In Memoriam - Artists and Musicians We Lost in 2025

A Tribute To The Voices, Visionaries, And Innovators Whose Music Shaped Generations.

Brian Wilson

1942–2025

Co-founder of the Beach Boys, Brian Wilson was one of America’s greatest songwriters and a visionary producer who transformed pop music into an art form. His “teenage symphonies to God,” especially Pet Sounds, introduced unprecedented emotional depth, complex harmonies, and studio experimentation into mainstream music. Wilson’s work reshaped the possibilities of popular songwriting and influenced generations of artists across rock, pop, and beyond.

Ozzy Osbourne

1948–2025

Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic frontman of Black Sabbath, helped invent heavy metal with his haunting vocals and dark, thunderous sound. Known as the “Prince of Darkness,” he remained a cultural force for over five decades, balancing menace, humor, and vulnerability. From Sabbath’s genre-defining albums to his solo career and reality‑TV fame, Osbourne’s influence on rock music is immeasurable.

Sly Stone

1943–2025

Sly Stone was a revolutionary artist who fused funk, rock, soul, and psychedelia into a sound that reflected unity and social change. As leader of Sly and the Family Stone, he broke racial and gender barriers while creating joyful, politically charged anthems like “Everyday People.” His innovations shaped funk, hip‑hop, and modern R&B.

D’Angelo

1974–2025

A modern soul visionary, D’Angelo reshaped R&B with a sparse but monumental catalog. Albums like Brown Sugar, Voodoo, and Black Messiah blended classic soul, funk, jazz, and hip‑hop into timeless artistic statements. His commitment to musicianship and authenticity defined neo‑soul.

Ace Frehley

1951–2025

Ace Frehley, the original “Spaceman” guitarist of Kiss, brought flash, swagger, and melodic flair to arena rock. His blues‑based solos and cosmic persona helped make Kiss a global phenomenon and inspired generations of guitarists.

Jimmy Cliff

1948–2025

Jimmy Cliff helped carry reggae from Jamaica to the world. Through songs like “Many Rivers to Cross” and his role in The Harder They Come, he gave voice to struggle, resilience, and hope, laying the groundwork for reggae’s global reach.

Roberta Flack

1937–2025

Roberta Flack possessed one of the most intimate and expressive voices in popular music. Her elegant interpretations of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and “Killing Me Softly With His Song” brought emotional subtlety to the forefront of soul and pop.

Connie Francis

1937–2025

Connie Francis was a trailblazing pop star and the first woman to top the Billboard Hot 100. With hits like “Where the Boys Are,” she helped open doors for female artists and remained culturally relevant decades later.

Clem Burke

1955–2025

Clem Burke was the driving rhythmic force behind Blondie. His explosive drumming powered the band’s genre‑blending sound and earned him recognition as one of rock’s most versatile and influential drummers.

Marianne Faithfull

1946–2025

Marianne Faithfull evolved from 1960s icon to one of music’s most compelling late‑career artists. Her raw, unflinching second act transformed personal hardship into profound artistic expression.

Raul Malo

1965–2025

Raul Malo, frontman of the Mavericks, brought a soaring, operatic voice to country‑rock and Americana. His genre‑crossing style and magnetic stage presence earned him deep respect across musical communities.

Todd Snider

1966–2025

Todd Snider was a gifted storyteller whose witty, heartfelt songs shaped Americana and alt‑country. Albums like East Nashville Skyline captured the humor, politics, and humanity of everyday life.

Steve Cropper

1941–2025

Steve Cropper was a cornerstone of soul music as a guitarist, songwriter, and producer at Stax Records. His understated playing and songwriting helped create classics like “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay.”

Donna Jean Godchaux

1947–2025

Donna Jean Godchaux brought a powerful, gospel‑inflected voice to the Grateful Dead during their most exploratory years, enriching the band’s harmonies and legacy.

Eddie Palmieri

1936–2025

Eddie Palmieri was a towering innovator of Latin music, revolutionizing salsa and Latin jazz through bold arrangements and fearless experimentation.

