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Johnny Ace - accidentally killed himself backstage at the City Auditorium in Houston, Texas, on Christmas Day, 1954, while playing with a pistol. He was 25 years old. A month later, he had a Top 20 hit with "Pledging My Love"

Johnny Adams - who scored a US Top 30 hit with "Reconsider Me" in 1969, died of cancer on September 14^th, 1998. He was 66

Stuart Adamson - a highly regarded Scottish guitarist who led his band Big Country into Billboard's Top 20 in 1983 with "In A Big Country", committed suicide by hanging himself in a hotel room in Honolulu, Hawaii on December 16^th, 2001 at the age of 43

Cannonball Adderley - whose version of "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" went to #11 in the US in 1967, died following a stroke on August 8^th, 1975. He was 46

Jewel Akens - American singer who reached #3 in 1965 with "The Birds And The Bees", died on March 1^st, 2013, at the age of 79, following complications from back surgery

Bill Albaugh - drummer for The Lemon Pipers on their 1967 US #1 single "Green Tambourine", died on January 20^th, 1999, at the age of 53

Arthur Alexander - a rhythm and blues singer-songwriter who reached #24 on the Billboard Pop chart in 1962 with "You Better Move On", died of a heart attack on June 9^th, 1993 at the age of 53. Alexander had his tunes recorded by the Beatles ("Anna"), the Rolling Stones ("You Better Move On"), Steve Alaimo ("Every Day I Have To Cry") and Bob Dylan ("Sally Sue Brown")

Dave Alexander - the original bassist for The Stooges, died of pulmonary edema on February 10^th, 1975 at the age of 27, after being admitted to a hospital for pancreatitis

Chad Allen - founder of Chad Allan And The Expressions, which evolved into The Guess Who, passed away on November 21^st 2023 at the age of 80. He sang lead vocals on The Guess Who's 1965, Billboard #22 hit, "Shakin' All Over"

Rex Allen - a musician and actor who had a US Top 20 hit with a song called "Don't Go Near The Indians" in 1962, was killed when he was struck by a car on December 17^th, 1999. He was 78

Rod Allen - lead singer of The Fortunes, who reached the US Top 10 in 1965 with "You've Got Your Troubles", died on January 11^th, 2008, at the age of 63 after a short battle with liver cancer

Jerry Allison - drummer for Buddy Holly And The Crickets, died August 22^nd, 2022 at the age of 82

Keith Allison - a member of Paul Revere And The Raiders from 1968 to 1975, died of natural causes on November 17^th, 2021 at the age of 79. Before joining The Raiders he played guitar and harmonica on Sonny & Cher's mega-hit "The Beat Goes On" and later recorded and performed with Roy Orbison, The Beach Boys, The Righteous Brothers, Chuck Berry, Alice Cooper, Rick Nelson, The Crickets and Johnny Rivers

Gregg Allman - guitarist and keyboard player for the Allman Brothers Band died due to complications from liver cancer on May 27^th, 2017 at the age of 69

Duane Allman - guitarist for the Allman Brothers Band was killed in a motorcycle accident on October 29^th, 1971, one month before his 25^th birthday

Tommy Allsup - the guitarist who famously avoided "the day the music died" after losing his plane seat in a coin toss to Ritchie Valens, died following complications from a hernia operation on January 11^th, 2017 at the age of 85. In the nearly 58 years after that fateful day, Allsup went on to perform with Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, Merle Haggard and Bob Wills

Wayne "Tony" Allwine - rhythm guitarist for Davie Allan & The Arrows, passed away at the age of 62 on May 18^th, 2009 due to complications from diabetes. The band reached #37 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967 with "Blue's Theme", which opened the biker film The Wild Angels. Allwine would later become Disney's official voice of Mickey Mouse and married voice-over actress, Russi Taylor, the official voice of Minnie Mouse

Barbara Alston - vocalist for The Crystals on their hits "Da Doo Ron Ron", "Then He Kissed Me" and "There's No Other Like My Baby", died February 16^th, 2018 at the age of 74 after contracting influenza

Alfa Anderson - co-lead singer for the Disco band Chic, passed away of undisclosed causes on December 17^th, 2024 at the age of 78. Her voice can be heard prominently on the group's hits, "Le Freak" (#1 in 1978) and "Good Times" (#1 in 1979)

Lynn Anderson - a Country singer who reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1971 with "Rose Garden", passed away on July 31^st, 2015 at the age of 67

Signe Anderson - the original female vocalist for Jefferson Airplane passed away on February 4^th, 2016 at the age of 74. Signe sang on the band's first album before leaving to care for her first child. That was a decision she would later say that she never regretted

Sam Andrew - a founding guitarist for Big Brother And The Holding Company died on February 12^th, 2015 at the age of 73, ten days after suffering a heart attack

Greg Arama - bassist for The Amboy Dukes on their 1968 hit, "Journey To The Center Of The Mind", was killed in a motorcycle accident on September 18^th, 1979. He was 29 years old

Louis Armstrong - led the Billboard Hot 100 with "Hello Dolly" in 1964. Died of heart failure on July 6^th, 1971, aged 69

Mike Arnone - vocalist for The Duprees on their 1962, #7 hit, "You Belong To Me", passed away at the age of 62 on September 19^th, 2005

Eddy Arnold - a Country artist who placed four songs on the Billboard Pop chart, including the 1965 #4 hit "Make The World Go Away", died of natural causes on May 8^th, 2008, one week before his 90th birthday

Ron Asheton - guitarist and founding member of The Stooges died of natural causes on or about January 1^st, 2009, at the age of 60. In 2003, he was named the 29th greatest guitarist of all time by Rolling Stone Magazine

Scott Asheton - drummer for legendary punk-rock band The Stooges, suffered a fatal heart attack on March 15^th, 2014 at age 64.

Nick Ashford - of the duo Ashford and Simpson, died of throat cancer on August 22^nd, 2011 at the age of 69. Nick and his partner Valerie Simpson wrote several Motown classics, including "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "Reach Out And Touch Somebody's Hand", "You're All I Need To Get By" and many more before having hits of their own with "Found A Cure" in 1979 and "Solid" in 1985

Chet Atkins - legendary session guitarist, died of cancer on June 30^th 2001 at the age of 77

Craig Atkinson - drummer for Count Five on their 1966, Top Ten hit "Psychotic Reaction", died on October 13^th, 1998, at the age of 50

Paul Atkinson - guitarist for The Zombies, died April 2 ^nd, 2004, after losing his battle with liver and kidney disease. He was 58. The band's biggest hits included "She's Not There", "Tell Her No" and "Time Of The Season"

Hoyt Axton - an actor / singer / songwriter who is most often remembered for writing Three Dog Night's "Joy To The World" and "Never Been To Spain" as well as Ringo Starr's "The No No Song" and The Kingston Trio's "Greenback Dollar", died of a heart attack on October 26^th, 1999, at the age of 61

Oz Bach - bassist for Spanky and Our Gang, died of cancer on September 21^st, 1998, at the age of 59. The band is most often remembered for their 1967 hit, "Sunday Will Never Be The Same"

Robbie Bachman - drummer and co-founder of Bachman-Turner Overdrive passed away on January 12^th, 2023. He was 68 years old. The Canadian band placed a string of hits on the Hot 100 in the mid-1970s, including "Let It Ride", "Takin' Care Of Business", and "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet"

Tim Bachman - the co-founding guitarist and vocalist of Bachman-Turner Overdrive died of cancer on April 28^th at the age of 71

Ross Bagdasarian - better known as David Seville, who had a hit with "Witch Doctor" and was the leader of The Chipmunks, died of a heart attack on January 16^th, 1972, just days short of his 53rd birthday

Barry Bailey - best-known as the guitarist for the southern Rock band Atlanta Rhythm Section, died at the age of 73 on March 12^th, 2022 after years of struggling with multiple sclerosis

Jimmy Bain - who played bass with Rainbow in the mid-'70s and Dio throughout the '80s, passed away on January 24^th, 2016 at the age of 68

Ginger Baker - the influential and innovative drummer for Rock's first supergroup, Cream, passed away on October 6^th, 2019. He was 80 years old

LaVern Baker - R&B singer who placed 7 songs in the US Top 40 in the mid-1950s and early 1960s, including "Tweedlee Dee" and "I Cried A Tear", died of heart failure on March 10^th, 1997, at the age of 67

Lefty Baker - guitarist who joined Spanky And Our Gang in time to record their U.S. Top 20 hit "Like To Get To Know You" as well as the Top 40 "Give A Damn", died of cirrhosis of the liver on August 11^th, 1971, about a year after he left the band. He was 29

Lennie Baker - vocalist and sax player for the '50s Tribute group Sha Na Na, passed away at the age of 69 on February 24^th, 2016. Joining the group in 1970, he appeared with the band on their TV show, which ran from 1977 to 1981, as well as appearing in the 1978 movie Grease where he sang lead vocal on "Blue Moon"

Mickey Baker - of the duo Mickey And Sylvia, died after suffering a heart attack on November 27^th, 2012 at the age of 87. The pair reached #11 on the Billboard Top 100 with "Love Is Strange" in early 1957

"Long John" Baldry - British R&B artist died July 21^st, 2005, after battling a chest infection for four months. He was 64. Baldry was one of the founding fathers of British rock'n'roll in the '60s. Eric Clapton has stated many times that he was inspired to pick up the guitar after seeing Baldry perform

Marty Balin - co-founder of the San Francisco Psychedelic Rock band Jefferson Airplane, passed away on September 27^th, 2018 at the age of 76

Peter Banks - who co-founded Yes with Chris Squire in 1968, passed away on March 8^th, 2013 at the the age of 65. Banks played on the band's first two albums, 1969's "Yes" and 1970's "Time and a Word", before being dismissed over disagreements about the group's direction

Florence Ballard - one of the original Supremes, died of a heart attack on February 22^nd, 1976 at the age of 32. After being dimissed from the group, Ballard separated from her husband and went on welfare after losing an $8.7 million suit for back royalties against Motown Records

Hank Ballard - placed seven songs in the Top 40 in 1960 and 1961 including "Finger Poppin' Time" and "Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go", died of cancer on March 2^nd, 2003 at the age of 75

John Barbata - drummer for The Turtles on all of their major hit records, passed away on May 8^th, 2024 at the age of 79. After leaving the band he toured and recorded with Crosby, Stills, Nash And Young and later Jefferson Airplane/Starship

Paul Barrere - guitarist for Little Feat, died on October 26^th, 2019 at the age of 71

Carlton Barrett - drummer for Bob Marley And The Wailers, was shot and killed outside his home in Kingston, Jamaica on April 17^th, 1987. Barrett's widow, her lover and an accomplice were charged with murder two weeks later

Syd Barrett - a founding member and driving force behind Pink Floyd, passed away on July 7^th, 2006, at the age of 60. He had dropped out of the group in April of 1968 and by 1974 had turned his back on the music industry completely, choosing to retreat to the cellar of his childhood home in Cambridge where he shunned all contact with the outside world

Count Basie - the Big Band leader who scored a #28 hit on the Billboard Top 100 in 1956 with "April In Paris", died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 79 on April 26^th, 1984

Fontella Bass - Soul singer who topped the Billboard R&B chart in 1965 with "Rescue Me", died from complications of a heart attack on December 26^th, 2012 at the age of 72

Stiv Bators - the lead singer and driving force of the punk rock band The Dead Boys, died in his sleep as the result of a concussion on June 2^nd, 1990. He was 40 years old

Clyde "Skip" Batton - of Skip And Flip, died of Alzheimer's disease on July 6^th, 2003, at the age of 69. The duo scored a pair of Billboard number eleven hits with "It Was I" and "Cherry Pie"

Les Baxter - who led his Swing Band to #1 on the Billboard Top 100 with "The Poor People Of Paris" in March, 1956, passed away on January 15^th, 1996 at the age of 73

Earl Beal - of the Philadelphia vocal group, The Silhouettes, died on March 22^nd, 2001, at the age of 76. The group topped the Billboard chart in 1958 with "Get A Job"

Martin Beard - drummer for the San Francisco band Sopwith Camel, died on November 10^th, 2015 at the age of 68. The band reached #26 on the Hot 100 with "Hello Hello" in 1967

Jeff Beck - guitarist who rose to fame with The Yarbirds before forming The Jeff Beck Group with Ronnie Wood and Rod Stewart, passed away on January 10^th, 2023 at the age of 78. He later formed Beck, Bogart And Appice with two former Vanilla Fudge members before launching a solo career in 1975

Walter Becker - guitarist, bassist and co-founder of the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame-inducted band Steely Dan, died September 3^rd, 2017 at the age of 67

Bob Beckham - an actor and music publisher who found modest recording success with "Just As Much As Ever" (#10 in 1959) and "Crazy Arms" (#36 in 1960), died November 11^th, 2013 at the age of 86

Cor van Beek - drummer for Shocking Blue on their 1969, number one hit, "Venus", died on April 2^nd, 1998. He was 49

Harry Belafonte - a singer, actor, and civil rights activist, died of congestive heart failure at his home in Manhattan on April 25^th at the age of 96. Along with appearing in several films, he also reached the Billboard Top 40 six times, most notably with "Jamaica Farewell" (#14 in 1956) and "Banana Boat (Day-O)" (#5 in 1957). His 1956 album "Calypso" spent an amazing thirty-one consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart

Ronald Bell - a founding member of Kool & The Gang, passed away on September 9^th, 2020 at the age of 68. The singer-saxophonist co-wrote the band's biggest hits, including "Ladies' Night", "Jungle Boogie" and "Celebration"

John Belushi - died of a drug overdose on March 5^th, 1982, at the age of 33. He and his partner Dan Aykroyd placed four songs on The Billboard Top 40, including "Soul Man" in 1979, as The Blues Brothers

Jesse Belvin - who scored a 1956 hit with "Goodnight, My Love", was killed in an auto accident in Hope, Arkansas on February 6^th, 1960. His wife and the car's driver also died of their injuries. The three were trying to make a fast get-a-way from the first ever mixed race audience pop concert, in the town of Little Rock, after threats had been made against Belvin's life. The accident remains a contentious point, with many suspecting foul play

Estelle Bennett - one of the Ronettes, the singing trio whose 1963 hit "Be My Baby" epitomized the famed "wall of sound" technique of its producer, Phil Spector, was found dead in her Englewood, New Jersey apartment on February 11^th, 2009. She was 67

Renaldo "Obie" Benson - bass vocalist for the legendary Motown singing group the Four Tops died of lung cancer on July 1^st, 2005 at the age of 69

Brook Benton - best remembered for his 1970 hit, "A Rainy Night In Georgia", died of complications from spinal meningitis on April 9^th, 1988 at the age of 56

Chuck Berry - one of Rock 'n' Roll's founding fathers and the original guitar hero, died March 18^th, 2017 at the age of 90. Along with influencing a generation of guitarists, he placed fourteen singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and twenty-two on the R&B chart

Jan Berry - one-half of the duo of Jan & Dean, died March 26^th, 2004, after after suffering a seizure at his home. Together, the pair sold more than 10 million records and placed 14 hits in the U.S. Top Forty. Jan was a week away from his 63^rd birthday

Richard Berry - singer / songwriter most often remembered for writing "Louie Louie", died of heart failure on January 23^rd, 1997 at the age of 61

Dickey Betts - guitarist and founding member of The Allman Brothers Band, died of cancer and COPD at his home in Osprey, Florida, on April 18^th, 2024. He was 80

Mr. Acker Bilk - clarinet player who topped the Billboard Hot 100 with the instrumental "Stranger on the Shore" in 1961, passed away on November 2^nd, 2014 at the age of 85. He was the first UK act to lead an American music chart in the 1960s

Jane Birkin - British and French actress and singer passed away on July 16^th, 2023. She teamed with Serge Gainsbourg to top the UK chart and reach #58 in the US with "Je t'aime... moi non plus" in 1969

Hal Blaine - legendary session drummer who appeared on thousands of records, died of natural causes on March 11^th, 2019 at the age of 90. He is most often associated with The Wrecking Crew, The Byrds, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Johnny Rivers, Simon And Garfunkel, Neil Diamond, John Denver, Barbra Streisand, Captain And Tennille, The Ronettes and The Beach Boys

Billy Bland - who scored a Billboard #7 hit in 1960 with "Let The Little Girl Dance", passed away on March 22^nd, 2017 at the age of 84

Bobby "Blue" Bland - Blues artist who placed three songs on the Billboard Top 40, including 1962's "Turn On Your Love Light", died June 23^rd, 2013 at the age of 83

Bill Black - backed Elvis Presley on his early hits before forming Bill Black's Combo and placing 8 hits in the US Top 40, including "White Silver Sands" in 1960, died of a brain tumor on November 21^st, 1965. He was 39

Cilla Black - UK singer who had a string of hits in her homeland in the 1960s as well as reaching #26 in America with "You're My World" in 1964, died of natural causes on August 1^st, 2015 at the age of 72

Jay Black - the lead singer for Jay And The Americans died of complications from pneumonia on October 22^nd, 2021 at the age of 82. The band is most often remembered for a string of hits during the 1960s, including "Come a Little Bit Closer" (#3 in 1964), "Cara Mia" (#4 in 1965) and "This Magic Moment" (#6 in 1969)

Alan Blakely - rhythm guitar player for The Tremeloes who scored a pair of 1967 hits, "Here Comes My Baby" and "Silence Is Golden", died of cancer on June 1^st, 1996 at the age of 54

Bobby Bloom - recorded the number 8 hit, "Montego Bay" died of an accidental gun shot wound on February 28^th, 1974 at age 28

Mike Bloomfield - lead guitarist for The Electric Flag died of a drug overdose on February 15^th, 1981 at the age of 38

Tim Bogert - bassist for Vanilla Fudge, Cactus and Beck, Bogert & Appice, died of cancer at the age of 76 on January 13^th, 2021

Bob Bogle - lead guitarist and co-founder of The Ventures, known for their instrumental hits "Walk, Don't Run" and "Hawaii Five-O", died June 14^th, 2009. He was 75

Marc Bolan - of T. Rex was killed when the car he was riding in hit a tree on September 16^th, 1977, just weeks before his 30^th birthday

Trevor Bolder - bassist for Davie Bowie's Spiders From Mars before moving on to Uriah Heep, died of cancer on May 21^st, 2013 at the age of 62

Tommy Bolin - the guitarist who took over when Ritchie Blackmore left Deep Purple in 1975, died from a drug overdose on December 4^th, 1976 at the age of 25

Ronnie Bond - drummer for The Troggs on all of their biggest hits, passed away on November 13^th, 1992 at the age of 52

John Bonham - 32 year old drummer for Led Zeppelin, passed out and choked to death on his own vomit on September 25^th 1980, following an all-day drinking binge. In December of 1980, Led Zeppelin announced they were disbanding, saying they could not continue without Bonham

Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner - lead singer of The Ohio Players died on January 26^th, 2013 at the age of 69. The band placed eight songs on the Hot 100 between 1973 and 1976, including two number ones, "Fire" in 1974 and "Love Rollercoaster" in 1975

Sean Bonniwell - singer / guitarist who led The Music Machine to #15 on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Talk Talk" in 1966, died of lung cancer on December 20^th, 2011 at the age of 71

Sonny Bono - of the sixties duo Sonny And Cher died in a skiing accident on January 5^th, 1998 at the age of 62. The pair placed eleven songs on the Billboard Top 40 between 1965 and 1972 before divorcing in 1975

Joe Bonsall - a fifty-year member of The Oak Ridge Boys, passed away from complications of ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) on July 9^th, 2024 at the age of 76. Along with reaching the Top 40 of the Billboard Country chart thirty eight times, including seventeen that went to #1, the band reached #5 on the Hot 100 in 1981 with "Elvira" and #12 in 1982 with "Bobby Sue"

Mike Botts - drummer for the soft rock band Bread, passed away in Burbank, California on December 9^th, 2005, one day after his 61st birthday, having suffered from colon cancer

David Bowie - an English singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer, died of cancer on January 10^th, 2016 at the age of 69. A major force of the Glam Rock movement, Bowie placed thirteen songs on Billboard's Top 40 chart, including "Space Oddity", "Fame", "Golden Years", "Let's Dance", "China Girl", "Blue Jean" and "Dancing In The Street"

Tommy Boyce - singer / songwriter who teamed up with Bobby Hart on the #8 hit "I Wonder What She's Doing Tonight" in 1968, died of a self-inflicted gun shot wound on November 23^rd, 1994. He was 55

"Little Eva" Boyd - whose version of "The Loco-Motion" went all the way to #1 in the U.S. in 1962, passed away April 10^th, 2003, at the age of 59, from cervical cancer

Delaney Bramlett - Rock guitarist who gained renown in the late 1960s as part of the rhythm and blues combo Delaney and Bonnie and Friends, died on December 27^th, 2008, following gallbladder surgery. He was 69. Bramlett's backing band would often contain the likes of Eric Clapton, George Harrison and Dave Mason. The ensemble achieved a pair of Billboard Top 40 hits in 1971: "Never Ending Song Of Love" (#13) and "Only You Know And I Know" (#20).

Les Braid - bassist and keyboardist for The Swinging Blue Jeans on their 1964 hit "Hippy Hippy Shake" died of cancer on July 31^st, 2005 at the age of 67

Laura Branigan - best known for the Platinum-selling hit "Gloria", 52 year old Laura died suddenly on August 26^th, 2004, of a brain aneurysm

Erik Braunn - the lead guitarist on Iron Butterfly's 1968 classic rock anthem "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" died of cardiac arrest on July 25^th, 2003. He was 52

Walter Brennan - a well known actor who reached number five on the Hot 100 in 1962 with "Old Rivers", died on September 21^st, 1974, at the age of 80

Michael Brewer - of Brewer And Shipley passed away at the age of 80 on December 17^th, 2024 at the age of 80. The duo is most often remembered for their 1971, Billboard #10 hit, "One Toke Over The Line", which many US radio stations banned because of its obvious drug reference

Teresa Brewer - who placed 14 songs on the Billboard Top 40, including the Top 10 hits "A Tear Fell" and "Sweet, Old Fashioned Girl", both in 1956, died of neuromuscular disease on October 17^th, 2007. She was 76

Audrey Brickley - of The Orlons, who placed 5 songs in the Billboard Top 20 in the early 1960s, died of acute respiratory distress syndrome on July 3rd, 2005, at the age 58.

Shirley Brickley - of The Orlons was shot to death on October 13^th, 1977, by an intruder in her home in Philadelphia. She was 35

Lee Brilleaux - front man and founding member of the UK band Dr. Feelgood, died of lymphoma on April 7^th, 1994 at the age of 41. Despite the group's British success, they were unable to find an audience in the United States

Johnny Bristol - a writer and producer for Motown records during the 1960s who had a 1973 hit of his own with "Hang On In There Baby", died of natural causes on March 21^st, 2004, at the age of 65

Gary Brooker - singer, pianist and composer for Procol Harum, died of cancer on February 19^th, 2022 at the age of 76. Along with Matthew Fisher and Keith Reid, Brooker co-wrote the band's iconic, 1967 hit, "A Whiter Shade Of Pale", which has sold over ten million copies worldwide

Donnie Brooks - who sang the 1960, Billboard Top 40 hits "Mission Bell" and "Doll House", died of congestive heart failure on February 23^rd, 2007. He was 71

Bonnie Brown - of the Country / Folk trio The Browns died of lung cancer on July 16^th, 2016 at the age of 77

Jim Ed Brown - of The Browns died of cancer on June 11^th, 2015 at the age of 81. The trio, which included Jim's sisters Maxine and Bonnie reached the Billboard Hot 100 with the chart topping "The Three Bells" in 1959 and again in 1960 with "Scarlet Ribbons" and "The Old Lamplighter"

Danny Joe Brown - the original lead singer of Molly Hatchet, died March 10^th, 2005 from renal failure due to complications from diabetes. He was 53. Brown was the frontman for the band's self-titled album in 1978, which went platinum. In 1979, the next album, "Flirtin' With Disaster" sold over 2 million copies

Errol Brown - the lead singer for the UK band Hot Chocolate on their 1975 hit "You Sexy Thing" died of liver cancer on May 6^th, 2015 at the age of 71

James Brown - known by all as the Godfather of Soul, died of pneumonia on December 25^th, 2006, at the age of 73. He recorded more than 50 albums and had well over 100 songs that hit the US charts, including "I Got You", "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag", "Cold Sweat" and "Sex Machine"

Maxine Brown - of the Country/Folk trio The Browns died on January 21^st, 2019 at the age of 87 from complications of kidney and heart disease. Along with her sister Bonnie and her brother Jim Ed, she placed three songs on the Billboard Top 40, "The Three Bells" (#1 in 1959), Scarlet Ribbons (#13 in 1959) and "The Old Lamplighter" (#5 in 1960)

Michael Brown - keyboard player for The Left Banke, died of heart failure on March 19^th, 2015 at the age of 65. He he co-wrote the 1966, #14 hit "Walk Away Renee" and composed the follow-up, "Pretty Ballerina", which rose to #15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart

Jack Bruce - bassist for Cream passed away on October 25^th, 2014 at the age of 71. Along with Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker, the legendary supergroup had two Billboard Top 10 hits, "Sunshine Of Your Love" (#5) and "White Room" (#6), both in 1968 as well as three Top Ten albums which sold a combined 2.8 million copies

Dave Brubeck - Jazz pianist and composer who reached the Billboard Top 40 in 1961 with "Take Five", died of heart failure on December 5^th, 2012, one day shy of his 92^nd birthday

Ola Brunkert - drummer for ABBA on all of their albums died on March 17^th, 2008 after he hit his head against a glass door in his dining room, shattering the glass and cutting himself in the neck. He managed to wrap himself with a towel around but collapsed before reaching help. He was 62

Roy Buchanan - a Blues musician and pioneer of the Telecaster sound, Buchanan was a both a sideman and solo artist, with two gold albums early in his career. He was just 48 years old when he was arrested for public intoxication after a domestic dispute and later found hanging in a jail cell on August 14^th, 1988

Tim Buckley - a popular performer and song writer during the 1960s and early 70s, died from a drug overdose on June 25^th, 1975 at the age of 28

Jimmy Buffett - the singer who rode his 1977 hit "Margarittaville" to fame and fortune, passed away on September 1^st, 2023. He was 76 years old

Cornelius Bumpus - who played saxophone for Steely Dan and sang and played sax for The Doobie Brothers, died of a heart attack on February 3^rd, 2004, at the age of 58

Jerry Burgan - guitarist and vocalist for We Five passed away on March 29^th, 2021, at the age of 76. The group reached #3 in 1965 with "You Were On My Mind"

Clarence Burke - lead singer of The Five Stairsteps, who had a Billboard #8 hit with "O-o-h Child" in 1970, died May 26^th, 2013, one day after his 64^th birthday

James Burke - of the Chicago soul group The Five Stairsteps, died of pneumonia at the age of 70 on February 19^th, 2021. The band scored a #8 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970 with "O-o-o Child", and a second Top Ten hit on the R&B chart with "From Us to You" in 1976

Solomon Burke - a pioneering Soul singer and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, died October 10^th, 2010 at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport after a flight from Los Angeles. He was 70 years old

Bill Burkette - lead vocalist for The Vogues during their hit making years, died of lymphoma on March 1^st, 2018 at the age of 75

Pete Burns - lead singer of the Goth / New Wave band Dead Or Alive died following cardiac arrest on October 24^th, 2016 at the age of 57. The band enjoyed two big Billboard hits with "You Spin Me 'Round Like A Record", #11 in 1985 and "Brand New Lover", #15 in 1987

Robert Burns Jr. - Lynyrd Skynyrd's original drummer was killed in a single car accident on April 3^rd, 2015 at the age of 64. He played on the band's first two albums, 1973's "(Pronounced 'Leh-'nerd 'Skin-'nerd)" and 1974's "Second Helping" before leaving due to the rigors of touring

Clive Burr - Iron Maiden's drummer on their first three albums, died in his sleep after a long battle with with multiple sclerosis, on March 12^th, 2013. He was 56

Boz Burrell - bass guitarist known for his involvement in King Crimson and Bad Company, died following a heart attack on September 21^st, 2006, at the age of 60

Dorsey Burnette - reached number 23 in 1960 with "There Was A Tall Oak Tree", suffered a fatal heart attack on August 19^th, 1979. He was 46

