most amazing female performers of all time. We just wish we could see her one more time.

22. Lynyrd Skynyrd

Lynyrd Skynyrd band on stage performing — Image from Shutterstock.

The career of Lynyrd Skynyrd ended before it really began when some of the band members died in a plane crash in 1977. Even though the band continued to make music, including some number-one hits, they were never able to overcome the deaths of their friends, leaving concertgoers missing the passion of their earlier incarnations.

23. Karen Carpenter

Nixon with karen and richard carpenter — Nixon meeting with Karen and Richard Carpenter in 1972. Image is in the Public Domain.

Watching Karen Carpenter perform on both vocals and drums was an artistic masterpiece from her very first recordings. She was such an amazing young talent who was ripped from this world too soon. She is definitely one of the performers we wish we could see one last time.

24. Van Halen

musicians diagnosed with cancer eddie van halen smiling on stage with his guitar — Image from Shutterstock.

Attending a Van Halen concert felt like attending the world’s biggest party, and everyone was invited! The feelings of inclusion and excitement were simply unparalleled. When frontman and guitarist Eddie Van Halen died in 2020, the band ended their career, saying they couldn’t go on without its founding member.

Related: How Did Eddie Von Halen Die?

25. Elton John

most famous gay singers elton john in a blue suit and glasses on a TV show — Image from Shutterstock.

Last on our list of performers we wish we could see one more time is Elton John. Seeing Elton John perform was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, seeing all the colorful costumes and one of his famous donkey kicks. The energy he brought to the stage simply can’t ever be matched.

Elton John is still alive and making new songs, although he states he is retired and will not perform anymore.

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