Songwriters

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

Cocoa Tea (1959–2025), reggae icon

Cocoa Tea was an iconic reggae singer-songwriter best known for his smooth voice and his acclaimed record and single, “Riker’s Island.” 

Brian James (1955–2025), founding guitarist for the Damned

Brian James was the founding guitarist and a songwriter for the Damned, who went on to co-found the Lords of the New Church.

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.

Robert John (1946–2025), Sad Eyes singer

Robert John was a singer and songwriter best known for his 1979 hit, “Sad Eyes,” and his version of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” from 1971.

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.”

Brenton Wood (1941–2025), The Oogum Boogum Song singer 

Brenton Wood was a singer and songwriter best known for a trio of hits released in 1967: "The Oogum Boogum Song," "Gimme Little Sign," and "Baby You Got It." 

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 . 

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.” 

íngela ílvarez (1927–2024), singer who won a Latin Grammy at 95

íngela ílvarez was a Cuban singer and songwriter who won a Latin Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 2022, when she was 95 years old.

Leah Kunkel (1948–2024), singer and sister of Cass Elliot

Leah Kunkel was a singer, songwriter, member of The Coyote Sisters, and the younger sibling of “Mama” Cass Elliot of the Mamas & the Papas.

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.” 

Andy Paley (1952–2024), SpongeBob SquarePants composer

Andy Paley was a veteran record producer and songwriter who worked with icons like the Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson, Chris Isaak, and and composed music for shows like “SpongeBob SquarePants” and “Ren & Stimpy.”

Linda LaFlamme (1939–2024), keyboardist, co-writer of White Bird

Linda LaFlamme was a musician and founding member of It’s a Beautiful Day, the San Francisco band with which she performed the 1960s anthem, “White Bird.”

Ella Jenkins (1924–2024), first lady of children’s music

Ella Jenkins was a singer and songwriter who focused on creating music for children during her entire decades-long career.

Phil Lesh (1940–2024), Grateful Dead bassist

Phil Lesh was a founding member of the Grateful Dead and remained the band’s bassist for its entire 30-year career.

Libby Titus (1947–2024), Love Has No Pride singer-songwriter

Libby Titus was a singer and songwriter known for “Love Has No Pride,” which has been covered by such artists as Bonnie Raitt and Linda Ronstadt.

Johnny Neel (1954–2024), Allman Brothers keyboardist, songwriter

Johnny Neel was a keyboardist and songwriter best known for his work with the Dickey Betts Band and the Allman Brothers Band, co-writing the chart-topping “Good Clean Fun.” 

Kris Kristofferson (1936–2024), singer, songwriter and actor

Kris Kristofferson was a singer, songwriter, and actor whose writing helped reshape country music and whose successful jump into acting made him one of the 1970s’ biggest stars.

Billy Edd Wheeler (1932–2024), co-writer of the country hit Jackson

Billy Edd Wheeler was a songwriter and author whose work earned him induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, best known for “Jackson,” the Grammy Award-winning single by and .

J.D. Souther (1945–2024), co-writer of The Eagles’ most popular hits

J.D. Souther was a singer, songwriter, and occasional actor best known for penning hits for The Eagles and Linda Ronstadt, including “New Kid in Town” and “Heartache Tonight.” 

Frankie Beverly (1946–2024), R&B singer and founder of Maze

Frankie Beverly was the frontman for the soul/funk band Maze, known for hits like “Can’t Get Over You” and “Back in Stride.” 

Will Jennings (1944–2024), Oscar-winning My Heart Will Go On lyricist

Will Jennings was a lyricist who won Academy Awards for “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion and “Up Where We Belong” by and Jennifer Warnes.

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).”

Martin Phillipps (1963–2024), of the New Zealand rock band the Chills

Martin Phillipps was a singer, songwriter and musician best known as the founder and leader of the New Zealand rock band the Chills.0

Jerry Fuller (1938–2024), Travelin’ Man songwriter

Jerry Fuller was a singer and songwriter best known for his compositions for other artists, including Ricky Nelson’s “Travelin’ Man” and “Young Girl” for Gary Puckett and the Union Gap.

Dave Loggins (1947–2024), Please Come to Boston singer-songwriter

Dave Loggins was a singer and songwriter best known for his 1974 soft rock hit “Please Come to Boston” and the theme song to the Masters Golf Tournament.

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.” 

Kinky Friedman (1944–2024), singer, humorist, and provocateur

Kinky Friedman was a singer, humorist, columnist, and all-around provocateur who led the band The Texas Jewboys and once ran for governor of Texas.

Mark James (1940–2024), songwriter of Hooked on a Feeling

Mark James was a songwriter who wrote a string of major hits performed by artists like Elvis Presley and Willie Nelson, including “Hooked on a Feeling,” “Suspicious Minds,” and “Always On My Mind.”

Richard M. Sherman (1928–2024), Oscar-winning Disney songwriter

Richard M. Sherman was a songwriter who, along with brother wrote beloved songs for Disney movies, including “It’s a Small World” and the Oscar-winning “Chim Chim Cher-ee.” 

Doug Ingle (1945–2024), In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida singer and songwriter

Doug Ingle was a keyboard player who founded the pioneering band Iron Butterfly, for whom he wrote and delivered vocals on the 17-minute rock epic, “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.”

Frank Wakefield (1934–2024), bluegrass mandolin virtuoso

Frank Wakefield was a bluegrass mandolinist and songwriter who innovated new techniques on his instrument.

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.”

C.J. Snare (1959–2024), lead singer for FireHouse 

Carl “C.J.” Snare was the lead singer for the hard rock band FireHouse, known for 1990s hits like “Love of a Lifetime” and When I Look into Your Eyes.” 

Sandra Crouch (1942–2024), Grammy Award-winning gospel artist 

Sandra Crouch was a Grammy Award-winning gospel singer and songwriter who also performed on several Motown records and contributed songs by the Jackson 5.

Anthony “Baby Gap” Walker (1963–2024), member of the Gap Band 

Anthony “Baby Gap” Walker was a songwriter, rapper, dancer, and choreographer with the Gap Band.

Randy Sparks (1933–2024), founder of the New Christy Minstrels 

Randy Sparks was a singer-songwriter who founded the New Christy Minstrels, a group that was part of the 1960s folk revival, and whose Grammy Award-winning debut was on the charts for two years.

Toni Stern (1944–2024), lyricist for Carole King

Toni Stern was a lyricist who worked with Carole King to write such songs as the No. 1 hit “It’s Too Late.” 

Margo Smith (1939–2024), 1970s country music star 

Margo Smith was a country singer and songwriter who had No. 1 hits with “Don’t Break the Heart That Loves You” and “It Only Hurts a Little While.” 

Melanie (1947–2024), Brand New Key singer

Melanie was a folk singer and songwriter who had major hits in the 1970s with “Brand New Key” and “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain),” and she was one of three women who performed solo acts at Woodstock.

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. 

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.” 

Amp Fiddler (1958–2023), musician who worked with George Clinton

Joseph “Amp” Fiddler was a keyboardist, producer, singer, and songwriter known for his collaborations with George Clinton’s Parliament and Funkadelic bands, as well as the R&B and soul band Enchantment.

Richard Kerr (1944–2023), co-writer of Mandy, Looks Like We Made It

Richard Kerr was a singer and songwriter who collaborated with Barry Manilow on such hit songs as “Mandy,” “Somewhere in the Night,” and “Looks Like We Made It,” as well as Dionne Warwick on “I’ll Never Love This Way Again.”   

Essra Mohawk (1948–2023), Schoolhouse Rock! singer-songwriter

Essra Mohawk was a singer-songwriter who penned hits for Cyndi Lauper and Tina Turner, worked with Frank Zappa, and sang for “Schoolhouse Rock!” and “Sesame Street.” 

Zahara (1987–2023), South African music star

Zahara was a singer and songwriter who became a massive music star in South Africa with such chart-topping singles as “Phendula,” “Impilo,” and “Stay.”