May 30, 2026

Musicians and singers who died in May 2023

June 24, 2023
May (63)
  1. [31 May 2023] Dickie Harrell (American Hall of Fame drummer for Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps), 82
    2. Portsmouth’s Dickie Harrell, whose early rock ‘n’ roll music with fellow Tidewater natives Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps helped influence everyone from the Beatles to Led Zeppelin, died this week at the age of 82
    … via wavy
  2. [28 May 2023] Karim Tizouiar (Algerian Kabyle singer), 60
    3. Karim Tizouiar swept away by illness at the age of 60
    … via echoroukonline
  3. [26 May 2023] Mohamed Jamal (Lebanese singer), 89
    4. The death of the great Lebanese singer, Muhammad Jamal, passed away at dawn on Friday , after a long journeyAlmost nine decades and it was full of successes and songs that made his stardom in the Arab world.
    … via 7enews
  4. [25 May 2023] Joy McKean (Australian country singer and songwriter), 93, cancer
    5. Australian country music icon Joy McKean OAM has died, aged 93.
    … via nme
  5. [25 May 2023] Jean-Louis Murat (French singer-songwriter), 71
    6. Singer Jean-Louis Murat died on Thursday May 25 at his home in Auvergne, his region of heart and origin, learned Le Monde. He was 71 years old.
    … via lemonde
  6. [24 May 2023] Bill Lee (American jazz musician and film composer), 94
    7. Bill Lee, the jazz composer and bassist who played with Bob Dylan and Aretha Franklin before scoring the classic first four films of his son, Spike Lee, died at his Brooklyn home this morning (May 24), The New York Times reports, citing the younger Lee. Bill Lee’s cause of death was not provided. He was 94 years old.
    … via pitchfork
  7. [24 May 2023] Jack Martin Händler (Slovak conductor and violinist), 75
    8. Slovak violinist, conductor and leader of important orchestras in several European countries, Jack Martin Händler, died on Wednesday morning (May 24) at the age of 75. The Central Union of Jewish Religious Communities in Slovakia reported on his death on the social network.
    … via zoznam
  8. [24 May 2023] İlham Gencer (Turkish pianist), 97
    9. Artist Bora Gencer, who made a statement on the funeral of Gencer, who lost his life yesterday, on his social media account, said, “The Turkish Music Owners’ Professional Association (MESAM) is holding a ceremony about my father at AKM at 10.00 tomorrow. We will be at AKM at 10.00. Afterwards, we will bury my father in Zincirlikuyu Cemetery after the noon prayer.” said.
    … via aa
  9. [24 May 2023] Tina Turner (American-born Swiss Hall of Fame singer), 83
    10. The world lost a bonafide musical legend and singing icon as it was announced that Tina Turner had died on Wednesday at her home in Küsnacht, Switzerland, near Zurich, at the age of 83, confirmed by her publicist Bernard Doherty.
    … via weheartmusic
  10. [24 May 2023] Javier Álvarez (Mexican composer), 67
    11. Composer Javier Álvarez Fuentes, Rector of the Yucatán University of the Arts, passed away after a long illness
    … via poresto
  11. [23 May 2023] Sheldon Reynolds (American guitarist for Earth, Wind & Fire), 63
    12. It has been announced that Sheldon Reynolds has died, with him best known as a former vocalist and lead guitarist of the band Earth, Wind & Fire as well as having worked with other major acts
    … via mirror
  12. [23 May 2023] Redd Holt (American jazz drummer), 91
    13. Isaac “Redd” Holt, the jazz fusion pioneer and founding member of the Ramsey Lewis Trio, died Tuesday (May 23). The Grammy-winning percussionist, songwriter, educator, humanitarian, and entrepreneur recorded dozens of albums as a sideman, a bandleader, and with bassist Eldee Young. His music has been sampled more than 200 times by hip-hop artists such as De La Soul, Kendrick Lamar, and Pete Rock & CL Smooth. He was at 91.
