Music Obituaries: June 2026

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It is time to pause and think back to the month of June and salute the music individuals who passed away that month. I do this every month for two reasons. One, music is my primary interest, so I feel compelled to thank these people one last time for what they did in the world of music. Two, most of these individuals never got the headline news coverage that’s reserved for the likes of Michael Jackson or Whitney Houston. That doesn’t make their contribution to music any less significant. Here are the people from the world of music who played their final notes in June 2026: Peabo Bryson (June 2, stroke, age 75): Grammy-winning R&B singer with a marvelous voice and a string of hits including “If Ever You’re in My Arms Again” and the duet with Roberta Flack, “Tonight I Celebrate My Love.” Spider Webb (June 2, lung cancer, age 81): longtime jazz and rock session drummer who worked with the lights of King Curtis, Robert Palmer, and David Clayton-Thomas. James Blood Ulmer (June 3, unknown cause, age 86): innovative jazz guitarist who did his own work as well as working with saxophonists Arthur Blythe and David Murray. John B. Williams (June 4, illness, age 85): jazz bassist who played in the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson band as well with the legendary jazz singer Nancy Wilson. Talay Riley (June 5, murdered [stabbed], age 35): British singer and songwriter who co-wrote Britney Spears’ 2016 hit “Clumsy.” Bob Whittaker (June 5, natural causes, age 85): longtime general manager of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. Robert Greenidge (June 8, stroke, age 76): steel drum player from Trinidad who worked extensively with Jimmy Buffett. *Bill Cody (né Trent Clutts) (June 9, kidney and lung failure, age 67): COUNTRY MUSIC DISC JOCKEY HALL OF OFAMER. Longtime disc jockey at WSM in Nashville, the host of “Coffee and Cody in the Morning,” and an announcer for the Grand Ole Opry. Erlene Tubb (June 9, unknown cause, age 75): the daughter of country legend Ernest Tubb. Görel Hanser (June 13, unknown cause, age 76): longtime manager of the legendary band ABBA and vice president of the record label Polar Music. Dee Palmer (née David Palmer) (June 13, natural causes, age 88): keyboardist and music arranger who worked with Jethro Tull as well as other bands such as Pink Floyd, Genesis, and Yes. Barry Dransfield (June 14, lung infection, age 79): folk singer and string musician who performed with his brother as well as numerous recording sessions. He played on tour with Steeleye Span and played the blind fiddle player in The Bounty. Dave Greenslade (June 14, unknown cause, age 83): British keyboardist who played with the jazz fusion band Colosseum and his own prog rock/jazz band Greenslade. Andy Lewis (June 14, BASE jumping accident, age 39): stuntman, BASE jumper, and slackliner who rose to fame after appearing with Madonna at the 2012 Super Bowl. Abdullah Ibrahim (né Adolph “Dollar” Brand) (June 15, natural causes, age 91): South African jazz pianist whose composition “Mannerberg” became an anthem for the South Africa anti-Apartheid movement. He was also the subject of the 1980s documentary A Brother With Perfect Timing. Teddie Beverley, MBE (June 17, natural causes, age 99): last surviving member of England’s pop trio the Beverley Sisters. Toney Lee (June 17, unknown cause, age 72): R&B singer, songwriter, and producer whose 1980s hit “Reach Up” has been sampled in a number of songs. *Walter Parazaider (June 17, complications from Alzheimer’s disease, age 81): ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAMER. Saxophonist and flautist for the legendary band Chicago. Larry Shell (June 17, cancer, age 77): award-winning songwriter whose co-writing (with Larry Cordle) credits include “Highway 40 Blues” and “Murder on Music Row.” Beau Williams (June 17, cancer, age 76): Grammy and Dove-nominated gospel singer, best known for his 1989 song “Wonderful.” Justin Cary (June 18, stroke, age 50): bass guitarist for the band Sixpence None the Richer. *Clive Davis (June 22, natural causes, age 94): ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAMER. Founder of Arista Records and former executive at Columbia Records, responsible for advancing the careers of the likes of Bruce Springsteen, the Kinks, and Barry Manilow. Bruce Tull (June 22, brief illness, age 71): guitarist and steel guitar player for the 90s alt-country band the Scud Mountain Boys. *David Clayton-Thomas (June 24, complications of cancer, age 84): CANADIAN MUSIC HALL OF FAMER. The legendary lead singer of Blood, Sweat, and Tears, as well as a prolific solo act. James Monroe (June 24, long illness, age 85): only son of “Father of Bluegrass” Bill Monroe, and a longtime member in his dad’s band as well as a solo performer. Manuel van Der Dijs (June 24, age unknown, earthquake): lead vocalist and namesake of the Venezuelan band Van Der Dijs. (See below.) Abraham Foucault (June 24, age unknown, earthquake): drummer for the Venezuelan band Van Der Dijs. (See below.) Gabriel Gómez (June 24, age unknown, earthquake): guitarist for the Venezuelan band Van Der Dijs. (See below.) Xander Hernández (June 24, age unknown, earthquake): bassist for the Venezuelan band Van Der Dijs. The four members of the nu metal band were all killed when the building in which they were rehearsing collapsed during the earthquake. Dr. Donald William Krummel (June 25, natural causes, age 96): longtime music historian, bibliographer, and author, his duties included a five-year stint as the Music Division reference librarian at the Library of Congress. Doug Goldstein (June 26, unknown cause, age 65): manager of Guns n Roses during their music successful period in the 80s and early 90s. *Donna Stoneman (June 28, natural causes, age 92): BLUEGRASS MUSIC HALL OF FAMER. The final surviving member of the Stoneman Family, a legendary band started by their father, Ernest V. Stoneman in the mid-50s. Brian Potter (June 30, vascular dementia, age 87): songwriter who, with co-writer Dennis Lambert, wrote a number of hits in the 60s and 70s, including the Billy Jack theme “One Tin Soldier,” “Two Divided By Love” by the Grass Roots, “It Only Takes a Minute” by Tavares, and Glen Campbell’s “Country Boy (You Got Your Feet in L.A.).” He also produced a number of diverse albums during that era. Victor Willis (June 30, short illness, age 74): the policeman or sailor in the Village People, and originally the only person who performed in the “group.” After their success, other individuals were recruited to fill out the group. Farewell, and thank you for the music. Chicago’s classic “Feelin’ Stronger Every Day,” with the late Walter Parazaider on saxophone: