June 2, 2026

Musicians and singers who died in October 2023

vusleeper November 22, 2023

October (62)
  1. [31 Oct 2023] Lawrence Cohn (American lawyer, record company executive, and blues record collector), 91
    2. Blues producer Lawry Cohn – Born Lawrence Cohn – has died at age 91. Known as one of the creators of Legacy Recordings, a branch of Sony Music, in 1991 he notably won the Grammy Award for best historical album for the project Robert Johnson: The Complete Recordings
    … via tsfjazz
  2. [31 Oct 2023] Arie Levanon (אריה לבנון) (Romanian-born Israeli composer), 91
    3. The musician, composer, arranger and conductor Aryeh Lebanon, passed away at the age of 91.
    … via davar1
  3. [30 Oct 2023] Aaron Spears (American drummer for Lil Wayne), 47
    4. World-renowned session drummer, clinician and educator, Aaron Spears has passed away, aged 47. The news was broken via a social media post to Spears’ accounts by his wife, Jessica earlier today (30 October), just four days after he celebrated his birthday.
    … via musicradar
  4. [29 Oct 2023] Tigran Alikhanov (Russian pianist), 80
    5. Tigran Alikhanov, an outstanding pianist and teacher, professor of the Moscow Conservatory, died in Moscow at the age of 81.
    … via classicalmusicnews
  5. [29 Oct 2023] Pelle Hökengren (Swedish musician for Trance Dance), 61
    6. Pelle Hökengren
    1962-07-19
    2023-10-29
    … via familjesidan
  6. [28 Oct 2023] Bill Rice (American country music singer and songwriter), 84
    7. Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Bill Rice died at age 84 in Florida last Saturday (Oct. 28).
    … via musicrow
  7. [28 Oct 2023] Doron Sheffer (Israeli singer and composer), 48
    8. The actor and musician Doron Shafer (“King Matthias the First”) passed away at an age 48
    … via walla
  8. [27 Oct 2023] Swarup Nayak (Indian music director, composer, and actor), 76
    9. Popular music director and composer Swarup Nayak passed away while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Cuttack on Friday. He was battling cancer for the past several years. Nayak was immensely popular for his contribution to the Odia film industry.
    … via odishatv
  9. [27 Oct 2023] Axali Doëseb (Namibian composer), 69, diabetes
    10. President Hage Geingob has expressed sadness at the death of Axali Doëseb, whom he described as a renowned musical composer, conductor, and distinguished figure who played a leading role in the cultural and artistic heritage of Namibia.
    … via nampa
  10. [26 Oct 2023] Rigo Star (Congolese soukous guitarist and composer), 68
    11. Congo, cradle of African music, is in mourning following the death of guitarist and songwriter Bamundele Rigobert, better known by his stage name, Rigo Star.
    … via frii
  11. [26 Oct 2023] Goa Gil (American musician, DJ, and remixer), 72
    12. Psychedelic trance DJ and producer Goa Gil — born Gilbert Levey and later taking on the name Mahant Managalanand Puri — passed away on October 26th, 8:30 pm PST after a battle with cancer.
    … via rollingstoneindia
  12. [25 Oct 2023] Shena Malsiana (Indonesian singer for X Factor Indonesia), 32, lupus
    13. Singer Shena Malsiana died on Wednesday (25/10). The former X Factor Indonesia contestant in the first season died at the age of 32.
    … via cnnindonesia
  13. [25 Oct 2023] Zdeněk Mácal (Czech conductor for Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra), 87
    14. The world-renowned Czech conductor Zdeněk Mácal died on Wednesday at the age of 87, the Czech News Agency reports. During his long career, he conducted more than 170 major orchestras including the Berlin Philharmonic
    … via radiofrii
  14. [24 Oct 2023] Lily Afshar (Iranian classical guitarist), 63, cancer
    15. Lili Afshar, musician and the first artist in the world to receive a doctorate in classical guitar playing, died on Tuesday at the age of 63.
    … via euronews
  15. [24 Oct 2023] Ricardo Iorio (Argentine heavy metal singer and bassist for Almafuerte), 61
    16. At 61 years old, the musician and national heavy metal icon Ricardo Iorio died this Tuesday, October 24, after suffering a heart attack in the Buenos Aires city of Tornquist. The news was confirmed by the Coronel Suárez Hospital.
