Dance Music

Evelyn Thomas (1953–2024), disco singer known for High Energy

Evelyn Thomas was a singer best known for her 1984 dance club hit, “High Energy.” 

Frank Farian (1941–2024), Milli Vanilli creator

Frank Farian was a German singer, songwriter, and record producer who created the hit pop acts Milli Vanilli and Boney M. 

DJ Casper (1965–2023), creator of Cha Cha Slide

Willie Perry Jr., better known as DJ Casper, was a Chicago disc jockey and songwriter best known as the creator of the party favorite “Cha Cha Slide.” 

Rita Lee (1947–2023), Brazil’s Queen of Rock 

Rita Lee was a founding singer with the Brazilian band Os Mutantes, known as Brazil’s “Queen of Rock.” 

Geraldine Hunt (1945–2022), “Can’t Fake the Feeling” singer

Geraldine Hunt was an R&B singer who had a disco hit in 1980 with “Can’t Fake the Feeling.”

Joyce Sims (1959–2022), “Come into My Life” singer

Joyce Sims was an R&B singer who had an international hit in 1987 with “Come into My Life.”

Steve Bronski (1960–2021), Bronski Beat co-founder

Steve Bronski was a co-founder of the British synthpop band Bronski Beat known for their hit song "Smalltown Boy."

Paul Johnson (1971–2021), DJ and producer known for “Get Get Down”

Paul Johnson was a house DJ and producer known for his 1999 hit single “Get Get Down.”

John Davis (1954–2021), real Milli Vanilli singer

John Davis was one of the real vocalists behind Milli Vanilli including their 1989 hit "Girl You Know It's True."

Nick Kamen (1962–2021), Levi’s model and singer who worked with Madonna

Nick Kamen was an English model and singer best known for the songs “Each Time You Break My Heart” and “I Promised Myself.”

Tony “Cookie Monsta” Cook (2020), popular dubstep DJ

Tony Cook, known as “Cookie Monsta,” was a popular dubstep DJ on the EDM festival circuit.

Erick Morillo (1971–2020), “I Like to Move It” DJ

Erick Morillo was a DJ and producer known for the dance music hit “I Like to Move It.”     

Mory Kanté (1950–2020), Guinean musician who had an international hit with “Ye Ke Ye Ke”

Mory Kant é was a Guinean singer and kora player who brought the music of West Africa to the world with his 1987 hit, “Ye Ke Ye Ke.”

Ceybil Jefferies (2020), "Love So Special” singer

Ceybil Jefferies was a singer known for the 1990s house music hits “Love So Special” and “Open Your Heart.” She was a New York City underground dance music legend who used different stage names during her music career. The best known alias for Jefferies was Sweet Sable.  

Keith Flint (1969–2019), The Prodigy frontman

Energetic frontman sang on hit singles “Firestarter” and “Breathe.”

Avicii (1989–2018), world famous Swedish DJ and producer

Avicii's hits include “Wake Me Up” and “Hey Brother.”

Robert Miles (1969–2017), DJ known for club hit Children

Legendary DJ was known for the 1995 international smash hit “Children.”

Joni Sledge (1956–2017), one of sisters behind hit song "We Are Family"

Joni Sledge, a member of the family group Sister Sledge who recorded the dance anthem “We Are Family,” died Friday, March 10, 2017, in Phoenix, according to The Associated Press. She was 60.

Don Cornelius: Love, Peace and Soul

Don Cornelius was the heart and soul of a TV dance show like no other.

Larry Steinbachek (1960–2016), Bronski Beat keyboard player

Keyboard player co-founded 1980s British synthpop band Bronski Beat.

Colonel Abrams (1949–2016), house music pioneer

Colonel Abrams, a singer who was one of the house and dance music pioneers of the 1980s, died Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016, according to multiple news sources. He was 67.

John Bradbury (1953 - 2015), drummer for the Specials

John "Brad" Bradbury, the multi-instrumentalist drummer for the British ska revival group The Specials, has died. He was 62.

Remembering Stephen Samuel Gordon, AKA The Spaceape

We remember Stephen Samuel Gordon, the poet and MC, better known to his fans as The Spaceape.