D'Angelo. Brian Wilson. Sly Stone. Maybe you read these names at the end of 2025 and remember a pang — the way your heart hurt upon hearing the news that these musicians had departed the mortal realm. But it's worth spending the time with that pain, and what comes after: a celebration of their lives and, more importantly, the music they left behind. That's what lives forever: the hooks, the solos, the grooves and the emotion they stir in us all.
What follows is a memorial to those music makers we lost in 2025, listed below in chronological order by the date they left us.
***
Wayne Osmond
Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist for the family band The Osmonds
Aug. 28, 1951 — Jan. 1, 2025
*
Brenton Wood
The R&B and soul singer captured hearts with songs like "Gimme Little Sign" and "The Oogum Boogum Song"
July 26, 1941 — Jan. 3, 2025
*
Ed Askew
Idiosyncratic folk musician who released a cult classic in 1968, then returned just before the new millennium to put out a trove of touching, creative albums
April 23, 1905 — Jan. 4, 2025
*
Peter Yarrow
Best known as a member of the trio Peter, Paul and Mary, the folk musician was also convicted of a sexual offense against a minor
May 31, 1938 — Jan. 7, 2025
*
Sam Moore
In the duo Sam & Dave, he sang the high notes on 1960s hits like "Soul Man" and "Hold On, I'm Comin' "
Oct. 12, 1935 — Jan. 10, 2025
*
Peter Forrest
Singer known as P. Fluid for the South Bronx rock band 24-7 Spyz
1960 — Jan. 13, 2025
*
Melba Montgomery
Known for her duets with George Jones and Gene Pitney, the country music singer gave every song she sang that extra something to fill your heart
Oct. 14, 1938 — Jan. 15, 2025
*
David Lynch
The filmmaker understood that the songs within a movie could be just as important as the images onscreen
Jan. 20, 1946 — Jan. 16, 2025
*
Toby Myers
Bassist for John Mellencamp and rock band Roadmaster
Sept. 26, 1949 — Jan. 16, 2025
*
Bob Perkins
The Philadelphia-born and raised DJ had an irresistible passion for jazz at WRTI and beyond
Dec. 6, 1933 — Jan. 19, 2025
*
Rich Hall
Heavy music bands like Converge, Botch and Isis found a champion in this independent New York booker and promoter
May 29, 1905 — Jan. 21, 2025
*
Garth Hudson
The multi-instrumentalist's churchy, post-psychedelic touch on the Lowrey organ and the clavinet gave The Band its signature sound
Aug. 2, 1937 — Jan. 21, 2025
*
Barry Michael Cooper
Music critic-turned-screenwriter whose credits include screenplays for Above the Rim and New Jack City along with naming the late-'80s R&B sub-genre New Jack Swing
June 12, 1958 — Jan. 21, 2025
*
Barry Goldberg
Keyboardist, songwriter and producer who worked with Percy Sledge, Bob Dylan and the Ramones
Dec. 25, 1941 — Jan. 22, 2025
*
Unk
The Atlanta rapper, producer and DJ helped launch snap music into the mainstream with "Walk it Out"
Nov. 28, 1981 — Jan. 24, 2025
*
Thabang Tabane
South African percussionist and inheritor of the malombo sound pioneered by his father, Dr. Philip Nchipi Tabane
Feb. 26, 1979 — Jan. 29, 2025
*
Marianne Faithfull
Forever associated with The Rolling Stones yet always her own voice, the uncompromising artist and icon's shapeshifting style spanned decades
Dec. 29, 1946 — Jan. 30, 2025
*
Susan Alcorn
First steeped in the country-western tradition, the pedal steel guitarist became a trenchant explorer of experimental and improvised music
April 4, 1953 — Jan. 31, 2025
*
Mike Ratledge
Founding member and keyboardist for the prog-rock band Soft Machine
May 6, 1943 — Feb. 5, 2025
*
Tommy Hunt
The American singer found early success as a member of The Flamingos, and then became a household name in the U.K.'s Northern Soul scene
June 18,1933 — Feb. 12, 2025
*
Chelsea Reject
Brooklyn-based rapper who made her mark on NYC's underground scene
April 8, 2003 — Feb. 13, 2025
*
Paquita la del Barrio
The Mexican singer could turn a litany of insults against a cheating lover into an empowerment anthem
April 2, 1947 — Feb. 17, 2025
*
Jerry Butler
Original lead singer of the R&B group The Impressions had dozens of hits after going solo
Dec. 8, 1939 — Feb. 20, 2025
*
Bill Fay
The English singer-songwriter's 1970s albums found fans in Julia Jacklin and Jeff Tweedy, which ignited a new era of appreciation for his cosmic yet gentle music and set the table for a handful of new albums in the 21st century
1943 — Feb. 22, 2025
*
Roberta Flack
Best known for "Killing Me Softly With His Song," Flack was an immaculate interpreter whose ability to tell her story through song allowed listeners to connect with their own
Feb. 10, 1937 — Feb. 24, 2025
*
David Johansen
The chameleonic and charismatic vocalist who fronted the New York Dolls and found solo success under the moniker Buster Poindexter
Jan. 9, 1950 — Feb. 28, 2025
*
Angie Stone
A pioneer of both hip-hop and neo-soul, the sultry singer was also an accomplished songwriter
Dec. 18, 1961 — March 1, 2025
*
Carl Dean
Dolly Parton's devoted husband of nearly 60 years avoided the spotlight, but was the inspiration for her timeless hit "Jolene"
July 20, 1942 — March 3, 2025
*
Jeff Runnings
Bassist and vocalist for the post-punk band For Against
April 22, 1963 — March 3, 2025
*
Roy Ayers
The vibraphonist, composer and jazz-funk pioneer behind "Everybody Loves the Sunshine," the song that helped to pioneer neo-soul and was sampled hundreds of times
Sept. 10, 1940 — March 4, 2025
*
Troy Seals
The Nashville session guitarist and songwriter's works were recorded by artists such as Joe Cocker, Nancy Sinatra, Hank Williams Jr. and Levon Helm
Nov. 16, 1938 — March 6, 2025
*
Brian James
The searing, frenetic guitarist who co-founded British punks The Damned
Feb. 18, 1951 — March 6, 2025
*
D'Wayne Wiggins
Founding member of the R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné!
Feb. 14, 1961 — March 7, 2025
*
Sofia Gubaidulina
An intellectually probing artist who fused sound and spirituality and one of the first modern women composers to reach international acclaim
Oct. 24, 1931 — March 13, 2025
*
Les Binks
In the late '70s, the drummer help to shape the faster side of metal on two crucial Judas Priest albums: Stained Class and Hell Bent for Leather
Aug. 8, 1951 — March 15, 2025
*
Jesse Colin Young
On The Youngbloods' "Get Together," his hopeful delivery embodied the song's optimism that peace and a brighter future were possible
Nov. 22, 1941 — March 16, 2025
*
Terry Manning
In a career spanning six decades, the producer and engineer worked on records by Isaac Hayes, ZZ Top, Shakira and the Staple Singers
Dec. 29, 1947 — March 25, 2025
*
Enrique Bátiz
Mexican conductor and prolific recording artist who founded the Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado de México
May 4, 1942 — March 30, 2025
*
John Nelson
An American conductor who became the foremost interpreter of the extravagant music of French composer Hector Berlioz
Dec. 6, 1941 — March 31, 2025
*
Michael Hurley
Sometimes called the father of freak-folk, the charismatic storyteller lived and worked on his own terms
Dec. 20, 1941 — April 1, 2025
*
Amadou Bagayoko
One half of the husband-and-wife duo Amadou & Mariam, the guitarist made joyous Malian music to promote peace in their homeland and around the world
Oct. 24, 1954 — April 4, 2025
*
Dave Allen
His funky, buoyant bass lines gave Gang of Four's jagged and crispy post-punk just the right amount of groove
Dec. 23, 1955 — April 5, 2025
*
Clem Burke
More than just a drummer, he was the backbone of Blondie, diversifying his style throughout the band's long, winding career
Nov. 24, 1954 — April 6, 2025
*
Al Barile
Founding guitarist of the Boston hardcore band SSD
Oct. 4, 1961 — April 6, 2025
*
Max Romeo
Roots reggae singer whose mid-1970s albums, Revelation Time and War Ina Babylon, extolled Rastafarianism and dug into Jamaican politics
Nov. 22, 1944 — April 11, 2025
*
Roy Thomas Baker
Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" perhaps would not be the operatic rock masterpiece it is without the skills of this English producer
Nov. 10, 1946 — April 12, 2025
*
Francis Davis
An eminent and award-winning jazz critic who saw through fads and wrote sharply about classic albums
Aug. 30, 1946 — April 14, 2025
*
Jed the Fish
The KROQ DJ helped to shape alternative radio in the 1980s and '90s
July 15, 1955 — April 14, 2025
*
Joel Krosnick
Juilliard String Quartet's widely respected cellist for more than four decades
April 3, 1941 — April 15, 2025
*
Mac Gayden
The Nashville guitarist can be heard on Bob Dylan's Blonde on Blonde, but his songwriting legacy lives on in "Everlasting Love," which has been covered by Gloria Estefan, U2 and Jamie Cullum
June 5, 1941 — April 16, 2025
*
David Briggs
The keyboardist and producer worked with Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson
March 16, 1943 — April 22, 2025
*
David Thomas
The leader — and only constant member — of the defiantly original post-punk band Pere Ubu
June 14, 1953 — April 23, 2025
*
Richard Wernick
A Pulitzer Prize-winning composer who and influential educator who developed a unique and uncompromising artistic style
Jan. 16, 1934 — April 25, 2025
*
Rigmor Newman
The Swedish-born, New York-based manager and concert promoter was a behind-the-scenes figure in jazz
May 9, 1938 — April 26, 2025
*
Andy Bey
The jazz singer haunted the periphery of American song with his magnetically expressive voice, ranging from a foghorn baritone to a tender falsetto
Oct. 28, 1939 — April 26, 2025
*
Mike Peters
Coming from the British punk underground, the inspiring frontman of '80s rock group The Alarm performed with an arena-level energy
Feb. 25, 1959 — April 29, 2025
*
Joe Louis Walker
The blues guitarist knew and respected tradition, but wrote songs that spoke to the current day
Dec. 25, 1949 — April 30, 2025
*
Jill Sobule
In confessional songs that sparkled with irony and humor, the singer-songwriter found most success with "I Kissed a Girl," one of the first openly gay anthems
Jan. 16, 1959 — May 1, 2025
*
Glen Thrasher
The zine maker and WREK DJ made space for the weird and far-out within Atlanta's underground music scene
July 1, 1959 — May 3, 2025
*
James Baker
Drummer for Australian rock and punk bands The Scientists, Hoodoo Gurus and The Victims
1954 — May 6, 2025
*
Johnny Parth
Founder of Document Records, which rescued early 20th century jazz, blues and gospel recordings
Jan. 11, 1930 — May 8, 2025
*
Yasunao Tone
The Tokyo-born, New York-based composer pushed the limits of experimental music, turning compact discs into instruments of noise
March 31, 1935 — May 12, 2025
*
Charles Strouse
Broadway composer and creator of the hit musicals Bye Bye Birdie, Applause and Annie
June 7, 1928 — May 15, 2025
*
James Lowe
The Electric Prunes frontman sang over the fuzzy guitar tones of the band's 1966 hit "I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)," which became known as the opening track to the influential psychedelic rock box set Nuggets
March 5, 1943 — May 22, 2025
*
Guy Klucevsek
There's more to the accordion than just polka, and this New Yorker applied his virtuosic skills to avant-garde music
Feb. 26, 1947 — May 22, 2025
*
Dan Storper
Putamayo World Music, the record label he founded in 1993, exposed a global audience to farflung scenes and styles through its ubiquitous compilation CDs
May 20, 1951 — May 22, 2025
*
Daniel Williams
Former drummer for the metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada
Dec. 12, 1985 — May 22, 2025
*
Dave Shapiro
Onetime pop-punk musician turned label owner and co-founder of the agency Sound Talent Group
