Music Obituaries: May 2025

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Another month has gone, and with it, the lives of several musicians. I do this every month to pay tribute to the famous and obscure alike from the world of music, who all deserve a final bow. Most of these didn't get the press coverage that Brian Wilson did, but that doesn't mean they weren't important in their own way. Here are the music-related individuals who sang their final song in May 2025: Ruth Buzzi (May 1, Alzheimer’s disease, age 88): although best known for Laugh-In, she had a music career earlier in her life, including touring with Rudy Vallee and appearing in off-Broadway musicals. Jill Sobule (May 1, house fire, age 66): singer/songwriter best known for her songs “Supermodel” and “I Kissed a Girl.” *James Baker (May 5, cancer, age 71): WEST AUSTRALIAN MUSIC INDUSTRY HALL OF FAMER. Australian drummer known for his work in bands like the Hoodoo Gurus, the Scientists, and Beasts of Bourbon. Joan O’Brien (May 5, Alzheimer’s disease, age 89): actress who’s on the list because she appeared in It Happened At the World’s Fair with Elvis. Johnny Rodriguez (May 9, illness, age 73): country singer with a string of hits including “That’s the Way Love Goes” and “Pass Me By (If You’re Only Passing Through).” *John Edwards (May 11, complications from a stroke, age 80): ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAMER. The final “hall of fame-era” member of the Spinners, lead singer on their hits such as “Working My Way Back to You.” Billy Earheart (May 13, cancer, age 71): keyboard player for Hank Jr.’s backing band the Bama Boys and the 70s hitmakers the Amazing Rhythm Aces. Dale Henderson (May 13, unknown cause, age 59): guitarist, singer, and songwriter for the thrash metal band Beowülf. Terry Draper (May 15, leukemia, age 73): member of the band Klaatu (who gained notoriety in the 70s when rumors spread that they were the reunited Beatles under a pseudonym) and writer of their best-known song, “Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft” (which was covered by the Carpenters). Charles Strouse (May 15, natural causes, age 96): composer of many musicals in his career, including Annie and Bye Bye Birdie. Roger Nichols (May 17, unknown cause, age 84): songwriter whose credits include “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “I Won’t Last a Day Without You,” and “Out in the Country.” Arthur Hamilton (May 20, natural causes, age 98): songwriter whose credits include the classic “Cry Me a River.” Michael B. Tretow (May 20, unknown cause, age 80): record producer and sound engineer in Sweden who worked with the legendary Abba in the studio. James Lowe (May 22, natural causes, age 82): singer and bassist in the 60s band the Electric Prunes, known for their unique band name and the song “I Had Too Much to Dream Last Night.” Kendall Fortner (May 22, plane crash, age 24): employee of the Sound Talent Group. (See below.) Emma Lynn Huke (May 22, plane crash, age 25): employee of the Sound Talent Group. (See below.) Daniel Williams (May 22, plane crash, age 39): former drummer for the band The Devil Wears Prada. (See below.) Dave Shapiro (May 22, plane crash, age 42): founder of the Sound Talent Group and a music producer and promoter. Shapiro and the others listed above were flying to San Diego when the plane crashed in a Navy base housing neighborhood in foggy conditions. All occupants of the plane were killed, but no one on the ground lost their life. Kenny Marco (May 24, cancer, age 78): Canadian guitarists who was a member of Motherload and later toured with Blood, Sweat, and Tears and did session work with the likes of Etta James. Simon House (May 25, unknown cause, age 76): multi-instrumentalist best known for playing violin on David Bowie tours and his work in the band Hawkwind. Sherry Bryce (May 26, illness, age 78): country singer best known for a string of duets with Mel Tillis in the early 70s. Rick Derringer (May 26, complications from heart surgery, age 77): member of the 60s band the McCoys (of “Hang on Sloopy” fame), guitarist and singer with his hit “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo” in the 70s, and a record producer for early Weird Al albums. Francisco Xavier Vázquez Osorio (May 28, murdered, age unknown): member of Mexican band Grupo Fugitivo (see below). Nemesio Antonio Durán Rodríguez (May 28, murdered, age unknown): member of Mexican band Grupo Fugitivo (see below). Livan Edyberto Solís de la Rosa (May 28, murdered, age unknown): member of the Mexican band Grupo Fugitivo (see below). José Francisco Morales Martínez (May 28, murdered, age unknown): member of the Mexican band Grupo Fugitivo (see below). Víctor Manuel Garza Cervantes (May 28, murdered, age unknown): member of the Mexican band Grupo Fugitivo. The band was allegedly abducted and murdered by drug cartel members in the Tamaulipas region near the US/Mexican border. The band’s lead singer was not with the band at the time of the incident, as he had arrived late and missed the van’s departure. Alf Clausen (May 29, progressive supranuclear palsy, age 84): Emmy-winning television music composer, working on show like The Simpsons and Moonlighting. Andrew Matheson (May 31, leukemia, age 73): member of the protopunk band the Hollywood Brats, who, although unsuccessful at the time, were later regarded as a major influence in the British punk scene. Farewell, and thank you for the music. Weird Al's great parody "Eat It," which was produced by and featured guitar work by the late Rick Derringer: