The music world in 2025 saw the passing of a remarkable number of influential artists whose work spanned genres and generations. Argentine singer-songwriter Leo Dan, known for his romantic ballads like Cómo Te Extraño Mi Amor and Pídeme La Luna, died at age 82 on January 1, a day that also saw the loss of Wayne Osmond of the Osmond Brothers at age 73. Soul singer Brenton Wood, whose 1960s hit The Oogum Boogum Song became an enduring classic, died of natural causes on January 3 at age 83, and Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary died at age 86 after a battle with bladder cancer later that week. Sam Moore of the iconic R&B duo Sam & Dave passed away on January 10 at age 89, followed by The Whites’ Buck White at age 94 and Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake guitarist John Sykes at age 65 after his cancer battle. Garth Hudson, the last surviving member of The Band, died in his sleep at age 87, marking the end of an era for fans of roots rock and Americana.

Soul and R&B legend Roberta Flack, whose voice defined classics like Killing Me Softly With His Song, died on February 24 at age 88, leaving behind a legacy of emotional and genre-bridging music that influenced countless artists. Jazz and vibraphone pioneer Roy Ayers, whose work with Roy Ayers Ubiquity helped shape jazz-funk and soul in the 1970s and whose music was widely sampled in hip-hop and R&B, died on March 4 at age 84. Marianne Faithfull, whose career included chart success in the 1960s and a long, storied artistic journey, died at age 78 on January 30, 2025, remembered for her distinctive voice and cultural impact. Rick Buckler, drummer for The Jam and part of the band’s rise in the British punk and new wave scenes, also passed away in February at age 69.

Earlier in the year, the music community said goodbye to Sly Stone, the pioneering funk and soul musician who fronted Sly and the Family Stone and reshaped popular music with hits like Everyday People and Family Affair; he died at age 82 following health struggles. Industrial dance and EBM innovator Douglas McCarthy, co-founder and frontman of Nitzer Ebb, died at age 58 after health issues forced him off the touring circuit. These losses were part of a broader year of grieving in the arts, with tributes reflecting on the profound influence these musicians had on their genres and on fans around the world.