Music Obituaries: December 2025

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While I’m looking back at the year 2025 and my personal painful memories of the musicians who died, there’s still the final month of 2025 to review. Every month I thank the music-related individuals, from the hall of famers (five last month) to the barely-known names you’d only recognize if you read the closing credits or the songwriter credits. Regardless, they all deserve a final bow. Here are the music people for whom the final curtain fell in December 2025: *Steve Cropper (December 3, complications from a fall, age 84): ROCK AND ROLL, NASHVILLE SONGWRITERS, and MUSICIANS HALL OF FAMER. One of the greatest guitarists in rock and roll history. He appeared in The Blues Brothers, was in Booker T. & the MGs (where he co-wrote their biggest hit, “Green Onions”), and worked endlessly in the studio…including co-writing and playing on Otis Redding’s classic “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay.” Jerry Kasenetz (December 6, fall, age 82): songwriter and producer and the man who coined the term “bubblegum music.” Among the songs he wrote were “1-2-3 Red Light,” “Chewy Chewy,” and “Simon Says.” Steve Duncan (December 8, unknown cause, age 72): drummer and co-founder of the Desert Rose Band. He was also a member of Rick Nelson’s Stone Canyon Band. Gordon Goodwin (December 8, stroke/pancreatic cancer, age 70): the leader of Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, the saxophonist won two Daytime Emmy Awards and four Grammys for his music. Raul Malo (December 8, leptomeningeal and colon cancers, age 60): the leader (originally the only real member) of the country-rock band the Mavericks. The band was did a two-day tribute concert to him a week before he died. Robbie Kondor (December 10, prion disease, age 70): a studio musician who worked with the likes of The Bee Gees, Eric Clapton, Whitney Houston, and Billy Joel. He also occasionally appeared on The Late Show With David Letterman. Manny Guerra (December 12, cancer, age 85): a Tejano music performer who worked with countless acts in Latino music, including Selena. He was also involved in the advent of the Tejano Music Awards. Carl Carlton (December 13, heart issues, age 73): R&B singer best known for his 1974 version of the song “Everlasting Love” and his Grammy-nominated 1982 hit “She’s a Bad Mama Jama.” Rob Reiner (December 14, murdered [stabbed to death], age 78): the legendary actor and director gave the world one of the best comedic spoofs this side of Mel Brooks: The Is Spinal Tap. The sequel, featuring cameos by Paul McCartney and Elton John, was released in September. *Joe Ely (December 15, Lewy Body dementia/pneumonia, age 78): TEXAS SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAMER. One of the most innovative singers and songwriters to emerge from Texas. He was versatile enough to open for The Clash on a tour and record with one of his biggest fans, Bruce Springsteen. Max Eider (né Peter Millson) (December 17, long illness, age 64): British guitarist who was revered for his playing, known for his solo work as well as the band The Jazz Butcher Conspiracy. Betty Peart (December 19, natural causes, age 90): mother of legendary Rush drummer and lyricist Neil Peart. Chris Rea (December 22, stroke, age 74): British singer/songwriter best remembered in the US for his 1978 hit “Fool (If You Think It’s Over).” *Perry Bamonte (December 14, illness, age 65): ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAMER. Guitarist and keyboardist for 2019 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees The Cure. Howie Klein (December 24, cancer, age 77): music promoter who worked his way up to president of Sire Records and Reprise Records. *Stu Phillips (December 25, natural causes, age 92): CANADIAN COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAMER. Canadian-born country music great who had more success in Canada than here in America; however, he was a member of the Grand Ole Opry for nearly 60 years. Don Bryant (December 26, unknown causes, age 83): Memphis R&B singer and songwriter best known for writing the hit “I Can’t Stand the Rain.” Michael Lippman (December 29, unknown causes, age 79): manager for music acts such as Matchbox 20, Melissa Manchester, and David Bowie. Richard Smallwood (December 30, kidney failure, age 77): gospel singer and songwriter best known for the songs “Total Praise” and Whitney Houston’s cover of “I Love the Lord.” *Hayden Thompson (December 31, unknown causes, age 87): ROCKABILLY HALL OF FAMER. A 50s rockabilly performer in Memphis and Chicago who later found renewed success on the rockabilly revival circuit. Farewell, and thank you for the music. The late Chris Rea, with his one American hit, “Fool (If You Think It’s Over)”: