Musicians & Composers · 20th Century
Miles Davis’s Last Words
“Unknown — he died from complications of a stroke.”— Miles Davis, September 28, 1991
Who Was Miles Davis?
Miles Davis was the most influential jazz musician of the second half of the 20th century. He pioneered bebop, cool jazz, hard bop, modal jazz, and jazz fusion across a career spanning five decades.
The Final Moments
Davis died at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica after suffering a stroke. He had been in declining health but continued performing until near the end.
Are These Words Verified?
He died in hospital from complications after a stroke, with no last words publicly recorded. Medical records and news reports confirm he was incapacitated before death.
Sources
- archive Hospital records from St. John's Hospital
- newspaper Contemporary obituaries, September 1991
- biography John Szwed's So What: The Life of Miles Davis
Legacy
Kind of Blue is the best-selling jazz album of all time. Davis's constant reinvention made him the most innovative artist in jazz history.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Miles Davis’s last words?
“Unknown — he died from complications of a stroke.”
How did Miles Davis die?
Miles Davis died on September 28, 1991 at the age of 65. Cause of death: Stroke, pneumonia, and respiratory failure.
Were Miles Davis’s last words documented?
He died in hospital from complications after a stroke, with no last words publicly recorded. Medical records and news reports confirm he was incapacitated before death.