Musicians and singers who died in August 2020

• Musicians who died in 2020

August (68)

[31 Aug 2020] Mark Colby (American saxophonist), 71, cancer Saxophonist Mark Colby died Aug. 31 from complications related to cancer, according to an email sent to DownBeat from Elmhurst University. He was 71. ... via downbeat.com

[31 Aug 2020] John Meyer ( Australian slide guitarist for Rose Tattoo), 67 John was born in Three Springs, a small farming town in rural Western Australia. The first born of Dutch immigrants, John’s father Jan was a jazz fan and John grew up to the sounds of Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman and the like. ... via guitargods.com

[30 Aug 2020] Daddy Boastin' (Saint Vincent-born Swedish rapper), 61, cancer Daddy Boastin 'was born in 1959 in Saint Vincent, Caribbean. In Sweden, he collaborated with Latin Kings and Teddybears Sthlm and influenced the Swedish reggae scene during the 1990s and 2000s. ... via svt.se

[29 Aug 2020] Shafaullah Khan Rokhri (Pakistani singer), cardiac arrest Renowned Saraiki folk singer Shafaullah Rokhri died here on Saturday due to cardiac arrest, a private news channel reported. ... via dunyanews.tv

[29 Aug 2020] Mikhail Shestakov (Russian violinist for People's Artist of Russia), 64 The violinist, accompanist of the B.S. P. I. Tchaikovsky, Mikhail Shestakov (Михаил Шестаков) has died in Moscow. ... via classicalmusicnews.ru

[27 Aug 2020] Mike Noga (Australian rock multi-instrumentalist for The Drones), 43 Mike Noga, esteemed solo artist and former drummer for Australian rock bands The Drones and Legends Of Motorsport has died at the age of 43. ... via abc.net

[27 Aug 2020] Ronnie Kole (American jazz pianist, founder of the French Quarter Festival), 89 Ronnie Kole, the renowned New Orleans pianist who performed for six presidents, a pope and audiences around the world, died Thursday. He was 89. ... via nola.com

[27 Aug 2020] Archana Mahanta (Indian folk singer), 71, stroke Veteran Assamese singer Archana Mahanta passed away at a city hospital on Thursday. She was 72. Mahanta had suffered a stroke in mid July and her condition deteriorated since. ... via indianexpress.com

[27 Aug 2020] Sunil Dhar (Bangladeshi classical musician), 87, heart failure Nazrul and classical music exponent Ustad Sunil Kumar Dhar died of heart failure on Thursday night at a hospital in Mymensingh city. He was 87. ... via newagebd.net

[25 Aug 2020] Georges Boeuf (French composer and musician), 82 Marseille saxophonist and composer Georges Bœuf died on Tuesday August 25 in Marseille, at the age of 82. Jack-of-all-trades, his catalog of compositions spanned from solo piano to opera. ... via francemusique.fr

[25 Aug 2020] Mick Hart (Australian folk musician), 50 Mick Hart, the ARIA-nominated singer-songwriter who developed a following in Australia and Europe with songs like ‘Still The Flowers Bloom’, has passed away in Sydney, aged 50 ... via themusicnetwork.com

[25 Aug 2020] Gerry McGhee (Scottish singer for Brighton Rock), 58, cancer With very heavy hearts, BraveWords sadly must report the passing of Brighton Rock singer Gerald Damian "Gerry" McGhee, who found more worldwide success with Isotope Music Canada, Isotope Music UK and the recent major resurgence of vinyl, launching Precision Record Pressing that was located in located in Toronto and Burlington, Ontario ... via bravewords.com

[25 Aug 2020] Albert Appel (American educator and musician for Appel Farm Arts and Music Center), 98 Albert Appel, with his wife Clare, turned a 116-acre property in rural Elmer into a summer arts camp for children in 1960. The couple then nurtured their project into the Appel Farm Arts & Music Center, a regional attraction that drew students, performers and spectators over the years. ... via courierpostonline.com

[25 Aug 2020] Steve Sample Sr (American bandleader and arranger for Million Dollar Band), 90 The staff arranger for the University of Alabama's Million Dollar Band, has passed away. Steve Sample Sr. wrote the band's iconic arrangement of "Yea Alabama". ... via wvtm13.com

