As we reflect on another year passing, we at WYEP pause to remember the musicians whose sounds echoed across our airwaves this past year but are no longer with us. From popstars to rock icons, soul singers to indie artists: 2022 lost some legendary artists who forever changed the paths of their genres. These iconic figures will remain powerful influences for generations to come and their legacies live on through us – stationing a bittersweet moment for both fans and fellow musicians alike. Join us now as we take a look back at some artists who left us this year.
January 6th, 2022
Calvin Simon | 79
Singer and original member of vocal group The Parliaments, who continuted on as a part of Parliament-Funkadelic when George Clinton shifted the group into a funk band.
*Member, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
January 8th, 2022
Michael Lang | 77
Concert promoter best known for spearheading the 1969 Woodstock Music & Arts Festival and appearing in the Woodstock (1970) documentary film, as well as for organizing the subsequent Woodstock ’94 and Woodstock ’99.
January 8th, 2022
Marilyn Bergman | 93
Three-time Oscar-winning lyricist who wrote music for films with her husband Alan Bergman, including “The Windmills of Your Mind,” “Nice ’n’ Easy,” “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” and “The Way We Were,” which have been recorded by Fred Astaire, Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand.
January 9th, 2022
James Mtume | 76
Jazz and R&B musician, songwriter, and producer who came to prominence working with Miles Davis and then went on to start his own R&B group, who had a big hit with “Juicy Fruit” in 1983.
January 10th, 2022
Burke Shelley | 71
Founder, singer and bassist of the early heavy metal band Budgie, formed in 1967, who were contemporaries of Black Sabbath and influenced artists like Van Halen, Soundgarden, and Metallica.
January 11th, 2022
Rose Lee Hawkins | 76
A member of vocal trio The Dixie Cups, who had a big hit in 1964 with “Chapel of Love” and later “Iko Iko” and “People Say.”
January 11th, 2022
Jerry Crutchfield | 87
Nashville songwriter, producer, publishing executive and music industry veteran who wrote more than 150 songs recorded by artists such as Elvis Presley, Brenda Lee, Glen Campbell, Joe Tex, Lou Rawls, and Linda Ronstadt and produced Dave Loggins’ GRAMMY-nominated 1974 hit “Please Come to Boston.”
January 12th, 2022
Ronnie Spector | 78
The original “bad girl of rock and roll,” founder and lead singer of vocal group The Ronettes who scored massively influential hit singles in the 1960s like “Be My Baby,” “Walking In the Rain,” and “Baby, I Love You”. In 1968, she married her producer Phil Spector, who forbade her to perform. After their divorce in 1974, she reformed The Ronettes and launced a successful solo career, famously featuring on Eddie Money’s 1986 hit “Take Me Home Tonight.”
*Member, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
January 13th, 2022
Sonny Turner | 82
Replaced Tony Williams as the lead singer of The Platters in 1959 and scored three hits with the group throughout the 1960s, including “I Love You 1000 Times,” “With This Ring,” and “Washed Ashore.”
January 13th, 2022
Fred Parris | 85
Lead singer of vocal group the Five Satins, who wrote their biggest hit and one of the definitive songs of the doo wop era, “In the Still of the Night.”
January 14th, 2022
Dallas Frazier | 82
GRAMMY-nominated songwriter who composed country music hits performed by the Oak Ridge Boys, Charley Pride, Emmylou Harris, and Tanya Tucker, as well as “Alley Oop” by the Hollywood Argyles in 1960.
January 14th, 2022
Greg Webster | 84
Drummer and last surviving original member of 1970s funk band The Ohio Players, who played on the 1973 hit “Funky Worm.”
January 15th, 2022
Rachel Nagy | 48
Lead vocalist, co-founder, and one of the constants in the ever-changing lineup of The Detroit Cobras, who helped form their unique garage rock sound.
January 15th, 2022
Jon Lind | 73
GRAMMY-nominated songwriter who wrote hits including Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Boogie Wonderland,” Madonna’s “Crazy for You,” and Vanessa Williams’ “Save the Best for Last.”
January 20th, 2022
Meat Loaf | 74
Singer and actor, known for his wide vocal range, theatrical performance style, and successful collaborations with songwriter Jim Steinman. His 1977 debut Bat Out of Hell and its sequel remain some of the best selling albums of all time, featuring hits like “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad” and “I’d Do Anything for Love.”
January 22nd, 2022
Don Wilson | 88
Founding rhythm guitarist of instrumental rock ‘n’ roll band The Ventures, known for popularizing the sound of the electric guitar in the 1960s on songs like “Walk, Don’t Run” and regarded as the most sucessful instrumental group of all time.
*Member, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
January 29th, 2022
Sam Lay | 86
Blues drummer who got his start working with greats like Little Walter, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters and other prominent artists on the Chess label. In 1966, he joined the Paul Butterfield Blues Band when they were backing Bob Dylan as he was “going electric”. His drumming can be heard on many famous Blues recordings of the 1960s.
*Member, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
January 30th, 2022
Hargus “Pig” Robbins | 84
Prolific Nashville session pianist who played on recordings for countless country and rock artists including George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Neil Young, Patsy Cline, and Bob Dylan.
*Member, Country Music Hall of Fame
February 2nd, 2022
Donny Gerard | 75
Singer who had a Top 10 hit with “Wildflower” with the band Skylark in 1973 and provided backup vocals for such stars as Elton John, Mavis Staples, Bette Midler, and Neil Diamond.
February 6th, 2022
Syl Johnson | 85
Blues and soul singer who recorded on famed Memphis label Hi Records during the 1970s and whose most successful songs included “Different Strokes,” “Is It Because I’m Black,” and “Take Me to the River.”
February 9th, 2022
Betty Davis | 77
Pioneering funk singer and songwriter, known for her sexually confident lyrics, gritty vocals, and flamboyant performance style. Though her recordings were not hits upon initial release in the 1970s, she has gained critial accliam as a groundbreaking artist since retiring from music in 1980, and spent the final decades of her life in her hometown of Pittsburgh.
February 9th, 2022
Ian McDonald | 75
Multi-instrumentalist and founder of progressive rock band King Crimson, who later went on to become a founding member of Foreigner in 1976.
February 9th, 2022
Dallas Good | 48
Singer, guitarist, and founding member of critically-revered garage/country rock band The Sadies.
February 14th, 2022
Sandy Nelson | 83
Successful session drummer who scored Top 10 instrumental hits as a solo artist with “Teen Beat” (1959) and “Let There Be Drums” (1961).
February 22nd, 2022
Mark Lanegan | 57
Singer and musician, best known for fronting grunge band Screaming Trees, who later joined Queens of the Stone Age and fostered a collaborative solo career working with Kurt Cobain, Greg Dulli, and Mike McCready among others.
February 28th, 2022
Mac Martin | 96
Pittsburgh-based bluegrass musician and founder of the prolific and long-running group The Dixie Travelers.
March 2nd, 2022
Chuck Criss | 36
Multi-instrumentalist and founding member of indie rock band Freelance Whales, as well as the brother of actor and singer Darren Criss.
March 6th, 2022
Mike Cross | 58
Founding guitarist of 1990s alternative rock band Sponge, best known for their hits “Plowed” and “Molly (16 Candles Down the Drain).”
March 10th, 2022
Bobbie Nelson | 91
Singer and pianist who performed frequently with her younger brother as part of his band Willie Nelson and Family.
March 25th, 2022
Taylor Hawkins | 50
Drummer of the rock band Foo Fighters since 1999, who also fronted his own side project Taylor Hawkins & the Coattail Riders since 2004, and formed the supergroup NHC with Jane’s Addiction members Dave Navarro and Chris Chaney,
*Member, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
April 1st, 2022
C.W. McCall | 93
Persona of country singer and advertising executive Bill Fries, best known for appearing in a popular series of TV commercials, as well as his 1976 chart-topping novelty hit “Convoy,” co-written with Manheim-Steamroller founder Chip Davis.
