Little Richard
Little Richard, Founding Father of Rock Who Broke Musical Barriers, Dead at 87
Pianist-singer behind “Tutti Frutti,” “Good Golly Miss Molly,” and “Long Tall Sally” set the template that a generation of musicians would follow.
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Image Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images -
John Prine
Image Credit: Charlie Gillett/Redferns/Getty Images John Prine, One of America’s Greatest Songwriters, Dead at 73.
Grammy-winning singer who combined literary genius with a common touch succumbs to coronavirus complications. -
Eddie Van Halen
Image Credit: Fryderyk Gabowicz/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Eddie Van Halen, Hall of Famer Who Revolutionized the Guitar, Dead at 65
“My father … lost his long and arduous battle with cancer this morning,” Wolfgang Van Halen wrote. “My heart is broken and I don’t think I’ll ever fully recover from this loss”
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Helen Reddy
Image Credit: John Minihan/Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images Helen Reddy, ‘I Am Woman’ Singer and Activist, Dead at 78
Singer earned a Grammy and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
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Adam Schlesinger
Image Credit: Kimberly Butler/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty Images Fountains of Wayne’s Adam Schlesinger Dead at 52 From Coronavirus
Musician composed extensively for film and TV, including That Thing You Do! and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. -
Manu Dibango
Image Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Manu Dibango, African Jazz Great Behind ‘Soul Makossa,’ Dead at 86 From Coronavirus
1972 track provided famous chant sample on Michael Jackson’s “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ ” and numerous hip-hop hits. -
Bill Withers
Image Credit: Ed Caraeff/Getty Images Bill Withers, Hall of Fame Soul Singer, Dead at 81
Grammy-winning mellifluous vocalist behind “Lean on Me,” “Lovely Day,” and “Ain’t No Sunshine” died due to heart complications -
Joe Diffie
Image Credit: Suzi Pratt/FilmMagic/Getty Images Joe Diffie, Nineties Country’s ‘Pickup Man,’ Dead at 61 From Coronavirus.
Singer of hits like “John Deere Green” and “If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets)” tested positive for Covid-19. -
Hal Willner
Image Credit: Clarence Williams/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images Hal Willner, Music Producer and Longtime ‘SNL’ Music Supervisor, Dead at 64
Producer behind Lou Reed and Marianne Faithfull staged numerous tribute albums and was pivotal in the career of Jeff Buckley. -
Pop Smoke
Image Credit: Griffin Lotz for Rolling Stone Rising Rapper Pop Smoke Died at 20
Bashar Jackson was murdered when masked gunmen broke into the house where he was staying.
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Leslie West
Image Credit: Gems/Redferns/Getty Images Leslie West, Mountain Guitarist Who Belted Out ‘Mississippi Queen,’ Dead at 75
The towering guitarist who created the hard-rock milestone “Mississippi Queen” with his band Mountain died from cardiac arrest.
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Peter Green
Image Credit: George Wilkes/Hulton Archive/Getty Images Peter Green, Fleetwood Mac Co-Founder and Guitar Great, Dead at 73
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee formed rock group with fellow Bluesbreaker Mick Fleetwood in 1967. -
Tony Allen
Image Credit: Frans Schellekens/Redferns/Getty Images Tony Allen, Pioneering Afrobeat Drummer, Dead at 79
“Without Tony Allen, there would be no Afrobeat,” Fela Kuti once said of legendary Africa ’70 drummer -
Charley Pride
Image Credit: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images Charley Pride, Pioneering Black Country Singer, Dead at 86
Country Music Hall of Fame member died in Texas from complications related to Covid-19.
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Kenny Rogers
Image Credit: Wally Fong/AP Kenny Rogers, Country Music’s ‘The Gambler,’ Dead at 81
Rogers was one of music’s true crossover artists, scoring hits in both country and pop with songs like “Islands in the Stream” and “Lucille”. -
John “Ecstasy” Fletcher
Image Credit: Paul Natkin/Getty Images Whodini Co-Founder John ‘Ecstasy’ Fletcher Dead at 56
The rapper (pictured here at right with Jalil Hutchins) was in the pioneering hip-hop group and appeared on hits “Friends” and “Freaks Come Out at Night”. -
Neil Peart
Image Credit: Fin Costello/Redferns/Getty Images Neil Peart, Rush Drummer Who Set a New Standard for Rock Virtuosity, Dead at 67
Hall of Fame drummer and lyricist succumbed to brain cancer.
