Music Obituaries: March 2026

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Every month, since music is my primary interest, I look back on the people in and around music who passed away in the previous month. As usual, we have lost a number of greats. Some of them you know only by their song, or a guitar lick, or their vocals…and some you don’t know at all. They still made a difference in someone’s life, and they deserve a final round of applause. Here are the music individuals who sang their final song in March 2026: Gary Walker (March 1, stroke, age 83): drummer and vocalist in the Standells, who had the hit “Dirty Water.” He went on to be a member of the Walker Brothers, known for 60s hits “Make It Easy on Yourself” and “The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore.” Len Garry (March 2, pneumonia, age 84): a member of the Quarrymen, the band that eventually evolved into the Beatles. Garry was a member early in the band’s incarnation, playing only with John Lennon. Mike Vernon, MBE (March 2, short illness, age 81): British record producer who worked with the likes of Fleetwood Mac and David Bowie in the 60s. As co-owner of Chipping Norton Studios, he saw songs such as “Baker Street,” “(I Just) Died in Your Arms,” and “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” become hits. Roy Book Binder (March 3, long illness, age 82): Florida-based “hillbilly blues” singer, songwriter, and guitarist who played festivals around the country and on TV shows such as Nashville Now. David Brigati (March 7, unknown cause, age 85): the lead singer for Joey Dee and the Starlighters on their big hit “Peppermint Twist,” and later an “unofficial” member of the Young Rascals/Rascals (his brother Eddie was an “official” member). Country Joe McDonald (March 7, Parkinson’s disease, age 84): the leader of Country Joe and the Fish, known best for their “Fish cheer” and the song “Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-to-Die Rag.” Augie Meyers (March 7, unknown cause, age 85): a founding member of the Sir Douglas Quintet (“She’s About a Mover”). He was also the last surviving member of the Texas Tornadoes. Tommy DeCarlo (March 9, brain cancer, age 60): singer for the band Boston from 2007 until this year, when he became too ill to perform. Blake Emmons (March 9, unknown cause, age 81): Canadian country singer who hosted the Canadian answer to Hee Haw, Funny Farm. He also appeared on Jim Ed Brown’s syndicated series The Country Place. Phil Campbell (March 13, complications from surgery, age 64): a guitarist in the heavy metal band Motörhead. Dolores Keane (March 16, unknown cause, age 72): Irish superstar folk singer who was a member of the group De Dannan as well as a successful solo artist. Louie Louie (né Louis Cordero) (March 20, unknown cause, age 63): a one-hit wonder with 1990’s “Sittin’ in the Lap of Luxury,” he also played Madonna’s boyfriend in the “Borderline” video. Ronnie Bowman (March 22, motorcycle accident, age 64): guitarist and singer in the bluegrass band the Lonesome River Boys, as well as a solo performer. *Chip Taylor (March 23, cancer, age 86): SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAMER. James Voight, the younger brother of actor Jon Voight, wrote classic songs under his pseudonym ranging from “Wild Thing” to “I Can’t Let Go” to “Angel of the Morning.” Darrell “Dash” Crofts (March 25, complications from surgery, age 87): half of the legendary 70s soft rock duo Seals and Crofts. His partner, Jim Seals, died in 2022. Mick Roberts (March 25, unknown cause, age 57): singer for the British indie rock band the Bridewell Taxis. Ross the Boss (né Ross Friedman) (March 26, ALS, age 72): guitarist in the 70s punk band the Dictators and the 80s metal band Manowar. *Jon Dee Graham (March 27, fall, age 67): AUSTIN MUSIC HALL OF FAMER. A member of Austin-based bands The Skunks and the True Believers, he was also a guitarist who worked with the likes of John Hiatt, Michelle Shocked, John Doe of X, and Lone Justice. Greg Elmore (March 29, unknown cause, age 79): drummer for the 60s San Francisco-based rock band Quicksilver Messenger Service. Carl Bonafede (March 30, unknown cause, age 85): member of the 60s band the Daughters of Eve and a record producer for the band the Buckinghams, including their big hit “Kind of a Drag.” *Walt Maddox (March 30, natural causes, age 88): VOCAL GROUP HALL OF FAMER. A member of the Marcels, best known for the doo-wop version of “Blue Moon” in 1961. Christopher North (March 30, throat cancer, age 75): keyboardist and founding member of the band Ambrosia, known for hits such as “How Much I Feel” and “You’re the Only Woman.” Farewell, and thank you for the music. One of my absolute favorite songs written by the late Chip Taylor is “Son of a Rotten Gambler,” which has been recorded by acts as diverse as the Hollies and Anne Murray. Here’s Taylor’s own version: