List of 2015 deaths in popular music explained

This is a list of notable performers of rock music and other forms of popular music, and others directly associated with the music as producers, songwriters, or in other closely related roles, who died in 2015.

2015 deaths in popular music

NameAgeDateLocationCause of death
59 January 1, 2015 New York City, New York, U.S. Progressive supra-nuclear palsy[1]
94 January 2, 2015 Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. Heart failure[2]
59 January 4, 2015 Rome, Italy Heart attack[3]
75 January 8, 2015 Yuma, Arizona, U.S. Cancer[4]
72 January 8, 2015 Los Angeles, California, U.S. [5]
Popsy Dixon
The Holmes Brothers 		72 January 9, 2015 Bladder cancer[6]
74 January 11, 2015 Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S. [7]
72 January 12, 2015 Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. Prostate cancer[8]
Trevor Ward-Davies
Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich 		70 January 13, 2015 Cancer[9]
Kim Fowley
Record producer and songwriter; manager of the Runaways 		75 January 15, 2015 Los Angeles, California, U.S. Bladder cancer[10]
33 January 16, 2015 [11]
Dallas Taylor
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young 		66 January 18, 2015 Los Angeles, California, U.S. Cancer[12]
ASAP Yams
ASAP Mob 		26 January 18, 2015 New York City, New York, U.S. Drug overdose[13]
Ward Swingle
The Swingle Singers 		87 January 19, 2015 Eastbourne, England [14]
Edgar Froese
Tangerine Dream 		70 January 20, 2015 Vienna, Austria Pulmonary embolism[15]
Demis Roussos
Aphrodite's Child 		68 January 25, 2015 Athens, Greece Pancreatic, stomach and liver cancer[16]
83 January 26, 2015 Canyon Country, Santa Clarita, California, U.S. Unknown[17]
Danny McCulloch
The Animals 		69 January 29, 2015 [18]
78 January 31, 2015 Franklin Square, New York, U.S. Stroke[19]
Andriy Kuzmenko
Skryabin 		46 February 2, 2015 Lozuvatka, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Ukraine Traffic accident[20]
76 February 3, 2015 Reading, Massachusetts, U.S. [21]
Eddie "The Kydd" Rendini
Darwin's Waiting Room, Cold 		? February 5, 2015 ?, U.S. Unknown
Joe B. Mauldin
The Crickets 		74 February 7, 2015 Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. Cancer[22]
54 February 10. 2015 Senatobia, Mississippi, U.S.
Steve Strange
Strange Cruise, The Moors Murderers, The Photons, Visage 		55 February 12, 2015 Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt Heart attack[23]
Sam Andrew
Big Brother and the Holding Company 		73 February 12, 2015 San Francisco, California, U.S. Complication after open heart surgery[24]
71 February 13, 2015 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. Prostate cancer[25]
68 February 16, 2015 Manhattan, New York, U.S. Lung cancer[26]
Mats Olausson
Talisman, Kamelot 		54 February 18, 2015 Suicide[27]
94 February 21, 2015 Pine Bluff, Arkansas, U.S. Diabetes
Maxee
Brownstone 		46 February 28, 2015 Los Angeles, California, U.S. Fatal cut from glass of a cup that shattered when she fell[28]
91 March 1, 2015 El Cerrito, California, U.S. [29]
Lew Soloff
Blood, Sweat & Tears 		71 March 8, 2015 New York City, New York, U.S. Heart attack
Jimmy Greenspoon
Three Dog Night 		67 March 11, 2015 North Potomac, Maryland, U.S. Melanoma
Daevid Allen
Gong, Soft Machine 		77 March 13, 2015 Australia Cancer[30]
Mike Porcaro
Toto 		59 March 15, 2015 Los Angeles, California, U.S. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis[31]
Bruce Crump
Molly Hatchet 		57 March 16, 2015 Throat cancer[32]
Andy Fraser
Free 		62 March 16, 2015 Temecula, California, U.S. Heart attack[33]
81 March 20, 2015 North Carolina, U.S.
A. J. Pero
Twisted Sister, Adrenaline Mob 		55 March 20, 2015Poughkeepsie, New York, U.S. Heart attack[34]
John Renbourn
Pentangle 		70 March 26, 2015 Hawick, Scotland Heart attack[35]
54March 27, 2015 Unspecified long illness[36]
69 March 31, 2015 Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Bob Burns
Lynyrd Skynyrd 		64 April 3, 2015 Bartow County, Georgia, U.S. Traffic accident[37]
74 April 14, 2015 Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S. Liver cancer[38]
Billy Ray Hearn
Record producer and co-founder of Myrrh Records and Sparrow Records 		85 April 15, 2015 Heart disease
55 April 16, 2015 Montego Bay, Jamaica Hit and fall from ship[39]
Wally Lester
The Skyliners 		73 April 21, 2015 Southport, North Carolina, U.S. Pancreatic cancer[40]
Jack Ely
The Kingsmen 		71 April 27, 2015 Terrebonne, Oregon, U.S. [41]
Kęstutis Kazakevičius
Broliai Aliukai 		59 April 27, 2015 Undisclosed
Guy LeBlanc
Camel 		54 April 27, 2015 Kidney cancer[42]
Ben E. King
The Drifters 		76 April 30, 2015 Hackensack University Medical Center, New Jersey, U.S.Natural causes[43]
Craig Gruber
Rainbow, Elf 		63 May 5, 2015 Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. Prostate cancer[44]
Errol Brown
Hot Chocolate 		71 May 6, 2015 Liver cancer[45]
89 May 14, 2015 Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. Vascular dementia[46]
Louis Johnson
The Brothers Johnson 		60 May 21, 2015 Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. Gastrointestinal bleeding [47]
Dennis Sheehan
Tour manager for U2 		68 May 26, 2015 West Hollywood, California, U.S. Heart attack[48]
85 June 11, 2015 New York City, New York, U.S. Cardiac arrest
62 June 13, 2015 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Heart complications
61 June 22, 2015 Southern California, U.S. Plane Crash[49]
Chris Squire
Yes 		67 June 27, 2015 Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. Acute erythroid leukemia[50]
Ernie Maresca
The Regents 		76 July 8, 2015 Florida, U.S. [51]
74 July 9, 2015 Rancho Mirage, California, U.S.
Hussein Fatal
Outlawz		42 July 10, 2015 Car crash[52]
Eric Wrixon
Them, Thin Lizzy 		68 July 13, 2015 Italy [53]
64 July 13, 2015 Bone cancer
Dave Somerville
The Diamonds 		81 July 14, 2015 Santa Barbara, California, U.S. Cancer[54]
74 July 18, 2015 Dothan, Alabama, U.S. Heart attack[55]
Dieter Moebius
Moebius & Plank 		71 July 20, 2015 Cancer
Mitch Aliotta
Rotary Connection 		71 July 22, 2015 U.S. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Eddie Hardin
The Spencer Davis Group, Axis Point 		66 July 22, 2015 Heart attack[56]
67 July 31, 2015 Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. Heart attack
72 August 1, 2015 Estepona, Costa del Sol, Spain Stroke after a fall[57]
Sean Price
Boot Camp Clik, Heltah Skeltah 		43 August 8, 2015 New York City, New York, U.S.
83 August 14, 2015 Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
52 August 15, 2015 Schuylkill River, Philadelphia, U.S. Drowning[58]
79 September 8, 2015 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Bryn Merrick
The Damned 		56 September 12, 2015 Cardiff, Wales Cancer[59]
Gary Richrath
REO Speedwagon 		65 September 13, 2015 [60]
74 September 15, 2015 Decatur, Illinois, U.S.
Ben Cauley
The Bar-Kays 		67 September 21, 2015 Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. [61]
Wilton Felder
The Crusaders 		75 September 27, 2015 Whittier, California, U.S. Multiple myeloma[62]
76 September 28, 2015 Gretna, Louisiana, U.S. Natural causes[63]
83 September 29, 2015 East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. Emphysema
Stasys Povilaitis
Nemuno Žiburiai, Nerija 		68 October 6, 2015 Palanga, Lithuania Lung cancer
73 October 6, 2015 Morehead City, North Carolina, U.S. Natural causes[64]
Jim Diamond
Ph.D.		64 October 8, 2015 London, England Pulmonary edema[65]
Bruce Nazarian
Brownsville Station 		66 October 9, 2015 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. Heart attack[66]
Steve Mackay
The Stooges 		66 October 10, 2015 Daly City, California, U.S. Sepsis
Robbin Thompson
Steel Mill 		66 October 10, 2015 Richmond, Virginia, U.S. Cancer[67]
58 October 11, 2015 Heart attack
Frank Watkins
Obituary, Gorgoroth 		47 October 18, 2015 Cancer[68]
Cory Wells
Cory Wells & The Enemys, Three Dog Night 		74 October 20, 2015 Dunkirk, New York, U.S. Complications from multiple myeloma[69]
Eddie Hoh
The Mamas & the Papas, The Monkees 		71 November 7, 2015 Westmont, Illinois, U.S. [70]
Andy White
The Beatles 		85 November 9, 2015 Caldwell, New Jersey, U.S. Stroke[71]
77 November 10, 2015 Madrid, Spain Heart attack[72]
Phil Taylor
Motörhead 		61 November 11, 2015 Hasland, England Liver disease[73]
70 November 15, 2015 Los Angeles, California, U.S. Pancreatic cancer[74]
David Van Landing
Michael Schenker Group, Crimson Glory 		51 November 17, 2015 Clearwater, Florida, U.S. Car accident, collision[75]
Cynthia Robinson
Sly and the Family Stone 		69 November 23, 2015 Carmichael, California, U.S. Cancer[76]
Ronnie Bright
The Cadillacs, The Coasters, The Deep River Boys, The Valentines 		77 November 26, 2015 Unknown causes
74 November 29, 2015 Hertfordshire, England [77]
Kelvin Knight
Drummer for Delta 5 		56 December 2, 2015 Liver & kidney failure
Scott Weiland
Stone Temple Pilots, Velvet Revolver 		48 December 3, 2015 Bloomington, Minnesota, U.S. Drug overdose[78]
91 December 8, 2015 Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. Dementia[79]
69 December 10, 2015 U.S.
Zemya Hamilton
Clubland 		50 December 23, 2015 Sigtuna, SwedenMultiple sclerosis[80]
Stevie Wright
The Easybeats 		68 December 27, 2015 South Coast, New South Wales, Australia Pneumonia[81]
Lemmy
Motörhead, Hawkwind 		70 December 28, 2015 Los Angeles, California, U.S. Prostate cancer, cardiac arrhythmia, and congestive heart failure[82]
John Bradbury
The Specials 		62 December 28, 2015 England [83]
65 December 31, 2015 Los Angeles, California, U.S. Congestive heart failure[84]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Jazz Articles: Guitarist Jeff Golub Dies at 59 – By Jeff Tamarkin – Jazz Articles. JazzTimes. 2 January 2015.
  2. News: Country star Little Jimmy Dickens dies aged 94. BBC News. 3 January 2015. January 5, 2015.
  3. Web site: Annuncio di eros ramazzotti – E' morto Pino Daniele. Il Secolo XIX. 2 August 2012. 10 January 2016. 9 January 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150109131113/http://www.ilsecoloxix.it/p/cultura/2015/01/05/ARYTOe5C-morto_pino_daniele.shtml. dead.
