Dr. John, 1941-2019

Some of the musicians, songwriters, producers, engineers, managers, agents, broadcasters, journalists, industry executives, and studio and club owners who passed away in 2019.

Listen to a selection of these artists on Spotify.

January
Pegi Young, singer-songwriter, and former wife of Neil Young
Daryl Dragon, keyboard player and producer (Captain & Tennille, Beach Boys)
Steve Ripley, singer, guitarist, songwriter and producer (The Tractors)
Alvin Fielder, jazz drummer
Eric Haydock, British bassist and founding member of The Hollies
Phil Thomas, country songwriter (“Me and the I.R.S.”)
Alan R. Pearlman, audio engineer and founder of ARP Instruments
Jimmy Hannan, Australian singer and television host
Clydie King, session and solo singer (Ray Charles, Bob Dylan)
Dave Laing, English writer, editor and broadcaster (Let It Rock)
Joseph Jarman, jazz musician (Art Ensemble of Chicago) and Buddhist priest
Larry Cunningham, R&B singer (The Floaters)
Bonnie Guitar, country singer and guitarist (“Dark Moon“) and label owner
Sanger D. “Whitey” Shafer, country songwriter (“All My Ex’s Live in Texas”)
Willie Murphy, blues musician, singer, songwriter and producer
Carol Channing, Tony winning actress, singer and dancer
Lorna Doom, punk rock bassist (Germs)
Rita Vidaurri, ranchera singer
Chris Wilson, Australian blues musician
Debi Martini, punk rock bassist and singer (Red Aunts)
Reggie Young, guitarist (Bill Black’s Combo, American Sound Studio)
Ted McKenna, Scottish drummer (Alex Harvey, Rory Gallagher)
Marcel Azzola, French accordionist (Jacques Brel, Edith PIaf)
Kaye Ballard, actress (The Mothers-in-Law) and singer
Edwin Birdsong, funk keyboardist
Maxine Brown, country singer and songwriter (The Browns)
Mike Ledbetter, blues singer and guitarist
Bruce Corbitt, speed metal singer (Rigor Mortis, Warbeast)
Terry Jennings, manager, publisher, author and son of Waylon Jennings
Andy Anderson, drummer (The Cure, Steve Hillage)
Michel Legrand, Oscar-winning French composer, conductor and jazz pianist
Paul Whaley, rock drummer (The Oxford Circle, Blue Cheer)needed]
James Ingram, R&B singer and songwriter
Harold Bradley, Nashville first call session guitarist

February
George Klein, disc jockey and friend of Elvis Presley
Lonnie Simmons, songwriter and producer (The Gap Band)
Harvey Scales, soul singer and songwriter (“Love-Itis” “Disco Lady”)
Joe Hardy, producer and engineer (ZZ Top, Replacements, Steve Earle)
Connie Jones, jazz trumpeter
Willy Lambregt, Belgian rock musician (The Scabs)
Kofi Burbridge, multi-instrumentalist (Tedeschi Trucks Band)
Ken Nordine, voice-over announcer, recording artist and radio host
Ethel Ennis, jazz singer
Skip Groff, record store and label owner, producer and DJ
Artie Wayne, songwriter, record producer, and industry executive
Fred Foster, producer (Roy Orbison) and label founder (Monument)
Gerard Koerts, Dutch keyboard player, songwriter and producer
Peter Rüchel, German co-founder of Rockpalast
Gus Backus, doo-wop (The Del-Vikings) and schlager singer
Jackie Shane, transgender soul singer (“Any Other Way” “Walking the Dog”)
Peter Tork, bassist, banjo player and singer (The Monkees)
Ira Gitler, jazz historian and critic
Mac Wiseman, bluegrass singer and guitarist
Mark Hollis, English singer and songwriter (Talk Talk)
Andy Anderson, 68, English rock drummer (The Cure, The Glove)
Doug Sandom, English drummer (The Detours, The Who)
Stephan Ellis, rock bassist (Survivor)
André Previn, Oscar-winning composer, pianist and conductor

March
Paul Williams, British singer (John Mayall, Juicy Lucy)
Al Hazan, pianist (B. Bumble and the Stingers)
Leo de Castro, New Zealand funk and soul singer
Keith Flint, English singer and dancer (The Prodigy)
Sara Romweber, rock drummer (Let’s Active)
James Dapogny, jazz musicologist and pianist
Mike Grose, British bassist (Queen)
Asa Brebner, guitarist, singer and songwriter (Modern Lovers, Chartbusters)
Charlie Karp, guitarist, songwriter, jingle writer and documentarian
Dave Aron, recording engineer and producer
Hal Blaine, session drummer (The Wrecking Crew)
Danny Kustow, English rock guitarist (Tom Robinson Band)
John Kilzer, singer, songwriter and minister
Shelly Liebowitz, record executive, promoter, producer and manager
Justin Carter, country singer
Dick Dale, surf rock guitarist (“Let’s Go Trippin’” “Miserlou“)
Dave White, rock ‘n’ roll singer and songwriter (Danny & the Juniors)
Bernie Tormé, Irish guitarist, singer and songwriter (Ozzy Osbourne)
Andre Williams, R&B singer and songwriter (“Shake a Tail Feather“)
Scott Walker, American-born British singer-songwriter (The Walker Brothers)
Ranking Roger, British singer (The Beat, General Public)
Stephen Fitzpatrick, British pop/rock musician (Her’s)
Audun Laading, Norwegian pop/rock musician (Her’s)
Joe Flannery, early booking manager for the Beatles
Bob Stewart, British radio broadcaster (Radio Luxembourg)
Margaret Lewis Warwick, country and rockabilly singer-songwriter
Billy Adams, rockabilly singer and songwriter (“Rock, Pretty Mama”)
Geoff Harvey, Australian composer and music director (Midday)
Nipsey Hussle, rapper (“Feelin’ Myself“, “FDT”)

April
Rick Elias, CCM musician (A Ragamuffin Band)
Kim English, house and gospel singer-songwriter
Shawn Smith, singer, songwriter and musician (Brad, Pigeonhed)
Tiger Merritt, singer and guitarist (Morning Teleportation)
Samuel Pilafian, classical, jazz, pop and rock tuba player
Jim Glaser, country singer and songwriter (Tompall & the Glaser Brothers)
Earl Thomas Conley, country singer-songwriter
Gary Stewart, music executive and archivist (Rhino Records, Apple)
Bobby Gale, Canadian radio DJ, record industry executive, promoter
Johnny Hutchinson, English rock and roll drummer (The Big Three)
Paul Raymond, English guitarist and keyboardist (UFO)
Les Reed, English songwriter (“It’s Not Unusual”), pianist and producer
Joe Terry, rock and roll singer (Danny & the Juniors)
Kent Harris, R&B songwriter (“Shoppin’ for Clothes”) and producer
Eddie Tigner, blues pianist, singer and songwriter
Jim Dunbar, radio broadcaster (WXYZ, WLS, KGO)
Dave Samuels, percussionist (Spyro Gyra)
David Winters, actor (West Side Story), dancer, choreographer (Hullabaloo)
Dick Rivers, French rock and roll singer (Les Chats Sauvages)
Michiro Endo, Japanese punk rock musician (The Stalin)
Phil McCormack, rock singer (Molly Hatchet)
Jah Stitch, Jamaican reggae singer
Russ Gibb, radio DJ, concert impresario (Grande Ballroom) and teacher
Boon Gould, English guitarist (Level 42)

May
John Starling, bluegrass vocalist, guitarist and songwriter
R. Cobb, guitarist (Classics IV, Atlanta Rhythm Section) and songwriter
Luther Jennings, gospel singer (Jackson Southernaires)
Preston Epps, percussionist (“Bongo Rock”)
Lee Hale, musical director and producer (The Golddiggers)
Peggy Lipton, actress, model, and singer
Glenn Martin, country songwriter (“Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone”)
Doris Day, actress, singer and animal welfare activist
Leon Rausch, western-swing singer (Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys)
Mike Wilhelm, rock guitarist, singer and songwriter (The Charlatans)
Chuck Barksdale, 84, R&B singer (The Dells)
Eric Moore, rock singer and bassist (The Godz)
Melvin Edmonds, R&B singer (After 7) and brother of Kenny Edmonds
Jake Black, Scottish singer-songwriter (Alabama 3)
Dan Mitchell, songwriter (“If You’re Gonna Play in Texas”)
Willie Ford, soul singer (The Dramatics)
Ralph Murphy, Canadian country songwriter
John Gary Williams, R&B singer (The Mad Lads)
Tony Glover, blues harmonicist (Koerner, Ray & Glover), writer and radio DJ
Jeff Walls, rock guitarist (Guadalcanal Diary)
Leon Redbone, singer, guitarist and songwriter
Roky Erickson, rock singer, guitarist and songwriter (13th Floor Elevators)

June
Mikey Dees, punk rock singer and guitarist (Fitz of Depression)
Dr. John, pianist, singer and songwriter
Spencer Bohren, blues and folk guitarist
Bushwick Bill, rapper (Geto Boys)
Jim Pike, pop singer (The Lettermen)
Chuck Glaser, country singer (Tompall & the Glaser Brothers)
Paul “Lil’ Buck” Sinegal, zydeco and blues musician
Lew Klein, television director and producer (American Bandstand)
Philomena Lynott, Irish author and mother of Phil Lynott
Jack Renner, American recording engineer (Telarc)
Elliot Roberts, music executive and manager (Neil Young, Joni Mitchell)
Jerry Carrigan, session drummer (Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section)
Dave Bartholomew, musician, bandleader and songwriter
Jeff Austin, mandolinist and singer (Yonder Mountain String Band)
Tony Hall, British music industry executive, writer and television host
Gary Duncan, rock guitarist (Quicksilver Messenger Service)

July
Sid Ramin, orchestrator, arranger and composer (West Side Story)
Alan Rogan, British guitar technician (The Who)
Vivian Perlis, musicologist and founder of Yale University’s Oral History of American Music
Martin Charnin, Tony-winning lyricist (Annie, Two by Two, Hot Spot)
João Gilberto, Brazilian singer-songwriter and guitarist
James Henke, music journalist and museum curator (R&R HOF)
Jerry Lawson, a cappella singer (The Persuasions)
Russell Smith, singer and songwriter (Amazing Rhythm Aces)
Johnny Clegg, South African singer and musician (Juluka, Savuka)
Pat Kelly, Jamaican rocksteady and reggae singer
Bill Vitt, drummer (Jerry Garcia, Merle Saunders)
Bob Frank, singer-songwriter
Art Neville, singer, songwriter and keyboardist (The Neville Brothers)
Ras G, hip hop producer and DJ
Harold Prince, theatre director and producer (West Side Story, Cabaret)

August
Ian Gibbons, English keyboardist (The Kinks)
D.A. Pennebaker, documentary filmmaker (Don’t Look Back, Monterey Pop)
Katreese Barnes, musical director (SNL) and songwriter (“Dick in a Box”)
Henri Belolo, French producer (The Ritchie Family, Village People)
Damien Lovelock, Australian singer and songwriter (The Celibate Rifles)
Bob Wilber, jazz clarinetist
Lizzie Grey, rock guitarist (London, Spiders & Snakes)
Danny Doyle, Irish folk singer (“The Rare Ould Times”)
David Berman, singer and songwriter (Silver Jews) and poet
Francesca Sundsten, bassist (The Beakers) and artist (King Crimson)
Freddy Bannister, English concert promoter (Knebworth)
Larry Taylor, bass guitarist (Canned Heat)
Clora Bryant, jazz trumpeter (International Sweethearts of Rhythm)
Reb Foster, radio DJ (KRLA) and band manager (The Turtles)
Mitch Podolak, Canadian folk music promoter (Winnipeg Folk Festival)
Neal Casal, guitarist, singer and songwriter (Ryan Adams, Willie Nelson)
Donnie Fritts, keyboardist (Kris Kristofferson) and songwriter

September
LaShawn Daniels, Grammy-winning songwriter (“Say My Name”)
Kylie Rae Harris, country singer
Dan Warner, Grammy-award winning guitarist (Julio Iglesias, Barry Gibb)
Jimmy Johnson, guitarist, producer and Muscle Shoals co-founder
Al Embry, manager and agent (Jerry Lee Lewis, George Jones)
Jeff Fenholt, musician, actor (Jesus Christ Superstar) and Christian evangelist
Daniel Johnston, singer, songwriter (“Walking the Cow“) and visual artist
Eddie Money, rock singer and songwriter
Julian Piper, English blues guitarist
Ric Ocasek, rock singer, songwriter, guitarist (The Cars) and producer
John Cohen, banjo player (New Lost City Ramblers) and photographer
Harold Mabern, jazz pianist and composer
Chuck Dauphin, country music journalist (Billboard)
Larry Wallis, English guitarist, songwriter and producer (Pink Fairies)
Yonrico Scott, drummer (The Derek Trucks Band)
Robert Hunter, lyricist (Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia, Bob Dylan) and poet
Richard Wyands, jazz pianist
busbee, songwriter (“My Church,” “Try”) and producer
Larry Willis, multi-genre pianist (Jackie McLean, Hugh Masekela)

