Since 2016, I have been curating Spotify playlists consisting of songs by artists who have passed away this year. It makes for a very interesting and eclectic playlist, because it will contain oldies rock and country from musicians who’ve naturally passed away from old age; young hip-hop and metal musicians cut down in their prime by overdose, accident, or murder; and every particular genre and decade.
Some notable losses in 2021 include Gerry & The Pacemakers’ Gerry Marsden, Vanilla Fudge’s bassist Tim Bogert, 1950’s crooner Jimmie Rodgers, actor and metalhead Christopher Plummer, The Supremes founder Mary Wilson, groundbreaking jazz pianist Chick Corea, The Fat Boys rapper Prince Markie Dee, reggae legend Bunny Wailer, Arrested Development actress/Broadway singer Jessica Walter, rapper DMX, Meatloaf / Bonnie Tyler / Celine Dion hit songwriter Jim Steinman, rapper Shock G (aka Humpty Hump), classic “Stagger Lee” singer Lloyd Price, iconic MTV video vixen Tawny Kitaen, actor and comedian Paul Mooney, legendary Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section drummer Roger Hawkins, “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” singer B.J. Thomas, Deliverance / Network / Superman / Homicide actor and gospel singer Ned Beatty, Uriah Heep singer John Lawton, “Just a Friend” rapper Biz Markie, Kansas violinist/vocalist Robby Steinhardt, legendary “Borscht Belt” comedian Jackie Mason, ’80s country star Razzy Bailey, Kool & The Gang co-founder/saxophonist Dennis “Dee Tee” Johnson, singer/songwriter Nanci Griffith, country’s “The Storyteller” Tom T. Hall, one-half of The Everly Brothers Don Everly, Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts, reggae legend Lee “Scratch” Perry, Mary Tyler Moore / Elf / Up actor Ed Asner, comedy legend / SNL alum Norm Macdonald, Moody Blues drummer Graeme Edge, Bronski Beat keyboardist Steve Bronski, Ralph Tavares, Sly & Robbie / Black Uhuru bassist Robbie Shakespeare, The Monkees’ Michael Nesmith, NFL Football legend John Madden, and national treasure and woman with the longest career in show business ever, Betty White (just 18 days shy of her 100th birthday).
The musicians are listed in descending order (most recent to pass) here and in ascending order on the Spotify playlist (to listen to the year’s musicians in order).
[31 Dec 2021] Betty White, 99, American actress (The Golden Girls, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Hot in Cleveland), five-time Emmy winner.
[29 Dec 2021] Paolo Giordano, 59, Italian guitarist, COVID-19.
[28 Dec 2021] Pavel Chrastina [cs], 81, Czech bass guitarist, singer and lyricist (Olympic).
[28 Dec 2021] Mikey Chung, 71, Jamaican musician and arranger, myeloma.
[28 Dec 2021] John Madden, 85, American Hall of Fame football coach (Oakland Raiders) and sportscaster (NFL on CBS, NFL on Fox), Super Bowl champion (1977).
[27 Dec 2021] Defao, 62, Congolese singer-songwriter, COVID-19.
[27 Dec 2021] Raymond Fau, 85, French singer-songwriter.
[27 Dec 2021] Victor Socaciu, 68, Romanian folk singer, composer and politician, deputy (2008–2012).
[26 Dec 2021] Manikka Vinayagam, 78, Indian playback singer (Kannathil Muthamittal, Roja Kootam) and actor (Thiruda Thirudi), heart attack.
[24 Dec 2021] J. D. Crowe, 84, American banjo player and bluegrass band leader (New South).
[24 Dec 2021] Marco Mathieu [it], 57, Italian bassist (Negazione) and journalist, complications from a stroke.
[22 Dec 2021] Robin Le Mesurier, 68, British guitarist (The Wombles), cancer.
[22 Oct 2021] Emil Ramsauer, 103, Swiss double bassist (Takasa).
[21 Dec 2021] Nkodo Sitony, 62, Cameroonian singer.
[20 Dec 2021] Luboš Andršt, 73, Czech guitarist (Framus Five, Energit, Jazz Q) and composer.
[20 Dec 2021] Paul Mitchell, American R&B singer (The Floaters).
[19 Dec 2021] Billy Conway, 65, American drummer (Morphine, Treat Her Right), cancer.
[19 Dec 2021] Drakeo the Ruler, 28, American rapper, stabbed.
[19 Dec 2021] Carlos Marín, 53, German-born Spanish singer (Il Divo), COVID-19.
[19 Dec 2021] Elio Roca, 78, Argentine singer and actor (Vamos a soñar por el amor, Contigo y aquí, Love in Flight), heart failure.
[18 Dec 2021] Kangol Kid, 55, American rapper and songwriter (UTFO), colon cancer.
[18 Dec 2021] Gloria Montes [es], 96, Argentine actress and singer.
[17 Dec 2021] Vicente Feliú [es], 74, Cuban singer, heart attack.
[17 Dec 2021] Tam Harvey, Scottish folk guitarist (The Humblebums).
[17 Dec 2021] John Morgan, 80, English drummer (The Wurzels), COVID-19.
[17 Dec 2021] Lindsay Tebbutt, Australian rock drummer and songwriter (The Choirboys), mesothelioma.
[16 Dec 2021] Hub, 62, American bass guitarist (The Roots), multiple myeloma.
[16 Dec 2021] Robie Porter, 80, Australian musician and record producer.
[16 Dec 2021] Terry Uttley, 70, British bass guitarist (Smokie).
[15 Dec 2021] Ian Worang, 47, Canadian musician (Uncut).
[15 Dec 2021] Wanda Young, 78, American singer (The Marvelettes).
[14 Dec 2021] Phil Chen, 75, Jamaican bassist (Manzarek–Krieger, Butts Band, Rod Stewart), cancer.
[14 Dec 2021] Sonny Rhodes, 81, American blues singer and guitarist.
[13 Dec 2021] Blackberri, 76, American singer-songwriter and community activist, complications from a heart attack.
[13 Dec 2021] John Nolan, 55, Australian punk rock guitarist (Bored!, Powder Monkeys).
[13 Dec 2021] Joe Simon, 85, American soul and R&B singer (“The Chokin’ Kind“, “Get Down, Get Down (Get on the Floor)“, “Power of Love“).
[12 Dec 2021] Vicente Fernández, 81, Mexican singer (“La Derrota“, “Estos Celos“, “El Último Beso“) and actor, multiple Grammy Award winner, complications from a fall.
[10 Dec 2021] Les Emmerson, 77, Canadian singer (Five Man Electrical Band), complications from COVID-19.
[10 Dec 2021] Mensi, 65, English punk rock singer (Angelic Upstarts), COVID-19.
[10 Dec 2021] Michael Nesmith, 78, American musician (The Monkees) and songwriter (“Different Drum“, “Joanne“), Grammy winner (1982), heart failure.
[09 Dec 2021] Garth Dennis, 72, Jamaican reggae musician (Black Uhuru, The Wailing Souls).
[09 Dec 2021] David Lasley, 74, American singer-songwriter.
[08 Dec 2021] Gil Bridges, 80, American musician (Rare Earth), complications from COVID-19.
[08 Dec 2021] Barry Harris, 91, American jazz musician, complications from COVID-19.
[08 Dec 2021] Chandidas Mal, 92, Indian musician.
[08 Dec 2021] Robbie Shakespeare, 68, Jamaican bassist (Sly and Robbie, Black Uhuru) and record producer, complications from kidney surgery.
[08 Dec 2021] Ralph Tavares, 79, American singer (Tavares).
[07 Dec 2021] Steve Bronski, 61, Scottish keyboardist (Bronski Beat), smoke inhalation.
[07 Dec 2021] DJ Scholar, British grime MC (Ruff Sqwad).
[07 Dec 2021] Greg Tate, 64, American music critic (The Village Voice) and musician (Burnt Sugar), co-founder of the Black Rock Coalition.
[05 Dec 2021] Buddy Merrill, 85, American steel guitarist (The Lawrence Welk Show).
[05 Dec 2021] Toni Santagata, 85, Italian folk singer.
[05 Dec 2021] Bill Staines, 74, American folk musician, prostate cancer.
[04 Dec 2021] Idang Rasjidi [id], 63, Indonesian jazz musician.
[03 Dec 2021] Melvin Parker, 77, American drummer (James Brown).
[03 Dec 2021] Arie Ribbens [nl], 84, Dutch singer.
[01 Dec 2021] Grand Jojo, 85, Belgian singer.
[29 Nov 2021] Ayako Shirasaki, 52, Japanese-American jazz pianist and composer, cancer.
[28 Nov 2021] Meñique, 87, Panamanian singer and songwriter.
[28 Nov 2021] Alexander Gradsky, 72, Russian rock singer, musician, and composer, stroke.
[27 Nov 2021] Teppo Hauta-aho, 80, Finnish double bassist.
[20 Nov 2021] Marilyn McLeod, 82, American singer-songwriter (“Love Hangover“, “You Can’t Turn Me Off (In the Middle of Turning Me On)“).
[20 Nov 2021] David Longdon, 56, British singer and musician (Big Big Train).
[20 Nov 2021] Billy Hinsche, 70, American musician (Dino, Desi & Billy, The Beach Boys), giant cell carcinoma.
[19 Nov 2021] Hank von Hell, 49, Norwegian singer (Turbonegro) and actor (Cornelis).
[18 Nov 2021] Ack van Rooyen, 91, Dutch jazz trumpeter and flugelhornist.
[18 Nov 2021] Slide Hampton, 89, American jazz trombonist.
[17 Nov 2021] Young Dolph, 36, American rapper, shot.
[17 Nov 2021] Theuns Jordaan, 50, South African singer-songwriter, leukaemia.
[17 Nov 2021] Dave Frishberg, 88, American jazz pianist and songwriter (“I’m Just a Bill“).
[13 Nov 2021] Philip Margo, 79, American musician (The Tokens).
[11 Nov 2021] John Goodsall, 68, American-British rock guitarist (Atomic Rooster, Brand X).
[11 Nov 2021] Mark Gillespie, Australian singer-songwriter.
[11 Nov 2021] Graeme Edge, 80, English Hall of Fame drummer (The Moody Blues), songwriter and poet, cancer.
[06 Nov 2021] Marinko Rokvić, 67, Serbian folk singer, pancreatic cancer.
[05 Nov 2021] Marília Mendonça, 26, Brazilian singer, Grammy winner (2019), airplane crash.
[03 Nov 2021] Georgie Dann, 81, French singer, complications from surgery.
[02 Nov 2021] Ernest Wilson, 69, Jamaican reggae singer (The Clarendonians).
[02 Nov 2021] Declan Mulligan, 83, Irish-born American rock musician (The Beau Brummels).
[01 Nov 2021] Nelson Freire, 77, Brazilian classical pianist.
[01 Nov 2021] Pat Martino, 77, American jazz guitarist and composer.
[31 Oct 2021] Michel Robidoux, 78, Canadian musician.
[28 Oct 2021] Raša Đelmaš, 71, Serbian rock musician (YU Grupa, Zebra, Pop Mašina).
[26 Oct 2021] Rose Lee Maphis, 98, American country singer.
[25 Oct 2021] Herbie Herbert, 73, American music manager (Journey, Roxette, Europe) and musician.
[25 Oct 2021] Willie Cobbs, 89, American blues singer, harmonica player and songwriter (“You Don’t Love Me“).
[24 Oct 2021] Mike Hoffmann, 67, American guitarist and record producer, pulmonary embolism.
[22 Oct 2021] Jay Black, 82, American singer (Jay and the Americans), pneumonia.
[21 Oct 2021] Einár, 19, Swedish rapper, shot.
[21 Oct 2021] Tommy DeBarge, 64, American bassist and singer (Switch), liver and kidney failure.
[21 Oct 2021] Sergei Krinitsin, 65, Russian drummer (Autograph), COVID-19.
[21 Oct 2021] Robin McNamara, 74, American singer-songwriter (“Lay a Little Lovin’ on Me“) and musician.
[21 Oct 2021] Allan Wilmot, 96, Jamaican-born British singer (The Southlanders) and World War II veteran.
[19 Oct 2021] Leslie Bricusse, 90, British composer (Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory), lyricist (“Goldfinger“, “You Only Live Twice“) and playwright, Oscar winner (1968, 1983).
[18 Oct 2021] Lloyd Willis, 73, Jamaican session guitarist and songwriter (“Tease Me“).
[16 Oct 2021] Tom Gray, 70, American musician (The Brains, Delta Moon) and songwriter (“Money Changes Everything“), cancer.
[16 Oct 2021] Ron Tutt, 83, American drummer (Elvis Presley, Neil Diamond, Roy Orbison).
[15 Oct 2021] Regi Hargis, 70, American funk musician (Brick).
[14 Oct 2021] Emani 22, 22, American R&B singer, injuries sustained in an accident.
[14 Oct 2021] Phil Leadbetter, 59, American resonator guitar player, COVID-19.
[13 Oct 2021] Andrea Haugen, 52, German singer (Cradle of Filth), writer and model, arrow wounds.
[12 Oct 2021] Paddy Moloney, 83, Irish musician (The Chieftains) and producer.
[11 Oct 2021] Deon Estus, 65, American bassist and vocalist (Wham!, George Michael).
[09 Oct 2021] Shawn McLemore, 54, American gospel singer.
[08 Oct 2021] Everett Morton, 71, Kittitian-born British drummer (The Beat).
[08 Oct 2021] Jem Targal, 74, American bassist (Third Power) and singer-songwriter.
[05 Oct 2021] Pat Fish, 64, English musician (The Jazz Butcher).
[05 Oct 2021] Hobo Jim, 68, American folk singer-songwriter, cancer.
[02 Oct 2021] John Rossall, 75, English musician (The Glitter Band).
[02 Oct 2021] Sebastião Tapajós, 78, Brazilian guitarist and composer.
[30 Sep 2021] Greg Gilbert, 44, English singer and guitarist (Delays), bowel cancer.
[29 Sep 2021] Mike Renzi, 80, American composer and music director (Sesame Street).
[29 Sep 2021] Julia Nixon, 66, American singer, complications from COVID-19.
[28 Sep 2021] Lonnie Smith, 79, American jazz musician, pulmonary fibrosis.
[28 Sep 2021] Barry Ryan, 72, British pop singer (“Eloise“) and photographer.
[27 Sep 2021] Andrea Martin, 49, American singer-songwriter (“I Love Me Some Him“, “Before You Walk Out of My Life“, “Don’t Let Go“), and record producer.
[27 Sep 2021] Darrell Bath, British punk guitarist (The Vibrators, The Dogs D’Amour).
[26 Sep 2021] Alan Lancaster, 72, English rock bassist (Status Quo, The Party Boys), complications from multiple sclerosis.
[26 Sep 2021] George Frayne IV, 77, American country singer and keyboardist (Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen), cancer.
[24 Sep 2021] Pee Wee Ellis, 80, American saxophonist, composer and arranger.
[23 Sep 2021] Sue Thompson, 96, American pop and country singer (“Sad Movies (Make Me Cry)“, “Norman“).
[21 Sep 2021] La Prieta Linda, 88, Mexican singer and actress (Valente Quintero).
[21 Sep 2021] Richard H. Kirk, 65, English electronic musician (Cabaret Voltaire, Sweet Exorcist) and songwriter (“Yashar“).
[20 Sep 2021] Warner Williams, 91, American blues musician (Little Bit A Blues).
[17 Sep 2021] Dottie Dodgion, 91, American drummer and singer, complications from a stroke.
[16 Sep 2021] George Mraz, 77, Czech-born American jazz musician (Quest, New York Jazz Quartet, The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra).
[15 Sep 2021] Leonard Gibbs, 73, American percussionist, prostate cancer.
[13 Sep 2021] George Wein, 95, American festival promoter and jazz pianist, founder of the Newport Jazz Festival, Newport Folk Festival, and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
[12 Sep 2021] Don Maddox, 98, American country singer (Maddox Brothers and Rose).
[11 Sep 2021] María Mendiola, 69, Spanish pop singer (Baccara).
[10 Sep 2021] Michael Chapman, 80, English singer-songwriter and guitarist (True North).
[10 Sep 2021] Roger Newell, 73, English bassist (Rainbow Ffolly, Rick Wakeman, Marty Wilde), aortic aneurysm.
[07 Sep 2021] Carl Bean, 77, American Protestant church leader, singer (“I Was Born This Way“) and LGBT rights activist.
[07 Sep 2021] Koes Hendratmo [id], 79, Indonesian singer.
[07 Sep 2021] Warren Storm, 84, American swamp pop singer and drummer.
[06 Sep 2021] Bennie Pete, 45, American sousaphonist (Hot 8 Brass Band), complications from sarcoidosis and COVID-19.
[05 Sep 2021] Susan Anway, 70, American singer (The Magnetic Fields).
[05 Sep 2021] Sarah Harding, 39, English singer (Girls Aloud) and actress (Run for Your Wife, St Trinian’s 2: The Legend of Fritton’s Gold), breast cancer.
[05 Sep 2021] Rickie Lee Reynolds, 72, American rock guitarist (Black Oak Arkansas), complications from COVID-19.
[04 Sep 2021] Billy Cafaro, 84, Argentine singer.
[04 Sep 2021] Gerhard Erber, 86, German classical pianist.
[02 Sep 2021] Alemayehu Eshete, 80, Ethiopian singer.
[02 Sep 2021] MadClip, 34, Greek rapper, traffic collision.
[01 Sep 2021] Adalberto Álvarez, 72, Cuban pianist (Son 14, Adalberto Álvarez y su Son), COVID-19.
[01 Sep 2021] Carol Fran, 87, American soul blues singer, pianist, and songwriter.
[01 Sep 2021] Aleksandr Khrabunov [ru], 61, Russian guitarist (Zoopark).
[30 Aug 2021] Lee Williams, 75, American gospel singer.
[30 Aug 2021] Maggie Mae, 61, German singer, COVID-19.
[29 Aug 2021] Ron Bushy, 79, American drummer (Iron Butterfly).
[29 Aug 2021] Ed Asner, 91, American actor (The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Elf, Up), president of the Screen Actors Guild (1981–1985), seven-time Emmy winner.
[29 Aug 2021] Lee “Scratch” Perry, 85, Jamaican reggae musician (The Upsetters), songwriter (“Run for Cover“, “Police and Thieves“) and record producer.
[28 Aug 2021] Francesc Burrull, 86, Spanish jazz musician and composer.
[28 Aug 2021] Sir Victor Uwaifo, 80, Nigerian musician.
[27 Aug 2021] Sam Salter, 46, American R&B singer.
[26 Aug 2021] Kenny Malone, 83, American session drummer (Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” Dobie Gray’s “Drift Away, many others), COVID-19.
[25 Aug 2021] Dave Harper, English drummer (Frankie & The Heartstrings).
[24 Aug 2021] Charlie Watts, 80, English Hall of Fame drummer (The Rolling Stones, Blues Incorporated).
[24 Aug 2021] Fritz McIntyre, 62, British keyboardist (Simply Red).
[23 Aug 2021] Olli Wisdom, 63, British musician (Specimen).
[22 Aug 2021] Brian Travers, 62, British saxophonist and songwriter (UB40), brain cancer.
[22 Aug 2021] Eric Wagner, 62, American heavy metal singer (Trouble), COVID-19.
[21 Aug 2021] Bill Emerson, 83, American five-string banjo player.
[21 Aug 2021] Don Everly, 84, American Hall of Fame singer (The Everly Brothers) and songwriter (“Cathy’s Clown“, “So Sad (to Watch Good Love Go Bad)“).
[21 Aug 2021] “Sweet Sweet” Connie Hamzy, 66, American groupie (mentioned in Grand Funk’s “We’re an American Band.”
[20 Aug 2021] Tom T. Hall, 85, American Hall of Fame singer-songwriter (“Harper Valley PTA“, “I Love“, “The Year That Clayton Delaney Died“).
[20 Aug 2021] Larry Harlow, 82, American salsa musician and composer, kidney disease.
[13 Aug 2021] Baba Zumbi, 49, American rapper (Zion I), COVID-19.
[13 Aug 2021] Nanci Griffith, 68, American singer-songwriter (“Love at the Five and Dime“, “Outbound Plane“, “From a Distance“), Grammy winner (1994).
[11 Aug 2021] Mike Finnigan, 76, American keyboardist and vocalist, kidney cancer.
[09 Aug 2021] Killer Kau, 22–23, South African rapper, dancer and record producer, traffic collision.
[07 Aug 2021] Dennis Thomas, 70, American saxophonist (Kool & the Gang).
[04 Aug 2021] Razzy Bailey, 82, American country musician (“Midnight Hauler“, “She Left Love All Over Me“, “I Keep Coming Back“).
[04 Aug 2021] Paul Johnson, 50, American DJ (“Get Get Down“) and record producer, COVID-19.
[04 Aug 2021] Anders Pettersson, 69, Swedish musician (Lasse Stefanz).
[03 Aug 2021] Jo Jo Bennett, 81, Canadian reggae musician (Sattalites).
[01 Aug 2021] Paul Cotton, 78, American musician (Poco, Illinois Speed Press) and songwriter (“Heart of the Night“).
[31 Jul 2021] Charles Connor, 86, American drummer (Little Richard).
[29 Jul 2021] Gonzoe, 45, American rapper (Kausion), shot.
[27 Jul 2021] Willie Winfield, 91, American singer (The Harptones), heart attack.
[26 Jul 2021] Joey Jordison, 46, American musician (Slipknot, Murderdolls, Sinsaenum).
[26 Jul 2021] Mike Howe, 55, American heavy metal singer (Metal Church, Heretic).
[25 Jul 2021] John Hutchinson, British guitarist (David Bowie).
[25 Jul 2021] Count M’Butu, American percussionist (The Derek Trucks Band).
[24 Jul 2021] Jackie Mason, 93, American comedian and actor (The Simpsons, The Jerk, Caddyshack II), Emmy winner (1988, 1992).
[23 Jul 2021] Wally Gonzales, 71, Filipino blues guitarist (Juan de la Cruz Band).
[22 Jul 2021] Palo Pandolfo, 56, Argentine singer-songwriter and musician (Don Cornelio y la Zona).
[21 Jul 2021] Lieb Bester, 72, South African musician and actor (The Making of the Mahatma, Stander, Winnie Mandela), COVID-19.
[21 Jul 2021] Rita Brantalou, 73, French actor and musician (Au Bonheur des Dames);
[20 Jul 2021] Jerry Granelli, 80, American-born Canadian jazz drummer (A Charlie Brown Christmas).
[19 Jul 2021] Chuck E. Weiss, 76, American songwriter and vocalist, inspiration for “Chuck E.’s in Love“, cancer.
[17 Jul 2021] Robby Steinhardt, 71, American singer and violinist (Kansas).
[16 Jul 2021] Biz Markie, 57, American rapper (“Just a Friend“) and actor (Men in Black II, Yo Gabba Gabba!), complications from diabetes.
[14 Jul 2021] Gary Corbett, American rock keyboardist (Cinderella, Kiss) and songwriter (“She Bop“), lung cancer.
[14 Jul 2021] Jeff LaBar, 58, American rock guitarist (Cinderella, Naked Beggars).
[13 Jul 2021] Brother Resistance, 66–67, Trinidadian rhythm poet and musician.
[11 Jul 2021] Juini Booth, 73, American jazz double-bassist.
[11 Jul 2021] Sound Sultan, 44, Nigerian rapper, AITL.
[10 Jul 2021] Byron Berline, 77, American fiddler.
[10 Jul 2021] Chris Hutka, American punk rock vocalist (The Bunny the Bear).
[08 Jul 2021] Sam Reed, 85, American jazz saxophonist.
[07 Jul 2021] Angélique Ionatos, 67, Greek singer and composer.
[06 Jul 2021] Djivan Gasparyan, 92, Armenian musician and composer.
[05 Jul 2021] Leo van de Ketterij, 70, Dutch guitarist (Shocking Blue).
[04 Jul 2021] Sanford Clark, 85, American rockabilly singer (“The Fool“, “Houston“), COVID-19.
[04 Jul 2021] Rick Laird, 80, Irish jazz fusion bassist (Mahavishnu Orchestra, Brian Auger and the Trinity), lung cancer.
[04 Jul 2021] José Manuel Zamacona, 69, Mexican singer (Los Yonic’s), COVID-19.
[02 Jul 2021] Elliot Lawrence, 96, American jazz pianist, nine-time Emmy award winner.
[01 Jul 2021] Bryan St. Pere, 52, American drummer (Hum).
[30 Jun 2021] Vic Briggs, 76, English blues and rock guitarist (Steampacket, Eric Burdon and the Animals), cancer.
[29 Jun 2021] John Lawton, 74, English hard rock singer (Uriah Heep, Lucifer’s Friend).
[28 Jun 2021] Burton Greene, 84, American jazz pianist.
[26 Jun 2021] Hidefumi Toki [ja], 71, Japanese jazz saxophonist, cancer.
[26 Jun 2021] Johnny Solinger, 55, American singer-songwriter (Skid Row), liver failure.
[26 Jun 2021] Frederic Rzewski, 83, American composer (The People United Will Never Be Defeated!) and pianist, heart attack.
[26 Jun 2021] Jon Hassell, 84, American trumpeter and composer.
[25 Jun 2021] Wes, 57, Cameroonian singer (“Alane“), complications from surgery.
[23 Jun 2021] Ellen McIlwaine, 75, American-born Canadian guitarist and blues singer, cancer.
[23 Jun 2021] Wojciech Karolak, 82, Polish musician.
[21 Jun 2021] Mamady Keïta, 70, Guinean drummer.
[21 Jun 2021] Nobuo Hara, 94, Japanese jazz saxophonist, pneumonia.
[18 Jun 2021] Takeshi Terauchi, 82, Japanese rock guitarist and actor (Ereki no Wakadaishō), pneumonia.
[18 Jun 2021] Gift of Gab, 50, American rapper (Blackalicious, Quannum Projects).
[17 Jun 2021] Fane Flaws, 70, New Zealand musician, songwriter, and artist (Blerta, The Crocodiles, The Spats).
[13 Jun 2021] Ned Beatty, 83, American actor (Network, All the President’s Men, Superman), gospel singer.
[09 Jun 2021] Juan Nelson, 62, American bassist (Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals).
[08 Jun 2021] Dean Parrish, 79, American soul singer.
[07 Jun 2021] David C. Lewis, American keyboardist (Ambrosia), brain cancer.
[05 Jun 2021] Grace Griffith, 64, American folk and Celtic singer, complications from Parkinson’s disease.
[03 Jun 2021] Karla Burns, 66, American operatic mezzo-soprano.
[31 May 2021] Lil Loaded, 20, American rapper and internet personality.
[29 May 2021] B. J. Thomas, 78, American singer (“Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head“, “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song“, “Hooked on a Feeling“), five-time Grammy winner, lung cancer.
[27 May 2021] Patrick Sky, 80, American singer-songwriter.
[26 May 2021] Kevin Clark, 32, American actor (School of Rock), traffic collision.
[25 May 2021] Rusty Warren, 91, American comedian and singer (Knockers Up!).
[24 May 2021] John Davis, 66, American singer (Milli Vanilli), COVID-19.
[24 May 2021] Samuel E. Wright, 74, American actor (The Little Mermaid, Dinosaur) and singer (“Under the Sea“), prostate cancer.
[23 May 2021] Lorrae Desmond, 91, Australian singer, television presenter (The Lorrae Desmond Show) and actress (A Country Practice, Arcade).
[20 May 2021] Roger Hawkins, 75, American drummer (Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section) and recording studio owner (Muscle Shoals Sound Studio).
[19 May 2021] Johnny Ashcroft, 94, Australian country singer.
[19 May 2021] Paul Mooney, 79, American actor (The Buddy Holly Story, Bamboozled), comedian (Chappelle’s Show) and writer, heart attack.
[16 May 2021] Patsy Bruce, 81, American country songwriter (“Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys“, “Texas (When I Die”).
[15 May 2021] Mario Pavone, 80, American jazz bassist.
[13 May 2021] Norman Simmons, 91, American pianist, arranger (“Wade in the Water“), and composer.
[13 May 2021] Jack Terricloth, 50, American musician (The World/Inferno Friendship Society).
[11 May 2021] Bernard Lachance, 46, Canadian singer-songwriter and conspiracy theorist, complications from AIDS.
[10 May 2021] Abdo Dagher, 85, Egyptian musician.
[08 May 2021] Curtis Fuller, 88, American jazz trombonist.
[07 May 2021] Tawny Kitaen, 59, American actress (The Perils of Gwendoline in the Land of the Yik-Yak, Bachelor Party, Witchboard) and THE MTV video girl for Whitesnake’s “Here I Go Again.”
[06 May 2021] Lloyd Price, 88, American Hall of Fame R&B singer (“Personality“, “Lawdy Miss Clawdy“, “Stagger Lee“).
[04 May 2021] Nick Kamen, 59, English model, singer (“Each Time You Break My Heart“) and songwriter (“I Promised Myself“).
[03 May 2021] Phil Naro, 63, American rock vocalist and theme song writer (6teen), tongue cancer.
[01 May 2021] Wondress Hutchinson, 56, American singer (“Got to Have Your Love“).
[29 Apr 2021] Ray Reyes, 51, Puerto Rican singer (Menudo, El Reencuentro), heart attack.
[29 Apr 2021] Will Mecum, 48, American rock guitarist and songwriter (Karma to Burn, Year Long Disaster), fall.
[29 Apr 2021] Tony Markellis, 68, American bassist (Trey Anastasio Band).
[29 Apr 2021] John Hinch, 73, British drummer (Judas Priest, Bakerloo).
[25 Apr 2021] Denny Freeman, 76, American blues guitarist and keyboardist.
[21 Apr 2021] Joe Long, 88, American bassist (The Four Seasons), COVID-19.
[20 Apr 2021] Les McKeown, 65, Scottish singer (Bay City Rollers)
[19 Apr 2021] Jim Steinman, 73, American musician and hit songwriter for Bonnie Tyler (“Total Eclipse of the Heart,” “Holding out for a Hero”), Meatloaf (Bat Out of Hell, albums I & II), Celine Dion (“It’s All Coming Back to Me Now“), and Air Supply (“Making Love Out of Nothing at All“).
[18 Apr 2021] Paul Oscher, 71, American blues singer.
[17 Apr 2021] Black Rob, 51, American rapper (“Whoa!“, “Bad Boy for Life“), kidney failure.
[14 Apr 2021] Rusty Young, 75, American musician (Poco) and songwriter (“Crazy Love“, “Shoot for the Moon“), heart attack.
[09 Apr 2021] DMX, 50, American rapper (“Party Up (Up in Here)“, “X Gon’ Give It to Ya“, “Where the Hood At?“) and actor (Cradle 2 the Grave), heart attack following drug overdose.
[04 Apr 2021] Ralph Schuckett, 73, American rock keyboardist (Utopia, Todd Rundgren) and composer (Pokémon: The First Movie)
[02 Apr 2021] Quindon Tarver, 38, American R&B singer, traffic collision.
[28 Mar 2021] Malcolm Cecil, 84, British musician (Tonto’s Expanding Head Band, Blues Incorporated) and record producer (Talking Book).
[26 Mar 2021] Brett Bradshaw, American drummer (Faster Pussycat)
[24 Mar 2021] Jessica Walter, 80, American actress (Arrested Development, Archer, Play Misty for Me), Emmy winner (1975)
[23 Mar 2021] Don Heffington, 70, American drummer (Lone Justice, Watkins Family Hour), leukemia.