Johnny Burnette - best remembered for the hits, "You're Sixteen" and "Dreamin'", drowned after a boating accident on August 14^th, 1964 at age 30. His son, Rocky Burnette would have a Top Ten hit in 1980 with "Tired Of Toein' The Line"

Heinz Burt - the bassist for The Tornadoes died on April 7^th, 2000, at the age of 57, after a long battle with motor neuron disease. The group's biggest hit was the 1962 instrumental, "Telstar"

Barry Burton - lead guitarist for The Amazing Rhythm Aces on their 1975, US #14 hit, "Third Rate Romance", died of blood cancer on March 10^th, 2008, at the age of 61

Cliff Burton - bass guitarist for Metallica was killed on September 27^th, 1986 when the band's tour bus skidded and flipped over in rural southern Sweden. Burton was thrown through the window of the bus, which fell on top of him, crushing him to death. He was just 24 years old

Ron Bushy - who performed one of Rock's most memorable drum solos on the LP version of Iron Butterfly's "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida", passed away on August 29^th, 2021 at the age of 79 after a battle with esophageal cancer

Paul Butterfield - who fronted The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, died of drug-related heart failure, May 4^th 1987. He was 45

Floyd Butler - of The Friends of Distinction, died of a heart attack on April 29^th, 1990 at the age of 49. The band is most often remembered for two Top Ten hits, "Grazing In The Grass" in 1969 and "Love Or Let Me Be Lonely" in 1970

Glen Buxton - the original lead guitarist for Alice Cooper, died of complications of pneumonia on October 19^th, 1997, at the age of 49

John Byrne - the lead singer of The Count Five and writer of their 1966 hit "Psychotic Reaction", died on December 15^th, 2008, following kidney and liver failure. He was 61

David Byron - former lead singer of the 70's British heavy rock band Uriah Heep, was found dead in his home on February 28^th,1985. He was 38

Dennis Byron - who played drums in The Bee Gees' backing band from 1973 to 1980, died on November 14^th, 2024 at the age of 75. He recorded five albums with the group, which included nine number one singles, and performed on every tour and public appearance during that time

Alan Caddy - guitarist for The Tornados on their 1962 hit "Telstar", passed away on August 16^th, 2000, at the age of 60

Randy Cain - a founding member of the Philadelphia Soul group, the Delfonics, who reached the Billboard Top 40 six times, including "La-La Means I Love You" (#4 in 1968) and "Didn't I Blow Your Mind This Time" (#10 in 1970), died April 9^th, 2009. He was 63

Al Caiola - the guitarist who recorded the theme songs for Bonanza (#19) and The Magnificent Seven (#35) in 1961, passed away on November 9^th, 2016, at the age of 96. He also played on Paul Anka's "Put Your Head on My Shoulder", Neil Sedaka's "Calendar Girl", Bobby Darin's "Mack the Knife" and "Splish-Splash", Simon & Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinson", Johnny Mathis' "Chances Are", Del Shannon's "Runaway" and Ben E. King's "Stand by Me"

Bobby Caldwell - a blue-eyed soul singer who reached #10 in 1978 with "What You Won't Do for Love", died after a long illness on March 15^th, 2023. He was 71

Steve Caldwell - sang "Double Shot Of My Baby's Love" with The Swingin' Medallions, died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 55

Tommy Caldwell - bassist for The Marshall Tucker band was killed in a car accident on April 28^th, 1980. He was just 30 years old

Toy Caldwell - guitarist for The Marshall Tucker band on their 1977 million seller, "Heard It In A Love Song", died in his sleep on February 25^th, 1993 at the age of 45

J.J. Cale - Grammy award winning singer / songwriter who scored a Billboard #22 hit in 1972 with "Crazy Mama", suffered a fatal heart attack on July 26^th, 2013 at the age of 74. He also penned songs recorded by Waylon Jennings, Poco, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Tom Petty and Carlos Santana, as well as writing "After Midnight" and "Cocaine" by Eric Clapton

Randy California - guitarist / singer / songwriter who is best known as the leader of the rock band, Spirit, died tragically on January 2^nd, 1997, when he was gripped by an undertow while swimming on the coast of the Hawaiian island of Molokai. His body was lost at sea. Before he died, he was able to save his 12 year-old son, Quinn. His real name was Randy Wolfe, but was given his nickname by Jimi Hendrix. At the time of his death, he was six weeks shy of his 46th birthday

George Cameron - drummer and vocalist for The Left Banke on their hits "Walk Away Renee" and "Pretty Ballerina", died of cancer on June 24^th, 2018 at the age of 70

Glen Campbell - Country/Pop superstar who placed 21 songs on the Billboard Top 40 and 75 more on the Country chart, passed away August 8^th, 2017 at the age of 81 after suffering from Alzheimer's disease

Stephen Canaday - of The Ozark Mountain Daredevils was killed when the vintage WW II plane he was riding in, rolled, inverted and crashed into a tree. The pilot failed to maintain speed which resulted in a stall. The band is most often remembered for the 1975 US #3 single "Jackie Blue"

Joe Canzano - vocalist for The Duprees on their 1962 #7 hit, "You Belong To Me", died on February 28^th, 1984 at the age of 40

Jim Capaldi - drummer for Traffic, who released eleven classic rock albums in the late sixties and early seventies, died on January 28^th, 2005, after a brief battle with stomach cancer. He was 60

Steve Martin Caro - vocalist for The Left Banke on their hits, "Walk Away Renee" and "Pretty Ballerina", died of heart disease on January 14^th, 2020 at the age of 71

Bob Casale - guitarist for the New Wave band Devo, died of heart failure at the age of 61 on February 17^th, 2014

Captain Beefheart - died on December 17^th, 2010 of complications from multiple sclerosis at the age of 69. Born Don Van Vliet, he rose to prominence in the 1960s with a unique style of Blues-inspired, experimental Rock 'n' Roll. His "Trout Mask Replica" LP was #58 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time

Irene Cara - an American singer who placed six songs on the Billboard Top 40 between 1980 and 1984, passed away on November 25^th, 2022 at the age of 63. She was best known for her title track in the 1980 film Fame, as well as co-writing and singing the smash hit "Flashdance... What a Feeling", for which she won an Oscar and a Grammy

Henson Cargill - who reached the top of the Country charts and #25 on the US Pop chart in 1968 with "Skip A Rope", died following complications from surgery on March 24^th, 2007 at the age of 66

Eric Carmen - a founding member of The Raspberries, died in his sleep on March 11^th, 2024 at the age of 74. After having hits like "Go All The Way" with the band in 1972, he found more success as a solo artist with "All By Myself" in 1976 and "Hungry Eyes" in 1988

Cathy Carr - an America Pop singer who scored a Billboard #2 hit in 1956 with "Ivory Tower", died from ovarian cancer on November 22^nd, 1988, at the age of 52

Eric Carr - who replaced Peter Criss as the drummer for KISS, died November 24^th, 1991 in a New York hospital following a cerebral haemorrhage which complicated the cancer he was suffering from. He was 41

Karen Carpenter - died of heart irregularities caused by anorexia nervosa just days before her 33^rd birthday on February 4^th, 1983

Earl "Speedo" Carroll - lead singer for The Cadillacs on their 1955 hit "Speedoo", died November 24^th, 2012 from complications of diabetes. Carroll later sang with The Coasters for about two decades before reuniting with a new incarnation of the Cadillacs.

Johnny Cash - died on September 12^th, 2003, due to complications from diabetes, which resulted in respiratory failure. He was 71 years old. Johnny began his career as a rock-a-billy artist at Sun Records, along with Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison and Jerry Lee Lewis. After turning his attention to Country music, he went on to win 11 Grammy Awards and was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1980 and inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992

June Carter Cash - who accompanied her husband Johnny many of his records, including their 1970, Top 40 Pop hit "If I Were A Carpenter", died of complications following heart valve replacement surgery on May 15^th, 2003 at the age of 73

Steve Cash - founding member and harmonica player for the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, died on October 13^th, 2019, at age 73 after an extended illness. The band's biggest hit was "Jackie Blue", which reached number three on Billboard's Hot 100 in 1975

David Cassidy - the lead singer of the TV band The Partridge Family died of multiple organ failure on November 21^st, 2017 at the age of 67. Along with achieving seven Billboard Top 40 hits with the group, including the chart topping "I Think I Love You" in 1970, Cassidy would also score five more as a solo artist

Randy Castillo - best known as Ozzy Osbourne's drummer during the mid 1980s to the early 1990s, and later as drummer for Motley Crue, from 1999-2002, died of cancer on March 26^th, 2002. He was 51 years old

Danny Cedrone - the guitarist who played lead on Bill Haley's "Rock Around The Clock", died following a freak stairway fall on June 18^th, 1954, less than a month after the recording session

Les Chadwick - the original bass player for Gerry And The Pacemakers, died of brain cancer on December 26^th, 2019 at the age of 76

George Chambers - of The Chambers Brothers passed away on October 12^th, 2019 at the age of 88. The band is most often remembered for their Billboard #11 hit, "Time Has Come Today" in 1968

Larry Chance - lead singer of the 1950s Doo-Wop group, The Earls, passed away on September 6^th, 2023 at the age of 82. His Bronx, New York quartet reached #24 in 1962 with "Remember When"

Chas Chandler - bassist of The Animals and Jimi Hendrix manager, died of an aortic aneurysm on July 17^th, 1996 at the age of 57

Harry Chapin - singer / songwriter who recorded "Taxi" was just 38 years old when he was killed in a car accident on July 16^th, 1981

Ray Charles - singer / pianist who won twelve Grammy awards and is remembered for hits like "Hit the Road Jack", "What'd I Say" and "Georgia on My Mind", succumbed to complications from liver disease on June 10^th, 2004, at the age of 73

Bill Chase - leader of the jazz / rock band Chase was killed in a plane crash in Jackson, Minnesota on August 9^th, 1974 at the age of 39. Three members of the band where also killed. Chase reached #24 on the Billboard chart with "Get It On" in

Don Cherry - a Big Band singer who reached #4 on the Billboard chart with "Band Of Gold" in 1956, passed away on April 4^th, 2018 at the age of 94

Gary Chester - one of the 20th century's busiest studio drummers, died August 17^th, 1987 at the age of 62. During the '50s, '60s and '70s, Gary logged over 15,000 studio sessions and appeared on thousands of tracks, including hundreds of hit records

Alex Chilton - the lead singer for The Box Tops on their Billboard Top Ten hits "The Letter" and "Cry Like A Baby", died after experiencing heart problems on March 17^th, 2010. He was 59

Arlester "Dyke" Christian - 28 year old leader of Dyke and the Blazers was shot to death in a bar-room altercation on March 30th, 1971. The shooter was arrainged on murder charges but the case was delayed several times and eventually dismissed because of evidence indicating self-defence. The band reached number 35 in 1969 with "We Got More Soul"

Don Ciccone - guitarist for The Critters on their 1966 Billboard #17 hit "Mr. Dieingly Sad", passed away on October 8^th, 2016 at the age of 70. From 1973 to 1981 he was a member of The Four Seasons, singing the falsetto parts on their 1975 hit, "December 1963 (Oh What A Night)"

John Cipollina - guitarist for Quicksilver Messenger Service, died May 29^th, 1989 after a lifelong battle with emphysema caught up with him at the age of 45

Gene Clark - lead vocalist of The Byrds, died of a heart attack May 24^th 1991 at the age of 49

Dee Clark - best known for his hit "Raindrops" suffered a heart attack and died on December 7^th, 1990 at age 52

Dick Clark - who brought Rock 'n' Roll into the homes of millions of viewers on his daytime TV show American Bandstand from 1956 to 1988, suffered a fatal heart attack on April 18^th, 2012 at the age of 82

Mike Clark - Owner / Manager of Atlanta's Southern Tracks Recording Studio, died February 1^st, 2007 after an 8 month illness. He was 63. For many years he played drums with such popular 1960's artists as Tommy Roe, Billy Joe Royal, Joe South, Ray Stevens and Roy Orbison and was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 1999

Roy Clark - a Country music star who reached #19 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969 with "Yesterday When I Was Young", died of complications from pneumonia on November 15^th, 2018. He was 85

Steve Clark - guitarist for Def Leppard, died from an accidental mixing of prescription drugs and alcohol on January 8^th, 1991, at the age of 31

Michael Clarke - drummer for The Byrds and later Firefall, died of liver failure on December 19^th, 1993. He was 47 years old

'Fast' Eddie Clarke - guitarist for Motorhead during their heyday of the late '70s and early '80s, passed away on January 10^th, 2018 at the age of 67 while being treated for pneumonia

Clarence Clemons - the burly sax player who helped develop Bruce Springsteen's early sound, died June 18^th, 2011, just six days after suffering a stroke at his Florida home. He was 69

Patsy Cline - 30 year old country singer who sang "I Fall To Pieces" and "Crazy" was killed when her private plane crashed on March 5^th, 1963

Jim Clench - bassist for April Wine on their Billboard #32 hit "You Could Have Been A Lady" in 1972, died of cancer on November 3^rd, 2010 at the age of 61

Rosemary Clooney - one of the most popular singers in America in the mid-1950s, died of lung cancer on June 29^th, 2002, at the age of 74. Among her most popular tunes were "Come On-a My House", "Hey There" and "This Ole House"

Odia Coates - sang "You're Having My Baby" with Paul Anka, died of breast cancer on May 19^th, 1991. She was 49

Ed Cobb - of The Four Preps, died of leukemia on September 19^th, 1999, at the age of 61. The group placed seven songs on the Billboard Top 40 between 1958 and 1961, including "26 Miles (Santa Catalina)" and "Big Man"

Eddie Cochran - best known for his 1950's hit, "Summertime Blues", was killed in a car accident on April 17^th 1960 at the age of 21

Joe Cocker - whose unique, gravely voice propelled him to stardom in the early 1970s, died after battling lung cancer on December 22^nd, 2014. During his forty year career, Cocker placed ten songs on the Billboard Top 40, including the Top 10 hits, "The Letter" (1970), "You Are So Beautiful" (1975) and "Up Where We Belong" with Jennifer Warnes in 1982

Leonard Cohen - poet, composer and singer, passed away on November 7^th, 2016 at the age of 82. Inducted into Cleveland's Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2008, his composition "Hallelujah" has been covered by over 300 artists

Jerry Corbetta - keyboard player and lead vocalist for Sugarloaf on their 1970, #3 hit "Green-Eyed Lady", passed away on September 16^th, 2016 at the age of 68. He had earlier been diagnosed with Pick's disease, which slowly destroys the nerve cells in the brain similarly to Alzheimer's disease