[24 Aug 2020] Riley Gale (American trash metal singer for Power Trip), 34 It is with the greatest of sadness we must announce that our lead singer and brother Riley Gale passed away last night. ... via weheartmusic.com

[23 Aug 2020] Peter King (English jazz saxophonist), 80 Very sad news. One of the very greats of British jazz, saxophonist Peter King, passed away on Sunday 23 August, just a few days after his 80th birthday. He had been ill for some time. ... via londonjazznews.com

[23 Aug 2020] Charli Persip (American jazz drummer), 91 Charli Persip, whose career as a leading jazz drummer included close associations with Dizzy Gillespie, Randy Weston and many others — along with nearly 40 years at the helm of his own big band, SuperSound — died at Mt. Sinai Morningside in New York City on Sunday. ... via wbgo.org

[23 Aug 2020] Giannis Poulopoulos (Greek singer-songwriter), 79, cardiac arrest Singer Giannis Poulopoulos, one of the greatest Greek singers whose voice has been identified with some of the greatest hits of Greek discography, has died at the age of 79. ... via kathimerini.gr

[22 Aug 2020] Walter Lure (American guitarist for The Heartbreakers), 71, lung and liver cancer Walter Lure, who was guitarist in iconic NYC punk band The Heartbreakers, has died after battle with lung cancer and liver cancer. He was 71. ... via brooklynvegan.com

[22 Aug 2020] Anatoliy Ponomarenko (Russian opera singer for People's Artist of the RSFSR), 75 On August 22, the People's Artist of Russia, the leading baritone of the Samara Academic Opera and Ballet Theater Anatoly Yakovlevich Ponomarenko passed away. ... via sova.info

[22 Aug 2020] D.J. Rogers (American soul singer and producer), 72 He never received the popular acclaim that his talent warranted, but for his many fans -- and his musical peers -- he was appreciated to the core. Today was say a sad goodbye to singer, producer and multi-instrumentalist DJ Rogers (born DeWayne Julius Rogers). He was 72. ... via soultracks.com

[21 Aug 2020] Ron Tudor (Australian music producer, label owner of Fable Records), 96 Australian music industry legend Ron Tudor has passed away at the age of 96. Ron was awarded the Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1979 for his services to the recording industry. ... via noise11.com

[20 Aug 2020] Justin Townes Earle (American singer-songwriter), 38 Justin Townes Earle, the singer-songwriter and son of Steve Earle, has died. The news was confirmed on his official Facebook page on Sunday night. He was 38. ... via pitchfork.com

[20 Aug 2020] Frankie Banali (American drummer for Quiet Riot), 68, pancreatic cancer Quiet Riot's Frankie Banali has died after a battle with pancreatic cancer. The drummer passed away last night (Thursday, August 20) at the age of 68. ... via blabbermouth.net

[20 Aug 2020] Piotr Szczepanik (Polish singer and actor), 78 The singer, guitarist, actor Piotr Szczepanik is dead - performer of one of the most beautiful Polish ballads about love "Kochać"; also such songs as "Goniąc Kormorany" and "Żółte calendars". ... via pitchfork.com

[19 Aug 2020] Randall Craig Fleischer (American conductor for Anchorage Symphony Orchestra), 61 Randall Craig Fleischer, the longtime music director of the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra, died Wednesday night at his home in California, according to media reports. He was 61 years old. ... via adn.com

[19 Aug 2020] Todd Nance (American drummer for Widespread Panic), 57 Founding Widespread Panic drummer Todd Nance has died at age 57 today in Athens, Georgia due to “sudden and unexpectedly severe complications of a chronic illness.” ... via jambase.com

[19 Aug 2020] Lou Ragland (American R&B singer for Ink Spots), 78 Lou Ragland, leader and lead vocalist of The World Famous Ink Spots, died on August 19th at his home in Las Vegas. He was 78. ... via celebrityaccess.com

[18 Aug 2020] Steve Gulley (American bluegrass singer-songwriter), 57, pancreatic cancer There are a couple of clichés used to describe a good guy. One is he would give you the shirt off his back. The other is that he didn’t seem to have an enemy in the world. ... via bluegrasstoday.com

[18 Aug 2020] Sean Pentecost (Australian metal drummer for Superheist) Sean Pentecost, original drummer and founding member of Australian metal band Superheist, has passed away. ... via musicfeeds.com

[18 Aug 2020] Boris Purgalin (Russian screenwriter and lyricist), 84 As it became known to "MK", ​​the body of 84-year-old Boris Purgalin was found at about 6.45 am on the territory of the Federal Research and Clinical Center FMBA on Orekhovy Boulevard. Boris Purgalin is the author of the popular TV show Benefis, the author of the lyrics for the film Only in the Music Hall. Collaborated with Vladimir Presnyakov, Anatoly Kalvarsky and other composers. ... via blabbermouth.net

[18 Aug 2020] Roger Quigley (English singer and songwriter), 51 Roger Quigley, the leading musician and composer of the British indie scene in the late 90s, died this Tuesday in Manchester at the age of 51. ... via elpais.com

[18 Aug 2020] Jack Sherman (American guitarist for Red Hot Chili Peppers), 64 Jack Sherman, who was the guitarist on the first Red Hot Chili Peppers album and contributed to the group’s second, has died. He was 64 and no cause of death has been determined. ... via deadline.com

[17 Aug 2020] Jasraj (Indian classical vocalist), 90, cardiac arrest One of the doyens of Indian classical music, Pandit Jasraj died at the age of 90 in New Jersey, USA. Pandit Jasraj suffered a cardiac arrest at 5.15 EST (2.45 pm IST), his family informed the media. ... via indiatoday.in

[14 Aug 2020] Julian Bream (English classical guitarist and lutenist), 87 Classical guitarist and lute player Julian Bream has died at his home in Wiltshire at the age of 87. ... via bbc.com

[14 Aug 2020] Ewa Demarczyk (Polish singer and poet), 79 Ewa Demarczyk is dead. The great artist died on August 14 in the morning. The "Black Madonna" of Polish culture, on social media. Ewa Demarczyk changed the Polish song; took it to a different level - said Witold Wnuk, artistic director of the Summer Jazz Festival in Piwnica pod Baranami, who collaborated with the artist ... via onet.pl

[14 Aug 2020] Valentina Legkostupova (Russian pop singer), 54 Valentina Legkostupova is a pop singer, Honored Artist of Russia. She made her debut in 1985, and in the late 80s she won prizes in competitions for young performers. The most famous artist brought the song "Berry-Raspberry", which was first performed in the program "Blue Light" on January 1, 1987. ... via ria.ru

[14 Aug 2020] Pete Way English rock bass guitarist for UFO), 69, injuries sustained in accident Iconic bass player Pete Way, founder of UFO, WAYSTED and, more recently, THE PETE WAY BAND, has died at the age of 69. He sustained life-threatening injuries in an accident two months ago ... via blabbermouth.net

[13 Aug 2020] Gulnazar Keldi (Tajik lyricist and poet), 74 Author of the national anthem of independent Tajikistan Gulnazar Keldi, 75, died in hospital today, a source in the Ministry of Health told Asia-Plus. ... via asiaplustj.info

[11 Aug 2020] Trini Lopez (American singer), 83, Coronavirus Trini Lopez, the guitarist and singer whose renditions of “If I Had a Hammer” and “Lemon Tree” climbed the charts in the 1960s and an actor who appeared in films including The Dirty Dozen, has died of complications from COVID-19 ... via rollingstone.com

[11 Aug 2020] Belle du Berry (French singer for Paris Combo), 54, cancer The singer Belle du Berry, voice of the group Paris Combo which had known a great success in the years 2000, chaining the scenes in France and abroad, died in the night of Monday to Tuesday, "carried away in a sudden way by cancer,” the group announced on Wednesday August 12. ... via lemonde.fr

[11 Aug 2020] Pat Fairley (Scottish bassist and singer for Marmalade), 76 Pat Fairley, co-founder of Scottish pop rock group Marmalade, dies aged 76 Tributes have been paid to Pat Fairley, one of the founding members of Marmalade, the Scottish pop rock group which enjoyed a string of hits throughout the 1960s and 1970s. ... via scotsman.com

[11 Aug 2020] Rahat Indori (Indian lyricist and poet), 70, Coronavirus Rahat Indori, one of the most popular contemporary Urdu poets in India, breathed his last on Tuesday. He was 70. Earlier today, he had informed his fans on Twitter that he was tested positive for COVID-19 after experiencing some initial symptoms. ... via dnaindia.com

[10 Aug 2020] Don Martin (New Zealand bassist for Mi-Sex), cancer Don Martin, an original member and bass player of Mi-Sex has lost his battle with cancer. Don had been fighting cancer for a number of years. Keyboard player Murray Burns broke the news to fans. ... via noise11.com

[10 Aug 2020] Joe Segal (American jazz promoter and club owner), 94 Aside from the musicians themselves, no one did more for jazz in Chicago than impresario Joe Segal. For more than 70 years, starting in 1947 as a student at Roosevelt University, Segal presented the world’s greatest jazz musicians in rented hovels, rundown showrooms, dilapidated hotels and, eventually, elegant clubs and concert halls. ... via chicagotribune.com

[09 Aug 2020] Martin Birch (British music producer and engineer for Deep Purple, Whitesnake), 71 Legendary British producer Martin Birch, who is best known for engineering and producing albums by Deep Purple, Rainbow, Fleetwood Mac... died earlier today (Sunday, August 9) at the age of 71. ... via blabbermouth.net

[09 Aug 2020] Alauddin Ali (Bangladeshi composer), 67, lung complications Eminent music director Alauddin Ali breathed his last on Sunday afternoon. He was 67 years old. He was admitted to a hospital in the capital on Saturday in critical condition. He had been suffering from lung complications and was in life support. ... via dhakatribune.com

[09 Aug 2020] Waldemar Bastos (Angolan musician), 66, cancercomplications Angolan musician Waldemar Bastos, died this morning in Lisbon, victim of cancer, at the age of 66, said a source from the communication office of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Environment of Angola. ... via blitz.pt

[08 Aug 2020] Salome Bey (American-born Canadian singer), 86 Salome Bey, regarded as Canada’s first lady of blues, died Saturday. She was 86. “Salome had the most powerful voice coupled [with] the most gentle spirit, but she was resilient,” wrote Rosemary Sadlier, former president of the Ontario Black History Society, in a tribute on Facebook ... via iheartradio.ca

[08 Aug 2020] Anatoliy Duda (Ukrainian opera singer), 73 Today, August 8, 2020, the heart of the Ukrainian opera singer, teacher, professor, People's Artist of Ukraine Anatoly Ivanovich Duda stopped beating. Anatoly Ivanovich was 73 years old. ... via vgorode.ua

[08 Aug 2020] Erich Gruenberg (Austrian-born British violinist and teacher), 95 Erich Gruenberg, violin soloist and former leader of the London Symphony Orchestra amongst other ensembles, has died at his home in Hampstead Garden Suburb. He was 95. ... via thestrad.com

[07 Aug 2020] Alain Delorme (French singer for Crazy Horse), 70 Our colleagues from the Future have announced the death at the age of 70 of singer Alain Delorme who was very popular in the 70s in our region where he hosted popular balls with his group Crazy Horse of which he was the leader. ... via sudinfo.be

[07 Aug 2020] Paul Dokter (Dutch singer and guitarist for The Serenes), 59 A piece of Frisian pop history has passed away: today it was announced that Paul Dokter, one of the two singing and song-writing figureheads of the legendary Frisian band The Serenes, died of cardiac arrest last Friday at the age of 59. ... via oor.nl

[07 Aug 2020] Ruth Gassmann (German actress and singer for Helga – Vom Werden des menschlichen Lebens), 85 German actress Ruth Gassmann has passed away at the age of 85. In the 1960s she starred in the groundbreaking information film Helga, which was seen by millions of people worldwide. ... via nos.nl

[07 Aug 2020] Mark Wirtz (French musician and record producer), 76, Pick's disease Brilliant producer/artist Mark Wirtz passed away early this morning from Pick’s Disease, a form of dementia. He was one of the 1960’s most talented producers and renowned artist in his own right. ... via thestrangebrew.co.uk

[06 Aug 2020] Wayne Fontana (English singer for The Mindbenders), 74, cancer Wayne Fontana, who found pop stardom in the 1960s with songs including Game Of Love, has died at the age of 74. With his band The Mindbenders, the Manchester-born singer broke into the UK top five in 1964 with Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um. ... via bbc.com

[06 Aug 2020] Vern Rumsey (American recording engineer and bassist for Unwound, Fitz of Depression), 47 Vern Rumsey, who played bass in the great '90s/early 2000s post-hardcore band Unwound, has died. He was 47. ... via brooklynvegan.com

[05 Aug 2020] Jan Savage (American guitarist for The Seeds), 77 Buck Jan Reeder, also known as Jan Savage of The Seeds, 77, of Ada, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, in Ada. Arrangements are pending with Estes-Phillips Funeral Home. ... via theadanews.com

[06 Sep 2020] Anita Lindblom (Swedish singer and actress), 82 The artist Anita Lindblom, known among other things for having sung the hit song "Sånt är livet", has passed away at the age of 82 after a short illness. ... via sydsvenskan.se

[05 Aug 2020] Agathonas Iakovidis (Greek folk singer), 65, heart attack Greece’s well-known Rebetiko musician Agathonas Iakovidis passed away suddenly in Thessaloniki at the age of 65 on Wednesday, according to information from the website thestival.gr. ... via greekreporter.com

[04 Aug 2020] Tony Costanza (American metal drummer for Machine Head), 52 Tony Costanza – who performed in Machine Head (1991-1994), Crowbar (2001), Papsmear (1986), Area 51, Crisis (1999-2001) and Debris Inc. (according to Metal Archives) – has died at the age of 52. ... via nextmosh.com

[04 Aug 2020] Rajko Dujmić (Croatian songwriter, composer and music producer), 65, traffic collision Rajko Dujmić ended up in an induced coma after a serious traffic accident. Doctors fought for his life, but there was nothing they could do. He died in the Rijeka hospital in Sušak. ... via 24sata.hr

[04 Aug 2020] FBG Duck (American rapper), 26, shot FBG Duck has reportedly been shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in his hometown of Chicago. ... via xxlmag.com

[03 Aug 2020] Billy Goldenberg (American composer and songwriter), 84 Billy Goldenberg, the Emmy-winning composer and songwriter, died Monday night at his home in New York City. He was 84. ... via variety.com

[03 Aug 2020] Inés Rivadeneira (Spanish operatic mezzo-soprano), 91 Inés Rivadeneira passed away in Madrid on August 3 at 91, after a long illness. The mezzo-soprano had an outstanding professional career in both opera and zarzuela. ... via beckmesser.com

[03 Aug 2020] Michael P. Smith (American songwriter), 78, colon cancer A star of Chicago’s folk scene and an award-winning composer who toured the United States and Canada for more than half a century, Michael Smith died Monday at 78 of colon cancer, according to his friend, singer Jamie O’Reilly. ... via suntimes.com

[02 Aug 2020] Leon Fleisher (American pianist), 92, cancer Leon Fleisher, the brilliant American pianist who was in his 30s when fingers in his right hand suddenly stopped working — a fateful twist that cut short his playing career — and for three decades was one of the great enigmas of the classical-music world, died Aug. 2 at a hospice care center in Baltimore ... via washingtonpost.com

[02 Aug 2020] Steve Holland (American guitarist for Molly Hatchet), 66 Steve Holland, founding guitarist of Southern rock band Molly Hatchet, has died. News of Holland’s passing was shared on social media by his most recent band, Gator Country. ... via consequenceofsound.net

[02 Aug 2020] Larry Novak (American jazz pianist), 87 Chicago jazz pianist Larry Novak, a fixture of Chicago’s 1960s club scene, died Sunday at age 87. “We lost a giant today,” bassist Eric Hochberg, who recorded with Novak, wrote on Facebook. ... via suntimes.com

Comments

[Kaptin Barrett]

Antigua & Barbuda Calypso legend Sir Rupert ‘Swallow’ Philo aka King Swallow aka the Mighty Swallow died on September 11th 2020, he was 78 years old. He was 4 times Calypso Monarch and 5 times Road March winner.

Also another Calypso singer Colin 'Observer' Reid from Barbados on September 4th 2020.