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Billy Joe Shaver
Image Credit: Tom Hill/Getty Images Billy Joe Shaver, Seminal Outlaw-Country Songwriter, Dead at 81
Best known as the songwriter of Waylon Jennings’ 1973 album ‘Honky Tonk Heroes,’ the colorful Texas raconteur had his songs recorded by Willie Nelson, Elvis Presley. -
Tony Rice
Image Credit: Stephen A. Ide/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Tony Rice, Innovative Bluegrass Guitarist, Dead at 69
Singer-musician known for his elegant flatpicking style was inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2013.
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Hal Ketchum
Image Credit: Paul Natkin/Getty Images Hal Ketchum, Nineties Country Singer of ‘Small Town Saturday Night,’ Dead at 67
Grand Ole Opry member known for hits like “Hearts Are Gonna Roll” and “Sure Love” succumbed to dementia complications. -
Jerry Jeff Walker
Image Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Jerry Jeff Walker, Outlaw Country Architect and ‘Mr. Bojangles’ Songwriter, Dead at 78
Walker’s 1973 live album ‘¡Viva Terlingua!’ is a cornerstone of the Austin, Texas, cosmic cowboy sound. -
K.T. Oslin
Image Credit: Oliver Morris/Getty Images K.T. Oslin, Country Singer-Songwriter of ’80’s Ladies,’ Dead at 78
Oslin was the first female songwriter in CMA Awards history to win Song of the Year -
Chet “JR” White
Image Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Chet ‘JR’ White, Bassist, Producer for Indie Rock Outfit Girls, Dead at 40
Musician also collaborated with Cass McCombs and Tobias Jesso Jr. -
Tony Lewis
Image Credit: Dave Hogan/Getty Images Tony Lewis, Bassist and Singer for British Pop Rockers the Outfield, Dead at 62
Band scored an indelible Eighties hit with their 1986 single, “Your Love”. -
Johnny Bush
Image Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Johnny Bush, ‘Whiskey River’ Songwriter and Texas Country Singer, Dead at 85
A Lone Star State staple, Bush was a lifelong friend of Willie Nelson and gave him one of his signature songs. -
Pierre Kezdy
Image Credit: Stacia Timonere/Getty Images Pierre Kezdy, Bassist for Celebrated Chicago Punks Naked Raygun, Dead at 58
Eighties outfit was a favorite of Dave Grohl, Steve Albini, Fall Out Boy and more. -
Johnny Nash
Image Credit: Ron Case/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images Johnny Nash, ‘I Can See Clearly Now’ Singer, Dead at 80
1972 reggae-tinged hit propelled singer to fame. -
Mac Davis
Image Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Mac Davis, Country Singer and Elvis Presley Songwriter, Dead at 78
Singer-songwriter wrote Elvis Presley’s indelible “In the Ghetto” alongside solo hits like “Baby Don’t Get Hooked on Me” and “Stop and Smell the Roses” -
Georgia Dobbins Davis
Image Credit: Courtesy of the Dobbins Family Georgia Dobbins Davis, Unsung Motown Hero Who Co-Wrote ‘Please Mr. Postman,’ Dead at 78
She helped found the Marvelettes, but her father forced her to leave her musical dreams behind before the girl group scored Motown’s first Number OneRead more
2020 musicians we lost
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Jerry Portwood has joined the document. -
King Von
Image Credit: Prince Williams/Wireimage Rising Rapper King Von Dead at 26 After Shooting in Atlanta
Chicago MC was primed for a breakout following streaming hits like “Crazy Story” and a trio of successful mixtapes. -
Lee Kerslake
Image Credit: Fin Costello/Redferns/Getty Images Lee Kerslake, Ozzy Osbourne and Uriah Heep Drummer, Dead at 73
Drummer played on ‘Blizzard of Ozz’ and ‘Diary of a Madman’ -
Ronald ‘Khalis’ Bell
Image Credit: Christian Padron Gangitano* Kool & the Gang Co-Founder Ronald ‘Khalis’ Bell Dead at 68
Singer-saxophonist co-wrote the band’s biggest hits, including “Ladies’ Night,” “Jungle Boogie” and “Celebration” -
Trini Lopez
Image Credit: Stanley Bielecki/ASP/Getty Images Trini Lopez, ‘If I Had a Hammer’ Singer and Actor, Dead at 83 From Coronavirus
Frank Sinatra-signed artist, whose 1960s hits included “Lemon Tree,” also acted in The Dirty Dozen -
Miss Mercy
Image Credit: Robert Altman/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Miss Mercy, Frank Zappa Muse and GTO Co-Founder, Dead at 71
Band was famously featured in Rolling Stone‘s “Special Super-Duper Neat Issue” in 1969 -
Simeon Coxe
Image Credit: Mick Hutson/Redferns/Getty Images Simeon Coxe, Synth Pioneer With Silver Apples, Dead at 82
Band released just two albums during initial late-Sixties run, but left a lasting mark at the outset of a new digital age in music -
Walter Lure
Image Credit: Erica Echenberg/Redferns/Getty Images Walter Lure, Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers Guitarist, Dead at 71
Punk rocker-turned-stock broker was last surviving member of punk legends’ L.A.M.F. lineup. -
Jack Sherman
Image Credit: Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Jack Sherman, Former Red Hot Chili Peppers Guitarist, Dead at 64
Sherman, who replaced founding member Hillel Slovak in December 1983, played on self-titled debut album and co-wrote much of ‘Freaky Styley’. -
Frankie Banali
Image Credit: Paul Natkin/Getty Images Quiet Riot’s Frankie Banali Dead at 68
Drummer, who played on “Cum On Feel the Noize” and “Metal Health,” had been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer last spring. -
Todd Nance
Image Credit: Gary Miller/FilmMagic Todd Nance, Widespread Panic Founding Drummer, Dead at 57
“He wrote great songs and was a giving and forgiving collaborator,” band said of long-time drummer. -
Malik B.
Image Credit: Courtesy of the Mpozi Tolbert Estate The Roots Rapper Malik B. Dead at 47
“May he be remembered for his devotion to Islam, his loving brotherhood, and his innovation as one of the most gifted MCs of all time,” Questlove and Black Thought said. -
Charlie Daniels
Image Credit: Mark Humphrey/AP Charlie Daniels, Southern Rock Pioneer and Fiddle Great, Dead at 83
Leader of the Charlie Daniels Band was known for hits like “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” and for his session work on Bob Dylan’s ‘Nashville Skyline’ -
Johnny Mandel
Image Credit: PoPsie Randolph/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Johnny Mandel, Composer of ‘M*A*S*H’ Theme and More, Dead at 94
Musician worked with Quincy Jones, Frank Sinatra, Count Basie, won Oscar for 1965 song “The Shadow of Your Smile” -
Betty Wright
Image Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Soul Singer Betty Wright Dead at 66
Grammy-winning and oft-sampled vocalist also had hits with “Clean Up Woman,” “Tonight Is the Night” and “Girls Can’t Do What the Guys Do” -
Harold Reid
Image Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Statler Brothers Singer Harold Reid Dead at 80
Vocalist provided the baritone bottom end to the group’s hits like “Flowers on the Wall” and “Bed of Rose’s” -
Bill Rieflin
Image Credit: Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage Bill Rieflin, Drummer for King Crimson, R.E.M., Ministry, Dead at 59
Multi-instrumentalist also performed with Nine Inch Nails, KMFDM, Swans, and many others -
Eric Weissberg
Image Credit: GAB Archive/Redferns/Getty Images Eric Weissberg, ‘Dueling Banjos’ and ‘Blood on the Tracks’ Musician, Dead at 80
Musician’s “Dueling Banjos” cover from the ‘Deliverance’ soundtrack became a huge hit in 1973. -
McCoy Tyner
Image Credit: Robert Abbott Sengstacke/Getty Images) McCoy Tyner, Jazz Pianist Who Anchored John Coltrane’s Legendary Quartet, Dead at 81
Musician’s bluesy, muscular approach made him one of the most influential pianists of the past six decades. -
Genesis P-Orridge
Image Credit: David Corio/Redferns/Getty Images Genesis P-Orridge, Throbbing Gristle Founder and Industrial Music Pioneer, Dead at 70
Psychic TV artist died following a battle with leukemia. -
Steve Priest
Image Credit: Michael Putland/Getty Images Sweet Bassist Steve Priest Dead at 72
Founding member of glam rock hitmakers performed on “Ballroom Blitz,” “Fox on the Run” and “Love Is Like Oxygen” -
David Roback
Image Credit: Lloyd Bishop/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty Images David Roback, Mazzy Star Co-Founder, Dead at 61
Cause of death not revealed for guitarist, producer of Nineties dream pop outfit. -
Paul English
Image Credit: Chris McKay/Getty Images Paul English, Willie Nelson’s Longtime Drummer, Dead at 87
English, known for his flamboyant, devilish style, was immortalized in Nelson’s autobiographical road song ‘Me and Paul’. -
Andy Gill
Image Credit: Ebet Roberts/Redferns/Getty Images Gang of Four Guitarist Andy Gill Dead at 64
“Andy’s final tour in November was the only way he was ever really going to bow out; with a Stratocaster around his neck, screaming with feedback and deafening the front row”. -
Steve Martin Caro
Image Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images The Left Banke’s Steve Martin Caro — ‘Walk Away Renee’ Singer — Dead at 71
Vocalist was also featured on baroque-pop band’s 1966 single ‘Pretty Ballerina’. -
Bob Shane
Image Credit: Harry Hammond/V&A Images/Getty Images Bob Shane, Last Surviving Original Member of Kingston Trio, Dead at 85
Co-founder of influential folk act sang lead on hits “Tom Dooley” and “Scotch and Soda”. -
Sean Reinert
Image Credit: Steve Thorne/Redferns/Getty Images Death-Metal Drum Trailblazer Sean Reinert Died at age 48.
Working with the bands Death and Cynic, the late virtuoso found a bridge between jazzy finesse and aggro extremity.
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5th Ward Weebie
Image Credit: Josh Brasted/WireImage New Orleans Bounce Stalwart 5th Ward Weebie Dead at 42
Musician best known for 2014 viral hit “Let Me Find Out”. -
Ennio Morricone
Image Credit: Luciano Viti/Getty Images Ennio Morricone — Prolific, Influential Composer — Dead at 91
Morricone — known for scoring spaghetti Westerns and more than 500 films — died in Rome at 91. -
Jimmy Capps
Image Credit: Ed Rode/WireImage Jimmy Capps, Grand Ole Opry Guitar Icon, Dead at 81
Musicians Hall of Fame member played on classic country recordings like “The Gambler,” “He Stopped Loving Her Today”. -
Bucky Baxter
Image Credit: Erika Goldring/Getty Images Bucky Baxter, Pedal-Steel Great Who Toured With Bob Dylan, Dead at 65
Musician played more than 750 shows on Dylan’s Never Ending Tour and was a founding member of Steve Earle’s Dukes. -
Andrew Weatherall
Image Credit: Mick Hutson/Redferns/Getty Images Andrew Weatherall, Veteran Dance Music Producer and DJ, Dead at 56
Top U.K. remixer who co-produced Primal Scream’s landmark Screamadelica album died of pulmonary embolism. -
Joseph Shabalala
Image Credit: Joseph Kaczmarek/AP Joseph Shabalala, Ladysmith Black Mambazo Founder, Dead at 78
South African vocal group specialized in traditional Zulu music and famously appeared on Paul Simon’s ‘Graceland’. -
Reed Mullin
Image Credit: Gary Wolstenholme/Redferns/Getty Images Reed Mullin, Corrosion of Conformity Drummer, Dead at 53
Mullin’s muscular, swinging style remained a constant as the band shifted from hardcore punk to groovy Southern metal. -
David Olney
Image Credit: Larry Hulst/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images David Olney, Poetic Americana Songwriter, Dead at 71
Solo performer had his songs covered by Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, and Steve Earle, who often sang his praises. -
