Mars Williams (1955–2023), saxophonist for the Psychedelic Furs

Mars Williams was a rock and jazz saxophonist who played for the Psychedelic Furs and on the modern holiday classic “Christmas Wrapping” by the Waitresses. 

Seymour Stein (1942–2023) record exec who launched Madonna’s career 

Seymour Stein was the co-founder of Sire Records, who helped launch the careers of musicians including Talking Heads and Madonna. 

Vivienne Westwood (1941–2022), fashion designer who styled the punk movement

Vivienne Westwood was an influential fashion designer who shaped the look of punk and new wave with her designs for bands including the Sex Pistols.

Terry Hall (1959–2022), lead singer for the Specials

Terry Hal l was the lead singer for the British ska revival band the Specials, known for songs including “Ghost Town.”

Andy Fletcher (1961–2022), Depeche Mode keyboardist 

Andy Fletcher was a founding member and keyboardist for the new wave electronic band Depeche Mode.

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."

Rupert Hine (1947–2020), prolific music producer worked with Tina Turner

Rupert Hine was a prolificmusicproducer who worked with Tina Turner, The Fixx, Stevie Nicks, Duncan Sheik, Suzanne Vega, Howard Jones and many other artists during a long music career.

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

Ric Ocasek (1944–2019), lead singer of the Cars

Ric Ocasek was the lead singer, songwriter, and rhythm guitarist for The Cars, known for a string of hits in the 1970s and ‘80s including “Just What I Needed,” “Shake it Up,” and “Drive.” Ocasek’s solo career included the hit single “Emotion in Motion.”

Ric Ocasek (1944–2019), lead singer of the Cars

Ric Ocasek was the lead singer, songwriter, and rhythm guitarist of the Cars, who had a string of hits in the 1970s and ‘80s including “Drive,” “Just What I Needed,” and “Shake it Up.” Their 1984 album “Heartbeat City” was a massive success, and the video for lead single “You Might Think” became the first Video of the Year at the first MTV Video Music Awards. Along with the other members of the Cars, Ocasek was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.

Mark Hollis (1955–2019), Talk Talk frontman

'80s synth-pop band known for hits “Talk Talk” and “It’s My Life”

Ikutaro Kakehashi (1930–2017), Roland Corp. founder

Music innovator founded the Roland instrument company.

Pete Burns (1959 - 2016), Dead or Alive singer

Pete Burns, lead singer for the new wave band Dead or Alive, has died at the age of 57 after a cardiac arrest.

Captain Lou Albano: Never Duplicated

Lou Albano brought together two very different types of fans whose interests didn't often intersect: pro wrestling buffs and New Wave music lovers.

Amadeus Only Knows

Sometimes fate throws together two people who ordinarily would never be paired. It happened 15 years ago today, when musicians Carl Wilson and Falco died...

Malcolm McLaren’s Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle

Malcolm McLaren – performer, manager, self-promoter – was one of the driving forces behind the popularization of the UK punk scene. On the anniversary of his death, we explore the ways he influenced three seminal punk and post-punk acts… for better and for worse.