The year 2025 has been a particularly heavy one for the music world. We have said goodbye to foundational architects of rock, pioneers of soul, and some of the most innovative voices of the modern era. From the psychedelic genius of Brian Wilson to the heavy metal thunder of Ozzy Osbourne, these artists leave behind a legacy that will resonate forever.
As the year draws to a close, we look back at the lives and careers of the icons who took their final bow.
January
Wayne Osmond – January 1 A multi-instrumentalist and founding member of the legendary family group The Osmonds, known for his infectious optimism and teen-pop hits.
Leo Dan – January 1 The Argentine singer-songwriter was a titan of romantic ballads, leaving a legacy of hits that defined the “Nueva Ola” movement in Latin America.
Chad Morgan – January 1 An Australian country music institution, “The Sheik of Scrubby Creek” was beloved for his comedic timing and unique vaudeville style.
Brenton Wood – January 3 The soul singer behind the timeless 1967 classic “The Oogum Boogum Song,” he brought a lighthearted charm to the R&B charts.
Ed Askew – January 4 A cult folk hero and painter whose re-discovered 1960s psychedelic folk songs inspired a new generation of experimental artists.
Beej Chaney – January 5 As the frontman for The Suburbs, he was a pivotal figure in the Minneapolis punk and new wave scene that helped define the Midwest’s alternative sound.
Fredrik Lindgren – January 5 A foundational guitarist in the Swedish death metal scene, he was an original member of the pioneering band Unleashed.
Peter Yarrow – January 7 One-third of the folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary, Yarrow used his music as a vehicle for social change and civil rights for over six decades.
Sam Moore – January 10 Half of the legendary duo Sam & Dave, his high-tenor voice was the engine behind soul anthems like “Soul Man” and “Hold On, I’m Comin’.”
P. Fluid (Peter Forrest) – January 13 The charismatic frontman of 24-7 Spyz, he was a pioneer in merging hard rock, heavy metal, and soul into a unique “heavy metal soul” sound.
Buck White – January 13 The mandolin-playing patriarch of The Whites, he was a revered figure in the bluegrass and country community and a Grand Ole Opry stalwart.
David Lynch – January 15 While best known as a filmmaker, Lynch was a prolific surrealist musician and composer whose atmospheric soundscapes defined his cinematic worlds.
Linda Nolan – January 15 A member of the Irish family group The Nolans, she transitioned from a 70s pop idol to a beloved stage actress and vocal advocate for cancer awareness.
John Sykes – January 20 The virtuoso guitarist for Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake who co-wrote the 1987 multi-platinum Whitesnake album, defining the sound of 80s hard rock.
Garth Hudson – January 21 The last surviving member of The Band, Hudson was a musical polymath whose organ and accordion work added a regal, experimental texture to rock music.
Barry Goldberg – January 22 A blues keyboardist who backed Bob Dylan at the Newport Folk Festival and co-founded the influential blues-rock group The Electric Flag.
Unk – January 24 The Atlanta rapper and DJ who brought the “snap music” era to the mainstream with his massive 2006 hits “Walk It Out” and “2 Step.”
Marianne Faithfull – January 30 From a 60s pop star and Rolling Stones muse to a gravel-voiced poet of the avant-garde, she was one of rock’s most enduring survivors.
February
Sal Maida – February 1 A bassist who moved through the inner circles of art-rock, playing with Roxy Music, Sparks, and Milk ‘N’ Cookies.
Irv Gotti – February 5 The founder of Murder Inc. Records, Gotti was a mastermind producer who launched the careers of Ashanti, Ja Rule, and shaped 2000s R&B.
Mike Ratledge – February 5 A key architect of the “Canterbury Scene,” the Soft Machine keyboardist was a pioneer in blending jazz-fusion with psychedelic rock.
Tommy Hunt – February 12 A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with The Flamingos, he became a legendary figure in the UK’s Northern Soul scene.
Rick Buckler – February 17 The drummer for The Jam whose sharp, propulsive beats provided the backbone for the UK’s mod revival movement.