[20 Mar 2021] Dan Sartain, 39, American rock and roll musician.
[18 Mar 2021] Paul Jackson, 73, American jazz bassist (The Headhunters, Azteca, Santana).
[17 Mar 2021] Matt Miller (American keyboardist for Titus Andronicus), 34
[17 Mar 2021] Corey Steger (American guitarist for Underoath), 42, traffic collision
[15 Mar 2021] Doug Parkinson, 74, Australian pop and rock singer (“Dear Prudence“, Fanny Adams, The Life Organisation).
[14 Mar 2021] Reggie Warren, 52, American R&B singer (Troop).
[11 Mar 2021] Ray Campi, 86, American rock double bassist.
[08 Mar 2021] James MacGaw (French guitarist for Magma), brain cancer
[07 Mar 2021] Lars Göran Petrov (Swedish singer for Entombed), 49, bile duct cancer
[05 Mar 2021] Michael Stanley, 72, American rock guitarist, singer and songwriter, lung cancer.
[04 Mar 2021] Alan Cartwright, 75, English rock bassist (Procol Harum), stomach cancer.
[02 Mar 2021] Mark Goffeney, 51, American guitarist.
[02 Mar 2021] Bunny Wailer, 73, Jamaican reggae singer (Bob Marley and the Wailers) and songwriter (“Electric Boogie“), Grammy winner (1991, 1995, 1997), complications from a stroke.
[01 Mar 2021] Ralph Peterson Jr., 58, American jazz drummer (The Jazz Messengers, Out of the Blue), cancer.
[28 Feb 2021] Ian North, 68, American punk and new wave musician (Milk ‘N’ Cookies), heart attack.
[26 Feb 2021] Bob James, 68, American rock singer-songwriter (Montrose), stomach ulcer complications.
[23 Feb 2021] Sean Kennedy (Australian bassist with Deez Nuts, I Killed the Prom Queen), 35, suicide.
[20 Feb 2021] Gene Taylor, 68, American pianist (Canned Heat, The Blasters, The Fabulous Thunderbirds).
[19 Feb 2021] James Burke (American singer with The Five Stairsteps), 70, pneumonia
[05 Feb 2021] Christopher Plummer, 91, Canadian actor (The Sound of Music, Beginners, All the Money in the World), Oscar winner (2012), complications from a fall.
[04 Feb 2021] Matt Harris (American bassist for The Posies)
[04 Feb 2021] Gil Saunders, 68, American soul singer (Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes), lung cancer and multiple sclerosis.
[03 Feb 2021] Jim Weatherly, 77, American Hall of Fame singer-songwriter (“Midnight Train to Georgia“, “Neither One of Us“, “You’re the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me“).
[02 Feb 2021] Aaron Wegelin (American drummer for Elf Power)
[01 Feb 2021] Dustin Diamond, 44, American actor (Saved by the Bell, Purple People Eater) and comedian, small-cell carcinoma.
[30 Jan 2021] Double K, 43, American rapper (People Under the Stairs).
[30 Jan 2021] Sophie, 34, Scottish singer-songwriter (“Bipp“, “Lemonade“) and record producer, accidental fall.
[23 Jan 2021] Jonas Gangwa (American trombonist), 83
[21 Jan 2021] Randy Parton, 67, American country singer-songwriter, cancer.
[18 Jan 2021] Jimmie Rodgers, 87, American pop singer (“Honeycomb“, “Kisses Sweeter than Wine“, “Secretly“).
[13 Jan 2021] Sylvain Sylvain, 69, Egyptian-born American guitarist (New York Dolls), cancer.
[13 Jan 2021] Tim Bogert, 76, American rock bassist (Vanilla Fudge, Beck, Bogert & Appice, Cactus), cancer.
[11 Jan 2021] Mark Keds, 50, English punk singer (Senseless Things).
[08 Jan 2021] Ed Bruce, 81, American singer-songwriter (“Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys“, “You’re the Best Break This Old Heart Ever Had“) and actor (Bret Maverick).
[08 Jan 2021] Michael Fonfara, 74, Canadian keyboardist (The Electric Flag, Downchild Blues Band, Rhinoceros), cancer.
[07 Jan 2021] Jamie O’Hara, 70, American country musician and songwriter (“Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Old Days)“, “Older Women“), Grammy winner (1987), cancer.
[04 Jan 2021] Alexi Laiho (Finnish guitarist with Children of Bodom), 41
[03 Jan 2021] Gerry Marsden, 78, English musician (Gerry and the Pacemakers, The Crowd), heart infection.
The “Radical” Russ Belville Show by Russ Belville is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
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