Remembering 2025’s Music Losses: Chuck Mangione

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We’re having misting rain here in the land of the Kentucky Derby (and if you’re counting, or even if you aren’t, it’s only 110 days until Kentucky Derby 151!). While the weather changes, I don’t. I’m looking back at the musical losses in 2025. Here’s someone you have seen before on a countdown. Chuck Mangione And you’re thinking, hey, didn’t you just use him in the instrumental countdown a couple of months ago? Why yes, I did! Thanks for noticing. The man who made us learn the difference in a trumpet and flügelhorn is worthy of repeated uses and listens. Although Chuck Mangione’s biggest hit was 49 years ago, he was still showing up. He had a recurring role in the cartoon series King of the Hill, which he voiced himself thank you very much. I’ve mentioned this connection Louisville has to Mangione: his first Grammy-winning song was “Bellavia,” and one of our local TV stations used it as the background music for the school and business closings during snow storms. Mangione retired from performing in the 2010s but continued getting exposure through things like King of the Hill and the popularity of his biggest hit. I remember some car dealership having a “feels so good sales event” with that song. Among his survivors are his brother, jazz pianist Gaspare “Gap” Mangione…and a legion of fans who still “feel so good” at the sound of his smooth jazz. Chuck Mangione Born Charles Frank Mangione, November 29, 1940, Rochester, New York Died July 22, 2025, Rochester, New York (unknown cause) (age 84) HALL OF FAME: Rochester Music (2012) Here’s a wild, obscure Mangione song…just kidding, it’s his biggest hit, “Feels So Good”: