Musicians

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.

Quincy Jones (1933–2024), legendary music producer

Quincy Jones was a noted jazz musician, film composer, and one of the greatest music producers of the 20th century, working with Frank Sinatra (1915–1998), Dinah Washington (1924–1963), Michael Jackson (1958–2009), and other top musicians.

Johnny Canales (1942–2024), Tejano singer and TV host

Johnny Canales was a Mexican Tejano singer and popular television show host who helped launch the career of singer Selena.

Mike Pinder (1941–2024), the Moody Blues' last original member

Mike Pinder was the original keyboardist and the last surviving founding member of the superstar English rock band the Moody Blues, and an inductee in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Harry Connick Sr. (1926–2024), longtime New Orleans district attorney 

Harry Connick Sr. was the district attorney for Orleans Parish (New Orleans) from 1973 to 2003 and the father of musician and actor Harry Connick Jr. 

Iasos (1947–2024), New Age music pioneer

Iasos was a musician whose 1975 album “Inter-Dimensional Music” was one of the early examples of New Age music.

David McCallum (1933–2023), star of NCIS, The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

David McCallum was a Scottish actor who played secret agent Ilya Kuryakin in the 1960s spy series “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” and later starred as medical examiner Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard on “NCIS.” 

Sixto Rodriguez (1942–2023), 'Searching for Sugar Man' musician

Sixto Rodriguez was an internationally recognized Detroit musician best known in the United States for being featured in the Oscar-winning documentary “Searching for Sugar Man.” 

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.” 

Leny Andrade (1943–2023), known as the First Lady of Brazilian Jazz

Leny Andrade was a singer and musician whose incredible blend of bossa nova and jazz vocal improvisations garnered her the nickname “First Lady of Brazilian Jazz.” 

John Gosling (1948–2023), keyboardist for the Kinks

John Gosling was a keyboardist with the British rock group the Kinks throughout the 1970s, and hec2would later form the spinoff band the Kast Off Kinks.c2

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.

Ron “Patch” Hamilton (1950–2023), Patch the Pirate singer and songwriter

Ron “Patch” Hamilton was a singer and songwriter who created the “Patch the Pirate” series of Christian recordings for children.

Blair Tindall (1960–2023), author of Mozart in the Jungle

Blair Tindall was a classical musician who went on to write the memoir, “Mozart in the Jungle,” adapted into a series of the same name for Amazon.

John Regan (1951–2023), bassist for Peter Frampton

John Regan was a bass player who recorded and toured alongside Peter Frampton, Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones, and Ace Frehley.

Vivian Trimble (1963–2023), keyboardist for Luscious Jackson

Vivian Trimble was the keyboardist and a pivotal member of the alternative group Luscious Jackson, best known for their song, “Naked Eye.”

Wayne Shorter (1933–2023), jazz saxophonist who co-founded Weather Report

Wayne Shorter was an iconic jazz saxophonist with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, the Miles Davis Quintet, and Weather Report.

Gerald Fried (1928–2023), film and television composer 

Gerald Fried was an American film and television composer. He is best known for his work scoring "Roots” and composing Star Trek’s iconic fight-scene music.

Dave 'Trugoy the Dove' Jolicoeur (1968–2023), De La Soul cofounder 

David Jolicoeur was a founding member of the pioneering rap trio De La Soul.  He performed under the names “Trugoy the Dove,” “Plug Two,” and simply "Dave.” 

Floyd Sneed (1942–2023), Three Dog Night drummer

Floyd Sneed was the drummer for Three Dog Night, known for hits including “Joy to the World” and “Mama Told Me Not to Come.”

Tom Verlaine (1949–2023), songwriter, guitarist and Television co-founder

Tom Verlaine was a singer, songwriter, and musician best known as the frontman for the New York-based 1970s punk band, Television.

Dean Daughtry (1946–2023), Atlanta Rhythm Section co-founder

Dean Daughtry was the keyboardist and a founding member of the southern rock band Atlanta Rhythm Section.

Johnny Powers (1938–2023), early rock and roller

Johnny Powers was an early Detroit rock and roll musician known for songs including “Long Blond Hair.”

Robbie Bachman (1953–2023), Bachman-Turner Overdrive drummer

Robbie Bachman was the drummer for Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO), known for 1970s hits including “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet.”

Jeff Beck (1944–2023), influential guitarist with the Yardbirds and the Jeff Beck Group

Jeff Beck was one of the greatest guitarists in rock music history, known for his work with the Yardbirds and the Jeff Beck Group, and as a solo artist.