    … via infocielo
  16. [24 Oct 2023] Steve Riley (American drummer for Keel), 67, pneumonia
    17. Steve Riley, the former drummer for W.A.S.P. and L.A. Guns, has died at the age of 67.
    “We are devastated to share that Steve Riley has passed away at the age of 67,” Riley’s family confirmed in a statement shared with Blabbermouth
    … via ultimateclassicrock
  17. [23 Oct 2023] Mervin Shiner (American country singer, songwriter and guitarist), 102
    18. OBITUARY
    Merv Shiner
    February 20, 1921 – October 23, 2023
    … via dignitymemorial
  18. [23 Oct 2023] Angelo Bruschini (English guitarist for Massive Attack), 62, lung cancer
    19. Angelo Bruschini, the English guitarist best known for his work with Bristol trip-hop pioneers Massive Attack, has died after a battle with lung cancer.
    Massive Attack confirmed Bruschini’s death on social media, writing, “RIP Angelo. A singularly brilliant & eccentric talent. Impossible to quantify your contribution to the Massive Attack canon. How lucky we were to share such a life together.”
    … via rollingstone
  19. [23 Oct 2023] Chronis Aidonidis (Greek folk singer), 95
    20. The news of the death of the great Hebrew was announced by Apostolos Euframidis, President of the Archive of Musicological Tradition of Chronis Aidonidis (AMPHA).
    … via dnews
  20. [23 Oct 2023] István Láng (Hungarian composer, academic teacher ), 90
    21. The Hungarian composer and academic István Láng, who wrote four symphonies as well as operas, ballets, and chamber music, has passed away at the age of 90.
    … via theviolinchannel
  21. [22 Oct 2023] Gregg Sutton (American songwriter and musician for Lone Justice), 74
    22. Gregg Sutton, a songwriter and musician who recorded as a solo artist, was a member of Lone Justice, toured with Bob Dylan and was the musical director for comedian Andy Kaufman, died Sunday in Los Angeles. He was 74. No cause of death was immediately given.
    … via variety
  22. [22 Oct 2023] Eduard Krečmar (Czech lyricist for Princess Goldilocks), 81
    23. Lyricist and librettist Eduard Krečmar, author of hits for many stars of domestic popular music, died on Sunday at the age of 81 after a long and serious illness. He wrote the lyrics to songs by Karel Gott, Petr Novák, Jitka Zelenková and Miki Volek, among others
    … via ceskenoviny
  23. [22 Oct 2023] Johnny Allon (Argentine singer, businessman and television presenter), 82
    24. Johnny Allon, the singer, businessman and host of television music shows, died this Sunday at the age of 82.
    … via elonce
  24. [21 Oct 2023] Dusty Street (American radio disc jockey for KROQ), 77
    25. Dusty Street, a pioneering DJ who is best known for her time working at Los Angeles-based alternative rock station KROQ-FM and later at SiriusXM, died Saturday in Eugene, Ore. She was 77.
    … via hollywoodreporter
  25. [20 Oct 2023] Cherif Hamani (Algerian Kabyle singer), 67
    26. Cherif Hamani, emblematic figure of Kabyle song and voice appreciated for its authenticity, died at the age of 67 after a long battle against illness.
    … via dzairdaily
  26. [19 Oct 2023] Atsushi Sakurai (Japanese singer-songwriter and musician for Buck-Tick), 57, brain haemorrhage
    27. Atsushi Sakurai, who was loved by many fans as the vocalist of BUCK-TICK,
    During a concert at KT Zepp Yokohama on October 19th, he became unwell and was rushed to the hospital.
    He passed away due to brain stem hemorrhage at 11:09 pm on October 19, 2025.
    … via buck-tick
  27. [19 Oct 2023] DJ Mark the 45 King (American record producer and DJ), 62
    28. DJ Mark the 45 King, real name Mark Howard James, has reportedly died at age 62.
    In a post shared on Instagram, DJ Premier broke the news of his death.
    … via buck-tick
  28. [19 Oct 2023] Lasse Berghagen (Swedish singer, songwriter, and television presenter), 78, heart surgery
    29. During the summer, Lasse Berghagen suffered from heart problems and had to cancel his participation in Västervik’s song festival. Instead, he was hospitalized.
    … via svt
  29. [18 Oct 2023] Dwight Twilley (American singer-songwriter), 72
    30. Dwight Twilley, a revered power pop music artist from Tulsa who recently was unanimously selected for inclusion in the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, died Wednesday. He was 72.
    … via tulsaworld
  30. [17 Oct 2023] Imane Tsunami (Moroccan singer), 48, poisoned
    31. mane Tsunami died this Tuesday at the age of 48. The popular singer died of food poisoning after several days of treatment in the Rabat military hospital.
    … via lesiteinfo
  31. [17 Oct 2023] Roza Agisheva (Роза Агишева) (Russian singer for Big Children’s Choir), 59
    32. Rosa Agisheva (Kalashnikova) passed away yesterday, just 11 days shy of her 60th birthday. The death of the artist was reported at the Center “On Sumskoye”.
    … via lesiteinfo
  32. [17 Oct 2023] Carla Bley (American jazz composer and musician for Jazz Composer’s Orchestra), 87, brain cancer
    33. Carla Bley, the pianist, composer, bandleader, and pioneer of the free jazz movement, has died from complications of brain cancer, The New York Times reports, citing the musician’s partner of more than 30 years, bassist Steve Swallow. Bley was 87 years old.
    … via pitchfork
  33. [17 Oct 2023] Ion Negură (Moldovan pan pipes player), 73
    34. Master Ion Negură was born on January 16, 1950, in the city of Nisporeni, and time took him on a remarkable artistic and educational journey, which he ended at the age of 73.
    … via jurnal
  34. [16 Oct 2023] Gennady Gladkov (Russian composer), 88
    35. The Russian composer who composed the music for The Bremen Town Musicians and People’s Artist of Russia Gennady Gladkov has died at the age of 88. Cultural historian Nikolai Podosokorsky reported this on his Telegram channel.
    … via vedomosti
  35. [16 Oct 2023] Binodini Debi (Indian lyricist), 86
    36. Bhubaneswar: Veteran Odia lyricist Binodini Devi died today following a prolonged illness. She was 86.
    … via sambadenglish
  36. [16 Oct 2023] Hatto Beyerle (German-Austrian chamber musician, conductor and academic), 90
    37. Alban Berg Quartett Founding Violist Hatto Beyerle has Died, Aged 90
    … via sambadenglish
  37. [15 Oct 2023] Carmen Petra Basacopol (Romanian composer), 97
    38. The composer Carmen Petra Basacopol has left us. He was 97 years old
    … via radioromaniacultural
  38. [14 Oct 2023] Gary Nuñez (Puerto Rican musician for Plena Libre), 71, pancreatic cancer
    39. Various personalities from communications, politics and the entertainment industry expressed their condolences for the death of the bassist and musical director of Plena Libre, who died this morning, Saturday, at the age of 71. The artist confessed in recent days that he suffered from pancreatic cancer.
    … via primerahora
  39. [14 Oct 2023] Stanisław Radwan (Polish composer), 84
    40. It is with great sadness that we received the information that Stanisław Radwan, a wonderful man, a great Creator, loved by Artists and Friends, a man of extraordinary charisma, the general and artistic director of the Stary Theater in the years 1980-1990, passed away today – said the National Stary Theater in Krakow on Saturday.
    … via wnp
  40. [13 Oct 2023] Garry Mapanzure (Zimbabwean singer), 25, traffic collision
    41. Rising Afropop musician Garikai “Garry” Mapanzure has died after sustaining injuries in an accident that occurred in Masvingo on Thursday.
    He was 25.
    … via newsday
  41. [13 Oct 2023] Astrid Achi (Ecuadorian soprano singer), 62
    42. The soprano Astrid Achi died, this Friday, October 13, 2023, in Guayaquil after being hospitalized due to cancer complications. This was confirmed by the Municipality of ‘Puerto Principal’ on its social networks.
    … via teleamazonas
  42. [12 Oct 2023] Remei Margarit (Spanish Catalan singer-songwriter and writer), 87
    43. The singer-songwriter, who was the second member of Els Setze Jutges, as well as a psychologist and writer, dies at the age of 87, leaving behind a musical work limited to two appreciated epés with her own songs published in the 1960s.
    … via elperiodico
  43. [12 Oct 2023] Aérea Negrot (Venezuelan performer, singer and electronic musician), 43
    44. Venezuelan DJ, singer-songwriter and classically trained dancer Aérea Negrot, real name Danielle Gallegos, has died. This news was reported by Ellen Allien’s Berlin label BPitch Control, which was closely linked to Gallegos.
    … via fazemag
  44. [12 Oct 2023] Michael Cooper (Jamaican musician for Inner Circle), 71, cancer
    45. Reggae musician, educator, and founding member of Reggae band Third World, Michael “Ibo” Cooper, has died.
    … via caribbeannationalweekly
  45. [11 Oct 2023] Rudolph Isley (American songwriter and singer for The Isley Brothers), 84, heart attack
    46. Rudolph Isley, one of the founding members of the R&B group The Isley Brothers, has died, his family announced.
    He was 84.
    … via cnn
  46. [09 Oct 2023] Hughie Friel (Irish drummer for The Atrix), 87
    47. Hot Press has learned with great sadness of the death of Hughie Friel, a mainstay with the hugely original Dublin punk-era band The Atrix.
