A wave of admiration often follows the passing of beloved artists on the music charts. Singers like Otis Redding, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and The Notorious B.I.G. have all experienced a surge of popularity posthumously, with their songs reaching the No. 1 spot after their deaths.
However, on January 20, 2002, a truly unprecedented event unfolded on the U.K. singles chart involving two iconic musicians. George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord” made a surprising return to the chart just two months after his passing, surpassing Aaliyah’s “More Than a Woman,” which had reached No. 1 the previous week following her tragic death in August 2001. This historic moment marked the first time in chart history that one deceased artist replaced another at the top spot.
“My Sweet Lord” not only brought Harrison back to the forefront of the music scene but also highlighted a significant achievement in his career. Originally released in 1971, the song made Harrison the first member of The Beatles to reach No. 1 as a solo artist. In later years, Harrison reflected on the enduring appeal of the track, describing its mantra-like quality as hypnotic and mystically powerful.
George Harrison passed away on November 29, 2001, after a long battle with cancer at the age of 58. Similarly, Aaliyah’s life was tragically cut short when she died in a plane crash on August 25, 2001, at just 22 years old. The R&B singer was filming the music video for “Rock the Boat,” which was released posthumously, at the time of her untimely death.
Aaliyah’s impact was further solidified through three posthumous Grammy nominations, including a nod for Best R&B Album for her self-titled record “Aaliyah,” released two months before her passing.
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.