Corrado "Connie" Codarini - an original member of the Canadian vocal group The Four Lads, died of undisclosed causes on April 28^th, 2010 at the age of 80. The quartet is most often remembered for their million-selling hits "Moments to Remember", "Standin' On The Corner" and "No, Not Much"

Brian Cole - bass guitarist and vocalist with The Association, died in Los Angeles of a heroin overdose on August 2^nd, 1972. He was 28

William Randolph 'Cozy' Cole - a Jazz drummer who reached the Billboard Hot 100 three times in 1959 with "Topsy pt II (#3), "Topsy pt I" (#27) and "Turvy pt II" (#36), died of cancer on January 9^th, 1981. He was 71

Nat King Cole - velvet voiced singer who is most often remembered for his hits, "Ramblin' Rose" and "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days Of Summer", died of lung cancer on February 15^th, 1965 at age 47. In all, he placed 28 songs on Billboard's Top 40

Natalie Cole - nine-time Grammy-winning singer and daughter of legendary crooner Nat King Cole, passed away at the age of 65 on December 31^st, 2015. She placed twelve songs on the Billboard Top 40 between 1975 and 1991, including the Top Ten hits, "This Will Be", "I've Got Love On My Mind", "Pink Cadillac" and "Miss You Like Crazy"

G.C. Coleman - drummer for the Washington D.C. based group, The Winstons, who reached #7 on the Billboard Pop chart with "Color Him Father" in 1969, died in September, 2006 at the age of 62. He is also remembered for recording what is known as the "Amen break", a drum solo from the song "Amen, Brother", which has been sampled and used in thousands of hip-hop, pop, drum and bass and jungle tracks

Allen Collins - guitarist for Lynyrd Skynyrd, died on January 23^rd, 1990 from chronic pneumonia, a complication of the paralysis he suffered from a car accident four years earlier. He was 37

Perry Como - who placed 31 songs in the Billboard Top 40 between 1954 and 1973, including "Catch A Falling Star" and "Hot Diggity", passed away at the age of 88, on May 12^th, 2001

Arthur Conley - who recorded the 1967 hit, "Sweet Soul Music" died on November 17^th, 2003 at his home in the town of Ruurlo, in the eastern Netherlands. The 57 year old singer had been suffering from intestinal cancer

Brian Connolly - vocalist for Sweet, who reached #3 in 1973 with "Little Willy", died of kidney failure on February 10^th, 1997 at the age of 52

"Stompin'" Tom Connors - a Canadian icon who recorded hundreds of songs about his native country, died in his sleep of natural causes on March 6th, 2013 at the age of 77. Hockey fans fondly remember him for "The Hockey Song", played in rinks across North America

Jeff Cook - a founding member and lead guitarist of the Country group Alabama, died after an extended illness on November 8^th, 2022. He was 73

Sam Cooke - shot and killed by the manager of the Hacienda Motel in Los Angeles on December 11^th, 1964. The manager claimed she acted in self-defence after Cooke raped a 22-year-old woman and then turned to attack her. The shooting was ruled a justifiable homicide. Sam Cooke was one month shy of his 34^th birthday

Rick Coonce - drummer for The Grass Roots on their 11 Billboard Top 40 hits, died of heart failure on February 25^th, 2011 at the age of 64

Colin Cooper - saxophonist for The Climax Blues Band who sang lead on their 1977, #3 hit "Couldn't Get it Right" died of cancer on July 3^rd, 2008 at the age of 69

Don Cornelius - who helped break down racial barriers and broaden the reach of Black culture on his TV music show Soul Train, died of a self inflicted gunshot wound on February 1^st, 2012 at the age of 75. His show, which ran nationally from 1971 to 2006, introduced the likes of Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Barry White to large audiences for the first time

Carter Cornelius - of The Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose, died of a heart attack on November 7^th, 1991. Their biggest hits were "Too Late To Turn Back Now" and "Treat Her Like a Lady"

Glenn Cornick - the original bass player for Jethro Tull, died of congestive heart failure on August 28^th, 2014 at the age of 67. Cornick performed with Tull from its inception in late 1967 until 1970

Paul Cotton - a guitarist for Poco who penned their 1979, #20 hit, "Heart Of The Night", passed away on August 2^nd, 2021 at the age of 78

Joey Covington - who played with Jefferson Airplane from 1970-72 and later in the offshoot band Hot Tuna, died in a car crash in Palm Springs on June 4th, 2013. He was 67 years old

Barbara Cowsill - vocalist for the family band The Cowsills, who scored a Billboard number two hit with "The Rain, The Park And Other Things" in 1967, died of emphysema on January 31^st, 1985, at the age of 54

Barry Cowsill - bass guitarist for The Cowsills, died on or about September 1^st, 2005 from injuries believed to be caused by Hurricane Katrina. His body was recovered December 28^th, 2005, from the Chartres Street Wharf, New Orleans. He was 51

Bill Cowsill - lead singer for The Cowsills died February 17^th, 2006 at the age of 58. He had been suffering from emphysema, osteoporosis and other ailments. News of his death came just after a memorial ceremony honoring his younger brother, Barry

Floyd Cramer - pianist who scored a Top Ten hit with "Last Date" passed away at the age of 64 on December 31^st 1997

Tommy Crain - guitarist for The Charlie Daniels band on their Grammy-winning single "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" and more than twenty albums, died on January 13^th, 2011 at the age of 59

Vincent Crane - former keyboardist for The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, died on February 14th, 1989 of an overdose of pain killers.

Johnny Crawford - singer and actor who placed four songs on the Billboard Top 40, including "Cindy's Birthday" (#9 in 1962) and "Rumors" (#14 in 1962), died on April 29^th, 2021 at the age of 75. He was one of the original Mouseketeers and later went on to co-star in the TV Western The Rifleman with Chuck Connors

Papa John Creach - a fiddler who first came to the notice of rock fans when he joined Jefferson Airplane from 1970 to 1972. This veteran of jazz and blues groups was in his early 50s while his fellow bandmembers were still approaching 30. He died of heart failure on February 22^nd, 1994 at the age of 76

Bob Crewe - a singer / songwriter / producer who penned a string of hits for The Four Seasons, including "Sherry", "Big Girls Don't Cry", "Walk Like a Man" and "Rag Doll", passed away on September 11^th, 2014 at the age of 83. During his career, he also produced dozens of hits for other artists, including "Can't Take My Eyes Of You" for Frankie Valli, "Devil With A Blue Dress On" for Mitch Ryder and "Lady Marmalade" for Labelle

Jim Croce - singer / songwriter who recorded "Operator" and "Bad Bad Leroy Brown" was killed when his chartered plane snagged a pecan tree during takeoff on September 20^th, 1973. He was 30 years old

Bing Crosby - a popular crooner and actor in the 1930s, '40s and '50s who placed two songs in the Billboard Top 40 during the Rock era, "True Love" (#3 in 1956) and "Around The World" (#25 in 1957), died of heart failure on October 14^th, 1977 at the age of 74. His rendition of "White Christmas" held the record for the biggest selling record in the world for many years until it was surpassed by Elton John's "Candle In The Wind" (Princess Diana version)

David Crosby - co-founder of The Byrds and Crosby, Stills And Nash, died on January 19^th, 2023 at the age of 81, after a long illness. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of both groups

Robbin Crosby - guitarist for the L.A. Hard-Rock group Ratt, who reached the Top 40 twice with "Round And Round" (#12 in 1984) and "Lay It Down" (#40 in 1985), died on June 6^th, 2002, two months prior to his 43rd birthday

Bobby Curtola - a Canadian teen idol who reached #41 on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Fortuneteller" in 1962, passed away on June 5^th, 2016 at the age of 73. Over his career Curtola achieved 25 Canadian Gold singles and 12 Canadian Gold albums

Chris Curtis - drummer and vocalist for the 1960s pop group The Searchers, passed away on February 28^th, 2005 at the age of 63. His band placed seven songs in Billboard's Top 40 including "Love Potion Number Nine" and "Needles And Pins"

Clem Curtis - lead singer of The Foundations, died of lung cancer at the age of 76 on March 27^th, 2017. The band is most often remembered for their two biggest hits, "Baby, Now That I've Found You" (#11 in 1968) and "Build Me Up Buttercup" (#3 in 1969)

King Curtis - legendary session saxophonist who appeared on many hits in the 50's and 60's, including the Coasters' "Yakety Yak", died in a senseless occurrence in front of his home in New York on August 13^th, 1971. He had been arguing with a group of men when one pulled out a six-inch dagger and stabbed Curtis in the heart. He was 37

Johnny Cymbal - who had a #16 hit with "Mr. Bass Man" in 1963, died in his sleep of an apparent heart attack at the age of 48 on March 16^th, 1993. He also had a 1969 smash with "Cinnamon", when he was known as Derek

Dick Dale - known as The King of the Surf Guitar, passed away on March 16^th, 2019 at the age of 81. Appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show and in the Beach Party movies brought him to national prominence, and he is often credited with recording the first Rock/Surf record, "Let's Go Trippin'", which topped out at #60 on the Billboard chart

Vic Damone - who reached #4 in America in 1956 with "On The Street Where You Live", died from complications of a respiratory illness on February 12^th, 2018 at the age of 89. Frank Sinatra once said that Damone had "the best pipes in the business"

Dino Danelli - drummer for The Rascals on their hits "Good Lovin'", "Groovin'", "People Got To Be Free", and many more, passed away December 15^th, 2022 at the age of 78

Charlie Daniels - Country music star best known for the 1979 hit "The Devil Went Down to Georgia", died on July 6^th, 2020 following a stroke. He was 83

Rick Danko - bass player of The Band died in his sleep on December 10^th, 1999 at the age of 56

Miguel Vicens Danus - founding member and bass guitarist for Los Bravos, died of pneumonia on February 12^th, 2022 at the age of 78. The band reached #4 in America in 1966 with "Black Is Black"

Bobby Darin - actor and singer whose hits included, "Splish Splash" and "Mack The Knife", died Dec. 20^th, 1973 after unsuccessful heart surgery at the age of 37

James Darren - who placed five songs on the Billboard Top 40, including "Goodbye Cruel World" and "Her Royal Majesty", passed away on September 2^nd, 2024 at the age of 88. Along with his singing career, he also appeared in several movies before transitioning to television for shows like Love, American Style, Fantasy Island, The Love Boat and T.J. Hooker

Dean Daughtry - co-founder and keyboard player of Atlanta Rhythm Section, died on January 26^th, 2023 of natural causes at age 76

Eugene "Bird" Daughtry - vocalist for The Intruders, who scored a Billboard #6 hit in 1968 with "Cowboys To Girls", died of cancer on December 25^th, 1994 at the age of 55

Hal David - lyricist who teamed with Burt Bacharach on dozens of timeless songs for movies, television and a variety of recording artists, died at the age of 91 on September 1^st, 2012.

Clifford Davies - drummer for Ted Nugent who played on his trademark recording "Cat Scratch Fever" was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in his suburban Atlanta home on April 13^th, 2008. He was 59

Mac Davis - singer/songwriter who topped the Hot 100 in 1972 with "Baby Don't Get Hooked On Me", passed away following heart surgery on September 29^th, 2020, at the age of 78

Marlena Davis - of The Orlons, lost her battle with lung cancer on February 27th, 1993, at the age of 48

Michael Davis - part of the MC5 line-up who rose to prominence with their blistering sound, epitomised by the 1969 track "Kick Out the Jams", died February 17^th, 2012, following treatment for liver disease. He was 68

Paul Davis - who placed 8 songs on the Billboard Top 40 Pop chart, including "I Go Crazy" (#7 in 1977), and "65 Love Affair" (#6 in 1982), suffered a fatal heart attack on April 22^nd, 2008 at the age of 60. After his Pop career was over, Davis topped the Country chart with "You're Still New to Me", a duet with Marie Osmond in 1986 and "I Won't Take Less Than Your Love" with Paul Overstreet and Tanya Tucker in 1987

Sammy Davis Jr. - placed eight songs on the Billboard Top 40 including the #1 hit "Candy Man" in 1972, died of throat cancer on May 16^th, 1990. He was 64 years old

Skeeter Davis - who scored two top ten hits in 1963 with "The End Of The World" and "I Can't Stay Mad At You", passed away on September 19th, 2004, after a 16 year battle with cancer. She was 73

Spencer Davis - leader of The Spencer Davis group, died October 19^th, 2020 at the age of 81. The band reached the Billboard Hot 100 twice with "Gimme Some Lovin'" (#7) and "I'm A Man" (#10), both in 1967, but had many more hits in their native UK.

Tyrone Davis - best known for his hits "Turn Back The Hands of Time" and "Can I Change My Mind", died February 9^th, 2005 in from complications following a stroke. He was 66

Tom Dawes - bassist for The Cyrkle on their two 1966 Billboard Top 20 hits, "Red Rubber Ball" and "Turn Down Day", died on October 13^th, 2007, following complications from heart surgery. He was 64

Bobby Day - known for his 1958 hit "Rockin' Robin," died of cancer on July 27^th 1990. He was 60

Doris Day - who scored two Billboard Top Ten hits in 1956 with "Whatever Will Be Will Be" and "Everybody Loves A Lover" passed away on May 13^th, 2019 at the age of 97 after contracting pneumonia. Besides making nearly forty movies, she also recorded more than six hundred songs and nearly thirty albums

Rusty Day - vocalist for The Amboy Dukes and Cactus was murdered by unknown assailants on June 3^rd, 1982 at his home in Longwood, Florida at the age of 36

Bill Deal - of Bill Deal & the Rhondels died of a massive heart attack at age 59, on December 10th, 2003. Deal and his eight-member group had five chart hits in 1969 and 1970, including "May I", "I've Been Hurt" and "What Kind of Fool Do You Think I Am?"

