Musicians and singers who died in October 2020

• Musicians who died in 2020

October (71)

[31 Oct 2020] MF Doom (British rapper, songwriter and record producer), 49 Sad news has arrived out of the Rhymesayers Entertainment camp. According to a statement obtained by HipHopDX on Thursday (December 31), MF DOOM has passed away. Known to his countless fans as MetalFace, the elusive MC was famous for his hidden identity, lyrical precision and comic-book persona. ... via hiphopdx.com

[31 Oct 2020] Marc Fosset (French jazz guitarist), 71 Marc Fosset is the oldest of a family of 3 boys and two girls. In 1958, after having seen Yves Montand and Didi Duprat at the ABC (a Parisian music hall), his guitarist, left-handed like him, he decided to learn to play the six-string. In 1960, his godmother gave him his first guitar. ... via francemusique.fr

[31 Oct 2020] Rance Allen (American gospel singer for The Rance Allen Group), 71, complications from surgery One of Gospel's biggest icons has passed. Bishop Rance Allen, one of our greatest voices will be missed. His voice inspired many of today's artist and influenced many gospel stars. ... via iheart.com

[30 Oct 2020] Arthur Wills (English organist and composer), 94 Everyone at Ely Cathedral is very sad to learn of the death early this morning of Dr Arthur Wills OBE. Arthur was Director of Music here between 1958 and 1990, having come to Ely in 1949 as Assistant Organist. ... via elycathedral.org

[30 Oct 2020] Gumer Abdulmanov (Гумер Абдульманов) (Russian singer), 90 In Ufa, in the 91st year, the famous singer, Honored Artist of the BASSR, Chevalier of the Order of Salavat Yulaev, performer of retro hits "Imundur Shaulai", "Ber Minutes", "Yugalma Yuldarymdan" Gumer Abdulmanov passed away. ... via bashinform.ru

[30 Oct 2020] Božidar Tanasković (Serbian rock bassist for Bjesovi), COVID-19 Božidar Tanasković, the bassist of the group Bjesovi, passed away yesterday as a result of the coronavirus, and his colleague from the band announced the sad news on his Facebook account. ... via direktno.rs

[30 Oct 2020] Anatoly Shipitko (Анатолий Шипитько) (Russian conductor), 79 Today, October 30, 2020, the Honored Worker of Arts of the Russian Federation, Honored Worker of Culture of the RSFSR, People's Artist of the Republic of Adygea, Honored Worker of Arts of the Kuban, Knight of the Golden Order "Service to Art", holder of the medal "Glory of Adygea" Anatoly Vasilyevich Shipitko passed away. ... via bezformata.com

[30 Oct 2020] Claudio Garbolino (Argentine keyboardist for Vilma Palma e Vampiro), 54, COVID-19 The Rosario rock band Vilma Palma e Vampiros confirmed the death of musician Claudio Garbolino, who was the group's keyboardist since 2006. He was 54 years old. He was also a member of the vocal group Madrigal. ... via ellitoral.com

[30 Oct 2020] Paul-Baudouin Michel (Belgian composer), 90 We have just learned of the death of Belgian composer Paul-Baudouin Michel, who had just celebrated his 90th birthday last September. All our thoughts are with her daughter, our colleague Hélène Michel and her family in these difficult times. ... via rtbf.be

[29 Oct 2020] Alexander Vedernikov (Russian conductor for Bolshoi Theatre, Royal Danish Opera), 56, COVID-19 Alexander Vedernikov joined the Royal Danish Opera as Chief Conductor from September 2018 and became Musical Director and Principal Conductor of the Mikhailovsky Theatre in January 2019. ... via imgartists.com

[28 Oct 2020] Cano Estremera (Puerto Rican salsa singer), 62 Carlos Enrique Estremera Colón, the 62-year-old “Cano Estremera”, died around 2:00 in the afternoon today, in a hospital on the island where he was held for about a week due to multiple health complications ... via primerahora.com

[28 Oct 2020] Lou Pallo (American guitarist for Les Paul and His Trio), 86 Guitarist Lou Pallo, who anchored the Les Paul Trio for decades and was once described by Keith Richards as "the man of a million chords," died Wednesday. He was 86. ... via northjersey.com

[28 Oct 2020] Billy Joe Shaver (American country musician), 81, stroke Billy Joe Shaver, the outlaw-country music pioneer who wrote some of the genre’s greatest songs, died Wednesday in Waco, Texas, after suffering a stroke. He was 81. Connie Nelson, a friend of Shaver’s, confirmed his death to Rolling Stone. ... via rollingstone.com