Jan. 1983 — May 22, 2025
*
Sacha Jenkins
A journalist whose spirit and smarts were a beacon to smart-alecks during hip-hop's golden era and an example to music lovers of all kinds for the next 30 years
Aug. 22, 1971 — May 23, 2025
*
Foday Musa Suso
A master of the kora, the Gambian musician was an ambassador for West African music, performing with the likes of Herbie Hancock and Philip Glass
Feb. 18, 1950 — May 25, 2025
*
Al Foster
Behind the kit for Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins and more, his superbly alert and flexible drumming formed a swirling current in modern jazz for more than 60 years
Jan. 18, 1943 — May 28, 2025
*
Per Nørgård
A composer who carved a singular, commanding path in Danish contemporary music
July 13, 1932 — May 28, 2025
*
Alf Clausen
The Simpsons composer understood that every action and emotion deserves a musical cue that drives the story, whether it's a Broadway-style showtune, a smokey backroom jazz jam or a silly yet seriously-written musical parody
March 28, 1941 — May 29, 2025
*
Wayne Lewis
Singer and keyboard player for Atlantic Starr, the R&B group that released the 1987 slow jam classic "Always"
April 13, 1957 — June 5, 2025
*
Billy Jones
After the early 2000s indie-rock boom, the booker and promoter helped to keep the New York music scene alive, opening the beloved venue Baby's All Right
Oct. 2, 1979 — June 7, 2025
*
Sly Stone
An icon and an iconoclast, the funk visionary's music with the Family Stone spoke across race, style and generations
March 15, 1943 — June 9, 2025
*
Jonathan Mayers
A founder of the Bonnaroo and Outside Land festivals, he brought fans to a Tennessee farm and Golden Gate Park in San Francisco
May 27, 1905 — June 10, 2025
*
Jack Kleinsinger
Creator of Highlights in Jazz, the New York concert series
Aug. 1, 1936 — June 11, 2025
*
Brian Wilson
A genius in the recording studio who struggled in the world outside, The Beach Boys' founder imagined one through music
June 20, 1942 — June 11, 2025
*
Douglas McCarthy
Vocalist and founding member of industrial group Nitzer Ebb
Sept. 1, 1966 — June 11, 2025
*
Ananda Lewis
In the late '90s, the MTV VJ hosted Total Request Live and Hot Zone
March 21, 1973 — June 11, 2025
*
Louis Moholo-Moholo
An explosive and inventive jazz drummer from South Africa who performed with The Blue Notes, Brotherhood of Breath and Assagai
March 10, 1940 — June 13, 2025
*
Dave Scott
With no formal training, the basketball player-turned-hip-hop-choreographer, worked on TV, movies and video games and with stars like Bow Wow
Aug. 15, 1972 — June 16, 2025
*
Alfred Brendel
A cerebral, lucid Austrian pianist who focused on the classics
Jan. 5, 1931 — June 17, 2025
*
Rebekah Del Rio
In front of a red velvet curtain, her Spanish-language performance of Roy Orbison's "Crying" soundtracked a captivating emotional moment in David Lynch's 2001 film Mulholland Drive
July 10, 1967 — June 23, 2025
*
John Conklin
Highly conceptual yet playful set designer for the New York City Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, the San Francisco Opera and the Glimmerglass Festival
June 22, 1937 — June 24, 2025
*
Lalo Schifrin
The Argentine composer scored more than 100 films and TV shows, including the immortal, propulsive theme for Mission: Impossible
June 21, 1932 — June 26, 2025
*
Roger Martinez
Wild and controversial frontman for the Christian thrash metal band Vengeance Rising
Dec. 14, 1962 — June 26, 2025
*
Stuart Burrows
The Welsh lyric tenor made his mark singing Mozart at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, at the Royal Opera House in London and on the BBC
Feb. 7, 1933 — June 29, 2025
*
Mark Snow
Laden with spooky atmosphere, the film and TV composer's X-Files theme chilled your bones before each episode
Aug. 26, 1946 — July 4, 2025
*
Dave Cousins