Riley Gale
Image Credit: Amy Harris/Invision/AP Riley Gale, Singer for Thrash Metal Band Power Trip, Dead at 34
“Riley was both a larger than life rock star and a humble and giving friend,” his family said in a statement. -
Bonnie Pointer
Image Credit: George Brich/AP Bonnie Pointer of the Pointer Sisters Dead at 69
One of the two founding members started popular R&B group with sister June in 1969 -
Gordon Haskell
Image Credit: Paul Bergen/Redferns/Getty Images Gordon Haskell, British Musician and Onetime King Crimson Vocalist, Dead at 74
Bassist and singer scored a late-career U.K. hit with “How Wonderful You Are” in 2001. -
Bunny Lee
Image Credit: David Corio/Redferns/Getty Images Bunny Lee, Influential Reggae Producer, Dead at 79
“Striker” both pushed reggae into dub territory and proliferated the genre’s audience worldwide. -
W.S. “Fluke” Holland
Image Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images W.S. ‘Fluke’ Holland, Johnny Cash Drummer, Dead at 85
Original Tennessee Three drummer spent over 40 years performing alongside the Man in Black. -
Toots Hibbert
Image Credit: Michael Putland/Getty Images Toots Hibbert, Reggae Pioneer Who Infused Genre With Soul, Dead at 77
Singer behind reggae standards “54-46 Was My Number,” “Pressure Drop,” “Funky Kingston” and “Monkey Man” died due to coronavirus complications -
Sweet Pea Atkinson
Image Credit: Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images Sweet Pea Atkinson, Singer in Was (Not Was), Dead at 74
Booming vocalist also collaborated with Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Elton John and more. -
Jan Howard
Image Credit: John Duricka/AP Jan Howard, Grand Ole Opry Stalwart, Dead at 91
“Evil on Your Mind” singer was a 49-year member of the country music institution. -
Andre Harrell
Image Credit: Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Andre Harrell, Founder of Uptown Records, Dead at 59
“He gave you the best soundtracks of your life man and you didn’t even know it,” Questlove wrote of music exec who helped launch Sean Combs’ career. -
Bobby Lewis
Image Credit: Gilles Petard/Redferns/Getty Images Bobby Lewis, ‘Tossin’ and Turnin” Singer, Dead at 95
1961 hit spent seven weeks atop Hot 100 and sold over 3 million copies. -
Krzysztof Penderecki
Image Credit: Archie Kent/ullstein bild/Getty Images Krzysztof Penderecki, Influential Polish Composer, Dead at 86
Conductor’s works featured in ‘The Shining’ and ‘The Exorcist’. -
Harold Budd
Image Credit: Steve Thorne/Redferns/Getty Images Heralded Ambient Composer Harold Budd Dead at 84
Musician known for his minimalist works and collaborations with Brian Eno and Cocteau Twins’ Robin Guthrie succumbs to coronavirus complications. -
Doug Supernaw
Image Credit: Paul Natkin/Getty Images Doug Supernaw, Nineties Country Singer of ‘I Don’t Call Him Daddy,’ Dead at 60
Texas-born vocalist was known for radio hits like “Not Enough Hours in the Night” and “Reno”. -
Spencer Davis
Image Credit: Jeff Hochberg/Getty Images Spencer Davis, Founder of the Spencer Davis Group, Dead at 81
Welsh musician, who formed the band with Steve Winwood, scored hits like “Gimme Some Lovin’” and “Keep on Running”. -
Erick Morillo
Image Credit: Jim Dyson/Getty Images Erick Morillo, DJ Behind Nineties Smash ‘I Like to Move It,’ Dead at 49
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Vaughan Mason
Image Credit: Vaughan Mason Vaughan Mason, Oft-Sampled ‘Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll’ Funk Artist, Dead at 69
Daft Punk, a Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul and more sampled producer’s disco-funk tracks. -
Alto Reed
Image Credit: Robert E. Klein/AP Alto Reed, Bob Seger’s Silver Bullet Band bandmate, Died at the age of 72 after a battle with stage four colon cancer.