[27 Oct 2020] Naresh Kanodia (Indian actor, singer), 77, COVID-19 Veteran Gujarati film actor Naresh Kanodia, 77, breathed his last early on Tuesday morning at the UN Mehta Institute of Cardiology & Research Centre (UNMICRC) in Ahmedabad. Kanodia was hospitalized for the past six days with Covid-19 infection and other health complications. ... via indiatimes.com

[26 Oct 2020] Stan Kesler (American musician, songwriter), 92, bone cancer Musician, songwriter and producer Stan Kesler, a pivotal figure in the Memphis birth of rock 'n' roll whose keen ear, innovative playing and studio smarts enhanced the careers of such rock and soul legends as Jerry Lee Lewis, James Carr, Sam the Sham and Elvis Presley, has died. ... via commercialappeal.com

[25 Oct 2020] Dolores Abril (Spanish singer and actress), 81 Dolores Abril, Juanito Valderrama's widow, died this Sunday at the age of 81, as confirmed by her son Juan Valderrama on his social networks. "You are together forever," he said, "I love you mom." ... via twnews.es

[25 Oct 2020] Jan Boerman (Dutch electronic music composer), 97 Jan Boerman was able to give the mechanical sound world of electronics a human character. The music pioneer died on Sunday, composer Kees Tazelaar, who worked closely with Boerman, reports to the Volkskrant. ... via volkskrant.nl

[25 Oct 2020] Rosanna Carteri (Italian operatic soprano), 89 On October 25, Italian soprano Rosanna Carteri passed away in the city of Monte Carlo. Born in Verona on December 14, 1930, Carteri began learning music from a young age, performing in concerts since the age of 12. ... via operawire.com

[25 Oct 2020] Mahesh Kumar Kanodia (Indian singer and politician), 83 Gujarati film musician and singer Mahesh Kanodia passed away today due to prolonged illness. The ace singer used to represent the Patan constituency of Gujarat and he was a member of BJP. ... via indiatimes.com

[24 Oct 2020] Cal Vin (Zimbabwean singer and rapper), 35, traffic collision Zimbabwean rapper and singer Mgcini Calvin Nhliziyo, known as Cal Vin, has died, his family confirmed to ZimLive. The 35-year-old artist reportedly died on Saturday night after watching a football game in Luveve. ... via citizen.co.za

[23 Oct 2020] Jerry Jeff Walker (American singer-songwriter), 78, throat cancer Country music singer Jerry Jeff Walker, the man behind "Mr. Bojangles," died Friday after a battle with throat cancer. He was 78. ... via npr.org

[22 Oct 2020] Margie Bowes (American country music singer for Grand Ole Opry), 79 Margie Bowes Wilburn Brentwood 79, 22-Oct, Woodbine Funeral Home Hickory Chapel. ... via tennessean.com

[22 Oct 2020] K. Deep (Indian singer and comedian), 80 Punjabi singer K. Deep (80), who is famous for songs like Baba Way Kalam Road, died on Thursday. He was unwell for the past several days and was undergoing treatment ... via jagran.com

[21 Oct 2020] Zero Babu (Indian singer for Kudumbini), 80 K.J. Mohammed Babu, veteran theatre and film singer and musician, died here on Wednesday. Popular as ‘Zero Babu’, he was ailing for long owing to age-related illnesses. ... via thehindu.com

[19 Oct 2020] Overton Berry (American jazz pianist), 84, heart disease One of Seattle’s most beloved and popular musicians, the effervescent jazz pianist Overton Berry, died peacefully at home on Monday, said his son Sean Berry. He was 84 and had suffered from heart disease for several years. ... via seattletimes.com

[19 Oct 2020] Vaclovas Daunoras (Lithuanian opera singer), 83 He is considered one of the most famous Lithuanian singers in the world. "He was the most amazing Lithuanian bass, with a unique timbre," musicologist J. Katinaitė told LRT RADIO. Farewell to opera soloist Vaclovas Daunoras will take place in the Great Hall of the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theater on October 23. ... via lrt.lt

[19 Oct 2020] Spencer Davis (Welsh singer and guitarist for The Spencer Davis Group), 81, pneumonia Spencer Davis, the leader of a rock group under his name that had some of the most propulsive and enduring hits of the 1960s, including “Gimme Some Lovin’,” “I’m a Man” and “Keep On Running” — all sung not by him but by a teenage Steve Winwood — died on Monday in Los Angeles. He was 81. ... via nytimes.com

[19 Oct 2020] Tony Lewis (English bassist, singer and songwriter for The Outfield), 62 Tony Lewis, singer and bassist of English rock band The Outfield, died at age 62. He died "suddenly and unexpectedly" on Monday near London, according to a statement from publicist Bari Lieberman. ... via usatoday.com

