Ted Gardner | ? – 12/28/21 | R.I.P. Ted Gardner, Lollapalooza Co-Founder Dead at 74 [Consequence]
J.D. Crowe | 8/27/31 – 12/24/21 | J.D. Crowe, Bluegrass Banjo Icon, Dead at 84 [RollingStone]
Joan Didion | 12/5/24 – 12/23/21 | The Rock Counterculture Had a Dark Side. Joan Didion Saw It Coming [Rolling Stone]
Bill Conway | c. 1955 – 12/19/21 | Morphine Drummer Billy Conway Dead at 65 [Rolling Stone]
Drakeo the Ruler | 12/1/93 – 12/19/21 | Rapper Drakeo The Ruler Fatally Stabbed Backstage At Once Upon A Time In L.A. Music Festival At Age 28
Leonard “Hub” Hubbard | 1959 – 12/16/21 | Leonard ‘Hub’ Hubbard, Longtime Bassist for the Roots, Dead at 62 [Rolling Stone]
Michael Nesmith | 12/30/42 – 12/10/21 | Monkees Singer-Songwriter Michael Nesmith Dead At 78
Robbie Shakespeare | 9/27/53 – 12/8/21 | Robbie Shakespeare, ‘Wickedest Bass’ in Reggae, Dead at 68 [Rolling Stone]
Barry Harris | 12/15/29 – 12/8/21 | Barry Harris, beloved jazz pianist devoted to bebop, dies at 91 [NPR]
Greg Tate | 1958 – 12/7/21 | Greg Tate, Celebrated Hip-Hop Journalist and Cultural Critic, Dies at 64 [Pitchfork]
Melvin Parker | 6/7/44 – 12/3/21 | Melvin Parker, Drummer For James Brown & Brother To Maceo Parker, Dead At 77 [Bootsy Collins]
Virgil Abloh | 9/30/80 – 11/28/21 | Virgil Abloh, Path-Blazing Designer, Is Dead at 41 [New York Times]
Stephen Sondheim | 3/22/30 – 11/26/21 | Stephen Sondheim, Titan of the American Musical, Is Dead at 91 [New York Times]
Billy Hinsche | 6/29/51 – 11/20/21 | Billy Hinsche, Longtime Member of Beach Boys’ Touring Band, Dead at 70 [Rolling Stone]
Young Dolph | 8/27/85 – 11/17/21 | Rapper Young Dolph fatally shot at Tennessee cookie shop [AP News]
Terence “Astro” Wilson | 6/24/57 – 11/6/21 | Terence ‘Astro’ Wilson, Longtime UB40 “Toaster,” Dead at 64 [Rolling Stone]
Ronnie Wilson | 1973 – 11/2/21 | Ronnie Wilson, the Gap Band Co-Founder, Dead at 73 [Rolling Stone]
Pat Martino | 8/25/44 – 11/1/21 | Jazz guitarist Pat Martino, a virtuoso twice over, dies at 77 [NPR]
Jesse Aratow | 1977 – 10/29/21 | Jesse Aratow, Madison House Partner and Booking Agent, Dies of Sudden Illness at 48 [Billboard]
Jay Black | 11/2/39 — 10/22/21 | R.I.P. Jay Black, Frontman of Jay and the Americans Dead at 82 [Consequence of Sound]
Leslie Bricusse | 1/29/31 — 10/19/21 | R.I.P. Leslie Bricusse, Willy Wonka and “Goldfinger” Songwriter Dead at 90 [Consequence of Sound]
Everett Morton | 4/5/50 — 10/8/21 | Influential ska drummer Everett Morton of The Beat has died [NME]
Dr. Lonnie Smith | 7/3/42 — 9/28/21 | Dr. Lonnie Smith, Master Of The Hammond Organ, Dies At 79 [NPR]
Bob Matthews | ? — 9/25/21 | Bob Matthews, Longtime Grateful Dead Sound Engineer, Passes Away
Pee Wee Ellis | 4/21/41 — 9/24/21 | Pee Wee Ellis, James Brown’s Partner in Funk, Dies at 80 [New York Times]
George Wein | 10/3/25 – 9/13/21 | George Wein, Jazz Festival Trailblazer, Is Dead at 95 [New York Times]
Bennie Pete | 1976 — 9/6/21 | Bennie Pete, Co-Founder of New Orleans Greats Hot 8 Brass Band, Dead at 45 [Rolling Stone]
Michael K. Williams | 11/22/66 – 9/6/21 | Remembering The Wire Actor Michael K. Williams Through His First Passion, Dance [Videos]
Ron Bushy | 12/23/41 – 8/29/21 | R.I.P. Ron Bushy, Iron Butterfly (“In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida”) Drummer Dies at 79 [Consequence of Sound]
Lee “Scratch” Perry | 3/20/36 – 8/29/21 | Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Reggae Giant and Dub Pioneer, Dead at 85 [Rolling Stone]
Charlie Watts | 6/2/41 – 8/24/21 | Rolling Stones Drummer Charlie Watts Dies At 80
Eric Wagner | 4/24/59 – 8/22/21 | R.I.P. Eric Wagner, Singer of Trouble and The Skull Dies from COVID-19 Pneumonia [Consequence of Sound]
Brian Travers | 2/7/59 – 8/22/21 | UB40 saxophonist and songwriter Brian Travers dies aged 62 [The Guardian]
Don Everly | 2/1/37 – 8/21/21 | Don Everly, Half Of Pioneering Duo The Everly Brothers, Dies At 84
Zumbi (Zion I) | 1972 – 8/13/21 | Bay Area rapper Zumbi dies at a Berkeley hospital. Fans are grieving and police investigating
Bruce Conte | ? – 8/9/21 | Bruce Conte, Former Tower of Power Guitarist, Passes Away
Dusty Hill | 5/19/49 – 7/28/21 | ZZ Top Bassist Dusty Hill Dies at 72 [Variety]
Joey Jordison | 4/26/75 – 7/26/21 | R.I.P. Joey Jordison, Former Slipknot Drummer Dead at 46 [Consequence of Sound]
Count M’Butu | 1945 – 7/25/21 | Former Derek Trucks Band Percussionist Count M’Butu Has Died
Robby Steinhardt | 5/25/50 – 7/17/21| R.I.P. Robby Steinhardt, Longtime Kansas Violinist and Vocalist Dies at 71 [Consequence of Sound]
Biz Markie | 4/8/64 – 7/16/21 | Biz Markie, Hip-Hop’s ‘Just a Friend’ Clown Prince, Dies at 57 [The New York Times]
Jeff LaBar | 3/18/63 – 7/14/21 | R.I.P. Jeff LaBar, Guitarist of Cinderella Dead at 58 [Consequence of Sound]
John Lawton | 7/11/46 – 6/29/21 | R.I.P. John Lawton, Former Uriah Heep Singer Dies at 74 [Consequence of Sound]
Johnny Solinger | 8/7/65 – 6/26/21 | Former Skid Row Singer Johnny Solinger Dead at 55 [Rolling Stone]
Jon Hassell | 3/22/37 – 6/26/21 | Jon Hassell, trumpeter and avant-garde composer, has died [Brooklyn Vegan]
Gift of Gab | 1971 – 6/18/21 | Gift of Gab, Blackalicious rapper, dead at 50 after kidney transplant [New York Post]
Clarence Williams III | 8/21/39 – 6/4/21 | Clarence Williams III, ‘The Mod Squad’ and ‘Purple Rain’ Actor, Dead at 81 [Rolling Stone]
B.J. Thomas | 8/7/42 – 5/29/21 | B.J. Thomas, Grammy-Winning Singer of ‘Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,’ Dies at 78 [Variety]