October
Beverly Watkins, blues guitarist
Barrie Masters, rock singer (Eddie and the Hot Rods)
Kim Shattuck, singer, guitarist and songwriter (Muffs, Pandoras, Pixies)
Vinnie Bell, guitarist and inventor (electric 12-string and sitar)
Ed Ackerson, singer, songwriter and producer (Polara, Antenna)
Glen Brown, Jamaican reggae musician and record producer
Ginger Baker, English drummer (Cream, Blind Faith, Ginger Baker’s Air Force)
Larry Junstrom, rock bassist (Lynyrd Skynyrd, .38 Special)
Molly Duncan, saxophonist (Average White Band)
George Chambers, bassist and singer (The Chambers Brothers)
Dallas Harms, Canadian country singer and songwriter
Jay Frank, music industry executive (DigSin, UMG)
Steve Cash, singer, songwriter and harmonicist (Ozark Mountain Daredevils)
Bob Kingsley, radio broadcaster (American Country Countdown)
Ray Santos, Latin jazz saxophonist and composer
Nick Tosches, music journalist and novelist
Ed Cherney, producer and recording engineer
Joe Sun, country singer (“Old Flames Can’t Hold a Candle to You“)
Paul Barrere, guitarist and songwriter (Little Feat)

November
Marie Laforêt, French-Swiss singer and actress
Timi Hansen, Danish bassist (Mercyful Fate, King Diamond)
Gilles Bertin, French punk rock singer (Camera Silens) and bank robber
Robert Freeman, English photographer (With the Beatles, Help!, Rubber Soul)
Nik Powell, 69, British film producer, co-founder of Virgin Records
Jackie Moore, R&B singer (“Precious Precious”)
Papa Don Schroeder, radio station owner (WPNN) and record producer
Browning Bryant, singer, songwriter and teen heartthrob
Doug Lubahn, rock bassist (Clear Light, The Doors, Billy Squier)
Donna Carson, folk singer (Hedge and Donna)
Eddie Duran, jazz guitarist
Iain Sutherland, Scottish singer, songwriter and guitarist
Martin Armiger, Australian musician (The Sports) and composer
Irving Burgie, songwriter (“Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)”)
Billy Ray Reynolds, songwriter and guitarist (Waylon Jennings)

December
Stuart Fraser, Australian guitarist (Noiseworks)
Michael Lai, Hong Kong television and film composer
Jimmy Cavallo, rock ‘n’ roll singer and saxophonist
Jacques Morgantini, French blues producer and promoter
Greedy Smith, Australian singer, songwriter and keyboardist
Joe Smith, music industry executive (Capitol, Elektra, Warner Brothers)
Jerry Naylor, 80, rock ‘n’ roll singer (The Crickets)
Murray Bowles, music photographer (Green Day, Operation Ivy, Fang)
Marie Fredriksson, Swedish singer, songwriter and pianist (Roxette)
Gershon Kingsley, composer and electronic musician (“Popcorn“)
Jack Scott, Canadian rock ‘n’ roll singer and songwriter (“My True Love”)
Roy Loney, singer, songwriter and guitarist (Flamin’ Groovies)
Emil Richards, jazz, studio, film and television percussionist
Jud Phillips, music industry executive and recording engineer
Alain Barrière, French singer and Eurovision contestant (“Elle était si jolie“)
Kenny Lynch, English pop singer and actor
Arty McGlynn, Irish guitarist
Dave Riley, bassist (Big Black)
Allee Willis, songwriter (“September” “Neutron Dance”) and lyricist
Lee Mendelson, television producer and lyricist (“Christmastime is Here”)
Jerry Herman, composer and lyricist (Hello, Dolly!, Mame)
Sleepy LaBeef, rockabilly singer
Neil Innes, English Comedian musician and writer (Rutles, Bonzo Dog Band)
Norma Tanega, singer-songwriter (“Walkin’ My Cat Named Dog”) and artist