The founder and frontman of Strawbs steered the English group through its folk- and progressive-rock eras
Jan. 7, 1940 — July 13, 2025
*
Connie Francis
The 1950s and '60s pop singer sold over 40 million records before she was 25, but her life was touched by tragedy
Dec. 12, 1937 — July 16, 2025
*
Gary Karr
Double bass virtuoso who dared to make his hulking instrument a solo star
Nov. 20, 1941 — July 16, 2025
*
Alan Bergman
With his wife Marilyn, the lyricist penned theme songs for The Way We Were and "The Windmills of Your Mind," featured in The Thomas Crown Affair
Sept. 11, 1925 — July 17, 2025
*
Roger Norrington
English conductor known for performances that adhered to historical accuracy
March 16, 1934 — July 18, 2025
*
David Rendall
English tenor who performed at the Royal Opera House and the Metropolitan Opera
Oct. 11, 1948 — July 21, 2025
*
Chuck Mangione
The flugelhorn player cut an unforgettable figure in American culture, one that stretched well beyond the jazz world
Nov. 29, 1940 — July 22, 2025
*
Ozzy Osbourne
Black Sabbath's Prince of Darkness taught us to lean into our anger, confusion and depravity ... and bang our heads along the way
Dec. 3, 1948 — July 22, 2025
*
Michael Ochs
If you ever worry about stacks of photographs and memorabilia taking up space, just remember that this rock archivist's collection fueled decades worth of galleries and reissue efforts
Feb. 27, 1943 — July 23, 2025
*
Cleo Laine
From gravelly low notes to keening ethereal sounds, the jazz and pop singer boasted a four-octave range
Oct. 28, 1927 — July 24, 2025
*
Tommy McLain
Only in Louisiana could someone mix rock, R&B, zydeco and country to make a stew so sweet and rollicking — he was the king of swamp pop
March 15, 1940 — July 24, 2025
*
Tom Lehrer
A musical satirist who used his elite education, piano skills and sharp wit to take on religion, environmental disaster and the threats of the cold war
April 9, 1928 — July 26, 2025
*
Michael Lydon
Music journalist and a founding editor of Rolling Stone
Sept. 14, 1942 — July 30, 2025
*
David F. Gibson
Drummer behind a starry array of big bands
March 7, 1953 — July 30, 2025
*
Flaco Jimenez
Master of the Tex-Mex accordion whose tradition-drenched sound came to define conjunto or Tejano music of South Texas
March 11, 1939 — July 31, 2025
*
Erik Wunder
A pillar of American extreme metal through his band Cobalt who was also at home in folk in the acoustic Man's Gin
March 7, 1983 — July 31, 2025
*
Jeannie Seely
The country singer appeared on the Grand Ole Opry more times than any other performer
July 6, 1940 — Aug. 1, 2025
*
Jane Morgan
A bilingual American singer who first found fame in Parisian nightclubs, then back home in the United States
May 3, 1924 — Aug. 4, 2025
*
Terry Reid
Nicknamed "Superlungs," he turned down chances to sing for Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple, but the British songwriter's solo career yielded lesser-known classics
Nov. 13, 1949 — Aug. 4, 2025
*
Nancy King
Sporting rose-colored glasses, the jazz singer kept a low profile, but her voice — particular her scatting skills — was impressive and unpredictable
June 15, 1940 — Aug. 5, 2025
*
Eddie Palmieri
The bandleader and pianist's pounding rhythms forged a new style for Latin music
Dec. 15, 1936 — Aug. 6, 2025
*
Bobby Whitlock
Keyboardist for Derek and the Dominos
March 18, 1948 — Aug. 10, 2025
*
Sheila Jordan
Sought out by the likes of Charlie Parker and Charles Mingus, her voice was unlike any other
Nov. 18, 1928 — Aug. 11, 2025
*
Joe Hickerson
For more than three decades, the Library of Congress archivist worked to preserve America's collection of folk music
Oct. 20, 1935 — Aug. 17, 2025
*
Ronny Whyte
New York cabaret singer and pianist
May 12, 1937 — Aug. 19, 2025
*
Brent Hinds
In the metal band Mastodon, the guitarist and vocalist wove together complex riffs and epic storytelling