    … via pitchfork
  13. [23 May 2023] Mark Adams (American metal bassist for Saint Vitus), 64, Parkinson’s disease
    14. Original SAINT VITUS bassist Mark Adams has died after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 64 years old.
    … via blabbermouth
  14. [22 May 2023] Chas Newby (British bassist for The Beatles), 81
    15. Chas Newby, the British musician who played bass guitar for the Beatles during their early days, has died at the age of 81. A cause of death has not been revealed.
    … via theguardian
  15. [22 May 2023] James Lewis (American singer for Trans-Siberian Orchestra), 63, cancer
    16. James Lewis’s passing on Monday, May 22, 2023 has been publicly announced by Tatalovich Funeral Home in Monaca, PA.
    … via legacy
  16. [22 May 2023] Toni De La Ploiești (Romanian pop-folk singer), 31, cardiac arrest
    17. Last night, the manelist was behind the wheel of a car, and at one point, on Alexandru cel Bun street, he entered a parked car.
    Fortunately, no one was injured in the accident, but the witnesses called the emergency number 112 because the driver, a 31-year-old man known as Toni De La Ploiești, was recalcitrant.
    … via antena3
  17. [22 May 2023] Ferus Mustafov (Macedonian saxophonist), 72
    18. The Macedonian clarinetist and saxophonist Ferus Mustafov died at the age of 72, after a short illness.
    … via slobodenpecat
  18. [22 May 2023] Kirk Arrington (American drummer for Metal Church), 61
    19. Former METAL CHURCH drummer Kirk Arrington has died after an unspecified illness. He was 61 years old.
    … via blabbermouth
  19. [21 May 2023] Thotakura Somaraju (Indian singer-songwriter, record producer, and film music composer for Hello Brother), 68
    20. Renowned Telugu Music Director Thotakura Somaraju. popularly known as ‘Raj’ passed away here on Sunday due to cardiac arrest.
    He was 68 and he is survived by his wife and three daughters, Deepthi, Divya, and Swetha.
    Divya is working as an associate director in the industry.
    … via uniindia
  20. [21 May 2023] George Logan (British actor, composer and screenwriter for Dear Ladies), 78
    21. Entertainer George Logan, one part of the the Hinge and Bracket comedy and musical act, has died at the age of 78.
    He played Dr Evadne Hinge in the duo, who were well known in the 1970s and 80s with TV shows on the BBC and a radio programme on BBC Radio 2.
    … via bbc
  21. [21 May 2023] Ed Ames (American actor and singer for Ames Brothers), 95
    22. Ed Ames, a member of the Ames Brothers singing quartet who starred in TV series “Daniel Boone” in the 1960s, died Sunday at his home in Los Angeles. He was 95.
    … via variety
  22. [20 May 2023] Sven Nyhus (Norwegian folk musician), 90
    23. Folk musician and composer Sven Nyhus has died, almost 91 years old, the family says.
    … via nrk
  23. [20 May 2023] Paul Desenne (Venezuelan cellist and composer), 63, heart attack
    24. At the age of 63, the Venezuelan musician Paul Desenne died, according to what was reported by relatives and the symphonic world of the country.
    … via primicia
  24. [20 May 2023] Györgyi Lang (Hungarian actress and singer), 66
    25. Györgyi Lang, singer of the band Pa-Dö-Dő, died at the age of 66.
    After a long and dignified illness, Györgyi Lang died in his sleep at home, surrounded by his friends and family – Bors announced the sad news
    … via blikk
  25. [19 May 2023] Andy Rourke (English bassist for The Smiths), 59, pancreatic cancer
    26. Sad news earlier today as the world found out that Andy Rourke, former bassist for The Smiths, passed away at age 59 after a battle with pancreatic cancer at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Center in New York.