Jimmy Dean - a Country-crossover artist most often remembered for his two US Top Ten hits, "Big Bad John" in 1960 and "P.T. 109" in 1962, died June 13^th, 2010 at his home in Varina, Virginia. Along with placing eight songs on Billboard's Top 40 between 1958 and 1976, Dean was also elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in February, 2010

Gary DeCarlo - the voice behind Steam's 1969 hit "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye", died of lung cancer on June 28^th, 2017. He was 75

Dave Dee - of the British Pop Rock group Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich, died following a three year battle with cancer on January 9^th, 2009 at the age of 67. In the late '60s the band spent more time in the UK charts than The Beatles, scoring a number one single in 1968 with "The Legend of Xanadu"

Lenny Dee - a solo organist who reached #19 on the Billboard chart in 1955 with the million selling "Plantation Boogie", died February 12^th, 2006 at the age of 83. He was a one-time performer with Jimmy Dorsey and appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tonight Show with Jack Paar and the Lawrence Welk Show

Tommy Dee - who reached #11 on the Billboard chart in 1959 with "Three Stars", a song dedicated to Richie Valens, Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper, died January 26^th, 2007, at the age of 70, after a long illness

Denis D'ell - lead singer for The Honeycombs on their 1964 hit "Have I The Right", died of cancer on July 6^th, 2005 at the age of 61

Brad Delp - the lead singer for the band Boston, was found dead in his home in southern New Hampshire on March 9^th, 2007. He was 55

Sandy Denny - English contemporary folk rocker, died of a brain haemorrhage on April 21^st, 1978 at the age of 31

Desmond Dekker - Jamaican reggae pioneer, famed for his worldwide hit "The Israelites", died of a heart attack at his home in England, on May 26^th, 2006. He was 64

John Denver - starred in "Oh God" with George Burns and recorded a long string of hits that included "Rocky Mountain High", "Sunshine On My Shoulders" and "Country Roads", was killed when the handmade, experimental airplane he was flying, crashed off the coast of Monterey Bay, CA. on October 12^th, 1997. He was 53

Tommy DeVito - a founding member of The Four Seasons, died on September 21^st, 2020 at the age of 92 from what reported to be complications caused by the novel coronavirus

Lew DeWitt - tenor vocalist for The Statler Brothers, died of heart and kidney disease on August 15^th, 1990. He wrote the group's biggest hit, "Flowers on the Wall" which peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1966

Robert Lee Dickey - who peformed as Bobby Purify of the '60s Soul duo James And Bobby Purify, died December 29^th, 2011 at the age of 72. The pair is most often remembered for their 1966 Billboard Top 10 hit "I'm Your Puppet"

Bo Diddley - born Ellas Bates, he was a founding father of Rock 'n' Roll whose distinctive syncopated rhythm and innovative guitar effects inspired thousands of other musicians. He died of heart failure on June 2^nd, 2008, at the age of 79

Cheryl Dilcher - a Greenwich Village Folk singer who enjoyed a cult following in the 1970s but failed to find commercial recording success, died on February 26^th, 2005 at the age of 58

Mark Dinning - whose only hit, "Teen Angel" was banned by many radio stations who called it "a death disc", died of a heart attack on March 22^nd, 1986 at the age of 52

Ronnie James Dio - the powerful voice for Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio and Heaven & Hell, lost his battle with stomach cancer at the age of 67 on May 16^th, 2010

Georgia Dobbins - an original member of The Marvelettes and the co-writer of their 1961 hit, "Please Mr. Postman", died of cardiac arrest on September 18^th, 2020 at the age of 78

Carl Dobkins Jr. - an American singer and songwriter, best known for his 1959 hit, "My Heart Is an Open Book", which went to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, died April 8^th, 2020. He was 79 years old

Dick Dodd - drummer and vocalist for The Standells on their 1966 hit "Dirty Water" died of cancer on November 29^th, 2013 at the age of 68

Bill Doggett - R&B and Blues pianist and organist who placed three songs on the Billboard Top 100 between 1956 and 1957, including the #2 hit "Honky Tonk (part 1 & 2), died of heart failure on November 13^th, 1996. He was 80 years old

Denny Doherty - the angelic voice that carried the '60s folk-pop group the Mamas and the Papas through such memorable hits as "California Dreamin' " and "Monday, Monday", died January 19^th, 2007, after suffering an aneurysm in his abdomen. He was 66

Fats Domino - a Rock 'n' Roll pioneer who placed 37 songs on the Billboard Top 40 between 1955 and 1963, passed away on October 24^th, 2017 at the age of 89. Born Antoine Domino, he was among the first acts inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and at the height of his career was second only to Elvis Presley in record sales

Lonnie Donegan - called "the king of skiffle", best known for the top ten hits, "Rock Island Line" and "Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavor On The Bedpost Over Night", died November 3^rd 2002, at the age of 71, midway through a UK tour

Ral Donner - often cited for his Elvis-sound-alike voice, he reached the Billboard Top 40 five times between 1961 and 1962, including the #4 hit, "You Don't Know What You've Got (Until You Lose It)". Donner died of cancer on April 6^th, 1984 at the age of 41

Lee Dorman - bassist for the Psychedelic Rock band Iron Butterfly, passed away on December 21^st, 2012 at the age of 70. Dorman played on the band's landmark 1968 album, "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida"

Lee Dorsey - scored a pair of Billboard Top Ten hits with "Ya Ya" (#7 in 1961) and "Working In The Coal Mine" (#8 in 1966), died of emphysema on December 1^st, 1986, three weeks shy of his 62^nd birthday

Joe Dowell - American Pop singer who topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961 with "Wooden Heart", passed away on February 4^th, 2016 at the age of 76

Gord Downie - lead vocalist for the Canadian band The Tragically Hip died of brain cancer on October 17^th, 2017 at the age of 53. The Hip enjoyed a huge following in their homeland, although their success in America was limited

Peter Doyle - of The New Seekers, died of cancer on October 13^th, 2001, at the age of 52. The group scored two Top 20 hits, "Look What They've Done To My Song, Ma" in 1970 and "I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing" in 1971

Daryl Dragon - of the popular 1970s duo The Captain & Tennille died of renal failure at the age of 76 on January 2^nd, 2019. The couple placed nine songs on the Billboard Hot 100 between 1975 and 1980, including two number one hits, "Love Will Keep Us Together" and "Do That To Me One More Time"

Nick Drake - English singer / songwriter and musician best known for his acoustic songs. Although he failed to find a wide audience during his lifetime, Drake's work has grown steadily in stature, to the extent that he is now widely considered one of the most influential English singer-songwriters of the last 50 years. The 26 year old musician died on November 25^th, 1974, from an overdose of amitriptyline, a type of anti-depressant

Rusty Draper - a Country and Pop singer who placed five songs in the Top 40 of the Billboard Top 100 chart between 1955 and 1957, died of pneumonia on March 28^th, 2003 at the age of 80. Two of his hits, "The Shifting, Whispering Sands" and "Freight Train" cracked the Top 5

Spencer Dryden - drummer for The Jefferson Airplane from 1966 to 1970, passed away on January 10^th, 2005, after a brief battle with colon cancer. He was 66

Kevin DuBrow - lead vocalist for Quiet Riot, died November 19th, 2007, at the age of 52. His Heavy Metal band reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1983 with "Cum On Feel The Noise" and is often remembered for pushing Michael Jackson's "Thriller" LP out of the top spot with their album "Metal Health"

Patty Duke - died of sepsis from a ruptured intestine on March 29^th, 2016 at the age of 69. Along with being an acclaimed TV and movie actress, she also placed two songs on the Billboard Pop chart in 1965 with "Don't Just Stand There" (#8), and "Say Something Funny", (#22)

Cleve Duncan - vocalist for The Penguins on their 1955, Billboard #1 hit, "Earth Angel", passed away on November 7^th, 2012, aged 77 years

Gary Duncan - guitarist and vocalist for the influential San Francisco Psychedelic Rock band Quicksilver Messenger Service, passed away at the age of 72 on June 29^th, 2019

Mick Dunford - a founding member of The Nashville Teens died of a cerebral hemorrhage on November 20^th, 2012. He left the band before they scored their #6 UK and #14 US hit, "Tobacco Road"

Donald "Duck" Dunn - bass guitarist for Booker T and the MGs who also played on Otis Redding's "Respect" and Sam And Dave's "Hold On, I'm Comin'", passed away while touring in Japan on May 13^th, 2012 at the age of 70

Judith Durham - the lead singer of The Seekers, passed away on August 5^th, 2022. The Australian band scored three, Billboard Top 40 hits with "I'll Never Find Another You" (#4 in 1965), "A World Of Our Own" (#19 in 1965) and "Georgy Girl" (#2 in 1967)

Ian Dury - English rocker who initially rose to fame during the late 1970s as founder and lead singer of the British band Ian Dury and the Blockheads, died of colorectal cancer on March 27^th, 2000, just weeks short of his 58^th birthday

Willem Duyn - known as Mouth of the Netherlands' duo of Mouth And MacNeal, died of a heart attack on December 4^th, 2004, at the age of 67. The pair are most often remembered for their 1972, US Top Ten hit, "How Do You Do"

Bernie Dwyer - drummer for Freddie and The Dreamers, died on December 4^th 2002 at the age of 62

Ronnie Dyson - who had a Top Ten hit in 1970 with "Why Can't I Touch You", died of heart failure and lung disease on November 10^th, 1990. He was just 40 years old

Joe Egan - songwriting partner of Gerry Rafferty in Stealers Wheel, passed away on July 6^th, 2024 at the age of 77. The band reached #6 in the US and #8 in the UK with "Stuck In The Middle With You" in 1973

Linda Eastman - wife of Paul McCartney and member of Wings, died of breast cancer on April 17^th, 1998 at the age of 56

Duane Eddy - often called The King Of The Twangy Guitar, died of cancer on April 30^th, 2024 at the age of 86. Between 1958 and 1964 he placed ten albums on Billboard's Hot 200 Album Chart and thirty singles on the Hot 100, including "Rebel-'Rouser" (#6 in 1958), "Forty Miles of Bad Road" (#9 in 1959) and "Because They're Young" (#4 in 1960). In 1994 Eddy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2008

Graeme Edge - drummer and co-founder of The Moody Blues, died of cancer on November 11^th, 2021. He was 80 years old. He had retired from touring in 2018 and was the only original member to remain in the band since they were founded in the mid-1960s

Jerry Edmonton - drummer for Steppenwolf during their hit making years, was killed in a car crash, not far from his Santa Barbara, California home on November 28^th, 1993. He was 47

Bernard Edwards - bass player, singer, songwriter and record producer for the Funk/Disco band Chic, died of pneumonia on April 18^th, 1996 at the age of 43

Dennis Edwards - lead singer of The Temptations from 1968 until 1977, died at the age of 74 of complications from meningitis on February 1^st, 2018. After the group fired David Ruffin, Edwards led them on a string of hits, including "I Can't Get Next to You", "Ball of Confusion" and "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone"

Kenny Edwards - an original member of the Country / Rock band The Stone Poneys, died of cancer at the age of 64 on August 18^th, 2010. The group, lead by vocalist Linda Ronstadt, reached #13 in late 1967 with "Different Drum"

Mike Edwards - founding member of The Electric Light Orchestra was killed on September 3^rd, 2010 while driving in southwest England when a 600-kilogram bale of hay rolled down a field and crushed his van. The 62-year-old cellist died instantly

Nokie Edwards - the influential guitarist for Surf Rock pioneers The Ventures, passed away on March 13^th, 2018 at the age of 82

Raymond Edwards - of the Philadelphia vocal group, The Silhouettes, died on March 4^th, 1997, at the age of 74. The group topped the Billboard chart in 1958 with "Get A Job"

Tommy Edwards - best remembered for his number one 1958 hit "It's All In The Game" passed away on October 23^rd, 1969, at the age of 47 after suffering a brain aneurysm

Duke Ellington - jazz band leader, died of cancer on May 24^th, 1974 at the age of 75

Stephan Ellis - bassist for Survivor on all of their major hits, passed away on February 28^th, 2019 at the age of 69

Les Emerson - guitarist for Five Man Electrical Band died of COVID-19 on December 10^th, 2021 at the age of 77. His band is most often remembered for their 1971, Billboard #3 hit, "Signs"

Keith Emerson - keyboardist and founding member of the Progressive Rock band Emerson, Lake And Palmer died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on March 11^th, 2016. He was 71

Bill Eyden - the session drummer hired to play on Procol Harum's 1967 hit "A Whiter Shade Of Pale", died after a lengthy illness on October 15^th, 2004 at the age of 74

Mama Cass Elliot - of The Mamas and Papas, succumbed to a heart attack on July 29^th, 1974 at the age of 32

Jack Ely - the lead singer on The Kingsmen's 1963 hit, "Louie Louie", died of an unspecified illness on April 28^th, 2015. He was 71

John Entwistle - bassist for The Who, died of a heart attack on June 27^th, 2002 at the age of 57

Brian Epstein - the manager of The Beatles who took the band from a quartet of rough-necks to being "the most successful rock band in history" in just over two years, died of a drug overdose on August 27^th, 1967, three weeks short of his 33rd birthday

Howie Epstein - played bass for Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers for 20 years and 12 albums, died of complications due to presciption drug use on February 23^rd, 2003 at the age of 47

Janet Ertel - of The Chordettes, died of cancer on November 22^nd, 1988, at the age of 75. The group made the Billboard chart nine times between 1954 and 1961 with songs such as "Mr. Sandman" and "Lollipop"

Coke Escovedo - an American percussionist who played for Santana, Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock, as well as forming the band Azteca, died July 13^th, 1986, at the age of 45

Chris Ethridge - bassist and co-founder of The Flying Burrito Brothers passed away on April 23^rd, 2012 at the age of 65

Tom Evans - of Badfinger, died November 19^th, 1983 at the age of 36. Like his bandmate, Pete Ham, Evens also hanged himself

Betty Everett - best remembered for her 1964 hit, "The Shoop Shoop Song", was found dead at her home in Beloit, Wisconsin on August 19^th, 2001. She was 61

Don Everly - of The Everly Brothers passed away at the age of 84 on August 21^st, 2021. He and his brother Phil had three number one hits in America, "Wake Up Little Susie" (1957), "All I Have To Do Is Dream" (1958), "Bird Dog" (1958) and "Cathy's Clown" (1960). The duo was enshrined into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1986

Phil Everly - of The Everly Brothers died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on January 3^rd, 2014 at the age of 74. Along with his brother, Phil, the Everlys placed 27 singles on the Billboard Top 40, including 12 Top 10 hits between 1957 and 1967

Norm Ezell - guitarist for Five Americans on their 1967 hit "Western Union" died of cancer on May 8^th, 2010 at the age of 68

Adam Faith - was one of England's major pop stars in the early 1960s and enjoyed a run of eleven British Top 20 hits prior to the arrival of the Beatles. He suffered a fatal heart attack on March 8th, 2003 at the age of 62

Percy Faith - led his orchestra to the top of the US chart with "Theme From A Summer Place" in 1960, died of cancer on February 9^th, 1976. He was 62

Marianne Faithfull - the British Invasion singer most often remembered for her 1965 hit, "As Tears Go By", passed away on January 30^th, 2025 at the age of 78. Along with her singing career, she also made dozens of film, TV and stage appearances

Abdul "Duke" Fakir - the last surviving member of The Four Tops, passed away at his home in Detroit, Michigan on July 22^nd, 2024 at the age of 88. Between 1964 and 1988, the legendary Motown group placed twenty-four songs on the Billboard Top 40, including the chart topping "I Can't Help Myself" in 1965 and "Reach Out I'll Be There" in 1966

Leroy Fann - of Ruby and The Romantics died in November, 1973, at the age of 37

Steve Farmer - singer/guitarist for The Amboy Dukes on their 1968, Billboard #16 hit, "Journey To The Center Of The Mind", passed away on April 7^th, 2020 at the age of 71

Pete Farndon - bassist for The Pretenders on their US Top 20 hits "Brass In Pocket" (1980) and "Back On The Chain Gang" (1983), died of a drug overdose on April 14^th, 1983. He was 30 years old

Edward Farran - of The Arbors, died of kidney failure on January 2^nd, 2003, at the age of 64. The group reached number 20 on the Billboard chart in 1969 with their version of "The Letter"

Bobby Farrel - vocalist for Boney M, who topped the charts with "By the Rivers of Babylon" in 1978, died of natural causes on December 30^th, 2010 at the age of 61

Danny Federici - the longtime keyboard player for Bruce Springsteen, whose stylish work helped define the E Street Band's sound on hits from "Hungry Heart" through "The Rising", died of cancer on April 17^th, 2008. He was 58

Freddy Fender - The Tex-Mex hitmaker, known for such '70s jukebox standards as "Before the Next Teardrop Falls" and "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights" died October 14^th, 2006, of complications from lung cancer, at the age of 69

Manuel Fernandez - founding member and organist for Los Bravos on their 1966 hit "Black Is Black", committed suicide on May 20^th, 1967. He was just 23 years old

Fred Ferrara - backing vocalist for The Brooklyn Bridge died on October 21^st, 2011 of cardiac arrest at the age of 67. As member of The Del-Satins, he backed Dion on twelve of his Top 40 hits between 1961 and 1963

Richard "Dimples" Fields - an American Soul singer most often remembered for his 1982 hit, "If It Ain't One Thing, It's Another", which reached #1 on the Billboard R&B chart and #47 on the Hot 100, died following a stroke on January 12^th, 2000. He was 58

Doug Fieger - the lead singer for The Knack on their 1979 hit "My Sharona", died February 14^th, 2010, after a six-year battle with cancer. He was 57

Mickey Finn - drummer for T Rex, died of kidney and liver problems on January 11^th, 2002, at the age of 55. The band reached #10 in the US with "Bang A Gong" in 1972 and had over 20 other UK top 40 singles

Cliff Fish - bass guitarist for Paper Lace, died of cancer on April 14^th, 2023, at the age of 73. The band enjoyed a Billboard number one smash with "The Night Chicago Died" in 1974 and topped the UK chart the same year with "Billy, Don't Be A Hero"

Dave Fisher - who formed The Highwaymen with four university pals in the late 1950s, died at the age of 69 after a battle with a bone marrow disorder on May 7^th, 2010. The quartet topped the Billboard chart in 1961 with "Michael (Row The Boat Ashore)"

Eddie Fisher - whose 11 Billboard Top 40 hits were often eclipsed by his scandalous personal life with Elizabeth Taylor, died of complications from hip surgery on September 22^nd, 2010 at the age of 82. He cracked the Top Ten with "Count Your Blessings" (#5 in 1955), "Heart" (#6 in 1956) and "Dungaree Doll" (#7 in 1956) and was also the father of Carrie Fisher, who played Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy

Miss Toni Fisher - sang the number 3 hit "The Big Hurt" in 1959, died of a heart attack on February 12^th, 1999 at age 67

Charles Fizer - of the R&B vocal group, The Olympics, who achieved a Top 10 hit in 1958 with "Western Movies", was killed during a race riot on August 14^th, 1965. He was just 25 years old

Danny Flores - who played saxophone on The Champs' 1958, number one hit, "Tequila" passed away on September 19^th, 2006 at the age of 77

Dan Fogelberg - singer / songwriter whose hits "Longer", "Leader of the Band" and "Same Old Lang Syne" helped define the Soft Rock era of the '70s and '80s, died on December 16^th, 2007 after a three year battle with prostate cancer. He was 56

Tom Fogerty - guitarist for Creedence Clearwater Revival, died on Sept 6^th, 1990 of respiratory failure at the age of 48

D.J. Fontana - who played drums with Elvis Presley from 1954 to 1968, died in his sleep at the age of 87 on June 13^th, 2018

Wayne Fontana - a vocalist who led The Mindbenders to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in April, 1965 with "Game Of Love", died on August 6^th, 2020 at the age of 74. Born Glyn Geoffrey Ellis in the Levenshulme area of Manchester, England, Fontana took his stage name from Elvis Presley's drummer DJ Fontana

Dean Ford - who fronted the Scottish band Marmalade on their 1970, Billboard #10 hit, "Reflections of My Life", died on December 31st, 2018 at the age of 73 from Parkinson's disease

Frankie Ford - who took "Sea Cruise" to #14 in America in 1959, died of natural causes on September 28^th, 2015. He was 76

"Tennessee" Ernie Ford - an American singer and television host, died of heart failure on October 17^th, 1991 at the age of 72. Between 1955 and 1957 Ford placed four songs in the Top 40 of the Billboard Top 100, including "Ballad Of Davy Crockett" (#5 in 1955) and "Sixteen Tons" (#1 in 1955)

Charlie Foxx - guitarist and vocalist who teamed up with his sister Inez on the 1963 Billboard #7 hit "Mockingbird", died of leukemia on September 18^th, 1998. He was 68

Aretha Franklin - "The Queen Of Soul", died of pancreatic cancer on August 16^th, 2018 at the age of 76. During her career she amassed twenty Billboard R&B chart toppers, forty-five Billboard Top 40 hits and won eighteen Grammy Awards. In 1987, she became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Aretha Franklin - "The Queen Of Soul", passed away on August 16^th, 2018 at the age of 76. During her career she amassed twenty Billboard R&B chart toppers, forty-five Billboard Top 40 hits and won eighteen Grammy Awards. In 1987, she became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Melvin Franklin - singer for the Temptations died of a brain seizure on February 23^rd, 1995, at the age of 52

Andy Fraser - bassist for the group Free and co-writer of their hit "All Right Now", died of cancer on March 16^th, 2015 at the age of 62

Al Frazier - the tenor voice of The Rivingtons on their 1962 hit "Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow", passed away on November 13^th, 2005, at age 75

George Frayne - best known by his alias, Commander Cody of Commander Cody And His Planet Lost Airmen, died September 26^th, 2021 at the age of 77, following a battle with cancer. The band enjoyed a Billboard #9 hit in 1972 with "Hot Rod Lincoln"

Marie Fredriksson - the lead singer of Swedish pop group Roxette, died following a seventeen year battle with cancer on December 10^th, 2019 at the age of 61. The group topped the Billboard Hot 100 four times with "The Look", "Listen to Your Heart", "Joyride" and "Must Have Been Love"

Alan Freed - disc jockey who is often credited with popularizing the phrase "rock and roll" in the mid 1950s, died of cirrhosis of the liver on Jan. 20^th, 1965 at the age of 43

Alan 'Fluff' Freeman - one of the UK's most popular radio broadcasters, died after a short illness on November 27^th 2006, at the age of 79

Ernie Freeman - pianist, organist and bandleader who attained a Billboard #4 hit with an instrumental called "Raunchy" in 1957, died of heart failure on May 16^th, 1981. He was 58 years old

Glenn Frey - co-founder of The Eagles died January 18^th, 2016 at the age of 67 of rheumatoid arthritis, acute ulcerative colitis and pneumonia while recovering from intestinal surgery. Along with helping the band place eighteen songs on the Billboard Top 40 between 1972 and 1995, Frey also reached the chart seven times as a solo artist

Marty Fried - drummer for The Cyrkle on their two Billboard Hot 100 hits, "Red Rubber Ball" and "Turn Down Day", died of pancreatic cancer on September 1^st, 2021 at age 77

Billy Fury - British rock-a-billy artist who scored a major hit in Great Britain in 1961 with "Halfway To Paradise". He was a major star in his homeland, but couldn't catch the break he needed to become a part of the "British Invasion". Billy died from heart and kidney problems on January 27th, 1983 at the age of 42

Bobby Fuller - 24 year old leader of The Bobby Fuller Four who scored a huge hit with "I Fought The Law", was found on the front seat of his mother's Oldsmobile, parked outside of a Los Angeles apartment building on July 18^th, 1966. His death was ruled accidental even though gasoline was found on his body and in his lungs

Jim Fuller - a co-founding member of The Surfaris whose lead guitar work is heard on the band's signature hit "Wipe Out", died March 3^rd, 2017 at the age of 69

Pete Fullerton - bassist and vocalist for We Five died on September 28^th, 2021, at the age of 75. The group hit #3 in the U.S. in 1965 with "You Were On My Mind"

Annette Funicello - who had two US Top 10 singles: "Tall Paul" in 1959 and "O Dio Mio" in 1960, died from complications of multiple sclerosis on April 8^th, 2013 at the age of 70. She rose to fame for her TV role on The Mickey Mouse Club and continued her acting career into her adult life, which included six Beach Party movies with Frankie Avalon

Johnny Funches - who wrote and sang lead on The Dells' 1956 million seller, "Oh What A Night", passed away on January 23^rd, 1998 at the age of 62

Cassie Gaines - background singer for Lynyrd Skynyrd was killed on October 20^th, 1977 when a plane carrying the band crashed into the Mississippi swamp lands, the result of a tragic pilot error. She was 29

Steve Gaines - guitarist who joined Lynyrd Skynyrd when Ed King left the band, was killed on October 20^th, 1977 in the plane crash that also took the life of his sister Cassie and Ronnie Van Zandt. Steve Gaines was 28

Rory Gallagher - an Irish blues / rock guitarist best known for his tenure in Taste and his solo work, died of liver failure on June 14^th, 1995 at the age of 47

Mike Gannon - Electric Prunes guitarist on their 1967 hit, "I Had Too Much To Dream Last Night", died of a gunshot wound while on R&R in Hawaii after a tour of duty in Vietnam in the early 70s.

Mary Ann Ganser - of The Shangri-Las, died of encephalitis in 1971, at the age of 23. Her twin sister and bandmate, Marge, developed breast cancer and passed away in 1996, at the age of 48. The girls sang back-up vocals on the rock rebel classic, "Leader Of The Pack"

Carl Gardner - the lead singer of The Coasters on their pioneering Rock 'n' Roll hits "Yakety Yak", "Charlie Brown", "Poison Ivy" and "Searchin'" died June 12^th, 2011 at the age of 83. He had been suffering from Alzheimer's and congestive heart failure

Frankie Garcia - lead singer for Cannibal and the Headhunters on their 1965, Top 30 hit "Land Of 1000 Dances" died on January 21^st, 1996, at the age of 49

Jerry Garcia - leader of The Grateful Dead, died of a heart attack on August 9^th, 1995, at the age of 53

Freddie Garrity - the lead singer of the 1960s pop band Freddie and the Dreamers died on May 19^th, 2006, at the age of 65, after receiving treatment for what were described as "circulation problems"

Bruce Gary - drummer for The Knack on their multi-million selling hit "My Sharona" died of non-Hodgkin lymphoma on August 22^nd, 2006. He was 54

Danny Gatton - who was ranked 63rd on Rolling Stone magazine's 100 Greatest Guitarists of all Time in 2003, locked himself in his garage in Newburg, Maryland and shot himself with no explanation on October 4^th, 1994. He was 49

J. Geils - John Warren Geils, who led his band to ten Billboard Top 40 hits between 1972 and 1982, died of natural causes on April 11^th, 2017 at the age of 71. Among his best known songs were the chart topping "Centerfold" in 1981, and "Freeze-Frame", #4 in 1982

Marvin Gaye - shot and killed by his father during a family dispute, April 1^st, 1984, one day short of age 45

Sonny Geraci - lead singer for The Outsiders on their #5 hit, "Time Won't Let Me", passed away on February 5^th, 2017 at the age of 70. After The Outsiders, he fronted a band called Climax and enjoyed a #3 hit with "Precious And Few" in 1972

Barbara George - an American R&B singer who reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961 with "I Know (You Don't Love Me No More)", died on August 10^th, 2006 at the age of 63

Lowell George - slide guitarist who left The Mothers of Invention to form Little Feat, died of a massive heart attack, June 29, 1979, at the age of 34

Samuel George Jr. - lead singer of the Capitols, who had a 1966 hit with "Cool Jerk", died in Detroit after being stabbed with a knife during a family argument on March 17^th, 1982. He was 39 years old

Andy Gibb - solo artist and brother of The Bee Gees died at the age of 30, on March 10^th, 1988 of an inflammation of the heart muscle caused by a viral infection

Maurice Gibb - of The Bee Gees, brother of Barry Gibb and twin of Robin Gibb, died on January 12^th, 2003 of a heart attack, following an operation for the removal of an intestinal blockage. He was 53

Robin Gibb - of The Bee Gees passed away on May 20^th, 2012 at the age of 62 after battling colon and liver cancer. His vocals were featured on the hits "Massachusetts", "I Started a Joke", "I've Gotta Get a Message to You" and "Holiday"

Georgia Gibbs - a Jazz and Pop singer who placed nine songs in Billboard's Top 40 between 1955 and 1958, died of leukemia on December 9^th, 2006, aged 88. She topped the chart in 1955 with "Dance With Me Henry"

Michael Gibbins - drummer for Badfinger on their hits "Come And Get It","Day After Day" and "No Matter What", died in his sleep on October 4^th, 2005, at the age of 56

