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”.
Tag Archives: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
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”.
Sly Stone
On June 9, 2025, Sylvester Stewart aka Sly Stone died age 82. He was musician (keyboards, guitar, bass, harmonica), singer, songwriter and producer, one of the most important figures in the development of funk with his pioneering fusion of soul, rock, psychedelia, and gospel in the 1960s and 1970s. Sly Stone collaborated with Funkadelic, Parliament, Jesse Johnson and Bobby Womack, but was best known as founding member and leader of the band Sly and the Family Stone. In 1993, he was inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”. He released his autobiography “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin). As leader he released two albums.
X: Los Angeles
On April 26, 1980, “Slash” label released “Los Angeles”, the debut X studio album. It was recorded in January 1980, at “Golden Sound Studios” in Hollywood, and was produced by Ray Manzarek. In 2003, “Rolling Stone” ranked “Los Angeles” at number 286 on its list of “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time”. Album title track was included in the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s” list of “500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll”.
Personnel:
- Exene – vocals
- Billy Zoom – guitar
- John Doe – lead vocals, bass
- D. J. Bonebrake – drums
- Ray Manzarek – organ, synthesizer
Track listing:
All tracks by John Doe and Exene Cervenka, except where noted.
- Your Phone’s Off the Hook, But You’re Not
- Johny Hit and Run Paulene
- Soul Kitchen – John Densmore, Robbie Krieger, Ray Manzarek, Jim Morrison
- Nausea
- Sugarlight
- Los Angeles
- Sex and Dying in High Society
- The Unheard Music
- The World’s a Mess: It’s in My Kiss
Garth Hudson
On January 21, 2025, Eric Garth Hudson died aged 87. He was multi-instrumentalist (piano, keyboards, accordion and saxophone), member of the Burrito DeLux, but was best known as the keyboardist and saxophonist for The Band. In 1994, as member of The Band, he was inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”. Magazine “Keyboard” described Hudson as “the most brilliant organist in the rock world”. As leader, Hudson released three albums (two studio and one live).
Abdul Kareem “Duke” Fakir
On July 22, 2024, Abdul Kareem “Duke” Fakir died aged 88. He was singer, a founding member of the quartet Four Tops. In 1990, as a member of the Four Tops, Fakir was inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 1997, he was inducted into the “Vocal Group Hall of Fame”, in 1999, in the “Grammy Hall of Fame”, in 1998, received the “Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award”.
Mike Pinder
On April 24, 2024, Michael Thomas Pinder died aged 82. He was musician (keyboards) and singer, known as the founding member and keyboards player of the band Moody Blues. Pinder was renowned for his contributions in the development and emergence of the Mellotron in 1960s rock music. In 2018, he was inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame” as a member of the Moody Blues.As leader Pinder released two albums.
Denny Laine
On December 5, 2023, Brian Frederick Arthur Hines aka Denny Laine died aged 79. He was musician (guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, and harmonica), singer and songwriter, a founder of the Moody Blues, member of Electric String Band, Ginger Baker’s Air Force, Denny Laine and the Diplomats, Denny Laine Band, but was best known as founding member of The Wings. Laine recorded and performed with variety of artists including Mike McGear, Steve Holley, Laurence Juber, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Balls and Linda McCartney. As leader he released twelve albums. In 2018, Laine was inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame” as a member of the Moody Blues.
Tina Turner
On May 24, 2023, Anna Mae Bullock aka Tina Turner died aged 83. She was singer, author, dancer and actress, referred to as the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll”, began her career with Ike Turner’s Kings of Rhythm in 1957. In 1958, under the name Little Ann, she released her first record, “Boxtop”. In 1960, she debuted as Tina Turner with the duet single “A Fool in Love”. The duo Ike & Tina Turner became “one of the most formidable live acts in history”. In the 1980s, Turner made a great comeback, and in the decades that followed she sold over 100 million records worldwide, and became one of the best-selling recording artists of all time. She won twelve “Grammy Awards”, three “Grammy Hall of Fame” awards and a “Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award”. Magazine “Rolling Stone” ranked her among the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time” and the “100 Greatest Singers of All Time”. She was twice inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”, with Ike Turner in 1991 and as a solo artist in 2021. In 2005, she was recipient of the “Kennedy Center Honors” and “Women of the Year” award. As leader Tina Turner released nine albums.
David Crosby
On January 19, 2023, David Van Cortlandt Crosby died aged 81. He was musician (guitar), singer and songwriter, regarded as one of the most influential artists who helped shape the sound of Sixties rock music. Crosby was founding member of The Byrds, Crosby, Stills and Nash, and CPR, and was member of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Crosby performed and recorded with Buffalo Springfield, Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Dave Mason, Rick Roberts, Art Garfunkel, Carole King, Becca Stevens, Michelle Willis, Gary Wright, Elton John, J. D. Souther, Paul Kantner, Grace Slick, Michael League, Chris Thile, Hot Tuna, Phil Collins, Lucinda Williams, Indigo Girls, David Gilmour and John Mayer. Crosby was inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame” twice: once as member of The Byrds and again as member of Crosby, Stills and Nash. Five albums to which he contributed are included in Rolling Stone’s magazine list of “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time”. In 2019 documentary “David Crosby: Remember My Name” was produced by Cameron Crowe. As leader Crosby released eight albums.
musicalphabet 