[18 Oct 2020] Alfredo Cerruti (Italian music producer, and singer for Squallor), 78 Alfredo Cerruti, record producer, actor, TV author, died, but above all he was the founder and voice of Squallor, the group founded in 1971 together with Bigazzi, Pace and Savio. ... via ansa.it

[18 Oct 2020] Chet "JR" White (American bassist for Girls), 40 Chet “JR” White, producer and one-half of the beloved band Girls, has died at age 40. He passed away on Sunday night at his family’s home in Santa Cruz after his heart stopped during the night, according to True Panther Records founder Dean Bein, who put out all of the Girls albums. No more details are known at this time. ... via stereogum.com

[18 Oct 2020] Juliusz Łuciuk (Polish classical composer), 93 Juliusz Luciuk was born on January 1, 1927 in Brzeźnica near Radomsko. He graduated from music schools in Częstochowa. He studied music in the years 1947–1956 at the State Higher School of Music in Krakow, where he studied composition with Stanisław Wiechowicz (graduated in 1956) and music theory (graduated in 1955) ... via radiokrakow.pl

[18 Oct 2020] Maisa Tsuno (Japanese guitarist for Akaiko-en), 29, suicide Maisa Tsuno, a member of popular Japanese rock band Akaiko-en, has died, the group's agency said Monday, with police suspecting suicide. ... via kyodonews.net

[18 Oct 2020] Naâma (نعمة) (Tunisian singer), 84 Tunisian artist Naâma has just passed away this Sunday, October 18, 2020, at the age of 84. Naâma, whose real name is Halima Bent Laroussi Ben Hassen Escheikh, is one of the greatest singers in the history of Tunisian music. ... via espacemanager.com

[18 Oct 2020] José Padilla (Spanish DJ for Café del Mar), 64, colon cancer José Padilla, the iconic Ibiza DJ known for his sets at the Café del Mar, died on Sunday, October 18. The news was confirmed by his family via his social media accounts. Earlier this year Padilla revealed that he’d been diagnosed with colon cancer. ... via pitchfork.com

[18 Oct 2020] Ilana Rovina (Israeli singer), 86, COVID-19 On Sunday, October 18th, at the age of 86, famous Israeli singer and actress Ilana Rovina died. The Israeli media write that the cause of death was the coronavirus disease. ... via newsru.co.il

[17 Oct 2020] Toshinori Kondo (Japanese jazz trumpeter), 71 Toshinori Kondo, 71, peacefully passed away on the night of Saturday, October 17, 2020. Toshinori was supposed to perform at Seitaro Kuroda’s live painting event in Osaka tonight. He was very much looking forward to it, and his not being able to take part in the event is just truly unfortunate ... via toshinorikondo.com

[16 Oct 2020] Johnny Bush (American country singer-songwriter), 85 Born in Houston in 1935 as John Bush Shinn III, Bush received his big break from Nelson, who helped him land a job as a drummer in Ray Price’s band, the Cherokee Cowboys. Nelson would go on to bankroll Bush’s debut single, 1967’s “Sound of a Heartache,” and vouched for Bush’s talent in a message on the back cover of the album of the same name. “Johnny Bush is a great singing talent,” Nelson wrote, “as you will discover after hearing his first album Sound of a Heartache.” ... via rollingstone.com

[16 Oct 2020] Gordon Haskell (English singer-songwriter and musician for King Crimson), 74 Gordon Haskell, who played bass and sang for King Crimson in the early 70s has died, aged 74, according to his official Facebook page. In a post from earlier today it states: "It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Gordon, a great musician and a wonderful person who will be sadly missed by so many." ... via loudersound.com

[16 Oct 2020] P. S. Narayanaswamy (Indian singer), 86 Padmabhushana Vid. Shri Puliyur Subramaniam Narayanaswamy, one among the finest gurus of carnatic music in India, passed away last night at his residence here. A winner of many awards and titles, including the Padma Bhushan, and Kalaimamani from the Tamil Nadu government, Narayanaswamy was a torch bearer of the Semmangudi Tradition, evolving a style of his own with ‘Manodharma Sangeetham’. ... via newindianexpress.com

[15 Oct 2020] Dave Munden (English drummer and singer for The Tremeloes), 76, respiratory infection Dave Munden, the original drummer and frequent lead singer for the British beat group the Tremeloes, best known for their hit covers of “Do You Love Me,” “Here Comes My Baby” and “Silence is Golden” in the 1960s, died Thursday (October 15) ... via bestclassicbands.com

[14 Oct 2020] Dmitriy Danin (Дмитрий Данин) (Russian composer, keyboardist and singer), 70 Soviet and Russian musician, composer Dmitry Danin died at the age of 70 after a long illness. A friend of the deceased, producer Maxim Fyodorov told RIA Novosti on Wednesday. ... via iz.ru

[14 Oct 2020] Herbert Kretzmer (South African-born English journalist and lyricist for Les Misérables), 95 Les Misérables lyricist Herbert Kretzmer has died, it was confirmed by family and friends online. Born in South Africa in 1925, the journalist and lyricist moved to London in the 1950s to pursue a career in the UK. ... via whatsonstage.com

[14 Oct 2020] Paul Matters (Australian rock bassist for AC/DC) Australian musician Paul Matters, who played bass for rock band AC/DC in their early years, passed away on Wednesday, reports shared on Thursday morning confirm. ... via liveforlivemusic.com

[13 Oct 2020] Kęstutis Antanėlis (Lithuanian composer, architect and sculptor), 69 Famous composer, architect and sculptor Kestutis Antanelis died in Lithuania. President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda brought his condolences to the artist's relatives and fans. ... via sputniknews.ru

[13 Oct 2020] Saint Dog (American rapper for Kottonmouth Kings), 44 Kottonmouth Kings rapper Saint Dog has died ... TMZ has learned. Law enforcement sources tell us ... Saint -- whose real name is Steven Thronson -- was found dead early Wednesday morning at a friend's house in Victorville, CA. ... via tmz.com

[13 Oct 2020] Karl Schütz (Austrian organist), 84 OB Commander Prof. Dr. Karl Schütz, Commandery Klosterneuburg, on October 13, 2020 ... via oessh.at

[12 Oct 2020] Jon Gibson (American minimalist musician for Philip Glass Ensemble), 80 Jon Gibson, a beloved minimalist composer and founding member of the Philip Glass Ensemble, has died. Gibson passed away due to unspecified health problems. He was 80 years old. ... via exclaim.ca

[12 Oct 2020] Kim Massie (American blues singer), 63 Saint-Louis has lost one of his singing legends. Kim Massie is deceased, according to several people close to her. Massie was a jazz and blues singer whose soulful voice moved thousands of people. ... via exbulletin.com

[12 Oct 2020] Ezra Schabas (American-Canadian musician), 96 Born in New York City on April 24, 1924, son of Hyman Schabas and Minnie Anker, Ezra Schabas passed away peacefully in Toronto on October 12, 2020. He leaves his beloved wife, Ann (née Fairley), whom he married in 1949, five children, William (Penelope), Richard (Patti), Margaret, Michael (Veronica) and Paul (Alison), twelve grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren. ... via legacy.com

[11 Oct 2020] Harold Betters (American jazz trombonist), 92 Known as “Mr. Trombone,” Western Pennsylvania native Harold Betters succeeded on the world stage, but he always called Connellsville home. ... via triblive.com

[11 Oct 2020] Boro Drljača (Serbian folk singer), 79, colon cancer Folk music singer Borislav Bora Drljaca passed away on Sunday, October 11, at the age of 80, Telegraf.rs has learned. ... via telegraf.rsm

[11 Oct 2020] Rajan (Indian musician and composer), 87, heart attack Eminent music director Rajan of Rajan-Nagendra fame died late on Sunday at his residence here due to a cardiac arrest, family sources said. According to his family members, 87-year old Rajan, who was the elder brother of Nagendra, had developed complications on Saturday and suffered a heart attack. ... via outlookindia.com

[09 Oct 2020] David Refael ben Ami (Israeli singer), 70, COVID-19 From the hospital in Jerusalem came the bitter news of the death of the Hasidic Breslav singer and creator Rabbi David Raphael Feinshil (רבי דוד רפאל (בן עמי)) who died of the coronavirus. ... via umanshalom.co.il

[09 Oct 2020] Ruth Falcon (American operatic soprano), 77 Ruth Falcon, a soprano who sang leading roles at major international opera houses and went on to become a sought-after voice teacher, mentoring prominent artists including Deborah Voigt, Sondra Radvanovsky and Danielle de Niese, died on Oct. 9 in Manhattan. She was 77. ... via nytimes.com

[09 Oct 2020] Pierre Kezdy (American musician for Naked Raygun), 58, cancer Pierre Kezdy, bass guitarist for Naked Raygun, one of Chicago’s most influential and best loved punk rock bands, died Friday at 58 at a hospice in Glenview. The longtime Evanston resident had cancer. ... via suntimes.co