    … via hotpress
  47. [09 Oct 2023] Steven Lutvak (American musician and composer), 64
    48. Steven Lutvak, the musical mind behind the Tony-winning musical A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, died October 9 at the age of 64. News of his passing was confirmed by his longtime agent, Olivier Sultan.
    … via playbill
  48. [09 Oct 2023] Kevin Parrott (British singer for Brian and Michael), stroke
    49. Vale Kevin Parrott Very sad to hear of the passing of Kevin. Most will, of course, know of his role in Brian and Michael and their “Matchstalk Men And Matchstalk Cats And Dogs” work but Kevin had a long, successful career both before and after B and M.
    … via manchesterbeat
  49. [09 Oct 2023] Buck Trent (American country musician and television personality for Hee Haw), 85
    50. A country music legend who made a major mark on the Branson entertainment scene has passed away.
    According to a social media post from his wife, Buck Trent died early this morning at the age of 85.
    … via legends1063
  50. [08 Oct 2023] Ritchie Routledge (British singer and guitarist for The Cryin’ Shames), 73
    51. Richard (Ritchie)ROUTLEDGELeft us too soon on 8 October 2023 while living in Nashville, Tennessee at age 73.
    … via funeral-notices
  51. [08 Oct 2023] Nina Matviienko (Ніна Матвієнко) (Ukrainian singer), 75
    52. The legendary Ukrainian singer Nina Matvienko died suddenly. This was reported by her daughter Antonina Matvienko.
    … via unian
  52. [05 Oct 2023] Bruno Filippini (Italian singer), 78
    53. Goodbye to Bruno Filippini, the historic voice of “Saturday evening”. The artist passed away last October 5 in Rome. He was 78 years old.
    … via musicalnews
  53. [04 Oct 2023] Rafail Kasimov (Рауф Касимов) (Russian composer), 76
    54. Today, October 4, 2023, at the seventy-seventh year of his life, the outstanding Bashkir composer, founder of the symphony genre in Bashkir music, Honored Artist of the Republic of Bashkortostan Rafail Kasimov died.
    … via bashgf
  54. [03 Oct 2023] Jacqueline Dark (Australian opera singer), 55, cancer
    55. Jacqueline Dark, one of Australia’s best-known and most loved singers has died after a long illness. She was 55.
    … via limelightmagazine
  55. [02 Oct 2023] Herbert Handt (American operatic tenor and conductor), 97
    56. On Oct. 2, 2023, Tenor and conductor Herbert John Handt died at the age of 97.
    … via operawire
  56. [02 Oct 2023] Lefteris Hapsiadis (Greek lyricist), 69
    57. He has written some of the biggest hits, sung by Kazantzidis, Angelopoulos, Dalara, Haroula Alexiou and Yiannis Pario. One of Hapsiadis’ most popular songs is “One is the essence”, released in the mid-1980s.
    … via zougla
  57. [02 Oct 2023] James Jorden (American journalist and music critic for Parterre Box), 69
    58. James Jorden, Creator of an Essential Opera Blog, Dies at 69
    With Parterre Box, he brought together high culture, punk aesthetics and gleeful camp in an irreverent source for news, criticism and gossip.
    … via nytimes
  58. [01 Oct 2023] Julian Bahula (South African drummer, composer and bandleader for Jabula), 85, cancer
    59. Political activist and musician Julian Sebothane Bahula has died at the age of 85.
    His family said he passed away peacefully on Sunday morning with his wife by his side, after a short and courageous battle with cholangiocarcinoma (cancer of the bile duct).
    … via timeslive
  59. [01 Oct 2023] Ricky Wolff (South African musician for White Plains), 78
    60. Ricky Wolff
    Born Richard Wolff, 8 July 1945, Pretoria, South Africa
    Passed away on 1 October 2023 in Krugersdorp, South Africa
    … via whiteplainschronicles
  60. [01 Oct 2023] Joy Webb (British singer for The Joystrings), 91
    61. Word has been received from the United Kingdom and Ireland Territory of the Promotion to Glory on Sunday October 1, 2023 of Major Joy Webb (OF) from Glebe Court, where she had been a resident for several years. She was 91 years old.
    … via southernspiritonline
  61. [01 Oct 2023] Ron Haffkine (American record producer and music manager), 84, leukemia
    62. Ron Haffkine, a Grammy-winning record producer and manager known for his work with Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show, has died. He was 84.
    … via hollywoodreporter
  62. [01 Oct 2023] Patricia Janečková (Slovak soprano), 25, breast cancer
    63. The young opera singer Patrícia Burda Janečková (†25) died, she lost the battle with an insidious disease
    … via tvnoviny

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