Patrick Sky | 1941 – 5/27/21 | Patrick Sky, Folk Singer and Bob Dylan Contemporary, Dead at 80 [Rolling Stone]
Roger Hawkins | 10/16/45 – 5/20/21 | Roger Hawkins, legendary Muscle Shoals drummer, RIP
Daniel Hutchens | 10/20/64 – 5/9/21 | Daniel Hutchens, Co-Founder Of Beloved Athens Band Bloodkin, Passes Away At 56
Pervis Staples | 11/18/35 – 5/6/21 Pervis Staples, Co-Founder of the Staple Singers, Dies at 85 [Pitchfork]
Ed Ward | 11/2/48 – 5/4/21 | Ed Ward, Rock Historian and Early ‘Rolling Stone’ Editor, Dead at 72 [Rolling Stone]
Tony Markellis | 9/10/52 – 4/29/21 | Tony Markellis, Renowned Trey Anastasio Band Bassist, Passes Away
John Hinch | 7/19/47 – 4/29/21 | Former Judas Priest drummer John Hinch has died [NME]
Anita Lane | 1959 – 4/28/21 | Anita Lane, Founding Member of Nick Cave’s Bad Seeds, Dead at 61 [Rolling Stone]
Parris Bowens | 8/6/80 –4/24/21 | R.I.P. Parris Bowens, Acclaimed Philadelphia Keyboardist, Composer, and Producer; Parris Bowens, ROYALTY [Questlove]
Shock G | 8/25/63 – 4/22/21 | Shock G, Frontman for Hip-Hop Group Digital Underground, Dies at 57 [The New York Times]
Les McKeown | 11/12/55 – 4/20/21 | Bay City Rollers singer Les McKeown has died [NME]
Jim Steinman | 11/1/47 – 4/19/21 | Jim Steinman, Hitmaker for Meat Loaf, Bonnie Tyler, Dead at 73 [Rolling Stone]
Paul Oscher | 4/5/50 – 4/18/21 | Paul Oscher, Austin blues musician who played in Muddy Waters’ band, dies at 71 [Austin 360]
Mike Mitchell | 4/16/44 – 4/16/21 | Mike Mitchell, Guitarist on the Kingsmen’s ‘Louie Louie,’ Dead at 77 [Rolling Stone]
Rusty Young | 2/23/46 – 4/14/21 | Rusty Young, Poco Co-Founder and Pedal Steel Player, Dead at 75 [Rolling Stone]
DMX | 12/18/70 – 4/9/21 | DMX, Swaggering but Troubled Rapper, Dies at 50 [The New York Times]
Morris “B.B.” Dickerson | 8/3/49 – 4/2/21 | Morris ‘B.B.’ Dickerson, Founding Member of War, Dies at 71 [Billboard]
Malcolm Cecil | 1/9/37 – 3/28/21 | Malcolm Cecil, Producer for Stevie Wonder and Co-Creator of Revolutionary TONTO Synth, Dead at 84 [Rolling Stone]
Brian Rohan | 7/24/36 – 3/23/21 Brian Rohan, music lawyer who beat marijuana charges for Ken Kesey and the Grateful Dead, dies at 84 [Datebook]
Dan Sartain | 8/13/81 – 3/20/21 | Dan Sartain, Garage Rock Singer-Songwriter, Dies at 39 [Pitchfork]
Paul Jackson | 3/28/47 – 3/18/21 | Paul Jackson, Headhunters Bassist Who Played With Herbie Hancock, Dies At 73 [NPR]
Matt “Money” Miller | 1978 – 3/17/21 | Matt ‘Money’ Miller, Titus Andronicus Founding Keyboardist, Dead at 34 [Billboard]
Sally Grossman | 8/22/39 – 3/12/21 | Sally Grossman, Bob Dylan Cover Icon and Wife of Manager Albert, Dead at 81 [Rolling Stone]
LG Petrov | 2/17/72 – 3/7/21 | LG Petrov, Frontman for Swedish Metal Favorites Entombed, Dead at 49 [Rolling Stone]
Lou Ottens | 6/21/26 – 3/6/21 | Lou Ottens, Inventor Of The Cassette Tape, Has Died [NPR]
Michael Stanley | 3/25/48 – 3/5/21 | Michael Stanley, Cleveland rock legend and noted local radio and TV personality, dead at 72 [Cleveland.com]
Bunny Wailer | 4/10/47 – 3/2/21 | Bunny Wailer, Co-Founder Of The Wailers Alongside Bob Marley & Peter Tosh, Dead At 73
Prince Markie Dee | 2/19/68 – 2/18/21 | Prince Markie Dee, Founding Member of Rap Trio Fat Boys, Dies at 52 [The New York Times]
Miles Seaton | 1979 –2/17/21 | Miles Seaton of Experimental Rock Outfit Akron/Family Dead at 41 [Rolling Stone]
U-Roy | 9/21/42 – 2/17/21 | U-Roy, Jamaican Vocalist Who Defined Dancehall And Presaged Hip-Hop, Dies At 78 [NPR]
Johnny Pacheco | 3/25/35 – 2/15/21 | Johnny Pacheco, Storied Salsa Bandleader and Fania Records Co-Founder, Dead at 85 [Rolling Stone]
Ari Gold | 2/11/74 – 2/14/21 | Ari Gold, Trailblazing Queer Dance Music Artist, Dead at 47 [Rolling Stone]
Rupert Neve | 7/31/26 – 2/12/21 | Rupert Neve, the Father of Modern Studio Recording, Dies at 94 [The New York Times]
Milford Graves | 8/20/41 – 2/12/21 | How Milford Graves Reawakened the Spirit of the Drum [Rolling Stone]
Chick Corea | 6/12/41 – 2/9/21 | Chick Corea, Lauded Composer & Jazz Fusion Pioneer, Dead At 79
Mary Wilson | 3/6/44 – 2/8/21 | Mary Wilson, Co-Founder Of The Supremes, Dead At 76
Jim Stinnett | ? – 2/7/21 | Phish’s Mike Gordon Remembers Bass Mentor Jim Stinnett Following His Passing
Ricky Powell | 11/20/61 – 2/1/21 | Ricky Powell, Celebrated Hip-Hop Photographer and ‘Fourth Beastie Boy,’ Dead at 59 [Rolling Stone]
Double K | 8/1/77 – 1/30/21 | Double K, People Under The Stairs Rapper And Producer, Dead At 43 [NPR]
SOPHIE | 9/17/86 – 1/30/21 | Sophie, acclaimed avant-pop producer, dies aged 34 [The Guardian]
Hilton Valentine | 5/21/43 – 1/29/21 | Hilton Valentine, Founding Guitarist Of The Animals, Dead At 77
Larry King | 11/19/33 – 1/23/21 | Remembering Larry King Through His 1999 Prince Interview
Jimmie Rodgers | 9/18/33 – 1/18/21 | ‘Honeycomb’ Singer Jimmie Rodgers Dies at 87 [Billboard]
Phil Spector | 12/26/39 – 1/16/21 | Phil Spector, Imprisoned ‘Wall Of Sound’ Producer, Dead At 81
Tim Bogert | 8/27/44 – 1/13/21 | Vanilla Fudge Bassist Tim Bogert Dead at 76 [Rolling Stone]
Marsha Zazula | 4/21/52 – 1/10/21 | Marsha Zazula, ‘Metal Matriarch’ of Metallica and Others, Dies at 68 [The New York Times]
Ed Bruce | 12/29/39 – 1/8/21 | Ed Bruce, ‘Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys’ Songwriter, Dead at 81 [Rolling Stone]
Michael Fonfara | 8/11/46 – 1/8/21 | Lou Reed Keyboardist Michael Fonfara Dead at 74 [Rolling Stone]
Gerry Marsden | 9/24/42 – 1/3/21 | Gerry Marsden, a Hitmaker With the Pacemakers, Dies at 78 [The New York Times]