  4. Web site: Homebuilder, singer Curtis Lee dies at 75. 9 January 2015 . Yuma Sun. 2015-01-10.
  5. Web site: Andraé Crouch, Who Moved Gospel Into The 21st Century, Has Died. January 9, 2015.
  6. Web site: 'Popsy' Dixon, drummer and vocalist for The Holmes Brothers, dies at age 72. Brandonsun.com. 12 January 2015.
  7. Tim Drummond, Bassist for Neil Young, CSNY, Dylan, Dies at 74. Billboard. 12 January 2015.
  8. News: Thanki . Juli . Songwriter A.J. Masters, who co-wrote 'Change My Mind,' dies . . January 13, 2015 . February 9, 2016.
  9. News: Trevor Ward-Davies obituary. Dave. Laing. The Guardian. 15 January 2015.
  10. News: McDonald . Soraya Nadia . Kim Fowley, creator of The Runaways, dead at 75 . July 10, 2015 . . January 16, 2015.
  11. Web site: Chinese reporters photograph dead singer. BBC. January 16, 2015.
  12. Web site: Dallas Taylor, Former Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Drummer, Dies at 66. 18 January 2015. Variety. 19 January 2015.
  13. Web site: A$AP Yams Died of Accidental Drug Overdose.
  14. News: Ward Swingle, musician who made Bach swing, dies at 87 . . Adam. Bernstein . 2015-01-20 . 2015-01-21.
  15. News: Tangerine Dream's Edgar Froese dies at 70. BBC News. 24 January 2015.
  16. News: Greek singer Demis Roussos dies aged 68. BBC News. 26 January 2015 . 26 January 2015.
  17. Noted Guitarist Neil LeVang Passes . . January 28, 2015 . 1067-2605.
  18. Web site: RIP The Animals’ Danny McCulloch: Read A Moving Family Tribute. NME. February 11, 2015.
  19. News: Don Covay, Performer and Writer of R&B Hits, Dies at 78. Bruce. Weber. . February 5, 2016. February 6, 2015.
  20. Web site: http://espreso.tv/news/2015/02/02/na_dnipropetrovschyni_u_dtp_zahynuv_spivak_kuzma_quotskryabinquot. uk:На Дніпропетровщині у ДТП загинув співак Кузьма Скрябін. Espreso.tv. 2 February 2015. 2 February 2015. uk.
  21. News: William Thomas McKinley, Jazz-Loving Composer, Dies at 76. New York Times. February 28, 2015.
  22. News: Chawkins . Steve . Joe B. Mauldin, bass player for Buddy Holly and Crickets, dies at 74 . . February 10, 2015.
  23. News: Steve Strange, Visage lead singer, dies aged 55. BBC News. 13 February 2015.
  24. News: Keepnews . Peter . February 16, 2015 . Sam Andrew, Guitarist for Big Brother and the Holding Company, Dies at 73 . . February 19, 2015 .
  25. Web site: Steve. Morse . David Maxwell, 71, of Concord; virtuoso blues pianist shared a Grammy Award . . 2015-02-20 . 2015-11-16.
  26. Web site: 'It's My Party' singer-songwriter Lesley Gore dies at 68. MSN. February 16, 2015.
  27. Web site: Former Yngwie Malmsteen Keyboardist Mats Olausson Found Dead In Thailand Hotel Room. 2015-02-20. blabbermouth.net. 2019-10-05.
  28. Web site: Brownstone singer Maxee Maxwell dies at 46. USA Today. March 2, 2015.
  29. News: Chinen. Nate. Orrin Keepnews, Jazz Producer and Record Executive, Is Dead at 91. The New York Times. March 1, 2015.
  30. Web site: Gong founder Daevid Allen has died, aged 77 . 13 March 2015 . The Guardian . 13 March 2015.
  31. News: Mike Porcaro, Bass Player for Toto, Dies at 59 . . . A24 . 16 March 2015.
  32. Web site: Original Molly Hatchet Drummer Bruce Crump Dies at 57. Loudwire.com. 17 March 2015 . 18 March 2015.
  33. Web site: Free bassist Andy Fraser dies at 62 . 18 March 2015 . 19 March 2015 . BBC News.
  34. News: A.J. Pero dies at 55; drummer for heavy metal band Twisted Sister. Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. March 20, 2015.
  35. Web site: Guitarist Renbourn dies aged 70 . Irish Independent . 2015-03-21 . 2015-03-26.
  36. Web site: Influential ambient musician Susumu Yokota has died aged 54. FACT Magazine. July 14, 2015.
  37. News: Robert Burns Jr., First Lynyrd Skynyrd Drummer, Dies at 64 . Ashley . Southall . . A22 . 4 April 2015.
  38. Web site: Percy Sledge, Who Sang 'When A Man Loves a Woman,' Dies . ABC News . April 14, 2015.
  39. News: Slattery. Denis. R&B singer Johnny Kemp, best known for the 1989 hit song 'Just Got Paid' found dead near beach in Jamaica. April 23, 2015. Daily News. April 17, 2015.
  40. News: Obituary: Walter 'Wally' Paul Lester / Original singer for the Skyliners. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 8 September 2021.
  41. News: 'Louie Louie' singer Jack Ely of The Kingsmen dies. April 28, 2015. KOIN 6 News. April 28, 2015.
  42. Web site: Passing of Guy LeBlanc. 29 April 2015.
  43. News: 'Stand By Me' singer Ben E. King dies at age 76. May 1, 2015. May 1, 2015. PIX11 News.
  44. Web site: Stef. Lach. Rainbow bassist Craig Gruber dead at 63. ClassicRock.com. 2015-05-06.
  45. News: Slotnik. Daniel E.. Errol Brown, 'You Sexy Thing' Singer, Dies at 71. 7 May 2015. The New York Times. 6 May 2015.
  46. News: B. B. King, Defining Bluesman for Generations, Dies at 89 . . May 15, 2015 . May 15, 2015 . Weiner, Tim.
  47. Web site: Louis Johnson, Legendary Bassist, Dead at 60 . Theboombox.com . 22 May 2015 . 2016-05-25.
  48. News: U2 tour manager Dennis Sheehan found dead in his hotel room. 27 May 2015. The Telegraph. 30 May 2015. London. Nick. Allen.
  49. Web site: James Horner, Oscar-winning Titanic composer, dies aged 61 in plane crash. The Guardian. June 23, 2015.
  50. News: Yes Co-Founder Chris Squire Dies. Ultimate Classic Rock. Nick. DeRiso. 28 June 2015. 28 June 2015.
  51. Web site: News . Oldies Music . 2015-07-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181021031111/http://www.oldiesmusic.com/news.htm . 2018-10-21 .
  52. Rapper Hussein Fatal, a Member of Tupac’s Group the Outlawz, Has Died in a Car Accident. TIME. July 12, 2015.
  53. Web site: R.I.P. Eric Wrixon. 13 July 2015. Hot Press. 15 July 2015.
  54. Web site: The Diamonds' Dave Somerville dies at age 81. Falcone. Dana Rose. Entertainment Weekly. July 16, 2015. 2016-02-22.
  55. News: Buddy Buie, Producer and Hit-Making Songwriter, Dies at 74 . Bruce . Weber . . A25 . 20 July 2015.
  56. Web site: Former Spencer Davis Group and Axis Point Member Eddie Hardin Dies at 66. Jeff. Giles. 24 July 2015. Ultimate Classic Rock. 25 May 2016.
  57. Web site: Cilla Black Died From Stroke After Fall. Sky News. 4 August 2015. 4 August 2015.
  58. Web site: R.I.P. soul music musician and songwriter Danny Sembello. SoulTracks . 2015-08-18 . 2015-08-24.
  59. Web site: McCarthy . James . The Damned bassist Bryn Merrick dies at Llandough Hospital after a battle with cancer . Wales Online . 2015-09-12 . 2015-09-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150916203741/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/damned-bassist-bryn-merrick-dies-10041318 . 2015-09-16 .
  60. Web site: Gary Richrath of REO Speedwagon dies . Music-News.com . 2015-09-18.
  61. Web site: Ben Cauley, Founding Member Of Bar-Kays, Dies At 67 – NewsChannel5.com . Scrippsmedia.com . 2015-09-22 . 2015-09-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150925001147/http://www.scrippsmedia.com/newschannel5/news/Ben-Cauley-Bar-Kays-Founder-Dies-At-67-328627521.html . 2015-09-25 .
  62. Web site: Wilton Felder, musician who played on many pop hits, dies at 75 . . November 14, 2016.
  63. News: Frankie Ford, New Orleans singer of 'Sea Cruise' fame, has died . Keith . Spera . . 29 September 2015.
  64. News: Singer Billy Joe Royal dies at 73 . Juli . Thanki . . October 6, 2015 . October 7, 2015.
  65. News: Singer-songwriter Jim Diamond dies. BBC News. 10 October 2015. 10 October 2015.
  66. Web site: Bruce "Beezer" Nazarian Of Brownsville Station Has Died . 11 October 2015 . 16 October 2015 . Detroit Rock n Roll Magazine.
  67. Web site: Napoliello. Alex. Former Springsteen bandmate, Robbin Thompson, dies. The Star-Ledger. October 11, 2015. January 10, 2016.
  68. Web site: Former Obituary Bassist Frank Watkins Dies At 47 . October 18, 2015. Blabbermouth.net. October 19, 2015.
  69. News: . October 22, 2015 . Cory Wells, vocalist with Three Dog Night, dies at 74 . . B6 .
  70. Web site: Edward Hoh, October 16, 1944 – November 7, 2015. knollcrestfuneralhome.com. December 10, 2015.
  71. News: Andy White, a Beatle for less than 5 minutes, dies at 85 . . 2015-11-12 . 2016-05-25.
  72. News: Sisario . Ben . Allen Toussaint, New Orleans R&B Mainstay, Dies at 77 . . November 10, 2015 . November 17, 2015.
  73. Ex-Motorhead Drummer Phil Taylor Dead at 61. Rolling Stone. 12 November 2015. 13 November 2015.
  74. News: P. F. Sloan, Enigmatic Writer of '60s Hit 'Eve of Destruction,' Dies at 70. Weber. Bruce. The New York Times. 17 November 2015. 20 November 2014.
  75. News: David VanLanding Dies. Giles. Jeff. Blabbermouth. 17 November 2015. 20 August 2020.
  76. News: Grimes . William . Cynthia Robinson, Sly and the Family Stone Trumpet Player, Dies at 71 . . 26 November 2015 . 27 November 2015.
  77. Web site: SESAC International Chairman Dr. Wayne Bickerton Dies . Sesac.com . 2016-05-25.
  78. Web site: Rock Star Scott Weiland Is Dead at 48 . Messer . Lesley . December 4, 2015 . ABC News . 2015-12-04.
  79. Bonnie Lou, Pioneering Country and Rock Singer, Dies at 91. Billboard. 2015-12-09.
  80. News: Artist Zemya Hamilton dies - 50 years old . Aftonbladet. 24 December 2015.
  81. News: Stevie Wright: The Easybeats frontman dies aged 68. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 28 December 2015. 28 December 2015.
  82. News: Motorhead frontman Lemmy dies aged 70. BBC News. 29 December 2015.
  83. News: Specials drummer John Bradbury dies . 29 December 2015 . BBC News . 2016-05-26.
  84. Web site: Natalie Cole, R&B and jazz singer, dies aged 65 . January 1, 2016 . BBC News . BBC . January 1, 2016.

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