    … via weheartmusic
  26. [19 May 2023] Pete Brown (English poet, lyricist and singer), 82
    27. Pete Brown, probably best remembered as the songwriting partner of the Cream’s Jack Bruce passed away last night, Friday, May 19, at the age of 82.
    … via euroweeklynews
  27. [18 May 2023] Wolf-Dieter Hauschild (German conductor, choirmaster and composer), 85
    28. The conductor Wolf-Dieter Hauschild is dead. As his son Thomas Hauschild announced on Friday when asked, the musician died on Ascension Day at the age of 85 in Leipzig.
    … via rtl
  28. [17 May 2023] Algy Ward (English heavy metal bassist for The Damned), 63
    29. Algy Ward, ex-frontman of cult NWOBHM act Tank and former bassist with The Damned and The Saints has died, aged 63.
    … via loudersound
  29. [16 May 2023] Lester Sterling (Jamaican saxophonist for The Skatalites), 87
    30. The Skatalites’ co-founder Lester Sterling has died.
    A true pioneer in Jamaican music, Lester Sterling was drawn to the saxophone during his time at the legendary Alpha Boys School – essentially a breeding ground for the first wave of what would become known as ska music.
    … via clashmusic
  30. [16 May 2023] Richard Landis (American singer-songwriter, record producer, and music executive), 77
    31. Richard Landis, age 77, of Nashville, Tennessee passed away on Tuesday, May 16, 2023.
    … via dignitymemorial
  31. [15 May 2023] Stanley Appel (British television producer for Top of the Pops), 89
    32. RIP Stanley Appel, legendary television producer and director – from Top of the Pops to Mike Yarwood and numerous shows for @BBC
    His name was frequently seen at the end of the credits of massively popular shows – many knew him as “one of the nicest people in light entertainment”
    … via twitter
  32. [14 May 2023] Bernt Rosengren (Swedish jazz tenor saxophonist), 85
    33. Yesterday, May 14, 2023, the gentleman of Swedish jazz, the saxophonist Bernt Rosengren, passed away, aged 85. The message was left by his family to P2’s Jazzradion this afternoon.
    … via lira
  33. [14 May 2023] John Giblin (Scottish bass player for Kate Bush), 71
    34. Many were shocked and saddened to hear that the great bass player, John Giblin, a longstanding member of Kate’s musical “family” and ultimately her KT Fellowship, has sadly died on Sunday in Cheltenham, aged 71. John’s extensive work with Kate started as far back as playing on Babooshka and Breathing from the Never For Ever album
    … via katebushnews
  34. [14 May 2023] Ingrid Haebler (Austrian pianist), 93
    35. The internationally renowned pianist Ingrid Haebler died on Sunday. The SN learned this from their circle of friends. Growing up in Poland, she received her first piano lessons from her mother.
    … via sn
  35. [13 May 2023] Arno Veimer (Арно Веймер) (Estonian guitarist and lyricist for Terminaator)
    36. Former guitarist and founding member of Terminaator, Arno Weimer, passed away today, writes ERR.
    Weimer gave the band the name Terminaator and also wrote the lyrics for the first songs.
    … via postimees
  36. [12 May 2023] Dum-Dum (Brazilian rapper for Facção Central), 54, stroke
    37. National rap lost one of its most important voices this Friday morning (5/12). Rapper Dum Dum, from the group Facção Central, died at the age of 54 due to a stroke.
    … via metropoles

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  37. [12 May 2023] Abdul Karim Abdul Qader (Kuwaiti singer), 82
    38. Celebrated Kuwaiti singer Abdul Karim Abdul Qader dies at 82
    … via gulfnews
  38. [11 May 2023] Francis Monkman (English musician for Curved Air), 73, cancer
    39. Francis Monkman, founding member and keyboard player of UK prog rockers Curved Air and classical rock crossover band Sky, has died, aged 73. Members of Curved Air broke the news on their Facebook page earlier today, that Monkman had passed away on Friday May 12.
    … via loudersound
  39. [11 May 2023] Marcel Lagorce (French classical trumpeter), 90
    40. The trumpeter, a long friend of Maurice André, celebrated his 90th anniversary in 2022. We learned of his death today. He played with the older ones and made a significant contribution to the French trumpet.
    … via trompetteactus
  40. [10 May 2023] Rolf Harris (Australian entertainer, cartoonist, and singer), 93, neck cancer
    41. Disgraced former entertainer Rolf Harris, who was jailed for a series of indecent assaults on girls, has died aged 93.
    Harris was found guilty of a string of indecent assaults between 1968 and 1986 following a trial in 2014
    … via bbc
  41. [10 May 2023] Stu James aka Slater (British music executive and singer for The Mojos), 77
    42. Stuart Slater, a musician and music industry executive, died this week in London at the age of 77.
    Slater is credited with playing a substantial role in shaping the British music scene in the ’60s, ’70s and beyond
    … via musicweek
  42. [10 May 2023] Gioacchino Lanza Tomasi (Italian musicologist), 89
    43. Farewell to the last Leopard: Gioacchino Lanza, adopted son of Tomasi di Lampedusa, has died
    Great musicologist and opera theater expert, he was 89 years old
    … via palermotoday
  43. [10 May 2023] Federico Savina (Italian musician and sound engineer), 87
    44. The Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia sadly learns the news of the death of Federico Savina, one of the most esteemed and recognized professionals of sound technique, a subject taught for a long time in the classrooms of the CSC – Scuola Nazionale di Cinema
    … via fondazionecsc
  44. [09 May 2023] Günter Wewel (German operatic bass for Dortmund Opera), 88
    45. Folk songs for millions: Kammersänger Günter Wewel is dead
    … via tz
  45. [09 May 2023] Joaquin Romaguera (American actor and tenor for The Most Important Man), 90
    46. Joaquin Fidel Romaguera Jr., age 90, of Stone Ridge, New York passed away on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. Joaquin was born in Key West, FL.
    … via dignitymemorial
  46. [09 May 2023] Liudmila Kovnatskaya (Людмила Ковнацкая) (Russian musicologist), 82
    47. Lyudmila Grigorievna Kovnatskaya, a musicologist, doctor of art history, professor at the St. Petersburg Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory, died at the age of 83.
    … via dignitymemorial
  47. [09 May 2023] Jon Povey (British musician for Pretty Things), 80
    48. Jon Povey, a stalwart of PRETTY THINGS, died yesterday at the age of 80. The veteran has been battling cancer for a number of years and seemed to be beating it but, sadly, was unable to. Beating things came natural to Jon, who used to serve as a drummer in THE FENMEN
    … via dmme
  48. [08 May 2023] Rita Lee (Brazilian singer for Os Mutantes), 75, lung cancer
    49. Rita Lee, Queen of Brazilian Rock, Dies at 75.
    One of the greatest singers and songwriters in the history of Brazil, she died this Monday (8)
    … via globo
  49. [07 May 2023] Soňa Červená (Czech operatic mezzo-soprano), 97
    50. Czech opera singer Soňa Červená has died at the age of 97. The news was announced by the National Theatre in Prague where she started her career and to which she returned after the fall of communism
    … via radio
  50. [07 May 2023] Seán Keane (Irish fiddler for The Chieftains), 76
    51. President Michael D. Higgins has paid tribute to renowned fiddle player Seán Keane of The Chieftains, who died yesterday morning at the age of 76.
    … via rte
  51. [07 May 2023] Grace Bumbry (American operatic mezzo-soprano for Bayreuth Festival), 86, stroke
    52. Grace Bumbry wrote opera history in Bayreuth in 1961. With her portrayal of Venus in “Tannhäuser” she was the first black singer to appear at the Richard Wagner Festival.