Ian Gibbons - keyboard player who joined The Kinks in 1979, passed away on August 1^st, 2019 at the age of 67. His work can be heard on the band's hits, "Come Dancing", "Destroyer", "Do It Again" and "Don't Forget to Dance"

Don Gibson - died of natural causes on November 17^th, 2003 at the age of 75. Mainly known as a Country artist, he also placed four songs on the US Pop charts, including the #7 single "Oh Lonesome Me" in 1958 and "Sea Of Heartbreak", #21 in 1961

Ron Gilbert - the original bassist for Blues Magoos, passed away on February 16^th, 2024 at the age of 77. The Bronx, New York quintet scored a 1966 hit with, "We Ain't Got Nothin' Yet", which reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100

Astrud Gilberto - most often remembered as the voice of the 1964 Stan Getz hit, "The Girl From Ipanema", passed away at the age of 83 on June 5^th, 2023

Ray Gillen - best known for his work with Badlands in addition to his stint with Black Sabbath in the mid-1980s, passed away on December 1^st, 1993 at the age of 34

Mic Gillette - horn player who helped found Tower Of Power died following a heart attack on January 17^th, 2016 at the age of 64. The band placed three songs on the Billboard Top 40 chart, including the #17 hit, "So Very Hard To Go" in 1974

Keith Godchaux - played keyboards for The Grateful Dead from late 1971 to early 1979, was killed in a car accident on July 23^rd, 1980, four days after his 32^nd birthday

Paul Goddard - bass player and founding member of The Atlanta Rhythm Section, died of cancer at the age of 68 on April 29^th, 2014. Goddard performed on the band's biggest hits, "So Into You", "Imaginary Lover", "I'm Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight", "Do It or Die" and "Spooky"

Gerry Goffin - songwriter who wrote more than 50 US Top 40 hits, died June 19^th, 2014 at the age of 75. Along with his then-wife, Carole King, Goffin wrote such Rock 'n' Roll standards as "Will You Love Me Tomorrow", "The Loco-Motion", "Pleasant Valley Sunday", "Some Kind of Wonderful" and "Take Good Care of My Baby"

Andrew Gold - who reached #7 in the U.S. in 1977 with "Lonely Boy" and #25 a year later with "Thank You For Being A Friend", died of cancer on June 3^rd, 2011. Along with his solo career, he also arranged songs for and performed on several Linda Rondstadt albums, including "Heart Like a Wheel" and did session work for James Taylor and Carly Simon

Cuba Gooding Sr. - the lead singer of the '70s Soul group The Main Ingredient was found dead in his car on April 20^th, 2017 at the age of 70. The band is most often remembered for their 1972 million selling Billboard #3 hit, "Everybody Plays The Fool"

Myles Goodwyn - guitarist and lead vocalist for April Wine, passed away on December 3^rd, 2023 at the age of 75. The band placed three songs on the Billboard Hot 100, "You Could Have Been A Lady" (#32 in 1972), "Roller" (#34 in 1979) and "Just Between You And Me" (#23 in 1981)

Jim Gordon - Rock 'n' Roll session drummer passed away on March 13^th, 2023 at the age of 77. He played on classic records by Eric Clapton, George Harrison and The Beach Boys but suffered from growing mental health problems and spent the second half of his life in prison for killing his mother

Leslie Gore - who placed eleven songs on the Billboard Top 40 between 1963 and 1967, including "It's My Party", "Judy's Turn To Cry", She's A Fool" and "You Don't Own Me", died of cancer on February 16^th, 2015 at the age of 68

Ken Gorka - bassist for The Critters on their 1966 Billboard #17 hit, "Mr. Dieingly Sad", passed away on March 20^th 2015 at the age of 68

Eydie Gorme - a popular nightclub and television singer most often remembered for her 1963 #7 Billboard hit, "Blame It On The Bossa Nova", died August 10^th, 2013 at the age of 84. She also reached the Hot 100 six other times between 1956 and 1964

Robert Goulet - although seldom thought of a Rock or Pop singer, he did reach the Billboard Top 20 in 1964 with a song called "My Love, Forgive Me". Goulet died on October 30^th, 2007 while awaiting a lung transplant after being diagnosed with a rare form of pulmonary fibrosis. He was 73

John Fred Gourrier - who led John Fred and his Playboy Band to Billboard's #1 spot in December 1967 with "Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)" - died April 15^th, 2005, after a long bout with kidney disease. He was 63

Bill Graham - rock promoter who owned the legendary Fillmore theaters in San Francisco and New York was killed in a helicopter crash on October 26^th, 1991. He was 60 years old

Earl Grant - vocalist and keyboard player who reached #7 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart in 1958 with "The End". The 39-year-old Grant was killed instantly in a car accident in Lordsburg, New Mexico, on June 10^th, 1970

Gogi Grant - whose million selling hit "The Wayward Wind" spent six weeks at Billboard's number one spot in 1956, passed away at the age of 91 on March 10^th, 2016

Jim Grant - bassist for Five Americans on their 1967 hit "Western Union" passed away on November 29^th, 2004

Marshall Grant - who played bass for Johnny Cash from 1954 to 1980, passed away on August 7^th, 2011 at the age of 83. After his time with The Man In Black, Grant managed The Statler Brothers until they retired in 2002 and later wrote an autobiography entitled I Was There When It Happened

Dobi Gray - soul singer who reached #13 in 1965 with "The In Crowd" and #5 in 1973 with "Drift Away", died December 6^th, 2011 at the age of 71 from complications following cancer surgery

Les Gray - vocalist most often remembered for his work with the UK band Mud, died on February 21^st, 2004, following a heart attack. The group topped the UK chart three times with "Lonely This Christmas", "Tiger Feet" and "Oh, Boy!"

R.B. Greaves - R&B singer who scored a #2 hit in 1969 with the infectious break-up song "Take a Letter, Maria," died September 27^th, 2012. He was 68

Marty Grebb - keyboard player for The Buckinghams during their hit making years of 1966 to 1968, died after a long bout with cancer on January 1^st, 2020 at the age of 73. The multi-instrumentalist would go on to work with Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt and Levon Helm

Rick Grech - bassist with Blind Faith, died of drug related causes on March 17^th, 1990 at the age of 43

Peter Green - guitarist and co-founder of the influential Rock group Fleetwood Mac, died in his sleep on July 25^th, 2020. He was 73

Dennis Greene - an original member of Sha Na Na passed away on September 5^th, 2015 at the age of 66. Greene sang lead on "Tears On My Pillow" when the band appeared in the 1978 movie Grease. He left the group after fifteen years to pursue a career in law, eventually earning a degree from Yale and becoming a law professor.

Jimmy Greenspoon - Three Dog Night's keyboard player died on March 11^th, 2015 of metastatic melanoma at the age of 67. He was with the band from their inception until his death

Dale Griffin - drummer and founding member of the British Glam-Rock band Mott The Hoople, passed away at the age of 67 on January 17^th, 2016. The group reached #37 on the Hot 100 in 1972 with the David Bowie written "All The Young Dudes"

Don Griffin - guitarist for The Miracles on their 1976 #1 hit, "Love Machine", died in a car accident in Denver on September 10^th, 2015. He was 60 years old

James Griffin - a founding member of the 70s soft rock group Bread, died of lung cancer on January 11^th, 2005, at the age of sixty-one

Rob Grill - lead singer and bassist for the 1960s rock band The Grass Roots, whose hits included "Midnight Confessions", "Temptation Eyes" and "Let's Live for Today", died July 11^th, 2011 after suffering a head injury from a fall caused by a stroke. He was 67

Kelly Groucutt - bassist and co-lead vocalist for the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) between 1974 and 1983, died on February 19^th, 2009 following a heart attack he suffered the previous day. He was 63

Dave Guard - of The Kingston Trio, died of lymphoma on March 22^nd, 1991, at the age of 56. The Trio landed ten songs in the Top 40 between 1958 and 1963, including "Tom Dooley" and "Reverend Mr. Black"

William Guest - of Gladys Knight And The Pips died of heart failure at the age of 74 on December 24^th, 2015. His background vocals can be heard on all of the group's hits, including "Midnight Train To Georgia", "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" and the Grammy winning "Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye)"

Greg Guidry - singer/songwriter who reached #17 with "Goin' Down" in 1982, died by suicide in a fire at his home on July 28^th, 2003 at the age of 53

Rutger Gunnarsson - the bass player on every ABBA album and tour, died suddenly at his home in Stockholm, Sweden on May 8^th 2015. He was 69

Cornelius Gunter - of The Coasters ("Charlie Brown", "Yakety Yak") was shot to death on February 26^th, 1990, at the age of 51

James Gurley - the lead guitarist for Big Brother and the Holding Company, died December 20^th, 2009 in a Palm Springs Hospital after suffering a heart attack. He was 69. His distinctive style can be heard on songs such as "Piece of My Heart", "Summertime" and "Ball and Chain"

John "Gus" Gustafson - an English bass guitar player and singer who played with The Big Three, Ian Gillan Band, Roxy Music and his own group, Quatermass, died of cancer on September 11^th, 2014 at the age of 72

Billy Guy - of The Coasters died of a heart attack on November 5^th, 2002. He was 66

Ed Guzman - percussionist for Rare Earth ("Get Ready" - 1970), died on July 29^th, 1993

Merle Haggard - died of complications from pneumonia on April 6^th, 2016 at the age of 79. Most often remembered for the hits "Mama Tried", "Okie From Muskogee" and 36 other number one records on the Country chart, he also managed to reach #28 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1974 with "If We Make It Through December"

Bill Haley - who helped start the early 50's rock and roll movement, died in his sleep of an apparent heart attack on February 9^th, 1981 at age 55

Malcolm Hale - of Spanky and Our Gang, died of liver failure on October 31^st, 1968, at the age of 27. The group placed five songs on the Billboard Top 40 between 1967 and 1968, including "Sunday Will Never Be The Same" and "Lazy Day"

Tom T. Hall - singer, songwriter, and Country Music Hall of Fame member passed away at the age of 85 on August 20^th, 2021. Along with writing Jeannie C. Riley's 1968 Pop/Country crossover hit "Harper Valley P.T.A.", Tom also reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 with a song called "I Love" in 1974

Dick Halligan - multi-instrumentalist and co-founder of Blood, Sweat & Tears, died of natural causes on January 18^th, 2022 at the age of 78

Greg Ham - whose catchy flute solo is featured on Men At Work's hit "Down Under" was found dead at his home in Melbourne, Australia on April 19^th, 2012. He was 58

Peter Ham - singer / guitarist for Badfinger, committed suicide on April 23^rd, 1975. He was reported to be deeply depressed by financial problems the group was having. He was 27 years old

Dan Hamilton - of the soft rock trio Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds, suffered a stroke and died on December 23^rd, 1994

George Hamilton IV - a Country and Pop singer who landed in Billboard's Top 40 six times between 1956 and 1963, died on September 17^th, 2014 at the age of 77

Roy Hamilton - who took "Unchained Melody" into Billboard's Top 10 in 1955, suffered a stroke and died on July 20^th, 1969, at the age of 40. Roy also had Top 20 hits with "Don't Let Go" in 1958 and "You Can Have Her" in 1961

Russ Hamilton - Liverpool singer who had a #4 hit on the Billboard Top 100 in 1957 with "Rainbow", died on October 11^th, 2008. He was 76 years of age

Rosie Hamlin - who was just fourteen years old when she led her group Rosie And The Originals to #5 in 1960 with "Angel Baby", died in her sleep on March 30^th, 2017 at the age of 71

Marvin Hamlisch - who had a giant hit record with an instrumental called "The Entertainer" in 1974, died August 6^th, 2012 at the age of 68 after a brief, unspecified illness

Ronnie Hammond - lead singer of The Atlanta Rhythm Section died of heart failure on March 14^th, 2011 at the age of 60

Tim Hardin - singer / songwriter who is best remembered for "If I Were A Carpenter" died of a drug overdose on December 29^th, 1980. He was 39

Slim Harpo - sang the 1966 hit "Baby, Scratch My Back", suffered a fatal heart attack on January 31^st, 1970 at the age of 46

Dan Hartman - a former member of The Edgar Winter Group ('72 - '76) who went on to a successful solo career highlighted by 1984's "I Can Dream About You", died of a brain tumor on March 22^nd, 1994, just three months after his 43^rd birthday

Addie "Micki" Harris - of The Shirelles, died of a heart attack after a performance in Atlanta, Georgia on June 10^th, 1982. She was 42

Major Harris - who reached #5 on the Billboard Pop chart in 1975 with "Love Won't Let Me Wait", died from congestive heart and lung failure on November 9th, 2012 at the age of 65

Otis "Damon" Harris - who joined The Tempataions when Eddie Kendricks left in 1972, died of prostate cancer on February 18^th, 2013 at the age of 62. He sang on the hits "Papa Was A Rolling Stone", "Take a Look Around" and "Masterpiece" and helpd the group win three Grammy Awards

Richard Harris - actor / singer who took "MacArthur Park" to number 2 in the US in 1968, died of cancer on October 25^th, 2002. He was 72

Rolf Harris - an Australian entertainer who reached #3 in America in 1963 with "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport", died of cancer on May 10^th, 2023 at the age of 93

Terence "Jet" Harris - bass guitarist for The Shadows, died from throat cancer on March 18^th, 2011. He was 71. Jet played on the hit "Apache" and, during their days as Cliff Richard's backing band, performed on the chart-topper "Living Doll". In 1962 he left the band and had solo hits with "Besame Mucho" and "The Man With The Golden Arm"

Thurston Harris - recorded the Top Ten hit "Little Bitty Pretty One" in 1957, died of a heart attack on April 14^th, 1990 at the age of 58

George Harrison - The Beatles' lead guitarist lost his battle with cancer at the age of 58, on November 29^th, 2001

Wilbert Harrison - who scored a 1959 chart-topper with "Kansas City", died of a stroke on October 26^th, 1994 at the age of 65

William Hart - the lead singer and songwriter for the celebrated Philadelphia Soul group The Delfonics, passed away on July 14^th, 2022. He was 77. The band reached the Billboard Top 40 on six occasions with songs that included "La-La Means I Love You" and "Didn't I Blow Your Mind This Time"

John Hartford - the songwriter who wrote Glen Campbell's hit "Gentle On My Mind" and recorded a catalog of more than 30 albums, winning Grammy awards in three different decades, died on June 4^th 2001, after a long battle with non-hodgkin's lymphoma. He was 63

Alex Harvey - leader of the 1970s Glam rockers, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, died on the eve of his 47th birthday, February 4^th, 1982, after suffering two heart attacks

Sib Hashian - drummer for the band Boston from 1975 to 1983, collapsed and died while performing on a Caribbean cruise ship on March 22^nd, 2017. He was 67

Bobby Hatfield - of The Righteous Brothers, died November 5th, 2003, at the age of 63. His was the voice that was featured on the 1965 hit, "Unchained Melody"

Donny Hathaway - who achieved his greatest commercial success as Roberta Flack's duet partner on 1972's R&B chart topper, "Where Is the Love?" He was found dead on the sidewalk below the 15th-floor window of his New York apartment, a victim of an apparent suicide at the age of 33

Tim Hauser - who led The Manhattan Transfer to four Billboard Top 40 hits, including "Boy From New York City" in 1981, died of cardiac arrest on October 16^th, 2014, at the age of 72.

Richie Havens - who rose to fame as the opening act at the Woodstock Festival in 1969, died following a heart attack on April 22^nd, 2013 at the age of 72. During his lengthy career he scored just one Billboard Top 40 hit, a cover of George Harrison's "Here Comes The Sun" which reached #16 in 1971

Dale Hawkins - a Rockabilly artist most often remembered for his 1957 hit "Susie-Q", lost his battle with colon cancer at the age of 73 on February 14^th, 2010

Edwin Hawkins - the leader of The Edwin Hawkins Singers on their 1969 Billboard #4 hit, "Oh Happy Day", died after a bout with pancreatic cancer. He was 74 years old

Ronnie Hawkins - Rockabilly singer who scored a Billboard #26 hit in 1959 with "Mary Lou", passed away on May 29^th, 2022 at the age of 87. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, his backing band, The Hawks, included Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, and Richard Manuel. In 1963, they split from Hawkins and eventually became Bob Dylan's backup band. Later still, they were just The Band

Rosa Lee Hawkins - one of the three original singers in New Orleans trio The Dixie Cups, died on January 12^th, 2022 following a surgical procedure at Tampa General Hospital in Florida. She was 76. The group is most often remembered for their 1964 #1 single "Chapel of Love"

Screamin' Jay Hawkins - died of a hemorrhage in a Paris hospital on February 12^th, 2000, at the age of 70. He is most often remembered for his 1956 hit "I Put a Spell on You", which has been selected as one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll, despite the fact that it never cracked the Billboard Top 40

Pete Haycock - lead guitarist, vocalist, and founding member of the Climax Blues Band, died of a heart attack on October 30^th, 2013 at the age of 62. The band reached #3 on the Hot 100 in 1977 with "Couldn't Get It Right"

Eric Haydock - the bassist who co-founded The Hollies, passed away on January 5^th, 2019 at the age of 75 after a long illness. After recording such hits as "Just One Look", "Look Through Any Window" and "I'm Alive", he left the band in 1966 in a dispute over management fees

Isaac Hayes - the pioneering singer, songwriter and musician who is most often remembered for his Grammy Award winning, 1971 Billboard #1 hit "Theme From Shaft" died August 10^th, 2008, at the age of 65. His lush arrangements are credited for laying the groundwork for Disco and urban-contemporary music

Richie Hayward - drummer and co-founder of Little Feat passed away at the age of 64 on August 12^th, 2010 after contracting pneumonia as he battled liver cancer

Eddie Hazel - a guitarist in early Funk music in the United States who played lead guitar with Parliament-Funkadelic, died at the age of 42 on December 23^rd, 1992, from internal bleeding and liver failure . He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997

Lee Hazlewood - producer, songwriter and duet partner of Nancy Sinatra, died on August 4^th, 2007 after a three-year battle with renal cancer. He was 78. Along with writing Nancy's hit "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" Hazlewood also shared the mic with her on the US Top 40 hits "Some Velvet Morning" and "Jackson"

Jeff Healey - Canadian jazz and blues / rock vocalist and guitarist who reached #5 on the Billboard Top 40 in 1989 with "Angel Eyes", died of cancer on March 2^nd, 2008 at the age of 41

Bobby Hebb - whose 1966 classic "Sunny" reached #2 on the Billboard Pop chart, died of lung cancer on August 3^rd, 2010. He was 72

Levon Helm - drummer for The Band who sang lead vocals on "The Weight", "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" and "Up on Cripple Creek", died of throat cancer on April 19^th, 2012 at the age of 71

Bobby Helms - best known for his perennial Christmas hit, "Jingle Bell Rock", died of emphysema at his home in Martinsville, Indiana on June 19^th, 1997. He was 63

Alan Henderson - bassist for the Irish band Them on their U.K. hit "Gloria" passed away on April 9^th, 2017 at the age of 72

Billy Henderson - of The Spinners, who placed 18 songs on Billboard's Top 40, including 7 Top 10 hits, passed away of Feb 2^nd, 2007 from complications of diabetes. He was 67

Jimi Hendrix - died September 18^th, 1970 from what the coroner's report called 'inhalation of vomit after barbiturate intoxication'. He was 27

Larry Henley - the lead singer of The Newbeats, died of Lewy Body Dementia on December 18^th, 2014, at the age of 77. His group placed four songs in the Billboard Top 40, including the #2 hit "Bread And Butter" in 1964. He later enjoyed a prolific song writing career which included Bette Midler's 1989 #1 song, "Wind Beneath My Wings"

Clarence "Frogman" Henry - who croaked his way to a #20 hit in 1957 with "Ain't Got No Home", passed away on April 7^th, 2024 at the age of 87. After his initial success, he followed with a pair of 1961 hits, "But I Do" (US #4) and "You Always Hurt The One You Love" (US #12) and opened eighteen concerts for The Beatles across the US and Canada in 1964

Ken Hensley - keyboardist with Uriah Heep, died at the age of 75 at his home in Spain on November 4^th, 2020

Jim Henson - the creator of The Muppets, scored two US Top 30 hits with "Rubber Duckie" in 1970 and "Rainbow Connection" in 1979, died of a sudden virus on May 16^th, 1990, at the age of 53

Ray Herr - guitarist for The Ides Of March on their 1970 hit "Vehicle", died on March 29^th, 2011, of esophageal cancer at age 64

Dan Hicks - of Dan Hicks And The Hot Licks, died of liver cancer at the age of 74 on February 6^th, 2016. Mostly an album artist who never had a Top 40 hit, Hicks is fondly remembered for songs like "I Scare Myself", "Canned Music" and "How Can I Miss You When You Won't Go Away"

Dusty Hill - bassist for ZZ Top, died in his sleep at his home in Houston, Texas on July 28^th, 2021 at the age of 72

Ray Hildebrand - the "Paul" the Pop duo Paul And Paula, passed away on August 18^th, 2023 at the age of 82. He, along with his partner Jill Jackson, topped the Hot 100 in 1963 with "Hey Paula"

Billy Hinsche - of Dino, Desi And Billy, passed away after a short battle with lung cancer on November 20^th, 2021. He was 70 years old

Al Hirt - an American trumpeter and bandleader most often remembered for his million-selling, 1964 Billboard #4 hit "Java", died of liver failure at the age of 76 on April 27^th, 1999

Bob "The Bear" Hite - vocalist for Canned Heat, died of a heart attack in Venice, California on April 6th, 1981. The 36 year old weighed nearly 300 pounds at the time of his death

Dave Hlubek - lead guitarist and co-founder of the Southern rock band Molly Hatchet, suffered a fatal heart attack on September 2^nd, 2017. He was 66. Over the course of his career, Hlubek had seven Gold and Platinum-selling albums with sales totaling approximately $24 million

Randy Hobbs - bassist for The McCoys on their 1965 hit, "Hang On Sloopy", passed away on August 5^th, 1993, at the age of 45

Jim Hodder - the original drummer for Steely Dan drowned in his swimming pool on June 5^th, 1990. He was 42. Jim worked on the "Can't Buy a Thrill" and "Countdown to Ecstasy" albums as well as part of "Pretzel Logic". After leaving Steely Dan in 1974, he continued working as a session musician for other acts, including Sammy Hagar and David Soul

Ron Holden - R&B singer who reached #7 on the Billboard Pop chart in 1960 with "Love You So", suffered a fatal heart attack on January 1^st, 1997, at the age of 57

Steve Holland - guitarist who rose to fame with Southern rockers Molly Hatchet, died August 2^nd, 2020 after a long illness. He was 66

Loleatta Holloway - best known for the 1980 Disco hit "Love Sensation", died of heart failure on March 21^st, 2011 at the age of 64

Buddy Holly - died when his chartered plane crashed shortly after takeoff on February 3^rd, 1959. He was just 22 years old

John Lee Hooker - a legendary blues pioneer who had recorded an estimated 100 albums, died of natural causes at his Los Altos home, June 21^st, 2001 at the age of 83

Nicky Hopkins - an English session pianist who was featured on many of the most important British and American Rock recordings of the 1960s and 1970s, died on February 12^th, 1994 of complications from intestinal surgery. He was 50 years old

Larry Hoppen - who co-founded the 1970s Pop / Rock group Orleans and sang lead on their hits "Still the One", "Dance With Me" and "Love Takes Time", died July 24^th, 2012 at the age of 61

Gladys Horton - whose lead vocals helped The Marvelettes establish their career with such hits as "Mr. Postman", "Playboy" and "Beechwood 4-5789", died following a stroke on January 26^th, 2011 at the age of 66

Johnny Horton - country singer who hit the Billboard Pop chart with "The Battle Of New Orleans" (#1), "Sink The Bismarck" (#3) and "North To Alaska" (#4) died in a car accident on November 5^th, 1960. He was just 35

William Horton - of the Philadelphia vocal group, The Silhouettes, died on January 23^rd, 1995, at the age of 65. The group topped the Billboard chart in 1958 with "Get A Job"

Mike Hossack - drummer for The Doobie Brothers on their hits "Blackwater", "Listen to the Music" and "China Grove, died of cancer at the age of 65 on March 12^th, 2012. He left the band in 1973, but returned in 1987 to record the albums "Cycles", "Brotherhood" and 2010's "World Gone Crazy"

Dale Houston - one half of the singing duo Dale And Grace, died of heart failure on September 27^th, 2007 at the age of 67. The duo reached #1 in 1963 with "I'm Leaving It Up to You" and #8 in 1964 with "Stop and Think It Over"

Whitney Houston - whose majestic voice helped her place 32 songs on the Billboard Pop chart between 1985 and 2001, passed away at the age of 48 on February 11^th, 2012

Alphonso Howell - of The Sensations, who reached #4 in 1962 with "Let Me In", died on May 7^th, 1998, at the age of 61

Garth Hudson - the keyboard player for The Band, died in his sleep on January 21^st, 2025 at the age of 87. After backing Ronnie Hawkins and Bob Dylan, the group became stars in their own right, recording such Rock classics as "The Weight", "Up on Cripple Creek" and "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down"

Pookie Hudson - lead singer and songwriter for the doo wop group The Spaniels, who lent his romantic tenor to hits like "Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight" and influenced generations of later artists, died of complications from cancer of the thymus on January 16^th, 2007, at the age of 72

Gene Hughes - lead singer of The Casino's on their #6, 1967 hit, "Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye", passed away February 3^rd, 2004, just one week before a fundraising concert was to be held in Nashville to help pay for his medical and hospital expenses. He was 67 years old

Glen Hughes - the moustachioed, leather-clad biker of The Village People, died of lung cancer on March 4^th, 2001

Anita Humes - lead singer for The Essex on their 1963 hits "Easier Said Than Done" (#1) and "A Walkin' Miracle" (#12), passed away on May 30^th, 2010 at the age of 69

Ivory Joe Hunter - died on November 8^th, 1973 of lung cancer at the age of 60. Hunter was best known for his R&B hits, "Since I Lost You Baby", "I Almost Lost My Mind" and "I Need You So"

Joe Hunter - of The Funk Brothers was found dead in his Detroit apartment on Februay 2^nd, 2007. The 79 year old pianist had just returned five days earlier from a European tour with fellow band member Jack Ashford

Tab Hunter - who appeared in over fifty movies and topped the Billboard chart with "Young Love" in 1957, died of cardiac arrest on July 8^th, 2018, three days before his 87^th birthday

Ferlin Husky - a Country-music entertainer who reached the Billboard Top 40 twice with "Gone" (#4 in 1957) and "Wings of a Dove" (#12 in 1960) died of heart related problems on March 17^th, 2011 at the age of 85

Michael Hutchence - the 37-year-old lead singer of INXS was found dead in his room at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Double Bay, Sydney on the morning of November 22^nd 1997. The New South Wales coroner determined that Hutchence's death was the result of suicide, although some who were close to him believe he may have died from autoerotic asphyxiation

Rick Huxley - bassist for The Dave Clark Five during their British Invasion hit making years, passed away on February 11th, 2013 at the age of 72

Frank Ifeild - an English born Country singer who enjoyed four UK number one hits with "I Remember You", "Lovesick Blues", "The Wayward Wind" and "Confessin' That I Love You", passed away on May 18^th, 2024 at the age of 86. "I Remember You" reached #5 in the US in 1962

Marvin Inabnett - of The Four Preps, died of a heart attack on March 7^th, 1999, at the age of 60. The group placed seven songs on the Billboard Top 40 between 1958 and 1961, including "26 Miles (Santa Catalina)", a number 2 hit in 1958

Doug Ingle - keyboard player and lead vocalist for Iron Butterfly, passed away on May 24^th, 2024, at the age of 78. The band's 1968 album, "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" sold over 30 million copies worldwide

James Ingram - Grammy Award winning R&B singer who topped the Hot 100 in 1983 with "Baby, Come To Me", died of brain cancer at the age of 66 on January 29^th, 2019

Luther Ingram - the Soul singer who reached #3 on the Billboard Pop chart with his hit "(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right" and wrote the Staple Singers' hit "Respect Yourself", died of a heart attack on March 19^th, 2007. He was 69

Marvin Isley - who joined The Isley Brothers in 1973, in time to record their huge hit, "Who's That Lady", died of undisclosed causes on June 6^th, 2010. He was 56

O'Kelly Isley - of The Isley Brothers died of a heart attack on March 31^st, 1986, at the age of 48

(To Rock And Roll Heaven - J to Z)

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