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

Joey Molland (1947–2025), last surviving member of Badfinger

Joey Molland was an English guitarist and songwriter with Badfinger, who carried on the band for years after its other core members died.

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.

John Sykes (1959–2025), guitarist for Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake

John Sykes was a guitarist, singer, and songwriter known for his time in the hard rock bands Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake.

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.”

Wayne Osmond (1951–2025), founding member of The Osmonds

Wayne Osmond was a founding member of The Osmond Brothers, the family singing group that later became The Osmonds.

David Mallett (1951–2024), Maine singer-songwriter

David Mallett was a singer-songwriter from Maine best known for his children’s folk composition, “Garden Song,” which has been widely covered by other artists, including a popular version by . 

Slim Dunlap (1951–2024), The Replacements guitarist

Slim Dunlap was a rock musician best known as the second guitarist for Minneapolis rock legends The Replacements, replacing founding member Bob Stinson and playing on the band’s final two albums.

Mike Brewer (1944–2024), One Toke Over the Line singer

Mike Brewer was half of the folk-rock duo Brewer & Shipley, best known for their 1971 hit song, “One Toke Over the Line.” 

Peter Sinfield (1943–2024), co-founder of King Crimson

Peter Sinfield was a poet and songwriter best known as co-founder and lyricist for influential progressive rock band King Crimson, penning the lyrics on their acclaimed debut LP, “In the Court of the Crimson King.” 

Nick Gravenites (1938–2024), bluesman who wrote for Janis Joplin

Nick Gravenites was a blues singer and guitarist who sang with the Electric Flag and wrote music for . 

Freddie Salem (1954–2024), former guitarist for Outlaws

Freddie Salem was a rock guitarist best known for his time with the Southern rock band Outlaws. 

Russell Malone (1963–2024), acclaimed jazz guitarist

Russell Malone was an acclaimed jazz guitarist who has worked with noted artists such as Harry Connick Jr., Wynton Marsalis, Diana Krall, and many others.

Greg Kihn (1949–2024), Jeopardy singer and songwriter

Greg Kihn was a singer, songwriter, and guitarist who led the Greg Kihn Band, known for such ‘80s power pop hits as “Jeopardy” and “The Breakup Song (They Don’t Write ‘Em).”

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.

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.

Joe Egan (1946–2024), Stuck in the Middle with You singer 

Joe Egan was a singer, songwriter and founding member of Stealers Wheel, best known for co-writing and singing the song, “Stuck in the Middle with You.” 

Laurie Lindeen (2024), Zuzu’s Petals singer and writer 

Laurie Lindeen was the singer and guitarist for the ‘90s indie rock band Zuzu’s Petals, as well as an author and columnist.

Ray St. Germain (1940–2024), well-known Winnipeg musician and TV host

Ray St. Germain was a popular Canadian musician and longtime host of Canadian television shows “Time for Living” and “Big Sky Country.” 

John Koerner (1938–2024), blues guitarist who mentored Bob Dylan

“Spider” John Koerner was a blues guitarist, singer and songwriter who enjoyed a six-decade career and ably mentored a young Bob Dylan.

Duane Eddy (1938–2024), early rock and roll guitar hero 

Duane Eddy was an early rock and roll guitar hero known for his influential twangy sound, heard on songs like “Peter Gunn” and “Rebel Rouser.” 

Dickey Betts (1943–2024), Allman Brothers Band guitarist and singer

Dickey Betts was a guitarist, singer and songwriter best known as one of the founding members of the iconic classic rock act the Allman Brothers Band and the writer of classics like “Ramblin’ Man,” “Blue Sky” and “Jessica.”

Karl Wallinger (1957–2024), World Party frontman 

Karl Wallinger was a Welsh musician and songwriter known for his work with World Party and the Waterboys.

Dex Romweber (1966–2024), half of the power duo Flat Duo Jets 

Dexter “Dex” Romweber was a rockabilly musician and one half of the power duo Flat Duo Jets, who were a major influence on back-to-basics rock acts like The White Stripes. 

Donald Kinsey (1953–2024), guitarist for the Kinsey Report, Wailers

Donald Kinsey co-founded the blues group the Kinsey Report alongside his family members, and he played guitar with such artists as Bob Marley and the Wailers.

Toby Keith (1961–2024), chart-topping country music star

Toby Keith was one of the top stars in country music, selling over 40 million albums and best known for such singles as “How Do You Like Me Now?!” and “As Good as I Once Was.” 