[08 Oct 2020] Brian Locking (English rock bass guitarist for The Shadows), 81, bladder cancer Grantham musician Brian Locking, who played bass guitar with The Shadows in the sixties, has died. Brian, who was 82, died in north Wales this week, but had lived most of his life in Grantham, moving there as a small boy with his family ... via granthamjournal.co.uk

[08 Oct 2020] Mohammad-Reza Shajarian (Iranian classical singer), 80, kidney cancer It was deeply shocking for his fans and the Iranian music community when the icon of Persian traditional music appeared in a video in the early days of Noruz, the celebration of the Iranian New Year celebration, in March 2016, wishing a happy New Year for Iranians and announcing that he was suffering from chronic kidney cancer. ... via tehrantimes.com

[07 Oct 2020] Alexander Alexeev (Russian conductor), 82 It is with the deepest regret that we inform you that on October 7, 2020, at the age of 83, the Honored Worker of Arts, Professor of the Department of Opera and Symphony Conducting Alexander Vasilyevich Alekseev died. ... via conservatory.ru

[07 Oct 2020] Ray Pennington (American country singer-songwriter), 86, house fire Country musician, songwriter and producer Ray Pennington — whose song, "I'm A Ramblin' Man," became a chart-topping hit for Waylon Jennings — died Wednesday at 86. Pennington was killed in a house fire at his Sumner County home, in the 2600 block of New Hope Road. ... via tennessean.com

[06 Oct 2020] Yves Gérard (French musicologist), 88, cancer Musicologist Yves Gérard died of cancer on Tuesday, October 6, at the age of 88, in a Paris hospital. ... via lemonde.fr

[06 Oct 2020] Bunny Lee (Jamaican reggae producer), 79 Legendary reggae producer Bunny Lee has died at the age of 79, it has been confirmed. The producer, whose real name was Edward O’Sullivan Lee, played an integral role in the introduction of the genre to the UK in the 1970s after securing a licensing deal with Trojan Records. ... via nme.com

[06 Oct 2020] Vladislav Piavko (Russian opera singer), 79 Russian opera singer, People's Artist of the USSR Vladislav Piavko died at the age of 79. This was announced on Wednesday on his Facebook page. ... via tass.ru

[06 Oct 2020] Johnny Nash (American singer-songwriter), 80 Johnny Nash, best known for his 1972 hit "I Can See Clearly Now," died Tuesday morning, his son, John Nash, told CNN. He was 80 years old. The American reggae and pop music singer-songwriter passed away from natural causes at his home in Houston, his son said. ... via cnn.com

[06 Oct 2020] Eddie Van Halen (Dutch-born American Hall of Fame musician for Van Halen), 65, throat cancer Eddie Van Halen, the legendary guitar innovator and virtuoso who led Van Halen through five decades and three lead singers, establishing himself as one of the all-time great players in rock history, died Tuesday after a long battle with cancer. He was 65. ... via rollingstone.com

[05 Oct 2020] Béatrice Arnac (French actress and singer), 89 His career has been as surprising as it is prolific. Béatrice Arnac, who lived in Le Bugue (Dordogne) for many years, died on Monday, October 5 at the age of 89. ... via sudouest.fr

[05 Oct 2020] Shakti Thakur (Indian singer for Dadar Kirti), 73 Noted veteran singer Shakti Thakur passed away after suffering a massive heart attack. His daughter Mehuli shared the news on social media. ... via indiatoday.in

[03 Oct 2020] Karel Fiala (Czech operatic tenor), 95 Singer and actor Karel Fiala, best known for playing the lead in the 1964 film 'Lemonade Joe, or the Horse Opera', a parody of the American Western genre, has died at the age of 95, iRozhlas.cz reports. ... via radio.cz

[03 Oct 2020] Anthony Galindo (Venezuelan singer for Menudo), 41, suicide The singer who was known as “Papi Joe”, was admitted to the hospital after trying to kill himself on September 27. Singer Anthony Galindo “Papijo” is admitted to a Miami hospital. ... via thestateindia.com

[02 Oct 2020] Cookie Monsta (British dubstep producer), 31 Longstanding bass music producer Cookie Monsta, born Tony Cook, has died at age 31. ... via billboard.com

[02 Oct 2020] Aleksandr Kalyanov (Russian sound engineer and singer), 73 Musician Alexander Kalyanov died. In the 90s, Alexander Kalyanov was one of the brightest stars of the Alla Pugacheva Song Theater. ... via kp.md

[02 Oct 2020] Lisa Schouw (South African-born Australian singer for Girl Overboard), cancer Lisa Schouw of Girl Overboard has passed away after a battle with cancer. New Zealander Lisa re-teamed with Melbourne songwriter Robin Gist in 1987 and formed Seperate Tables. ... via noise11.com