Manu Dibango (1933–2020), jazz musician, died of COVID-19

Manu Dibango was a saxophonist, vibraphonist, and songwriter from Cameroon who was known for mixing traditional African music with jazz and funk. His 1972 song “Soul Makossa” was an international hit.

Alan Merrill (1951–2020), “I Love Rock 'n' Roll” co-writer

Alan Merrill wasthe co-writer of the hit rock and roll anthem I Love Rock Nf4 Roll.Merrill was the lead vocalist and bassist for the glam rock bandthe Arrowsin the 1970s.The band had some popularity in England including hosting a weekly television music show.He co-wrote I Love Rock Nf4 Roll with guitaristJake Hooker. Merrill thought thesong would be a big hit for thebandbut it did not happen. Joan Jett hadseen the Arrowsperform the song on TV inEngland while touring with the Runaways andrecorded herhitversion in1982.Merril continued to perform after the Arrows broke up and he was a member of singer Meat Loaff5s band in the 1980s.

Wallace Roney (1960–2020), jazz trumpet legend

Wallace Roney was a jazz trumpet legend who was the only protégé of jazz giant Miles Davis. An accomplished jazz trumpeter at a young age, he met Miles Davis after he performed at a tribute concert for his idol. The two became close friends and they performed together once at a concert in 1991. Roney was part of the “Young Lions” group of jazz musicians in the 1980s who were bringing back the bebop sound. He released many critically acclaimed albums as a band leader.

Adam Schlesinger (1967–2020), Fountains of Wayne bassist and songwriter

Adam Schlesinger was the bassist and one of the principal songwriters for Fountains of Wayne, who had their biggest hit with 2003’s “Stacy’s Mom.”

Ellis Marsalis Jr. (1934–2020), New Orleans jazz piano legend

Ellis Marsalis Jr. was a well-known New Orleans jazz pianist who was the patriarch of a musical family including sons Branford and Wynton Marsalis.

Cristina Monet-Zilkha (1959–2020), “Things Fall Apart” singer

Calling herself0aCristina, shewas a new wave pop singer who was part of the 1980s New York City underground scene known for the dance pop song cdThings Fall Apart.e

John Prine (1946–2020), beloved singer-songwriter

John Prine was an American folk singer-songwriter renowned for songs featuring offbeat lyrics about life, love, and social issues.

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.  

Lee Konitz (1927–2020), pioneering cool jazz saxophonist

Lee Konitz, legendary saxophonist who played on “Birth of the Cool,” died Wednesday of complications from coronavirus at 92.

Henry Grimes (1935–2020), free jazz legend

Henry Grimes was a legendary free jazz bassist who played with many greats including Sonny Rollins.

Fred the Godson (1985–2020), Bronx rapper

Fred the Godson was a rapper from the South Bronx who was named to XXL Magazine’s 2011 freshman class along with Mac Miller and Kendrick Lamar.

Troy Sneed (1967–2020), Grammy-nominated gospel singer

Troy Sneedwasan acclaimed gospel musicartistwho reached No. 2 on the gospel charts with hishit song My Heart Says Yes.

Oscar Chavez (1935–2020), popular Mexican protest singer

Oscar Chavez was one of the most well-known protest singers in Mexico. He was known for his folk style songs such as “La Casita” which took on Mexico’s political corruption.  

Kiing Shooter (1995–2020), NYC rapper who recorded on Nas’ label

Kiing Shooter was a New York City rapper who was signed to Nas’ Mass Appeal Records and Jungle’s Street Dreams Records.

Helen Jones Woods (1923–2020), pioneering female jazz trombonist

Helen Jones Woods was a pioneering jazz trombonist who played with the historic integrated all-female jazz band the International Sweethearts of Rhythm during the 1940s.

Trini Lopez (1937–2020), “Lemon Tree” singer

Trini Lopez was a popular singer whose version of “Lemon Tree” was a hit song.

Tommy DeVito (1928–2020), original member of The Four Seasons

Tommy DeVito was an original member of the legendary pop rock group The Four Seasons.

Guadalupe “Shorty” Ortiz (1941–2020), Tejano music legend

Guadalupe “Shorty” Ortiz was a Tejano musician known for leading Shorty and the Corvetts as well as Mariachi Corbetas.

Sterling Magee (1936–2020), one half of blues duo Satan & Adam

Sterling Magee was an acclaimed blues guitarist and musician who was part of the popular blues duo known as Satan & Adam.

Charley Pride (1934–2020), country music legend

Charley Pride was the pioneering country music superstar who had 30 number one hits on the country music charts.

Joe Long (1932–2021), bassist for the Four Seasons

Joe Long was a bassist for the Four Seasons, who played on their later hits including “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You.”

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."

Sanford Clark (1935–2021), rockabilly singer known for “The Fool”

Sanford Clark was a rockabilly singer and guitarist known for his 1956 hit song, “The Fool.”

Kenny Malone (1938–2021), drummer on Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’

Kenny Malone was a Nashville session drummer who played on classic hits including Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” and Crystal Gayle’s “Don’t it Make My Brown Eyes Blue.”

Les Emmerson (1944–2021), writer of the classic rock anthem "Signs"

Les Emmerson was a Canadian singer-songwriter who wrote the classic rock anthem "Signs," which was a hit song for his band the Five Man Electrical Band.

Jay Weaver (1979–2022), bassist for Big Daddy Weave

Jay Weaver was the bassist for the popular Christian band Big Daddy Weave.

Lata Mangeshkar (1929–2022), legendary Indian playback singer

Lata Mangeshkar was a legendary Indian playback singer whose voice was lip synced by actresses in countless Bollywood movies.