In December 2025, Tetsu Yamauchi died aged 79. He was musician (bass), member of the bands Samurai; Kossof, Kirke, Tetsu and Rabbit; Free; Faces and Creation. As leader he released five albums
Tag Archives: musician
Steve Cropper
On December 3, 2025, Steven Lee Cropper died aged 84. He was musician, songwriter, record producer and actor, known as “The Colonel”. He was the guitarist of the “Stax Records” house band, Booker T. & the M.G.’s, which backed artists such as Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas, and Johnnie Taylor. He was also member of the Blues Brothers Band, and recorded and performed with many other artists including Alabama, Jimmy Barnes, William Bell, Barbi Benton, Big Star, Stephen Bishop, Frank Black, Bobby and the Midnites, Booker T. & MG.’s, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Jimmy Buffett, Billy Burnette, Brian Cadd, Cate Brothers, Chicago, David Clayton Thomas, A. J. Croce, Patti Dahlstrom, Delaney & Bonnie, Ned Doheny, Yvonne Elliman, Jose Feliziano, Eddie Floyd, Peter Frampton, Richie Furay, Art Garfunkel, Cyndi Grecco, Levon Helm, Chris Hillman, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Etta James, Wynonna Judd, Albert King, B.B. King, Al Kooper, John Lennon, Ann Margret, Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis Jr., Craig Morgan, Aaron Neville, Wayne Newton, Harry Nilsson, John Oates, Nigel Olsson, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Wilson Pickett, Michel Polnareff, John Prine, Otis Redding, Bruce Roberts, Leon Russell, Sanford & Townsend, Leo Sayer, Poncho Sanchez, Guy Sebastian, Neil Sedaka, Paul Shaffer, Paul Simon, Percy Sledge, Broderick Smith, The Soul Children, The Staple Singers, Mavis Staple, Ringo Starr, Rod Stewart, Livingston Taylor, Carla Thomas, Mickey Thomas, Wendy Waldman, Tower of Power, The Manhattan Transfer, Dale Watson and Jerry Lynn Williams. Magazine “Rolling Stone” ranked him 36th on its list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists”. Cropper won two “Grammy Awards”, and as leader or co-leader Cropper released 13 albums.
Jimmy Cliff
On November 24, 2025, James Chambers (aka Jimmy Cliff) died aged 81. He was singer, musician (guitar, piano, keyboards, congas) and actor, one of the most important figures in worldwide promotion of the Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae music. He was the only living reggae musician to hold the “Order of Merit”, the highest honor that can be granted by the Jamaican government for achievements in the arts and sciences. In 2010, Jimmy Cliff was inducted in the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”.
Gary “Mani” Mounfield
On November 20, 2025, Gary “Mani” Mounfield died aged 63. He was musician (bass guitar) and DJ, best known as member of the bands Primal Scream and Stone Roses.
Jack DeJohnette
On October 26, 2025, Jack DeJohnette died aged 83. He was musician (drums, piano) and composer, regarded as one of the most influential jazz drummers of all time. He recorded and performed with some of the best known jazz musicians, including Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, Freddie Hubbard, Charles Lloyd, John Abercrombie, Alice Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson, Michael Brecker, Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, and John Scofield. In 2007, he was inducted into the “Modern Drummer Hall of Fame”, and won two “Grammy Awards”. As leader DeJohnette released 38 albums.
John Lodge
On October 10, 2025, John Charles Lodge died aged 82. He was musician (bass guitar), singer, and songwriter, He was member of the band El Riot and the Rebels, but was best known as bass guitarist, co-lead vocalist and principal songwriter of The Moody Blues. Lodge produced two albums for the band Trapeze. As leader, he released four studio albums, one EP and two live albums.
Chris Dreja
On October 1, 2025, Christopher Walenty Dreja died aged 79. He was musician (guitar, bass) and photographer, member of bands Metropolitan Blues Quartet and Box of Frogs, but was best known as the rhythm guitarist and bassist for The Yardbirds. In 1992, as a member of the Yardbirds he was inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”.
Sonny Curtis
On September 19, 2025, Sonny Curtis died aged 88. He was musician (guitar), singer and songwriter, collaborated with Buddy Holly, but was best known as member of The Crickets. His two best known songs are “Walk Right Back” performed by The Everly Brother, and “I Fought the Law”, performed by Bobby Fuller Fou, The Clash and Green Day. As leader, Curtis released eight albums.
Hermeto Pascoal
On September 12, 2025. Hermeto Pascoal died aged 89. He was musician (keyboards, accordion, flute, saxophone, guitar), composer and record producer, best known in Brazilian music for his orchestration and improvisation. As leader or member he released 32 albums.
Rick Davies
On September 6, 2025, Richard Davies died aged 81. He was musician (keyboards, harmonica), singer and songwriter, founding member of Rick’s Blues, member of The Lonely Ones, but was best known as founding member, vocalist, keyboardist and composer of Supertramp.
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