    … via sueddeutsche
  52. [05 May 2023] Jack Wilkins (American jazz guitarist), 78
    53. Jazz Guitar Life laments the passing of the great Jack Wilkins. His work ethic, character and influence within the Jazz Guitar Community set a high standard of dedication and commitment for us all to follow and his memory will continue on
    … via thejazzguitarlife
  53. [05 May 2023] Chris Strachwitz (American record company founder and executive for Arhoolie Records), 91
    54. Chris Strachwitz, the founder of Arhoolie Records — an indispensable label for American roots music, from blues and zydeco to gospel and Mexican folk, for nearly seven decades — has died at the age of 91.
    … via rollingstone
  54. [04 May 2023] Rob Laakso (American musician for Kurt Vile and the Violators), 44, cancer
    55. Rob Laakso, a member of Kurt Vile’s band The Violators, has died at the age of 44 following a battle with cancer.
    Laakso became a full-time member of The Violators in 2013, replacing Adam Granduciel.
    … via consequence
  55. [04 May 2023] Karaikudi Mani (Indian mridangam player), 77
    56. Karaikudi R. Mani, who dominated the Carnatic music world for more than half a century as a mridangam player, died in Chennai on Thursday. He was 77.
    … via thehindu
  56. [04 May 2023] Jasmin Stavros (Croatian pop musician), 68
    57. The news of his death was confirmed by manager Ljubo Šeperić and the doctors of KBC Zagreb.
    Stavros recently revealed that he is suffering from bone cancer.
    His career spanned five decades.
    … via 021
  57. [03 May 2023] Linda Lewis (English singer-songwriter), 72
    58. Linda Lewis, singer and famed backing vocalist, dies aged 72
    British songwriter was known for her five-octave vocal range and work as a backing singer for the likes of David Bowie, Rod Stewart and Yusuf Islam
    … via theguardian
  58. [03 May 2023] Moulay Tahar Al Asbahani (Moroccan singer for Jil Jilala), 75
    59. Morocco is mourning the loss of Moulay Tahar Asbahani, a prominent member of the legendary musical group “Jil Jilala”. The co-founder of the group passed away on Wednesday morning at the age of 75.
    … via bnn
  59. [03 May 2023] Velho Milongueiro (Brazilian singer and composer), 83
    60. Singer-songwriter Arlindo Silva dos Santos, known as Velho Milongueiro, died this Wednesday morning (3), aged 83. The nativist music artist had been hospitalized for about six months due to bladder and prostate cancer.
    … via rsagora
  60. [02 May 2023] Souli Sabah (Greek singer and actress), 91
    61. Actress and singer Souli Sabah breathed her last at the age of 91.
    Anastasia Christodoulou was born in 1932 in Alexandria, Egypt, and after choosing to work in the field of entertainment, she adopted the artistic pseudonym Souli Sabah (s.s. means “light of the east, light of the dawn” in Arabic).
    … via lifo
  61. [01 May 2023] Gordon Lightfoot (Canadian Hall of Fame singer-songwriter), 84
    62. Gordon Lightfoot, the Canadian singer-songwriter whose many hits included “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” and “Sundown,” died Monday evening at the age of 84, of natural causes at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto, spokesperson Victoria Lord said.
    … via weheartmusic
  62. [01 May 2023] Pugh Rogefeldt (Swedish musician), 76, corticobasal degeneration
    63. The artist, songwriter and musician Torbjörn “Pugh” Rogefeldt is dead. He had been ill for a long time and passed away during the night of Monday, his partner Borit Hallin tells DN.
    … via dn
  63. [01 May 2023] Yang Hsiao-ping (Chinese pop singer and actress), 78
    64. Yang Hsiao-ping (楊小萍), also known as Yang Xiao-ping, a popular mandopop singer in Mandarin-speaking society in the 1960s and 1970s, has died at the age of 79, her younger brother Yang Ching-huang (楊慶煌), an actor, said through his agent on Tuesday.
    … via focustaiwan

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