Wayne Kramer (1948–2024), MC5 guitarist and co-founder 

Wayne Kramer was a guitarist and one of the co-founders of MC5, a loud, politically charged rock band out of Detroit that is credited as a major precursor to what would become punk.

Larry Collins (1944–2024), rockabilly guitar great 

Larry Collins was a West Coast musician and songwriter known for his aggressive rockabilly style and for co-penning songs like “Delta Dawn” and “You’re the Reason God Made Oklahoma.” 

Jeffrey Foskett (1956–2023), longtime Beach Boys touring guitarist 

Jeffrey Foskett was a guitarist who toured and recorded with the Beach Boys and Brian Wilson for decades.

Denny Laine (1944–2023), cofounder of Wings and the Moody Blues

Denny Laine was an English singer, songwriter, and guitarist who cofounded Wings and the Moody Blues.

Chad Allan (1943–2023), founding member of the Guess Who

Chad Allan was a multi-instrumentalist musician who helped found Canadian rock band the Guess Who as their original lead singer.

Scott Kempner (1954–2023), punk pioneer with the Dictators 

Scott Kempner was a New York guitarist and a founding member of the proto-punk band the Dictators, as well as the rock band the Del-Lords, known for his aggressive three-chord attack on the guitar.

Dwight Twilley (1951–2023), I’m on Fire singer 

Dwight Twilley was a singer and songwriter who had power pop hits in the 1970s and ‘80s with the Dwight Twilley Band and as a solo artist.

Buck Trent (1938–2023), Hee Haw cast member and country musician

Buck Trent was a country music guitarist and banjoist who played on Dolly Parton’s hit song “Jolene” and had a regular role on “Hee Haw.” 

Len Chandler (1935–2023), folk and protest musician

Len Chandler was a musician during the 1960s folk revival and protest music scene whose work drew the attention of , , and others.

Jack Sonni (1954–2023), guitarist for Dire Straits

Jack Sonni was a musician and writer best known as the second guitarist for Dire Straits during their “Brothers in Arms” era.

Bernie Marsden (1951–2023), Whitesnake guitarist and songwriter

Bernie Marsden was an English guitarist best known as a co-founder of the hard rock band Whitesnake. 

Bobby Eli (1946–2023), Philadelphia musician, producer, and songwriter

Bobby Eli was a Philadelphia musician, producer, and songwriter known for his work with the studio band MFSB, as well as with artists like The Jacksons, , Jay-Z, and Elton John.

Robbie Robertson (1943–2023), cofounder of The Band

Robbie Robertson was a songwriter and musician who cofounded the classic Americana group The Band, writing “The Weight” and several more of their best-known songs, as well as playing lead guitar for Bob Dylan.

George Tickner (1946–2023), founding guitarist in Journey 

George Tickner was a guitarist and songwriter who co-founded Journey.

Alan Arkin (1934–2023), Oscar-winning Little Miss Sunshine star

Alan Arkin was an actor known for roles in films including “Wait Until Dark” (1967) “Glengarry Glen Ross” (1992), and “Little Miss Sunshine” (2006), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Samantha Weinstein (1995–2023), actress in Carrie

Samantha Weinstein was a Canadian non-binary actress who starred in “Jesus Henry Christ” and appeared in the 2013 “Carrie” remake.

Sheldon Reynolds (1959–2023), guitarist for Earth, Wind & Fire

Sheldon Reynolds was a guitarist and co-vocalist for several landmark bands, including Earth, Wind & Fire, and The Commodores. 

Rob Laakso (1979–2023), Kurt Vile collaborator in the Violators 

Rob Laakso was a multi-instrumentalist indie musician who was a longtime member of the Violators and a key collaborator with Kurt Vile, in addition to working with bands like Swirlies and Mice Parade.

Linda Lewis (1950–2023), It’s in His Kiss singer 

Linda Lewis was a British singer, songwriter, and guitarist whose hits included “It’s in His Kiss.”

Keith Gattis (1970–2023), country singer who wrote hits for Kenny Chesney

Keith Gattis was a country singer who wrote hits for Kenny Chesney and George Strait.

Otis Redding III (1963–2023), guitarist with the Reddings

Otis Redding III was the guitarist for the funk band the Reddings, as well as the son of soul legend .

Mark Sheehan (1976–2023), guitarist with the Script

Mark Sheehan was a guitarist who co-founded the Irish rock band the Script.

Ian Bairnson (1953–2023), guitarist for Kate Bush, Alan Parsons Project 

Ian Bairnson was a Scottish guitarist who played on hits for Kate Bush, the Alan Parsons Project, and Pilot.