Freddie Roulette (1939–2022), blues lap steel guitarist

Freddie Roulette was a blues musician known for his unusual use of the Hawaiian lap steel guitar.

Jeremiah Green (1977–2022), Modest Mouse drummer 

Jeremiah Green was the drummer for the indie rock band Modest Mouse, known for hits including “Float On.”

Fred White (1955–2023), Earth, Wind & Fire drummer

Fred White  was the drummer for Earth, Wind & Fire in the 1970s and ‘80s, including on such hits as “September” and “Shining Star.”

Walter “Wolfman” Washington (1943–2022), popular New Orleans musician 

Walter “Wolfman” Washington was a guitarist and singer who led the popular New Orleans bar band the Roadmasters.

Gary Friedkin (1952–2022), Clarence the cook on “Happy Days”   

Gary Friedkin was an actor who played Clarence the cook on “Happy Days” and starred in the film “Young Doctors in Love.”

Don Newkirk (2022), De La Soul collaborator  

Don Newkirk was a New York City musician and producer known for his work with De La Soul and Prince Paul.  

Pablo Milanés (1943–2022), beloved Cuban singer-songwriter

Pablo Milanés was a beloved Cuban singer-songwriter known as Pablito who led the genre of music called Nueva Trova.

Keith Levene (1957–2022), founding member of Public Image Ltd., the Clash

Keith Levene was a founding member and guitarist in Public Image Ltd. and the Clash.

Nik Turner (1940–2022), former Hawkwind member

Nik Turner was a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist who was a member of the legendary British space rock band Hawkwind.

Jeff Cook (1949–2022), guitarist and fiddler for Alabama

Jeff Cook was a co-founder of the wildly popular country band Alabama, playing guitar, fiddle, and keyboards as well as singing backing vocals.

Don Lewis (1941–2022), legendary synth pioneer 

Don Lewis was a legendary synth player who worked with Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson and who invented the Live Electronic Orchestra, the inspiration for MIDI.

Mimi Parker (1967–2022), singer and drummer for Low

Mimi Parker was the drummer and co-vocalist for the indie rock band Low, known for their slow and ethereal music.

Patrick Haggerty (1944–2022), pioneering gay country musician   

Patrick Haggerty was a pioneering gay country musician who founded Lavender Country, believed to be the first openly gay country band.

Jerry Lee Lewis (1935–2022), “Great Balls of Fire” rock 'n' roll pioneer

Jerry Lee Lewis was a singer and pianist who pioneered rock n’ roll with hits including “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin' On” and “Great Balls of Fire.”

Noel Duggan (1949–2022), founding member of Irish band Clannad 

Noel Duggan was an Irish musician who was a founding member of the family folk band Clannad.

Kevin Locke (1954–2022), Native American musician and hoop dancer

Kevin Locke was an acclaimed Native American musician and hoop dancer who worked to preserve native musical traditions.

Pharoah Sanders (1940–2022), jazz saxophonist

Pharoah Sanders was a saxophonist known for his free jazz and spiritual jazz.

John Hartman (1950–2021), Doobie Brothers drummer

John Hartman was the founding drummer for the Doobie Brothers, who played on hits including “Black Water” and “Listen to the Music.”

Joey DeFrancesco (1971–2022), Hammond Organ Jazz legend 

Joey DeFrancesco was considered by many to be the best Jazz Hammond B3 organ player in the world.

Bill Pitman (1920–2022), legendary Wrecking Crew guitarist  

Bill Pitman was a legendary session guitarist who was a member of the Wrecking Crew, elite studio musicians who played on some of the greatest pop and rock songs.

Michael Henderson (1951–2022), R&B singer and Miles Davis’ bassist

Michael Henderson was a bassist in band as well as an R&B singer with hits including “Wide Receiver.”

Mickey Rooney Jr. (1945–2022), actor, musician, and Mickey Rooney’s son

Mickey Rooney Jr. was an actor and musician as well as the son of actor .

Paul Ryder (1964–2022), Happy Mondays bassist

Paul Ryder was the founding bassist for Happy Mondays, one of the leading bands in the Madchester music scene on the 1980s and ‘90s.

Manny Charlton (1941–2022), lead guitarist for Nazareth

Manny Charlton was the founding lead guitarist for the Scottish rock band Nazareth, known for hits including “Love Hurts” and “Hair of the Dog.”