Music Icons We Said Goodbye to in 2025

Legends never die. Their music plays forever.

We’ve already said goodbye to several music legends in 2025. Some gave us chart-topping hits. Others created entire genres. All of them changed music forever.

Here’s a chronological look at the artists who have passed away as we take a moment to remember them and their contributions.

Leo Dan (March 22, 1942 – January 1, 2025)

Leo Dan, the Argentine artist who captured hearts with romantic hits, passed away at 82.

Born Leopoldo Dante Tevez, Dan recorded more than 20 albums over the course of his career. He also created timeless songs like “Cómo Te Extraño Mi Amor,” “Celia,” and “Te He Prometido.”

His impact on Latin music earned him a Latin Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement award in 2012.

Wayne Osmond (August 28, 1951 – January 1, 2025)

Wayne Osmond, the second-oldest of the Osmond Brothers, died at 73 after suffering a stroke.

Starting as a barbershop quartet in 1958, Wayne and his brothers found fame on The Andy Williams Show.

The Osmonds reached remarkable success with four top 10 Billboard Hot 100 hits, including their No. 1 hit “One Bad Apple” in 1971.

Brenton Wood (July 26, 1941 – January 3, 2025)

Soul singer Brenton Wood died peacefully at his Moreno Valley home at 83.

His 1967 hits “The Oogum Boogum Song” and “Gimme Little Sign” reached the Billboard Hot 100’s top positions.

Most recently, his music was featured in popular shows and movies like The Umbrella Academy and Don’t Worry Darling.

Ed Askew (December 1, 1940 – January 4, 2025)

Ed Askew passed away after ongoing health struggles. The cult singer’s musical journey spanned 11 albums, from 1968’s “Ask The Unicorn” to 2020’s “London.”

Peter Yarrow (May 31, 1938 – January 7, 2025)

Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary died at 86 after battling bladder cancer.

His high tenor voice brought life to classics like “Puff the Magic Dragon” and “Day Is Done,” which he wrote or co-wrote.

Ragne Wahlquist (October 20, 1955 – January 7, 2025)

Swedish heavy metal pioneer Ragne Wahlquist died at 69.

As the guitarist and vocalist for Heavy Load, Wahlquist helped define Sweden’s metal scene and is credited with co-founding the Viking metal genre.

Beyond his own music, Wahlquist made a lasting impact through Thunderload Studios, where he recorded classic albums from Candlemass, Hammerfall, and Yngwie Malmsteen.

Sam Moore (October 12, 1935 – January 10, 2025)

Sam Moore, half of Sam & Dave, died at 89 due to surgery complications.

His tenor voice powered hits like “Hold On, I’m Coming” and the Grammy-winning “Soul Man.”

Artists from Bruce Springsteen to Garth Brooks revered his work, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducted him in 1992.

Buck White (December 13, 1930 – January 13, 2025)

Buck White, patriarch of music group The Whites, died at 94.

White formed Buck White & the Down Home Folks before his daughters joined. Together, they went on to enjoy a successful career with multiple charting country hits.

The group won two Grammys, including one for the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack.

Linda Nolan (February 23, 1959 – January 15, 2025)

Irish musician and TV personality Linda Nolan died at 65.

She rose to fame as a member of The Nolans, along with her sisters. They toured with Frank Sinatra in 1975 and scored seven UK top-20 hits between 1979 and 1982. Nolan was also an actress.

Melba Montgomery (October 14, 1938 – January 15, 2025)

Country music singer Melba Montgomery passed at 86.

She gained recognition through duet recordings with George Jones and Gene Pitney, reaching country chart success with her solo hit “No Charge.”

David Lynch (January 20, 1946 – January 16, 2025)

Film director David Lynch died at 78 from emphysema.

Beyond his acclaimed films, Lynch created experimental rock and ambient soundscapes, collaborating with artists like Angelo Badalamenti and Chrystabell.

He also released two studio albums, “Crazy Clown Time” and “The Big Dream.”

John Sykes (July 29, 1959 – January 20, 2025)

English guitarist John Sykes died at 65 after battling cancer.

He was well-known for his work with Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake. Sykes also co-wrote hits for Whitesnake’s self-titled 1987 album, helping them achieve their biggest chart success.

Barry Goldberg (December 25, 1941 – January 22, 2025)

Blues keyboardist Barry Goldberg died at 83 after fighting non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

He played with Bob Dylan at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival and worked with Leonard Cohen and the Flying Burrito Brothers.

Garth Hudson (August 2, 1937 – January 21, 2025)

Garth Hudson, The Band’s keyboard player, died peacefully at 87 in Woodstock.

As the last surviving member of The Band, his soulful playing defined their country-tinged Americana sound.

DJ Unk (November 28, 1981 – January 24, 2025)

Atlanta rapper DJ Unk died at 43.

Born Anthony Leonard Platt, his 2006 hit “Walk It Out” reached No. 10 on Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on Hot Rap Songs charts. His debut album “Beat’n Down Yo Block!” peaked at No. 21 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.

Ryan Whyte Maloney (Januray 16, 1981 – January 28, 2025)

The Voice contestant Ryan Whyte Maloney died at 44.

After recording with his band Indulge, he competed on The Voice‘s season 6 on Blake Shelton’s team. He maintained ties with his coach, performing at the opening of Shelton’s Ole Red bar in 2024.

Marianne Faithfull (December 29, 1946 – January 30, 2025)

British icon Marianne Faithfull died at 78.

Starting as a folk singer, she hit the UK top 10 with “As Tears Go By” in 1964. After battling addiction, she made a comeback with 1979 acclaimed album “Broken English.”

Faithfull also had a highly publicized relationship with Mick Jagger.

Jamie Muir (November 30, 1942 – February 17, 2025)

Jamie Muir, the percussionist whose found-object drumming powered King Crimson’s Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, died at 82.

After one landmark album, he left music to study Buddhism and later became a painter. But, his clattering, anything-goes style still inspires avant-rock bands today.

Jerry Butler (December 8, 1939 – February 20, 2025)

Soul baritone Jerry “The Ice Man” Butler died at 85 from complications of Parkinson’s disease.

First heard with the Impressions on “For Your Precious Love,” he later scored solo smashes like “Only the Strong Survive” and then served three decades as a Cook County commissioner.

Roberta Flack (February 10, 1937 – February 24, 2025)

Roberta Flack, whose gentle delivery made “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and “Killing Me Softly” Grammy history, died at 88 after living with ALS.

As a classically trained pianist, she became the first artist to win Record of the Year in two straight years and showed how soul, jazz, and folk could share one stage.

Angie Stone (December 18, 1961 – March 1, 2025)

Neo-soul matriarch Angie Stone died at 63 in a car crash in Alabama.

She started in pioneering hip-hop trio Sequence and later released R&B staples like “No More Rain.” Her raspy alto helped define late-’90s soul alongside D’Angelo and Erykah Badu.

Roy Ayers (September 10, 1940 – March 4, 2025)

Vibraphone great Roy Ayers passed at 84 after a long illness.

His sun-soaked “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” bridged jazz, funk, and soul. It also became a sampling gold mine for hip-hop and acid-jazz artists.

Brian James (February 18, 1955 – March 6, 2025)

Brian James, founding guitarist of the Damned and writer of the U.K.’s first punk single “New Rose,” died peacefully at 70.

He added gothic bite to the Lords of the New Church while keeping punk’s raw edge intact.

Jesse Colin Young (November 22, 1941 – March 16, 2025)

Folk-rock troubadour Jesse Colin Young died at 83 from heart disease complications.

His plea for unity, “Get Together,” became a ’60s peace anthem, and his solo work blended jazz warmth with environmental activism.

Max Romeo (November 22, 1944 – April 11, 2025)

Reggae stalwart Max Romeo died at 80 of heart complications in Jamaica.

From the cheeky “Wet Dream” to the fiery “War Ina Babylon,” his songs mixed protest and groove. In fact, “Chase the Devil” still echoes through modern samples.

Roy Thomas Baker (November 10, 1946 – April 12, 2025)

Producer Roy Thomas Baker, architect of Queen’s studio grandeur and the Cars’ slick debut, died at 78 at his Arizona home.

His love of stacked vocals and big sound proved that ambitious rock could also top the charts.

Roger Nichols (September 17, 1940 – May 17, 2025)

Roger Nichols, the melodist behind Carpenters gems like “We’ve Only Just Begun” and “Rainy Days and Mondays,” died at 84.

His gentle chord changes, paired with Paul Williams’s lyrics, turned into wedding-day standards worldwide.

Michael B. Tretow (August 20, 1944 – May 20, 2025)

Swedish engineer Michael B. Tretow, often called ABBA’s “fifth member,” died at 80.

His tape-speed tricks and vocal layering gave “Dancing Queen” its shimmer and shaped countless pop records after it.

Rick Derringer (August 5, 1947 – May 26, 2025)

Rick Derringer, the guitar ace behind “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo,” died at 77 in Florida after recent heart problems.

He first topped charts at 17 with the McCoys’ “Hang On Sloopy” and later became a sought-after session player and producer.

Arthur Hamilton (October 22, 1926 – June 4, 2025)

Arthur Hamilton, who wrote the torch classic “Cry Me a River,” died at 98. His understated lyrics and smoky melodies remain jazz-club staples more than 70 years later.

Sly Stone (March 15, 1943 – June 9, 2025)

Sly Stone, funk pioneer and leader of Sly and the Family Stone, died at 82 after a long battle with COPD. Hits like “Everyday People” and “Thank You” fused rock, soul, and psychedelia, laying the groundwork for modern funk and hip-hop.

Brian Wilson (June 20, 1942 – June 11, 2025)

Beach Boys mastermind Brian Wilson died at 82 while living with a severe neurocognitive disorder.

His layered harmonies on Pet Sounds and the pocket-symphony “Good Vibrations” forever changed pop production.