RIP - Music related

[Ojai Sam]

Germany's Kessler twins, who became dance stars in the 50s and 60s, die at 89

Police in Germany say that Alice and Ellen Kessler, twin dancers and singers who launched their international career in the 1950s and performed with Fred Astaire, Frank Sinatra and Harry Belafonte, have died.

apnews.com

Even at 80, the sisters appeared on stage in a musical. Alice said shortly before their 80th birthday that they probably wouldn’t have managed to perform for so long alone. Being a twosome “only has advantages,” she said. “Together you’re stronger.” Asked about the secret of their success, she remarked: “Discipline, every day. Gratitude, time and again. Humility, not cockiness. And togetherness. Until death.”

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Jimmy Cliff, reggae giant and star of landmark film 'The Harder They Come,' dead at 81

Jimmy Cliff, the charismatic reggae pioneer and actor who preached defiance, joy and endurance in such classics as “Many Rivers to Cross,” “You Can Get it If You Really Want” and “Vietnam” and starred in the landmark movie “The Harder They Come,” has died at 81.

apnews.com

RIP Jimmy Cliff

 

[axolotl]

Steve Cropper, Legendary Guitarist for Booker T. & the MG’s, Otis Redding and the Blues Brothers, Dies at 84

Steve Cropper, guitarist for Booker T. & the MG's, Otis Redding, the Blues Brothers and many more, has died. He was 84.

variety.com

No more "Play it, Steve"

 

[axolotl]

Phil Upchurch, Legendary Guitarist Who Worked With Michael Jackson & Donny Hathaway, Dies at 84

Phil Upchurch, an iconic guitarist and session musician who collaborated with Donny Hathaway, Michael Jackson and others, has died. He was 84.

www.billboard.com

This has been a bad week for guitarists.

 

[axolotl]

Grammy-nominated musician struck and killed by driver with over 100 arrests in Rhode Island, police say

Roderick MacLeod, 70, was walking his dogs when he was allegedly struck by a driver with dozens of prior arrests.

www.cbsnews.com

 

[Ojai Sam]

Mavericks, The

The Mavericks Raul Malo frontman of the Mavericks is dead. With great sorrow, we at Bear Family Records learned on December 8, 2025, of the far too early passing of Raul Malo. The charismatic singer, guitarist, and creative driving...

www.bear-family.com

 

[axolotl]

Jubilant Sykes, Celebrated Opera Singer, Dead at 71: Police Confirm Son Is in Custody

Singer Jubilant Sykes is dead at 71, and police have taken his son into custody on suspicion of homicide

www.billboard.com

 

[axolotl]

Joe Ely, Texas Country-Rock Hero Who Grew His Fan Base Touring With the Clash, Dies at 78

Joe Ely, the Lubbock-bred singer-songwriter who grew his country fan base into a broader one with big cosigns from the Clash and others, died at 78.

variety.com

 

[Ojai Sam]

Joe Ely, Texas Country-Rock Hero Who Grew His Fan Base Touring With the Clash, Dies at 78

Joe Ely, the Lubbock-bred singer-songwriter who grew his country fan base into a broader one with big cosigns from the Clash and others, died at 78.

variety.com

First Raul, now Joe. Tough month.

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

English rock and blues singer Chris Rea has passed away at age 74

Chris Rea, rock and blues singer-songwriter, dies aged 74

Middlesbrough-born musician had hits with Driving Home for Christmas, On the Beach and The Road to Hell

www.theguardian.com

 

[Unsomnambulist]

Perry Bamonte, Guitarist and Keyboardist for the Cure, Dies at 65

Perry Bamonte, guitarist and keyboardist for the Cure, has died. He was 65.

variety.com

 

[Unsomnambulist]

Bob Weir, Grateful Dead Co-Founder, Dies at 78

The singer, songwriter and rhythm guitarist was known for his craftsmanship on such songs as "Sugar Magnolia" and "Playing in the Band."

www.hollywoodreporter.com

 

[Unsomnambulist]

Black Midi guitarist Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin dies at 26

Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin, cofounder of the South London band Black Midi, died "after a long battle with his mental health," per the group's label.

www.usatoday.com

 

[Unsomnambulist]

Sly Dunbar, reggae drummer and producer with Sly and Robbie, dies aged 73

Drummer helped to define the sound of roots reggae and dancehall, and worked with stars including the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and Grace Jones

www.theguardian.com

 

[Unsomnambulist]

Fred Smith, Bassist for Television, Dies at 77

Fred Smith, bass player for the influential proto-punk band Television, died Thursday. He was 77. The band confirmed his death on its Instagram. Smith started out playing with Angel and the Snake, whi...

www.yahoo.com

 

[Ojai Sam]

Chuck Negron, lead singer on 'Joy to the World' and other Three Dog Night hits, dies at 83

Chuck Negron, a founding member of the soul-rock sensations Three Dog Night, has died. Negron sang lead on such hits as “One” and “Just an Old Fashioned Love Song” and hollered the immortal opening line “Jeremiah was a bullfrog!”

apnews.com

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Brad Arnold, 3 Doors Down founder and lead singer, dies at 47

Brad Arnold, the founder and lead singer of the 3 Doors Down has died following "his courageous battle with cancer," the rock band announced Saturday on social media.

www.cbsnews.com

Brad Arnold, lead singer for 3 Doors Down has passed

 

[axolotl]

Wu-Tang Clan Co-Founder Oliver 'Power' Grant Dead at 52

Oliver 'Power' Grant, who died at age 52, played a pivotal role in the formation of the Wu-Tang Clan, and oversaw their business empire.

www.rollingstone.com

 

[axolotl]

Neil Sedaka, 'Breaking Up Is Hard to Do' singer, dies: 'A true rock and roll legend'

Neil Sedaka, the legendary singer-songwriter behind tracks like "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" and "Oh! Carol," has died at age 86.

www.usatoday.com

 

[axolotl]

Country Joe McDonald, Woodstock legend with an anti-war hit, dies at 84

Country Joe McDonald, who became a Woodstock festival legend and fronted the band Country Joe and the Fish in the 1960s, has died at age 84.

www.usatoday.com