April 1st, 2022
Fred Johnson | 80
Founding member and bass singer of Pittsburgh doo wop vocal group the Marcels, who sang on the hit “Blue Moon.”
April 4th, 2022
Joe Messina | 93
Guitarist for the Motown house band later known as “The Funk Brothers,” who played on hundreds of recordings and multiple hit songs from the early 1960s to 1972, including Martha and The Vandellas’ “Dancing in the Street” and The Four Tops’ “I Can’t Help Myself.”
April 5th, 2022
Bobby Rydell | 79
Teen idol singer of the early 1960s, known for hits like “Volare” and “Wildwood Days,” who famously starred in Bye Bye Birdie (1963).
April 9th, 2022
Chris Bailey | 65
Lead singer and songwriter for the influential Australian punk band The Saints, whose debut single “(I’m) Stranded” made them the first punk band outside the US to release a record in 1976.
April 10th, 2022
Daniel Sahad | 29
Lead singer for the up and coming Austin funk and soul band Nané.
April 15th, 2022
Art Rupe | 104
Founder of Specialty Records, an independent Los Angeles based label that brought R&B into the mainstream in the pre-rock ‘n’ roll era by signing future stars like Little Richard, Sam Cooke, and Lloyd Price. He received the Ahmet Ertegun Lifetime Achievement Award from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2011.
*Member, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
April 24th, 2022
Andrew Woolfolk | 71
Saxophonist and longtime member of Earth, Wind & Fire who joined the band on their biggest hits during the 1970s and 1980s.
*Member, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
April 26th, 2022
Klaus Schulze | 74
German electronic music pioneer, composer and musician, who also used the alias Richard Wahnfried and was a member of Krautrock bands Tangerine Dream, Ash Ra Tempel, and The Cosmic Jokers.
April 30th, 2022
Naomi Judd | 76
Singer in the GRAMMY-winning country duo The Judds with daughter Wynonna, as well as mother of actress Ashley Judd.
*Member, Country Music Hall of Fame
May 5th, 2022
Jewell | 53
Also known by her full name, Jewell Caples, R&B singer best known for her work with Death Row Records in the early 1990s, providing backing vocals for Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and 2Pac. She was called the “First Lady of Death Row Records.”
May 7th, 2022
Mickey Gilley | 86
Country singer and actor who launched the “Urban Cowboy” movement in country music and inspired the 1980 film of the same name.
May 17th, 2022
Vangelis | 79
Musician, composer, songwriter and producer of electronic, progressive, ambient, and classical orchestral music, best known for his Academy Award-winning scores to Chariots of Fire (1981) and Blade Runner (1982).
May 18th, 2022
Bob Neuwirth | 82
Folk singer, songwriter, record producer, and artist, noted for being the road manager and associate of Bob Dylan, as well as the co-writer of Janis Joplin’s hit song “Mercedes Benz.”
May 18th, 2022
Andy “Fletch” Fletcher | 60
Co-founder and synth/keyboard player of electronic new wave band Depeche Mode, who contributed to their biggest hits in the 1980s and 1990s.
*Member, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
May 26th, 2022
Alan White | 72
Drummer for the band Yes who also played with Yoko Ono’s Plastic Ono Band, on John Lennon’s Imagine album, and on George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass.
May 29th, 2022
Ronnie Hawkins | 87
Musician, talent scout, and leader of his band The Hawks, which included future members of The Band. Originally from Arkansas, he was highly influential in the introduction and growth of rock music in Canada in the 1960s.
June 4th, 2022
Alec John Such | 70
Bassist and founding member of Bon Jovi who played on the original version of “Runaway” and played uncredited on Slippery When Wet, New Jersey, and Keep the Faith.
*Member, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
June 6th, 2022
Jim Seals | 79
Singer, musician, songwriter and one half of soft rock duo Seals & Crofts, who co-wrote such 1970s hits as “Summer Breeze,” “Diamond Girl,” and “Get Closer.”
June 9th, 2022
Julee Cruise | 65
Singer, songwriter and actress best known for her collaborations with composer Angelo Badalamenti and director David Lynch. An instrumental of her 1989 single “Falling” was used as the theme song for Twin Peaks, and she appeared as singer throughout the series, while also touring with the B-52’s in place of singer Cindy Wilson in the 1990s.
June 17th, 2022
Ken Williams | 83
Songwriter who composed hits for Peaches & Herb, Donny Hathaway, The Four Tops, and The Main Ingredient, including “Everybody Plays the Fool.”
June 17th, 2022
Jim Schwall | 79
The co-leader, guitarist, & vocalist for the Siegal-Schwall Band. He had performed with Janis Joplin, Muddy Waters, and Jefferson Airplane, and had a PhD in Musical Composition from the University of Wisconsin,
June 23rd, 2022
Bernard Belle | 57
Composer, producer, singer, musician, and songwriter who worked with Michael Jackson, Bobby Brown, and Whitney Houston.
June 23rd, 2022
Reggie Andrews | 74
Co-writer and producer of the Dazz Band’s GRAMMY-winning hit “Let It Whip,” as well as a beloved music educator whose former mentees range from Leon “Ndugu” Chancler to Patrice Rushen to Terrace Martin.
July 5th, 2022
Manny Charlton | 80
Lead guitarist and founding member of Nazareth, who produced a string of successful albums in the 1970’s, including the Hair of the Dog in 1975.
July 14th, 2022
William Hart | 77
Lead singer and chief lyricist of the soul trio the Delfonics, who helped define the Philadelphia Sound in the 1970s on such hits as “La-La (Means I Love You)” and “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time).”
July 15th, 2022
Paul Ryder | 58
Bassist and founding member of ’80s and ’90s English rock band Happy Mondays, who bridged the Manchester indie rock sound with house and psychedelia.
July 19th, 2022
Diane Luckey (Q Lazzarus) | 61
Reclusive singer of the cult favorite “Goodbye Horses,” who had songs featured in multiple films by Jonathan Demme, including Silence of the Lambs. In 2018, Luckey was tracked down by a journalist who found her driving a bus on Staten Island. A documentary about her life is in the works for a 2023 release.
July 20th, 2022
Frederick Waite Jr. | 55
Reggae drummer and founding member of GRAMMY-winning group Musical Youth, best remembered for their 1982 single “Pass the Dutchie.”
July 29th, 2022
Jim Sohns | 75
Lead singer of 1960s garage rock band The Shadows of Knight, best known for their Top 10 cover of the Van Morrison song “Gloria.”
August 4th, 2022
Sam Gooden | 87
Soul singer and founding member of vocal group the Impressions, who sang on their 1960s hits including the Civil Rights anthem “People Get Ready.”
*Member, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
August 5th, 2022
Judith Durham | 79
Lead singer of Australian ’60s vocal group the Seekers, known for folk pop hits like “I’ll Never Find Another You,” “A World of Our Own,” and “Georgy Girl.”
August 7th, 2022
Gord Lewis | 65
Guitarist of 1980s Canadian punk and power pop band Teenage Head, known for cult hits like “Let’s Shake” and “Picture My Face.”
August 8th, 2022
Lamont Dozier | 81
Prolific songwriter, arranger, and producer who worked as part of the Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting team and defined the Motown sound by working with The Supremes, Martha & the Vandellas, and The Four Tops.
*Member, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
August 8th, 2022
Darryl Hunt | 72
Musician, singer-songwriter and continuous bassist for the Pogues since 1986, who wrote the band’s song “Love You Till The End.”
August 8th, 2022
Olivia Newton-John | 73
Singer, dancer, actress, and pop star of the ’70s and ’80s best known for her roles in Grease (1978) and Xanadu (1980). Her hit songs include “You’re The One That I Want,” “Summer Nights,” “Physical” and “I Honestly Love You.”
August 11th, 2022
Bill Pitman | 102
Guitarist and session musician with the legendary Wrecking Crew whose playing can be heard on a wide range of popular recordings of the ’60s and ’70s, from Frank Sinatra’s “Strangers in the Night” and Elvis Presley’s “Blue Hawaii” to The Ronettes’ “Be My Baby” and The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations.”
August 12th, 2022
Ramsey Lewis | 87
Jazz pianist known for popular covers of 1960s hits like “The In Crowd,” “Hang on Sloopy,” and “Wade In the Water,” receiving three GRAMMY awards throughout his career.
August 22nd, 2022
Jerry Allison | 82
Original drummer for Buddy Holly’s backing band, The Crickets, he also co-wrote their hits “That’ll Be the Day” and “Peggy Sue.”
*Member, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
August 25th, 2022
Mable John | 91
The first female artist signed to Motown, she ultimately went to Stax where she recorded the 1966 hit “Your Good Thing (Is About to End)” and became musical director and singer in Ray Charles’ backing group The Raelettes.
August 26th, 2022
Luke Bell | 32
Critically acclaimed alt-country and honky tonk musician and singer-songwriter.
September 4th, 2022
John Till | 76
Multi-instrumentalist and lead guitarist who headed Janis Joplin’s Full Tilt Boogie Band and played on her posthumous hit “Me and Bobby McGee.”
September 8th, 2022
Sonny West | 85
Songwriter and musician, best known as the co-writer of two of Buddy Holly’s biggest hits: “Oh, Boy!” and “Rave On.”
September 14th, 2022
Jim Post | 82
Half of husband and wife singing duo Friend & Lover who had a 1968 hit with “Reach Out of the Darkness.”
September 14th, 2022
Anton Fier | 66
Drummer for the Feelies, who played on the band’s critially acclaimed 1980 debut album Crazy Rhythms before forming The Golden Palominos, and later playing with Richard Hell and Bob Mould.
September 21st, 2022
Ray Edenton | 95
One of the top session guitarists in Nashville during the ’50s through the ’70s, playing on hit records for major rock and country stars like Elvis Presley, the Everly Brothers, and Patsy Cline.
September 24th, 2022
Pharoah Sanders | 81
Jazz saxophone player who recorded more than 30 albums of his own, but also played with music greats like John Coltrane, Don Cherry, Alice Coltrane, Kenny Garrett, Sun Ra, and Terry Callier.
September 26th, 2022
Gal Costa | 77
Prominent Brazilian singer in the tropicalia music scene in the late 1960s. Her psychedelic self-titled 1969 album is considered a classic of the Tropicalismo genre.
September 29th, 2022
Coolio | 59
GRAMMY-winning rapper, best known for his hits in the 1990s, including “Gangsta’s Paradise” and “Fantastic Voyage.”
October 4th, 2022
Loretta Lynn | 90
Singer-songwriter known as “The First Lady of Country Music” and the most awarded female country recording artist to date, best known for “Coal Miner’s Daughter” as well as songs with themes of women’s issues and empowerment, such as “Wings Upon Your Horns,” “Rated X,” “The Pill,” “Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind)” and “Fist City,” which were often banned from radio.
*Member, Country Music Hall of Fame
October 6th, 2022
Ivy Joe Hunter | 82
Songwriter, record producer and singer, most associated with his work for Motown in the 1960s, particularly co-writing “Dancing In the Street.”
October 10th, 2022
Anita Kerr | 94
GRAMMY-winning leader of the Anita Kerr Singers who defined the Nashville Sound as session singers in the 1950s and ’60s, and performed on hit records for Roy Orbison, Carla Thomas, Esther Phillips, and Bobbly Bland.
October 18th, 2022
Robert Gordon | 75
Punk and rockabilly artist who collaborated with Link Wray and Chris Spedding and played a role in the rockabilly revival of the 1970s and early 1980s.
October 20th, 2022
Lucy Simon | 82
Singer and Tony-winning composer—known for The Secret Garden (1991) and Doctor Zhivago (2011)—as well as half of The Simon Sisters folk duo with her sister Carly Simon in the 1960s.
October 26th, 2022
Judy Tenuta | 72
Comedian, actress, and comedy musician, known for her persona “The Love Goddess.” She received two GRAMMY nominations for Best Comedy Album.
October 28th, 2022
Jerry Lee Lewis | 87
Influential early rock ‘n roll and rockabilly artist, nicknamed “The Killer” and best known for his 1950s hits including “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Breathless,” and “High School Confidential.” His popularity quickly declined when the public learned of his marriage to his 13-year-old cousin, Myra Gale Brown.
*Member, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
*Member, Country Music Hall of Fame
October 28th, 2022
D.H. Peligro | 63
Drummer and punk rock musician who played continuously with the Dead Kennedys since 1981 and briefly for the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1988.
October 30th, 2022
Patrick Haggerty | 78
Founder and frontman of Lavender Country who released the first “queer country” album in 1973 and was a vocal activist for LGBTQ+ rights. He released Lavender Country’s second album Blackberry Rose in 2022.
November 5th, 2022
Tyrone Downie | 66
Jamaican keyboardist & pianist for Bob Marley and The Wailers, joining in 1973 and contributing to the reggae band’s recordings into the 1980s.
November 5th, 2022
Mimi Parker | 55
Singer and drummer for the influential alternative rock band Low, who contributed to the group’s signature vocal harmonies.
November 7th, 2022
Jeff Cook | 73
Founding member of country band Alabama, providing vocals, guitar, fiddle, and piano among other instruments, on their hit records throughout the 1980s.
November 8th, 2022
Dan McCafferty | 76
Lead singer of the 1970s hard rock band Nazareth who sang “Love Hurts” and “Hair of the Dog.”
November 8th, 2022
Keith Levene | 65
Guitarist and co-founder of The Clash and Public Image Ltd. who was a notable presence in London’s burgeoning punk rock scene of the 1970s.
November 9th, 2022
Garry Roberts | 72
Founder and lead guitarist of The Boomtown Rats, who later worked as a live sound engineer for Simply Red and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark,
November 12th, 2022
Gene Cipriano | 94
Saxophonist and member of the famed Wrecking Crew., who recorded as a session musician with a wide variety of popular artists, including Miles Davis, Rosemary Clooney, Frank Sinatra, Glen Campbell, Paul McCartney and Olivia Newton-John.
November 18th, 2022
Tommy Facenda | 83
Early rock and roll singer and guitarist best known for his 1959 single “High School U.S.A.” who was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Gene Vincent’s Blue Caps.
*Member, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
November 19th, 2022
Danny Kalb | 80
Lead guitarist and founding member of the influential, genre-fusing 1960s rock group The Blues Project with Al Kooper.
November 19th, 2022
Nik Turner | 82
Co-founder and saxophonist of British space-rock band Hawkwind, known for his experimental jazz style of playing and colorful onstage presence.
November 23rd, 2022
Wilko Johnson | 75
Guitarist for British blues rockers Dr. Feelgood, known for his distinctive “choppy” guitar style on songs like “She Does It Right” and “Roxette.”
November 25th, 2022
Irene Cara | 63
Singer and actress who starred in Fame (1980), for which she also sang the hit theme, as well as the theme to Flashdance (1983), “Flashdance… What A Feeling.”
November 30th, 2022
Christine McVie | 79
Songwriter, singer, and piano/keyboard player in Fleetwood Mac. An essential part of the band’s lineup during the height of their fame in the late 1970s and early ’80s, she wrote and sang on “Don’t Stop,” “You Make Loving Fun,” “Everywhere,” “Over My Head,” “Hold Me,” and “Little Lies.” Since joining the band in 1970, she also maintained a solo career and released a successful self-titled album in 1984. After leaving for a long period in the 2000s, she returned to Fleetwood Mac in 2014 and collaborated with Lindsey Buckingham on an album in 2017.
*Member, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
December 5th, 2022
Jim Stewart | 92
Producer, record executive, and co-founder of legendary Memphis label Stax, which featured a prolific, racially integrated team of artists and staff in the 1960s and boasted a roster of big-name funk and soul artists, including Sam & Dave, Otis Redding, Rufus and Carla Thomas, Isaac Hayes, and The Staple Singers.
*Member, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Announced December 6th, 2022
(exact date of death unknown)
Hamish Kilgour | 65
Drummer and co-founder of New Zealand indie rock band The Clean, whose motorik beats drove the group’s sound. He also co-founded Bailter Space in 1987 and later recorded as a solo artist. After going missing on November 27, 2022, police confirmed that his body had been found on December 6th.
December 11th, 2022
Angelo Badalamenti | 85
Composer best known for his work scoring films for director David Lynch, notably Blue Velvet (1986), Twin Peaks (1990–1992, 2017), The Straight Story (1999) and Mulholland Drive (2001).
December 13th, 2022
Kim Simmonds | 75
Founder, guitarist, primary songwriter and only consistent member of the 1960s blues rock band Savoy Brown.
December 15th, 2022
Dino Danelli | 78
Drummer for the popular 1960s rock and soul band The Rascals (originally “The Young Rascals”), who released a long string of hits throughout the decade, including “Good Lovin,” “Groovin,” “A Beautiful Morning,” and “People Got to Be Free.”
*Member, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
December 15th, 2022
Bertha Barbee McNeal | 82
Founding member of the Motown vocal group the Velvelettes, who had success with the songs “Needle In a Haystack” and “He Was Really Sayin’ Somethin'” in the 1960s. She helped reform the group in the 1980s to record new music and begin touring.
December 16th, 2022
Rick Anderson | 75
Bassist and founding member of ’70s and ’80s art rock band The Tubes, best known for their 1975 debut single “White Punks on Dope” and their 1983 Top 10 hit “She’s a Beauty.”
December 18th, 2022
Terry Hall | 63
Lead singer of English 2 tone and ska band The Specials and new wave pop band Fun Boy Three. He also collaborated with numerous artists including Bananarama, Sinéad O’Connor, Gorillaz, and Lily Allen.
December 18th, 2022
Martin Duffy | 55
Keyboardist for alternative, neo-psychedelic rock group Primal Scream, who contributed to their successful 1991 album Screamadelica, as well as bands The Charlatans, and Felt.
December 22nd, 2022
Thom Bell | 79
GRAMMY-winning producer, writer and arranger who played a major role in crafting the “Sound of Philadelphia” or “Philly Soul” sound of the 1970s with his lush, orchestral arrangments for artists like The Spinners, The Stylistics, The O’Jays, and The Delfonics.
December 22nd, 2022
Walter “Wolfman” Washington | 79
New Orleans-based musician who fused the blues with jazz and funk, starting his career as a teenager with Lee Dorsey’s band, and later touring with Johnny Adams for 20 years. His last album was released on ANTI-Records in 2018.
December 23rd, 2022
Maxi Jazz | 65
Lead singer of British electronic dance band Faithless, who released 1990s club hits like “Insomnia” and “God Is a DJ.”
December 25th, 2022
Luther “Guitar Junior” Johnson | 83
Chicago blues guitarist who performed with Magic Sam in the 1960s and Muddy Waters in the 1970s, and can be seen backing John Lee Hooker in The Blues Brothers (1980).
December 27th, 2022
Joseph “Jo Mersa” Marley | 31
Grandson of reggae legend Bob Marley and son of GRAMMY-winning musician Stephen Marley, who followed in his family’s footsteps as a reggae artist.
December 29th, 2022
Ian Tyson | 89
Singer-songwriter and revered figure in Canadian music, who began his career as half of the 1960s folk duo Ian and Sylvia, for which he wrote modern folk standards like “Four Strong Winds” and “Someday Soon.” Later formed the early country rock band Great Speckled Bird in 1969.
December 31st, 2022
Jeremiah Green | 45
Drummer and founding member of Modest Mouse, who played with the band over the past 20 years, including their most recent album in 2021, and was on tour with them just this year.
December 31st, 2022
Anita Pointer | 74
Co-founder of the 1970s and ’80s pop vocal group The Pointer Sisters, who sang lead on many of their hits, including “I’m So Excited,” “Slow Hand,” and “Fire.”