Jan. 16, 1974 — Aug. 20, 2025
*
Tom Shipley
One half of the folk-rock duo Brewer & Shipley, whose cheeky "One Toke Over the Line" became a hit in 1971
April 1, 1941 — Aug. 24, 2025
*
Jim Kimball
Drummer for the punk and noise-rock bands Laughing Hyenas, Mule and The Jesus Lizard
Feb. 2, 1966 — Aug. 27, 2025
*
Rodion Shchedrin
Soviet era composer of opera, ballet and symphonic works
Dec. 16, 1932 — Aug. 29, 2025
*
Mark Volman
Founding member of The Turtles who sang harmonies on "Happy Together," but also joined Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention
April 19, 1947 — Sept. 5, 2025
*
Bruce Loose
Vocalist for Flipper, whose chaotic brand of punk rock inspired a young Kurt Cobain
June 6, 1959 — Sept. 5, 2025
*
Allen Blickle
Original drummer for the metal band Baroness
March 8, 1983 — Sept. 5, 2025
*
Christoph Von Dohnányi
Longtime conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra known for his illuminating and intellectual approach to music
Sept. 8, 1929 — Sept. 6, 2025
*
Rick Davies
In the British rock band Supertramp, the keyboardist's baritone contrasted with that of his fellow founder Roger Hodgson on hits "Give A Little Bit" and "The Logical Song"
July 22, 1944 — Sept. 6, 2025
*
Bobby Hart
With Tommy Boyce, the songwriting duo crafted hits like "Last Train to Clarksville" for The Monkees, a made-for-TV band that became a real band
Feb. 18, 1939 — Sept. 10, 2025
*
Hermeto Pascoal
The prolific Brazilian composer created magical sounds from unusual places
June 22, 1936 — Sept. 13, 2025
*
Akiko Tsuruga
The Japanese-born jazz organist had sturdy rhythmic command and soulful melodic flair, making her a leading instrumentalist of her generation
Sept. 1, 1967 — Sept. 13, 2025
*
Tomas Lindberg
Vocalist for Swedish death metal band At the Gates
Oct. 16, 1972 — Sept. 16, 2025
*
JD Twitch
Scottish DJ, producer, label owner and half of the electronic duo Optimo
March 2, 1968 — Sept. 19, 2025
*
Sonny Curtis
Prolific songwriter behind such enduring hits as "I Fought the Law" and "Love is All Around"
May 9, 1937 — Sept. 19, 2025
*
Danny Thompson
English double bassist, a founder of Pentangle, who worked with Kate Bush, John Martyn and Roy Orbison
April 4, 1939 — Sept. 23, 2025
*
Chris Dreja
The rhythm guitarist provided a foundation for The Yardbirds, the rock band he co-founded
Nov. 11, 1946 — Sept. 25, 2025
*
Jim McNeely
Pianist who composed and played with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra
May 18, 1949 — Sept. 26, 2025
*
Soo Catwoman
A punk fashion icon whose spiked-up cat ear hairstyle could be found in zines and documentaries
Oct. 24, 1954 — Sept. 30, 2025
*
Ken Parker
Luthier who built innovative guitars played by the likes of Joni Mitchell and Trent Reznor
Aug. 25, 1952 — Oct. 5, 2025
*
John Lodge
Understated bassist and co-vocalist in The Moody Blues
July 20, 1943 — Oct. 10, 2025
*
Roberta Alexander
With a shimmering voice, she was a leading soprano at the Metropolitan Opera for a decade
March 3, 1949 — Oct. 14, 2025
*
D'Angelo
The visionary R&B singer spent much of his career wrestling with the scrutiny his outsized genius focused upon him
Feb. 11, 1974 — Oct. 14, 2025
*
Ace Frehley
A founding member of KISS who played fiery lead guitar during the band's 1970s heyday and had a solo hit with "New York Groove"
April 27, 1951 — Oct. 16, 2025
*
Sam Rivers
Bassist and founding member of Limp Bizkit
Sept. 2, 1977 — Oct. 18, 2025
*
Anthony Jackson
A pioneer of the six-string bass, his versatile playing can be heard on hundreds of albums, from O'Jays and Roberta Flack to Chaka Khan and Hiromi
June 23, 1952 — Oct. 19, 2025
*
David Ball
Behind the synths, the English producer crafted the flamboyant and seductive sound of Soft Cell
May 3, 1959 — Oct. 22, 2025
*
Mtulazaji "P.E.A.C.E." Davis
A founding member of the Los Angeles hip-hop group Freestyle Fellowship
June 15, 1974 — Oct. 24, 2025
*
Benita Valente
Hardworking and virtuosic soprano based out of Philadelphia
Oct. 19, 1934 — Oct. 24, 2025
*
Jack DeJohnette
One of the most daring and dynamic jazz drummers of the last 60 years, with a loose-limbed yet exacting beat that propelled a limitless range of adventurous music
Aug. 9, 1942 — Oct. 26, 2025
*
Adrian Maben
Director of Pink Floyd's 1972 concert film Live at Pompeii
1942 — Oct. 28, 2025
*
Pierre Robert
Beloved rock and roll DJ for WMMR in Philadelphia for over four decades
Aug. 1955 — Oct. 29, 2025
*
Archie Fisher
Scottish folk musician and host of BBC Radio's Travelling Folk
Oct. 23, 1939 — Nov. 1, 2025
*
Lô Borges
The singer-songwriter co-founded the Clube da Esquina collective with his brother Márcio and Milton Nascimento, pioneering a genre-agnostic movement that spread beyond Brazil
Jan. 10, 1952 — Nov. 2, 2025
*
Donna Jean Godchaux
Before she sang with the Grateful Dead, the Alabama native could be heard on Percy Sledge and Elvis Presley hits
Aug. 22, 1947 — Nov. 2, 2025
*
Joseph Byrd
Composer whose playful and daring 1960s band The United States of America fused psychedelic rock and avant-garde electronics
Dec. 19, 1937 — Nov. 2, 2025
*
Jeff Hannusch
Music journalist who chronicled New Orleans R&B, most notably in his books I Hear You Knockin and The Soul of New Orleans
Aug. 31, 1954 — Nov. 11, 2025
*
Cleto Escobedo III
Leader of Jimmy Kimmel's late-night house band
Aug. 23, 1966 — Nov. 11, 2025
*
Todd Snider
For over three decades, the singer-songwriter helped shape alt-country music and the East Nashville scene
Oct. 11, 1966 — Nov. 14, 2025
*
Jean-Claude Éloy
French composer who studied with 20th century masters and found his sound in electroacoustics
June 15, 1938 — Nov. 19, 2025
*
Gary "Mani" Mounfield
Sometimes the best parts of Stone Roses and Primal Scream songs were his powerful and playful bass lines
Nov. 16, 1962 — Nov. 20, 2025
*
Leon Bates
Philadelphia born and raised, he was a celebrated Black classical pianist whose talent took him to concert halls around the world
Nov. 3, 1949 — Nov. 21, 2025
*
Jimmy Cliff
The Jamaican musician whose hit theme from, and lead role in, the 1972 film The Harder They Come helped propel reggae into the international spotlight
July 30, 1944 — Nov. 24, 2025
*
Steve Cropper
The soulful guitarist behind Booker T. and the M.G.'s, and co-writer of hits like "Green Onions" and "(Sittin' on) the Dock of the Bay"
Oct. 21, 1941 — Dec. 3, 2025
*
Rafael Ithier
The salsa legend spent more than six decades turning El Gran Combo into one of the premier salsa institutions of Latin America and beyond
Aug. 29, 1926 — Dec. 6, 2025
*
Martin Parr
British photographer whose images appeared on releases by Blur, Richard Hawley and Madness
May 23, 1952 — Dec. 6, 2025
*
Jubilant Sykes
American baritone whose repertoire spanned opera, pop, musicals and gospel music
Sept. 17, 1954 — Dec. 8, 2025
*
Raul Malo
Leader of the country band The Mavericks and one of the most recognizable voices in roots music
Aug. 7, 1965 — Dec. 8, 2025
*
Brent McLachlan
Drummer for the noise-rock band Bailter Space
Aug. 6, 1961 — Dec. 11, 2025
*
Carl Carlton
American R&B singer of the enduring hits "Everlasting Love" and "She's a Bad Mama Jama (She's Built, She's Stacked)"
May 21, 1952 — Dec. 14, 2025
*
Joe Ely
The Texas troubadour co-founded The Flatlanders and performed with the likes of Bruce Springsteen and The Clash
Feb. 9, 1947 — Dec. 15, 2025
*
Chris Rea
English blues-rock singer and guitarist with with a distinctive slide style and a string of U.K. hits in the late 1980s
March 4, 1951 — Dec. 22, 2025
*
Will Chase, Greta Pittenger and Zazil Davis-Vazquez contributed research to support this story. Tom Huizenga contributed text. Jacob Ganz and Hazel Cills edited.
Copyright 2025 NPR
