Deaths Famous Dead Musicians
László Somfai Hungarian musicologist dead at age 91
a Hungarian musicologist, died on February 11, 2026. Born in Jászladány on August 15, 1934, he studied history of music and graduated in 1959 with a dissertation on the classical string quartet idiom of Joseph Haydn. He later earned a… · 11 February 2026 · February 2026
Helmuth Rilling German choral conductor dead at age 92
the German choral conductor and academic teacher who was internationally known as an authority on the music of Johann Sebastian Bach, died on February 11, 2026. Born in Stuttgart on May 29, 1933, he founded the Gächinger Kantorei in 1954… · 11 February 2026 · February 2026
Jerry Kennedy American record producer dead at age 85
an American record producer, songwriter and guitarist, died on February 11, 2026. Born Jerry Glenn Kennedy in Shreveport, Louisiana, on August 10, 1940, he worked in country music and rock and roll and was active from 1961 to 2026. He… · 11 February 2026 · February 2026
Andrew Ranken English drummer dead at age 72
an English drummer best known for his work with the Pogues, died on February 10, 2026, at the age of 72. Born in London on November 13, 1953, he played with several bands during his career, including the Pogues, with… · 10 February 2026 · February 2026
Des de Moor English writer and musician dead at age 64
English writer, singer, musician and songwriter, died on February 10, 2026. In 1987, he formed The Irresistible Force with Morris Gould, also known as Mixmaster Morris. Among his best-known works was Darkness and Disgrace: Des de Moor and Russell Churney… · 10 February 2026 · February 2026
Garland Green Singer dead at age 83
an American soul singer and pianist, died on February 9, 2026. Born Garfield Green Jr. on June 14, 1942, in Dunleith, Mississippi, he was the tenth of 11 children. He lived in Mississippi until 1958, then moved to Chicago. While… · 09 February 2026 · February 2026
Kåre Grøttum Norwegian jazz pianist and composer dead at age 92
the Norwegian jazz pianist and composer, died on February 7, 2026, aged 92. Born Kåre Idar Grøttum in Trondheim on January 24, 1934, he was also a music arranger and a presenter in NRK. He was active as a jazz… · 07 February 2026 · February 2026
Brad Arnold American singer dead at age 47
the American singer and lead vocalist of 3 Doors Down, died on February 7, 2026, at age 47. Born Bradley Kirk Arnold in Escatawpa, Mississippi, on September 27, 1978, he co-founded the rock band in 1996 with Todd Harrell and… · 07 February 2026 · February 2026
Matti Caspi Israeli singer-songwriter dead at age 76
an Israeli singer-songwriter, composer, musician, arranger and lyricist, died on February 7, 2026, at age 76. Born in Kibbutz Hanita on November 30, 1949, he began developing an interest in music as a child after hearing Shmuel Gogol play the… · 07 February 2026 · February 2026
Ebo Taylor Ghanaian musician and producer dead at age 90
a Ghanaian musician, guitarist, composer, bandleader, record producer and arranger, died on February 7, 2026. Born Deroy Taylor in Cape Coast, then in the Gold Coast colony, on January 6, 1936, he began playing piano at age six and went… · 07 February 2026 · February 2026
Tres Chicas American country musician dead at age -1
the American country musician and alternative country group from Raleigh, North Carolina, died on February 6, 2026. The group formed in 1999 after Lynn Blakey, Caitlin Cary and Tonya Lamm began singing together, following meetings that had brought the three… · 06 February 2026 · February 2026
Helen and Joseph Maltese singer dead at age 75
the Maltese singing duo of Joe Cutajar and Helen Micallef, died on February 5, 2026, aged 75. Best known for their participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 1972 in Edinburgh, Scotland, the duo was active from 1972 to 2024. They… · 05 February 2026 · February 2026
Fred Smith (bassist) Bassist dead at age 77
the American bassist best known for his work with the rock band Television, died on February 5, 2026, at the age of 77. Born Fredrick Edward Lefkowitz in New York City on April 10, 1948, he performed with Television and… · 05 February 2026 · February 2026 · Cancer
Janina Borońska Actress dead at age -1
a Polish film and theatre actress, died on February 5, 2026, at the age of 82. Born in Litzmannstadt, Reichsgau Wartheland, Germany, now Łódź, Poland, on June 16, 1943, she debuted in theater in 1966 and graduated from the National… · 05 February 2026 · February 2026
Greg Brown (rock musician) American musician and songwriter dead at age 56
an American musician and songwriter known for his work with Cake and Deathray, died on February 5, 2026. Born Gregory Paul Brown in Sacramento, California, on January 3, 1970, he was a founding member of Cake and played guitar on… · 05 February 2026 · February 2026
Tamás Vásáry Hungarian pianist and conductor dead at age 92
the Hungarian pianist and conductor, died on February 5, 2026, at the age of 92. Born in Debrecen on August 11, 1933, he began as a child prodigy, playing Mozart in public at age eight and later studying at the… · 05 February 2026 · February 2026
François Beukelaers Belgian actor and stage director dead at age 88
the Belgian actor and stage director, died on February 4, 2026. Born in Vilvoorde on February 2, 1938, he was also a singer and educator whose career ran from 1965 to 2026. Herman Teirlinck encouraged him to study theatre at… · 04 February 2026 · February 2026
Tōsha Meishō Musician dead at age 84
a Japanese hayashi musician, died on February 4, 2026. Born Isao Nakagawa in Tokyo in 1941, he was one of a long line of Tōsha school musicians specializing in musical accompaniment for kabuki theatre. He began studying under his father,… · 04 February 2026 · February 2026
The Elegants American singer dead at age 88
the American doo-wop vocal group formed in 1958 in South Beach, Staten Island, New York, died on February 4, 2026. The group was started by Vito Picone, Arthur Venosa, Frank Tardogno, Carman Romano and James Moschello. Before their nursery rhyme-inspired… · 04 February 2026 · February 2026
Tommy Crook Musician dead at age 81
an American guitarist, died on February 4, 2026, at the age of 81. Thomas Paul Crook was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on February 16, 1944, and lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma, throughout his life. He began playing guitar at age 4… · 04 February 2026 · February 2026
Ron Kenoly American Christian worship leader dead at age 81
an American Christian worship leader, singer and songwriter, died on February 3, 2026, at age 81. Born in Coffeyville, Kansas, on December 6, 1944, he grew up there and began his music career after leaving the United States Air Force.… · 03 February 2026 · February 2026
Lamonte McLemore American singer dead at age 86
an American singer, actor, composer and photographer who was a founding member of The 5th Dimension, died on February 3, 2026, at age 90. Born Herman Lamonte McLemore in St. Louis, Missouri, on September 17, 1935, he was also known… · 03 February 2026 · February 2026
S. P. Venkatesh Indian film score composer (Kilukkam dead at age 70
the Indian film score composer and music director known for his work in Malayalam cinema, died on February 3, 2026, at the age of 70. Also credited as Sangeetharajan or Sangeetha Raja, he worked primarily in Malayalam films, with credits… · 03 February 2026 · February 2026
Alfonso Buller English musician dead at age 66
an English MC, dancer and music promoter, died on February 2, 2026. Best known as the co-founder of the sound system MVITA, he was a key figure in the Madchester scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Buller and… · 02 February 2026 · February 2026
Yuan Wei-jen Taiwanese singer-songwriter dead at age 57
a Taiwanese singer-songwriter and music producer, died on February 2, 2026. Born on June 24, 1968, he rose to fame in 1991 as part of the duo Fanren with Mo Fan, winning the Golden Melody Award for Best Vocal Group… · China · 02 February 2026 · February 2026
Slave (band) American musician (Slave dead at age 67
the American Ohio-based funk band formed in Dayton in 1975 by trombonist Floyd Miller and trumpeter Steve Washington, died on February 2, 2026. The group was popular in the late 1970s and early 1980s and worked in funk, R&B, soul,… · 02 February 2026 · February 2026
Chuck Negron Singer-songwriter dead at age 83
an American singer-songwriter best known as a founding member and lead vocalist of the rock band Three Dog Night, died on February 2, 2026, of heart failure and COPD in Studio City, Los Angeles, California. Born Charles Negron II in… · 02 February 2026 · February 2026
Ken Peplowski Musician dead at age 66
an American jazz clarinetist and tenor saxophonist, died on February 2, 2026, at age 66. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 23, 1959, he was known primarily for playing swing music. For more than a decade, he recorded for Concord… · 02 February 2026 · February 2026
Graham Morgan (drummer) Drummer dead at age 88
an Australian drummer and teacher of drumming, died on February 1, 2026, aged 88. Born in Melbourne on April 30, 1937, he was educated at Melbourne Grammar School. In 1962, he travelled to Los Angeles to study under Joe Morello… · 01 February 2026 · February 2026
Fernando Esteso Spanish comedian dead at age 80
a Spanish actor and singer best known for his film appearances with Andrés Pajares, died on February 1, 2026, in Valencia, Spain, at the age of 80. Born in Zaragoza on February 16, 1945, he began performing as a clown… · 01 February 2026 · February 2026
Don Adams (country singer) American country singer dead at age 85
an American country singer, died on February 1, 2026. Born in Ross County, Ohio, on January 4, 1941, he often supported George Jones, including on Live at Dancetown U.S.A. (1965), and also sang with Johnny Paycheck. Adams was part of… · 01 February 2026 · February 2026
Mingo Lewis
American percussionist and drummer (Santana · 30 January 2026 · January 2026 · January 30
Parthenon Huxley
American musician (ELO Part II) · 30 January 2026 · January 2026 · January 30
Abdelhadi Belkhayat
Moroccan singer · 29 January 2026 · January 2026 · January 29
Martin Bruns Swiss baritone and academic dead at age 65
a Swiss baritone and music lecturer, died on January 30, 2026. Born in Weil am Rhein on November 25, 1960, he was a member of the Knabenkantorei Basel during his school years. He studied violin at the City of Basel… · 30 January 2026 · January 2026
H. Robert Reynolds American musician and conductor dead at age 91
an American musician, conductor and academic, died on January 30, 2026, at the age of 91. He was principal conductor of the Wind Ensemble at the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, where he held the… · 30 January 2026 · January 2026
Nigel Ogden
British theatre organist and radio presenter (The Organist Entertains) · 28 January 2026 · January 2026 · January 28
Hardy Hepp
Swiss musician and painter · 28 January 2026 · January 2026 · January 28 · Swiss
Bryan Loren
American songwriter ("Do the Bartman") · 28 January 2026 · January 2026 · January 28
Maroochy Barambah
Australian Aboriginal mezzo-soprano singer · 27 January 2026 · January 2026 · January 27
Richie Beirach
American jazz pianist and composer · 26 January 2026 · January 2026 · January 26
Jean Cussac
French baritone and music director · 26 January 2026 · January 2026 · January 26 · French · Other
Margaret Ross
American singer (The Cookies) · 25 January 2026 · January 2026 · January 25
Gabe Lopez
American songwriter and producer · 25 January 2026 · January 2026 · January 25
Sly Dunbar
Jamaican drummer (Sly and Robbie) · 25 January 2026 · January 2026 · January 25
Billy Bass Nelson
American bassist (Funkadelic) · 25 January 2026 · January 2026 · January 25 · Nelson
Yuri Rymanov
Russian guitarist (Lyube) · 24 January 2026 · January 2026 · January 24
Marie Rouanet
French singer and writer · 24 January 2026 · January 2026 · January 24 · French
Abhijit Majumdar
Indian singer and music director · 24 January 2026 · January 2026 · January 24
Ann Clark
American singer (The Sentimentalists) · 23 January 2026 · January 2026 · January 23
Guy Hovis
American singer (The Lawrence Welk Show) · 22 January 2026 · January 2026 · January 22
Homare Suguro Japanese actor and singer dead at age 85
a Japanese actor and singer, died on January 23, 2026, at the age of 85. Born in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan, on June 1, 1940, he worked for Shochiku Geino and was active from 1961 to 2026. Suguro made his acting… · 23 January 2026 · January 2026
Francis Buchholz
German bass guitarist (Scorpions) · 22 January 2026 · January 2026 · January 22
Yaw Sarpong
Ghanaian gospel musician and songwriter · 19 January 2026 · January 2026 · January 19
Rob Hirst
Australian musician (Midnight Oil) · 19 January 2026 · January 2026 · January 19
Billy Parker
American country music singer and DJ · 18 January 2026 · January 2026 · January 18
Anders Möller
Swedish musician (Black Ingvars · 18 January 2026 · January 2026 · January 18
Stephen “Cat” Coore
Jamaican guitarist and cellist (Third World) · 18 January 2026 · January 2026 · January 18 · Coore
Joxean Llorente
Spanish choral conductor · 18 January 2026 · January 2026 · January 18
Kenny Morris
English drummer (Siouxsie and the Banshees) · 14 January 2026 · January 2026 · January 14
Jim Wearne American musician dead at age 75
an American musician, died on January 15, 2026, at the age of 75. He was a Cornish-American musician who lived most of his life in the Chicago area of northern Illinois. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, and raised in the… · 15 January 2026 · January 2026
Kenny Morris (drummer) English drummer dead at age 68
an English drummer and painter best known as the first studio drummer of Siouxsie and the Banshees, died on January 15, 2026, aged 68. Born Kenneth Ian Morris on February 1, 1957, he joined the band in February 1977 and… · 15 January 2026 · January 2026
Dogardisc Colombian champeta singer and songwriter, diabetes dies
the stage name of Colombian champeta singer and songwriter Ismael Simancas, died on January 15, 2026. Born in Cartagena, Colombia, he was an important figure in the Colombian coastal genre of champeta and was described by El Tiempo as one… · 15 January 2026 · January 2026
Quemil Yambay
Paraguayan musician · 14 January 2026 · January 2026 · January 14
John Forté
American rapper (Refugee Camp All-Stars) and producer (The Score) · 12 January 2026 · January 2026 · January 12 · Forte
Sheila Bernette
English singer (The Good Old Days · 11 January 2026 · January 2026 · January 11
Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin
British guitarist (Black Midi) · 11 January 2026 · January 2026 · January 11
Dave Hitchcock
English record producer (In the Land of Grey and Pink · 11 January 2026 · January 2026 · January 11 · Other
Michael Kemner
German bass guitarist (Fehlfarben) · 10 January 2026 · January 2026 · January 10
Dieudonné Larose
Haitian singer · 10 January 2026 · January 2026 · January 10
Prashant Tamang
Indian singer (Indian Idol) and actor (Paatal Lok) · 10 January 2026 · January 2026 · January 10
Bob Weir
American musician (Grateful Dead) · 09 January 2026 · January 2026 · January 9