Jill Sobule

1959–2025

Jill Sobule blended humor, vulnerability, and activism into her songwriting. Her hit “I Kissed a Girl” broke ground for LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream rock.

Sam Moore

1935–2025

Sam Moore, one half of Sam & Dave, was among soul music’s most electrifying vocalists. His gospel‑fueled delivery powered enduring Stax classics.

Roy Ayers

1940–2025

Roy Ayers bridged jazz, funk, soul, and hip‑hop with his warm vibraphone sound. “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” became one of the most influential grooves in modern music.

David Johansen

1950–2025

David Johansen, frontman of the New York Dolls, helped ignite punk rock with fearless style and attitude. His later success as Buster Poindexter showcased his boundless versatility.

Jack DeJohnette

1942–2025

Jack DeJohnette redefined jazz drumming through innovation and fluidity. His work with Miles Davis and countless others reshaped jazz fusion and modern improvisation.

Cleto Escobedo III

1950–2025

Longtime bandleader for Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Cleto Escobedo III was a versatile trumpeter and arranger whose music became inseparable from late-night television culture. His mastery of jazz, pop, and television performance inspired countless musicians and anchored decades of live broadcasts with style and precision.

Sam Rivers

1977–2025

Founding bassist of Limp Bizkit, Sam Rivers was the groove behind the band’s explosive fusion of metal and hip-hop. Integral to the nu-metal movement of the late 1990s, his dynamic playing and loyal presence made him both a musical and emotional anchor for his bandmates.

Gary “Mani” Mounfield

1962–2025

As bassist for The Stone Roses and Primal Scream, Mani defined the melodic backbone of British alternative music. His driving basslines shaped the Madchester sound and influenced generations of UK rock musicians, leaving a lasting imprint on the evolution of modern British music.

Brent Hinds

1974–2025

Co-founder of Mastodon, Brent Hinds was a visionary guitarist and vocalist who expanded heavy metal’s boundaries. Over 25 years, his adventurous riffs and distinct vocal style pushed progressive metal into new terrain, inspiring musicians worldwide.

Garth Hudson

1937–2025

The Band’s keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist, Garth Hudson combined classical, jazz, and folk influences to enrich the group’s timeless sound. His humility and virtuosity inspired generations, making him a beloved figure in rock history.

Dave Burgess

1934–2025

Leader of the Champs, Dave Burgess helped craft one of rock’s most enduring instrumentals, “Tequila,” which briefly dethroned Elvis Presley on the charts. His work demonstrated the playful power and universal appeal of instrumental rock.

Wayne Osmond

1951–2025

A key member of the Osmonds, Wayne Osmond contributed vocals and guitar to the family’s decades-long success. His career embodied dedication, family, and pop music longevity, helping define wholesome American entertainment.

Barry Goldberg

1941 – 2025

Blues-rock keyboardist Barry Goldberg played with Bob Dylan and other legends during the 1960s. His work bridged blues tradition and rock innovation, leaving a profound mark on the American music revolution.

Joe Ely

1947–2025

A pioneering figure in progressive country, Joe Ely blurred the lines between country, rock, and punk. As a member of the Flatlanders and a touring partner of the Clash, Ely expanded the possibilities of American roots music.

Rick Davies

1944–2025

Co-founder of Supertramp, Rick Davies blended introspective lyrics with pop accessibility. His keyboard work and songwriting on hits like Breakfast in America and Goodbye Stranger defined a literate, melodic strain of 1970s rock.

Brenton Wood

1941–2025

Soul singer Brenton Wood captured the playful romance of late-1960s music. Hits like The Oogum Boogum Song remain cultural touchstones, evoking the joy and energy of classic soul.

P. Fluid

1965–2025

Peter Forrest, known as P. Fluid, was a driving force in the Black rock movement with 24-7 Spyz. Blending metal, funk, and punk, he challenged musical and racial boundaries, paving the way for diversity in heavy music.

Roy Ayers

1940–2025

Jazz-funk vibraphonist Roy Ayers shaped soul, funk, and hip-hop with his signature sound. Everybody Loves the Sunshine became one of the most sampled tracks in history, influencing generations across genres.

