1960s

Jesse Colin Young (1941–2025), Youngbloods frontman

Jesse Colin Young was the founder and frontman of the band the Youngbloods, best known for their enduring classic about peace, “Get Together,” originally written by Chet Powers.0

Jerry Butler (1939–2025), first leader of The Impressions

Jerry “Iceman” Butler was the original lead singer for The Impressions, who went on to a successful solo career and later became a Chicago politician.0

Gerd Stern (1928–2025), Beat Generation multimedia artist

Gerd Stern was an influential poet and multimedia artist of the Beat era, as well as the co-founder of the 1960s art collective, USCO. 

Tommy Hunt (1933–2025), Hall of Fame soul singer

Tommy Hunt was a soul singer inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his work with The Flamingos, whose hits include “I Only Have Eyes for You.” 

Sam Nujoma (1929–2025), first president of Namibia

Sam Nujoma was a leader of Namibia’s decades-long War of Independence, later elected its first president.

Gary Mage (1946–2025), Hall of Fame bowler

Gary Mage was a Hall of Fame bowler who excelled in the 1960s and ‘70s, then went on to form the PBA Northwest Region, which he oversaw until 2020. 

David Edward Byrd (1941–2025), 1960s rock poster artist

David Edward Byrd was an artist known for his psychedelic posters promoting 1960s rock acts and for his logos and posters for significant Broadway musicals. 

Marianne Faithfull (1946–2025), As Tears Go By singer

Marianne Faithfull was a singer and actress who became a pop icon in the 1960s thanks to a string of successful singles and movies, as well as a romance with Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger.

Jan Shepard (1928–2025), actress in King Creole

Jan Shepard was an actress who starred alongside in “King Creole” and “Paradise, Hawaiian Style.” 

A Look at Notable & Celebrity Deaths from January 2025 Week 3

Here are the most recent deaths in the national news, as reviewed and fact-checked by the Legacy.com news team in the third week of January 2025.

Mike Hynson (1942–2025), The Endless Summer surfer

Mike Hynson was a California surfer and surfboard designer who became a star of the scene in the 1960s when his adventures were captured in the 1966 documentary, “The Endless Summer.” 

Garth Hudson (1937–2025), last surviving member of The Band

Garth Hudson was a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-inducted keyboardist and the last surviving member of The Band.

Charles Person (1942–2025), youngest of the Freedom Riders

Charles Person was a civil rights activist best known as the youngest of the original Freedom Riders, a group of activists who challenged illegal, unconstitutional racial segregation that was rampant throughout the American South.

Sam Moore (1935–2025), Soul Man singer with Sam & Dave

Sam Moore was the surviving half of the Grammy-winning, Hall of Fame-honored soul and R&B duo Sam & Dave, best known for their enduring hit, “Soul Man.”

Peter Yarrow (1938–2025), Peter, Paul and Mary singer

Peter Yarrow was a singer-songwriter and guitarist with the legendary folk music trio Peter, Paul and Mary, known for their song “Puff the Magic Dragon.”

Brenton Wood (1941–2025), The Oogum Boogum Song singer 

Brenton Wood was a singer and songwriter best known for a trio of hits released in 1967: "The Oogum Boogum Song," "Gimme Little Sign," and "Baby You Got It." 

Olivia Hussey (1951–2024), Romeo and Juliet star

Olivia Hussey was an actress best known for her starring performance as Juliet in filmmaker Franco Zeffirelli’s “Romeo and Juliet.” 

Rocky Colavito (1933–2024), Cleveland’s great MLB slugger

Rocky Colavito was a popular Major League Baseball player with the Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers in the 1950s and ‘60s, a six-time all-star who was one of the great sluggers of his era.

Michael Cole (1940–2024), The Mod Squad actor

Michael Cole was an actor best known for playing Pete Cochran in the 1960s and ‘70s crime drama, “The Mod Squad,” and a 64-episode stint on “General Hospital.” 

Malcolm Smith (1941–2024), Baja 1000 racing legend

Malcolm Smith was a racing driver known for his five wins at the Baja 1000 and four at the Baja 500, both notoriously grueling desert races.

Alice Brock (1941–2024), the real Alice of Alice’s Restaurant

Alice Brock was a restaurant owner immortalized in Arlo Guthrie’s epic classic song, “Alice’s Restaurant Massacree,” better known as “Alice’s Restaurant.” 

Sir Lady Java (1942–2024), entertainer and transgender rights activist 

Sir Lady Java was a noted singer, dancer, and entertainer of the 1960s and ‘70s club scene in Los Angeles who became an early transgender activist.

Linda LaFlamme (1939–2024), keyboardist, co-writer of White Bird

Linda LaFlamme was a musician and founding member of It’s a Beautiful Day, the San Francisco band with which she performed the 1960s anthem, “White Bird.”

Jonathan Haze (1929–2024), original Little Shop of Horrors star

Jonathan Haze was an actor best known for playing Seymour in the 1960 original version of “The Little Shop of Horrors.” 

Paul Morrissey (1938–2024), Andy Warhol collaborator

Paul Morrissey was a filmmaker best known for his collaborations with artist Andy Warhol and for briefly managing the Velvet Underground.

Phil Lesh (1940–2024), Grateful Dead bassist

Phil Lesh was a founding member of the Grateful Dead and remained the band’s bassist for its entire 30-year career.

Rudy May (1944–2024), Angels, Yankees pitcher

Rudy May was a left-handed pitcher for such Major League Baseball teams as the California Angels and New York Yankees from the 1960s through ‘80s.0

Jack Jones (1938–2024), The Love Boat theme singer

Jack Jones was a singer and actor best known for such songs as “Wives and Lovers” and the theme song to the TV show “The Love Boat.” 

Ron Ely (1938–2024), Tarzan of the 1960s

Ron Ely was an actor best known for starring in the 1960s television show “Tarzan” and hosting the Miss America pageant.

Patti McGee (1945–2024), first female skateboarding champion

Patti McGee was the first woman to skateboard professionally and the first winner of the women’s division of the National Skateboard Championships.

Barbara Dane (1927–2024), folk singer and activist

Barbara Dane was a folk, blues, and jazz singer who spent her career fighting for peace and justice through the power of song.

John Lasell (1928–2024), Dark Shadows actor

John Lasell was an actor best known for playing vampire hunter Dr. Peter Guthrie on the gothic soap opera “Dark Shadows.” 

Ethel Kennedy (1928–2024), human rights advocate

Ethel Kennedy was the widow of U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and an advocate for human rights.

Otis Davis (1932–2024), two-time gold medal-winning runner

Otis Davis was a track and field athlete who won two Olympic gold medals for the United States in the 1960 Rome games.

Joe Schmidt (1932–2024), legendary Detroit Lions middle linebacker

Joe Schmidt was an NFL linebacker and coach for the Detroit Lions whose storied career led him to 10 consecutive Pro Bowls and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Caterina Valente (1931–2024), popular French-Italian singer

Caterina Valente was a French-Italian singer and musician who sang in 11 different languages and performed with icons like Dean Martin, Bing Crosby, and Ella Fitzgerald.

Ed Kranepool (1944–2024), 18-year New York Mets veteran

Ed Kranepool was a career New York Met and 18-year veteran of the team, being on hand from their first year and playing through its initial failures and successes.

Sergio Mendes (1941–2024), brought bossa nova to the U.S. charts

Sergio Mendes was a Brazilian musician best known for songs like “Mas Que Nada” and “The Look of Love,” which helped bring bossa nova and samba music to the U.S. charts.

James Darren (1936–2024), actor in Gidget, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

James Darren was a singer and actor best known for his work in the “Gidget” movies, as well as his recurring roles in shows like “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” and “T.J. Hooker.” 

Phil Donahue (1935–2024), TV talk show icon

Phil Donahue was a longtime talk-show host whose signature program all but created the template that daytime TV would follow for years to come.

Peter Marshall (1926–2024), longtime Hollywood Squares host

Peter Marshall was a television entertainer and game-show star best known for his 16-year, 5,000-episode run as the host of “Hollywood Squares” from 1966 to 1981.

Peggy Moffitt (1937–2024), ‘60s fashion model

Peggy Moffitt was a model and actress best known for helping define the makeup-heavy, chopped-hair look of ‘60s fashion.

Maurice Williams (1938–2024), singer of Stay from Dirty Dancing

Maurice Williams was a singer and bandleader who fronted the group Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs, best known for their song “Stay,” featured in the film “Dirty Dancing.”

Mitzi McCall (1930–2024), comedian and Seinfeld actress

Mitzi McCall was an actress and comedian known for roles on such TV shows as “Seinfeld,” “Life Goes On,” and “Alright Already,” and for her appearance on an iconic episode of “The Ed Sullivan Show.”

Robert Logan (1941–2024), Wilderness Family, 77 Sunset Strip actor

Robert Logan was an actor best known for playing the father, Skip Robinson, in the “Wilderness Family” series of movies in the 1970s, and for playing J. R. Hale, aka Johnnie, a parking attendant in the TV detective series “77 Sunset Strip.” 

John Mayall (1933–2024), godfather of British blues

John Mayall was a British blues guitarist and bandleader who helped launch the careers of legends like Eric Clapton, , and Mick Taylor.

Sandy Posey (1944–2024), Born a Woman singer

Sandy Posey was a singer known for 1960s hits like “Born a Woman” and “Single Girl.” 

Duke Fakir (1935–2024), last surviving founder of the Four Tops

Duke Fakir was a singer best known as the last surviving founder of legendary Motown group the Four Tops.

Jerry Miller (1943–2024), guitarist and co-founder of Moby Grape

Jerry Miller was a guitarist best known as one of the co-founders of ‘60s rock band Moby Grape, as well as the frontman of the Jerry Miller Band.