Angela Bofill (1954–2024), This Time I’ll Be Sweeter singer

Angela Bofill was a Cuban-Puerto Rican singer known for ‘80s hits like “This Time I’ll Be Sweeter,” “Too Tough,” “I’ll Try,” and “I’m On Your Side.”

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.” 

Colette Maze (1914–2023), world’s oldest recording pianist 

Colette Maze was a French pianist whose recording career began in her 80s and continued throughout her life, with her most recent album released just this year.

Carla Bley (1936–2023), influential free jazz composer 

Carla Bley was an influential figure in the free jazz movement who became a staunch advocate of artists’ rights and the creation of independent record labels so musicians would have greater control over their own music.

Renata Scotto (1934–2023), operatic soprano icon

Renata Scotto was a singer, teacher, and opera director who was widely considered one of the greatest sopranos of her generation.

Sinéad O'Connor (1966–2023), Nothing Compares 2 U singer

Sinéad O’Connor was an Irish singer-songwriter known best for her 1990 hit, “Nothing Compares 2 U.”

Jane Birkin (1946–2023), singer, actress, and model

Jane Birkin was a prolific British and French actress and singer, as well as the inspiration for the sought-after Birkin Bag from Hermès, one of the most exclusive accessories in fashion.

Rita Lee (1947–2023), Brazil’s Queen of Rock 

Rita Lee was a founding singer with the Brazilian band Os Mutantes, known as Brazil’s “Queen of Rock.” 

April Stevens (1929–2023), Deep Purple singer with Nino Tempo

April Stevens was a singer who performed with her brother, Nino Tempo, and had a No. 1 hit in 1963 with “Deep Purple.” 

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.”

Carol Sloane (1937–2023), jazz singer

Carol Sloane was a jazz singer who had a burgeoning career in the 1950s and ‘60s before rock became the dominant style of popular music.

Gangsta Boo (1979–2023), rapper in Three 6 Mafia

Gangsta Boo  was an influential rapper and a former member of the hip hop group Three 6 Mafia.

Gal Costa (1945–2022), iconic Brazilian singer

Gal Costa was a Brazilian singer who became an icon of tropicália music, blending traditional styles with rock and avant-garde sounds.

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.

Mable John (1930–2022), first woman signed to Motown Records

Mable John was a blues singer who became the first woman solo artist signed to Motown Records.

Gloria Parker (1921–2022), bandleader known for playing “singing glasses”

Gloria Parker was a musician and bandleader who played the marimba and the “singing glasses,” or glass harp.

Betty Davis (1944–2022), singer known as the “Queen of Funk”

Betty Davis was a pioneering singer known as the “Queen of Funk,” as well as jazz legend second wife.

Elza Soares (1930–2022), Brazilian samba star

Elza Soares was a Brazilian samba singer called “Singer of the Millennium” by BBC Radio.

Watch Legacy's Heartfelt Tribute to the Celebs Who Died in 2021

We had to say goodbye to so many people in 2021 -- more than usual, both in our communities and in the headlines. In Legacy's memorial video, we pay tribute to the beloved artists, leaders, and other well-known public figures who died in 2021.

Dottie Dodgion (1929–2021), pioneering jazz drummer

Dottie Dodgion was a drummer who worked with jazz icons including and .

Ruth Olay (1924–2021), jazz singer of the 1950s and ‘60s

Ruth Olay was a jazz singer who worked with notable musicians including and .

María Mendiola (1952–2021), singer known for “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie”

MaríaMendiola was a singer with Baccara, a Spanish disco duo known for their 1977 hit, “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie.”

Carol Fran (1933–2021), Louisiana blues singer and pianist

Carol Fran was a Louisiana blues singer and pianist known for singles including “Emmitt Lee” and “The Great Pretender.”

Ruth Marx (1935–2021), Doublemint Gum jingle singer and Richard Marx's mother

Ruth Marx was a singer known for commercial jingles, as well as the mother of singer Richard Marx.

Nanci Griffith (1953–2021), Grammy-winning singer and songwriter

Nanci Griffith was a folk and country music singer and songwriter known for songs including “Love at the Five and Dime” and “From a Distance.”

Kelli Hand (1964–2021), DJ and producer known as K-Hand

Kelli Hand was a DJ and producer better known as K-Hand, who was called the “first lady of Detroit techno.”

Raffaella Carrí  (1943–2021), Italian pop icon and Sinatra co-star

Raffaella Carrí  was an Italian pop star best known in the U.S. for co-starring with in the 1965 film “Von Ryan’s Express.”

Ellen McIlwaine (1945–2021), blues singer and guitarist

Ellen McIlwaine was a singer and slide guitarist known for her bluesy rock music.

Mary Wilson (1944–2021), founding member of the Supremes

Mary Wilson was an R&B singer who was a founding member of the Supremes.

Phyllis McGuire (1931–2020), singer with the McGuire Sisters

Phyllis McGuire was the last living member of the McGuire Sisters, the pop singing group that had hits including “Sincerely” and “Sugartime.”

Nikki McKibbin (1978–2020), “American Idol” season one finalist

Nikki McKibbin was a finalist in the 2002 debut season of “American Idol,” placing third after Kelly Clarkson and runner-up Justin Guarini.

Viola Smith (1912–2020), pioneering female swing drummer

Viola Smith was a drummer billed as the “fastest girl drummer in the world,” playing for big bands in an era when few professional musicians were women.