Wayne Lewis

1956–2025

As founding member of Atlantic Starr, Wayne Lewis helped craft sophisticated 1980s R&B classics like Always and Secret Lovers. His smooth vocals and songwriting left a lasting imprint on romantic soul.

Joseph Byrd

1937–2025

Leader of the experimental band United States of America, Joseph Byrd fused electronics, folk, and avant-garde composition. His 1968 debut influenced electronic and psychedelic rock for decades to come.

Rafael Ithier

1926–2025

Founder of El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Rafael Ithier defined modern salsa and mentored generations of Latin artists. His work remains foundational in tropical music and Latin cultural heritage.

DJ Unk

1982–2025

Atlanta rapper DJ Unk energized the snap-music era with hits like Walk It Out. His mid-2000s Southern hip-hop tracks became club anthems, leaving a mark on modern party culture.

Mike Ratledge

1943–2025

Soft Machine co-founder Mike Ratledge was a pioneering keyboardist in the Canterbury scene. His complex, jazz-infused playing influenced progressive and experimental rock worldwide.

Paquita la del Barrio

1946 – 2025

The Mexican icon Paquita la del Barrio used her music to challenge machismo. Her feminist anthems in ranchera and bolero inspired generations of women across Latin America.

Rick Buckler

1955 – 2025

Drummer for the Jam, Rick Buckler provided the rhythmic foundation for the band’s socially conscious hits. His precise, energetic drumming helped define the British mod revival.

Jellybean Johnson

1956–2025

Key architect of the Minneapolis sound, Jellybean Johnson drummed for The Time and collaborated with Prince. His innovative funk-rock-pop fusion influenced modern R&B production and style.

Jerry Butler

1939–2025

Known as “The Iceman,” Jerry Butler blended vulnerability with strength in soul music. As a member of the Impressions and a solo artist, he helped define Chicago soul’s enduring sound.

Bill Fay

1943 – 2025

Cult British singer-songwriter Bill Fay’s introspective music found renewed recognition decades after his early albums. His late-career resurgence affirmed the enduring power of honest, spiritual songwriting.

Mike Peters

1959 – 2025

Frontman of The Alarm, Mike Peters wrote anthemic songs capturing resilience and idealism. Hits like Sixty Eight Guns cemented his role in 1980s alternative rock and social activism.

Robert John

1946–2025

Pop singer Robert John achieved a Number One hit with Sad Eyes and enjoyed a remarkably long career, leaving an enduring mark on soft rock with his smooth, melodic style.

Angie Stone

1961–2025

Neo-soul singer Angie Stone blended classic R&B with modern sensibilities. From the Sequence to her solo career, she championed authenticity, emotion, and the revival of soul music.

Amadou Bagayoko

1954–2025

Part of Amadou & Mariam, Amadou Bagayoko brought Malian music to global audiences. Fusing traditional rhythms with contemporary styles, he expanded appreciation for African music worldwide.

Joey Molland

1942–2025

Last surviving core member of Badfinger, Joey Molland played on classics like Day After Day and Baby Blue. His guitar work preserved the band’s legacy and its connection to the Beatles.

Brian James

1955–2025

Founding guitarist of the Damned, Brian James wrote New Rose, the first British punk single. His raw, aggressive style ignited the UK punk movement and continues to inspire musicians.

D’Wayne Wiggins

1961 – 2025

Co-founder of Tony! Toni! Toné!, D’Wayne Wiggins helped define 1990s R&B. As a musician, producer, and mentor, he shaped hits that bridged funk, soul, and hip-hop across generations.

Larry Tamblyn

1943–2025

Keyboardist for the Standells, Larry Tamblyn helped craft garage rock classics like Dirty Water. His work captured the raw, rebellious energy of 1960s rock music.

Jack DeJohnette

1942–2025

Jazz drummer Jack DeJohnette redefined percussion with Miles Davis and in his own ensembles. His fluid, innovative style influenced generations of jazz and fusion musicians over decades of groundbreaking work.

Their music endures. Their voices remain. Their legacies live on.