Jamie Muir – February 17 A radical percussionist who briefly but significantly transformed King Crimson during the Larks’ Tongues in Aspic sessions with his avant-garde style.
Paquita la del Barrio – February 17 The “Queen of the People,” the Mexican singer was an icon of ranchera music known for her fierce, feminist anthems against machismo.
Voletta Wallace – February 21 The mother of The Notorious B.I.G., who spent decades preserving her son’s legacy and advocating for the hip-hop community.
Chris Jasper – February 23 The multi-instrumentalist whose soulful synthesizers and arrangements defined the 1970s and 80s peak of the Isley Brothers.
Roberta Flack – February 24 A master of the “Quiet Storm,” her intimate piano-led ballads like “Killing Me Softly” made her one of the most decorated singers in history.
Robert John – February 24 A singer-songwriter who found massive success with the soft-rock classic “Sad Eyes” and a falsetto-heavy cover of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.”
David Johansen – February 28 Frontman of the New York Dolls and later the campy Buster Poindexter, he was a bridge between the glitter of glam and the grit of punk.
March
Angie Stone – March 1 A neo-soul pioneer who began her career in the early hip-hop group The Sequence before becoming a dominant force in R&B.
Joey Molland – March 1 The guitarist for Badfinger and the last core member of the power-pop pioneers who were tragically intertwined with the history of Apple Records.
Roy Ayers – March 4 The “Godfather of Neo-Soul,” his vibraphone work and jazz-funk compositions like “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” became the DNA of modern R&B.
Brian James – March 6 Founding guitarist of The Damned and The Lords of the New Church, he wrote “New Rose,” widely considered the first UK punk single.
D’Wayne Wiggins – March 7 A founding member of Tony! Toni! Toné!, he was a central figure in the New Jack Swing movement and a mentor to countless R&B stars.
Alice Tan Ridley – March 25 A legendary New York City busker whose powerful gospel and soul voice eventually took her from the subways to America’s Got Talent.
Young Scooter – March 28 The Atlanta rapper known for his street anthems and his role as a key collaborator in the city’s influential trap music scene.
April
Johnny Tillotson – April 1 A 1960s teen idol who successfully bridged the gap between pop and country with hits like “Poetry in Motion.”
Michael Hurley – April 3 An eccentric folk musician whose whimsical, “snockabilly” style made him a beloved figure in the underground folk and lo-fi communities.
Amadou Bagayoko – April 4 The guitarist and singer of the Malian duo Amadou & Mariam, who brought West African “Afro-blues” to the global mainstream.
Dave Allen – April 5 The founding bassist for Gang of Four, his jagged, funk-influenced lines were essential to the development of post-punk.
Al Barile – April 6 The guitarist for SSD and a central figure in the Boston hardcore scene, helping define the “straight edge” sound and ethic.
Clem Burke – April 7 The legendary Blondie drummer, Burke’s energetic and precise style earned him a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Rubby Pérez – April 8 One of the most powerful voices in merengue history, the Dominican singer was known as “The Highest Voice in Merengue.”
Max Romeo (April 11) A roots reggae legend whose politically charged anthems like “Chase the Devil” became foundation blocks for both reggae and hip-hop.
Mac Gayden – April 16 A Nashville session ace and songwriter who co-penned the classic “Everlasting Love” and pioneered the use of the wah-wah pedal in country.
David Thomas – April 23 The avant-garde visionary behind Pere Ubu, he pushed the boundaries of what rock music could be for nearly five decades.
Mike Peters – April 29 Frontman of The Alarm and Big Country, he was a tireless performer and activist who fought a high-profile battle with leukemia.
Joe Louis Walker – April 30 A Blues Hall of Fame guitarist and singer who spent decades keeping the electric blues tradition vibrant and modern.
May
Nana Caymmi – May 1 A member of the legendary Caymmi musical dynasty, her deep, emotive voice made her one of Brazil’s most revered vocalists.
Jill Sobule – May 1 The singer-songwriter famous for the original “I Kissed a Girl,” she was celebrated for her sharp wit and storytelling.
James Baker – May 5 A giant of Australian rock, he was the founding drummer for The Scientists, Hoodoo Gurus, and Beasts of Bourbon.
Irv Gotti – May 5 Note: Some reports cite his passing in early May following complications from his earlier stroke.
Charles Strouse – May 15 The legendary Broadway composer behind Annie and Bye Bye Birdie, he also wrote the theme to All in the Family.
Michael B. Tretow – May 20 The sound engineer who worked on every ABBA album, he was the secret architect of the “Wall of Sound” that defined the group.
Rick Derringer – May 26 Known for “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo” and “Hang On Sloopy,” he was also the longtime producer for “Weird Al” Yankovic.
Freddie Aguilar – May 27 The Filipino folk-rock legend whose song “Anak” became one of the most successful international hits in history.
June
Sly Stone – June 9 The revolutionary leader of Sly and the Family Stone, he single-handedly fused funk, soul, and rock into a psychedelic masterpiece.
Brian Wilson – June 11 The Beach Boys’ visionary whose symphonic pop arrangements on Pet Sounds changed the course of music history forever.
Douglas McCarthy – June 11 The frontman of Nitzer Ebb, he was a pioneer of Electronic Body Music (EBM) and a major influence on techno.
Lou Christie – June 18 Known for his incredible falsetto and 60s hits like “Lightnin’ Strikes,” he was a master of high-drama pop.
Patrick Walden – June 20 The original guitarist for Babyshambles, he was a key figure in the mid-2000s UK indie rock revival.
Mick Ralphs – June 23 A founding member of both Mott the Hoople and Bad Company, he wrote the blueprint for 70s stadium rock guitar.
Bobby Sherman – June 24 The quintessential 70s teen idol, Sherman transitioned from a pop star to a dedicated paramedic and sheriff’s deputy.
Lalo Schifrin – June 26 The Argentine composer who wrote the iconic Mission: Impossible theme, bridging the worlds of jazz, classical, and film.
July
Jimmy Swaggart – July 1 A massive figure in gospel music and televangelism, his piano-driven spirituals sold millions of copies worldwide.
Young Noble – July 4 A member of 2Pac’s Outlawz, he was a dedicated keeper of the rapper’s flame and a prolific voice in the hip-hop underground.
Dave Cousins – July 13 The leader of the British folk-rock group the Strawbs, he was a master songwriter who blended folk tradition with prog-rock ambition.
Connie Francis – July 16 The top-charting female vocalist of the late 50s and early 60s, she was the first woman to have a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
Alan Bergman – July 17 An Oscar-winning lyricist who, alongside his wife Marilyn, wrote “The Way We Were” and “The Windmills of Your Mind.”
Malcolm-Jamal Warner – July 21 Though primarily an actor, he was a deeply respected poet and bass player who led the jazz-funk band Miles Long.
Chuck Mangione – July 22 The jazz flugelhornist whose 1977 hit “Feels So Good” became one of the most recognizable instrumental tracks in pop history.
Ozzy Osbourne – July 22 The “Prince of Darkness,” Ozzy’s work with Black Sabbath created the heavy metal genre, while his solo career made him a global icon.
Cleo Laine – July 24 A legendary jazz singer with a nearly four-octave range, she was the only female performer to receive Grammy nominations in jazz, popular, and classical categories.
Tom Lehrer – July 26 The satirical songwriting genius whose piano-driven wit skewered everything from politics to science in the 1950s and 60s.
Flaco Jiménez – July 31 The king of the Tejano accordion, he brought the sounds of San Antonio to the world, collaborating with the Rolling Stones and Ry Cooder.
August
Jeannie Seely – August 1 Known as “Miss Country Soul,” she was a cornerstone of the Grand Ole Opry and a trailblazer for women in country music.
Eddie Palmieri – August 6 A ten-time Grammy winner, the pianist and bandleader was a primary architect of modern salsa and Latin jazz.
Bobby Whitlock – August 10 The keyboardist for Derek and the Dominos, he co-wrote much of the Layla album and was a vital part of the 70s rock scene.
Michael “Tunes” Antunes – August 19 The saxophonist for John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band, his soulful solos were the heart of the Eddie and the Cruisers soundtrack.
Brent Hinds – August 20 The virtuoso guitarist and singer for Mastodon, whose progressive metal riffs and eccentric personality redefined the genre.
September
Mark Volman – September 5 As “Phlo” of Flo & Eddie, the Turtles founder brought a sense of humor and incredible harmony to rock music and Frank Zappa’s band.
Rick Davies – September 6 The founder and co-lead singer of Supertramp, Davies wrote and sang hits like “Goodbye Stranger” and “Bloody Well Right.”
Bobby Hart – September 10 One half of the legendary Boyce & Hart duo, he wrote dozens of hits for The Monkees, including “Last Train to Clarksville.”
Andreas Martin – September 13 A titan of German schlager music, he was a prolific singer and songwriter whose career spanned four decades.
Hermeto Pascoal – September 13 The Brazilian “Wizard,” a multi-instrumentalist who famously could make music out of anything, from toys to animals.
Sonny Curtis – September 19 A member of Buddy Holly’s Crickets, he wrote the rock and roll standard “I Fought the Law” and the theme to The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
JD Twitch – September 19 One half of the legendary Optimo DJ duo, he was a visionary who reshaped the landscape of independent dance music.
October
Ian Freebairn-Smith – October 7 A prolific arranger and composer who worked on projects ranging from The Muppet Movie to classics for Barbra Streisand.
John Lodge – October 10 The longtime bassist and singer for The Moody Blues, he was the voice behind hits like “I’m Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band).”
D’Angelo – October 14 The reclusive neo-soul genius whose album Voodoo is considered one of the greatest records of all time.
Ace Frehley – October 16 The original “Spaceman” of KISS, whose explosive guitar solos and “cool” persona inspired an entire generation to pick up the instrument.
David Ball – October 22 The keyboardist and co-founder of Soft Cell and The Grid, he was a pioneer of synth-pop and electronic dance music.
Jack DeJohnette – October 26 One of the most influential jazz drummers of all time, he was a key member of Miles Davis’s “Bitches Brew” band.
November
Donna Jean Godchaux – November 2 The singer for the Grateful Dead throughout the 1970s, she was the only woman to be a core member of the legendary band.
Todd Snider – November 14 An East Nashville legend, Snider was one of the finest songwriters of his generation, blending profound folk wisdom with hilarious storytelling.
Mani – November 20 The legendary bassist for The Stone Roses and Primal Scream, he was a central figure in the Madchester and Britpop eras.
Jellybean Johnson – November 21 A key member of The Time and a staple of the Minneapolis sound, he was a legendary drummer and guitarist for the Prince circle.
Jimmy Cliff – November 24 The Jamaican superstar who brought reggae to the world through the film The Harder They Come and hits like “Many Rivers to Cross.”
Poorstacy – November 29 The rising Florida artist who blended emo, rock, and hip-hop, helping define the “SoundCloud rap” transition into alternative rock.
December
Steve Cropper – December 3 The “Colonel,” a foundational guitarist for Stax Records, he co-wrote “Dock of the Bay” and “In the Midnight Hour.”
Raul Malo – December 8 The frontman of The Mavericks, his rich, operatic voice blended country, rock, and Latin music into something entirely unique.
Manny Guerra – December 12 A legendary Tejano producer and musician who was instrumental in the early career of Selena and the development of the “Tejano sound.”
Carl Carlton – December 14 An R&B and soul standout who gave the world two timeless hits: the joyful “Everlasting Love” and the funk staple “She’s a Bad Mama Jama.”
Joe Ely – December 15 A Texas country-rock icon and member of The Flatlanders, he famously toured with The Clash and embodied the rebellious spirit of the Lone Star State.