Helen Reddy (1941–2020), singer known for feminist anthem “I Am Woman”

Helen Reddy was an Australian singer whose hits included the 1972 chart-topping feminist anthem “I Am Woman.”

Pamela Hutchinson (2020), singer with R&B group the Emotions

Pamela Hutchinson was a singer with the R&B and disco group the Emotions, known for hits including the Grammy-winning “Best of My Love.”

Edna Wright (1944–2020), Honey Cone lead singer

Edna Wright was the lead singer of the R&B group Honey Cone, known for their 1971 hit “Want Ads.” She was the sister ofpopular singer Darlene Love.

Constance Weldon (1932–2020), pioneering tuba player

Constance Weldon was a pioneering tuba player believed to be the first woman to play the tuba in a major American orchestra when she joined the Boston Pops in 1955.

Salome Bey (1933–2020), Canada's first lady of the blues

Salome Bey was Canada's first lady of the blues, a popular performer in Toronto who was made an honorary member of the Order of Canada.

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.

Denise Johnson (2020), singer for Primal Scream, New Order

Denise Johnson was a singer whose vocals were featured by British bands including Primal Scream and New Order.

Annie Ross (1930–2020), jazz singer known for “Twisted”

Annie Ross was a jazz singer with Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, best known for her 1952 song “Twisted.”

Judy Dyble (1949–2020), Fairport Convention singer

Judy Dyble was an English singer-songwriter who was an early member of the influential folk group Fairport Convention.

Norma Tanega (1939–2019), folk singer who had a hit with “Walkin’ My Cat Named Dog”

Norma Tanega  was a folk singer and experimental musician who had a single hit, the 1966 song “Walkin’ My Cat Named Dog.” The track reached No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was later covered by artists including Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show, Yo La Tengo, and They Might Be Giants. Her other songs include “You’re Dead,” which was used as the theme song for the 2015 movie “What We Do in the Shadows.” Tanega was also a songwriter who wrote and cowrote songs for Dusty Springfield, with whom she had a romantic relationship, including “No Stranger Am I,” “The Colour of Your Eyes,” and Midnight Sounds.”

Kelly Fraser (1993–2019), Inuit-Canadian pop singer

Kelly Fraser wasanInuit-Canadianpop singer known for her version of Rhiannae28099s e2809cDiamonds.e2809d In Fraserse28099 2013 version of the song, she mixed her native Inuktitut language with English to make the song accessible to everyone. Her video for the song went viral, inspiring many. Fraser, whowas born inSanikiluaq, Nunavut, released her debut album e2809cIsumae2809d in 2014. She received a Juno Award nomination for best Indigenous music album in 2017 for her album e2809cSedna.This year, she received theIndspireAward for using her music and her own personal struggles to strengthen and promote Inuit culture and language. She inspired young Indigenous people in Canada who felt bullied because of their culture.

Allee Willis (1947–2019), songwriter who wrote “Friends” theme and “September”

Allee Willis was a songwriter who was nominated for an Emmy Award for writing the theme song to “Friends,” “I’ll Be There for You.” She worked with Earth, Wind & Fire frequently, co-writing their hits including “September,” “Boogie Wonderland,” and “In the Stone.” Willis won two Grammy Awards, one for co-writing the music and lyrics for the stage adaptation of “The Color Purple,” and the other for her work for the “Beverly Hills Cop” soundtrack, for which she co-wrote the Pointer Sisters’ “Neutron Dance” and Patti LaBelle’s “Stir it Up.” Her other notable songwriting credits include the Pet Shop Boys’ “What Have I Done to Deserve This” and Bonnie Raitt’s “Got You on My Mind.” She was a 2018 inductee to the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Kim Shattuck (1963–2019), lead singer for the Muffs also performed with the Pixies and NOFX

Kim Shattuck was the lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter for the Muffs, a punk band that had 1990s hits including “Lucky Guy” and a cover of Kim Wilde’s “Kids in America.”

Beverly “Guitar” Watkins (1939–2019), unsung blues guitar legend

Beverly “Guitar” Watkins was an unsung blues guitar legend known for her attacking playing style. She was said to play like Jimi Hendrix (playing behind her head) and Pete Townsend, and influenced many musicians including John Lennon. Though she started playing the guitar at a young age and played with and , she achieved greater recognition much later. After some down years in music, she was working various odd jobs, until she became a regular on Atlanta’s blues scene in the 1980s. The Music Maker Relief Foundation set her up on tour with in 1998 and released her first album at the age of 60. She continued playing live until she suffered a stroke in July2019.

Jessye Norman (1945–2019), Grammy-winning opera singer

Jessye Norman was an operatic soprano known for her matchless voice and for her signature roles including Strauss’ Ariadne. She made her debut on the operatic stage in 1969, portraying Elisabeth in Wagner’s “Tannhauser” in Berlin. Inspired as a girl by listening to performances at New York’s Metropolitan Opera on the radio, Norman made her debut at the Met in 1983, singing the part of Cassandre in “Les Troyens” by Berlioz. She would go on to sing at the Met more than 80 times. Norman performed at the second inaugurations of presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, and she sang at England’s celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s 60th birthday as well as at the bicentennial of the French Revolution. She won five Grammy Awards, including one for lifetime achievement, received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1997, and was honored with the National Medal of Arts in 2009.

Beth Carvalho (1946–2019), Brazilian "godmother of samba"

Beth Carvalho was Brazil's "godmother of samba," an exuberant singer who fought for women's place in the traditionally male-dominated genre.