The Rock Musicians That Passed Away This 2025

The start of 2025 has already brought heartbreak to the rock and metal world with the loss of several cherished figures. Some were legendary frontmen and guitar heroes; others made their mark behind the scenes or as vital members of their bands. Whether they stood in the spotlight or helped shape the sound from the shadows, their impact was real and lasting. Below, we’re remembering the rockers we’ve lost so far this year and celebrating the legacy each one left behind. This list will be updated as the year goes on, honoring those who helped shape the sound and spirit of rock and metal.

Garth Hudson (The Band)
Garth Hudson, the legendary multi-instrumentalist from The Band, passed away on Jan. 21 at the age of 87. Known for his incredible skills on keyboards, organ, and saxophone, Hudson was the last surviving member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group. He died peacefully in his sleep after battling a long illness. Before joining The Band, he played alongside Levon Helm in Ronnie Hawkins’ backing group, The Hawks. Over the years, Hudson earned major honors, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and spots in both the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and Canada’s Walk of Fame.

John Sykes (Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, Blue Murder)
John Sykes, former guitarist for Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake, passed away on Jan. 20 at 65 after a battle with cancer. Known for his fierce playing and songwriting chops, Sykes left a huge mark on ‘80s rock. He played on Thin Lizzy’s final album Thunder and Lightning and helped craft Whitesnake’s massively successful 1987 self-titled album, co-writing hits like “Is This Love.” Despite musical chemistry, tensions with frontman David Coverdale kept their partnership short. Remembered as both a gifted musician and a kind, charismatic soul, Sykes also made waves with Blue Murder and Tygers of Pan Tang.

Marianne Faithfull
Marianne Faithfull, the iconic folk singer of the ‘60s, passed away on Jan. 30 at the age of 78. She rose to fame with her haunting hit “As Tears Go By,” written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Andrew Loog Oldham. Her whirlwind romance with Jagger and hits like “Come and Stay With Me” and “This Little Bird” made her a household name. Later, she surprised fans by teaming up with Metallica on “The Memory Remains.” Faithfull also shone on screen and stage, with roles in films like Hamlet and The Girl on a Motorcycle.

Dave Jerden (Producer)
Legendary producer and engineer Dave Jerden passed away on Feb. 5 at 75. Known for shaping the sound of rock, punk, and alternative music, Jerden worked behind the scenes on some of the most iconic albums of the last few decades. His résumé includes Remain in Light by Talking Heads, Future Shock by Herbie Hancock, Dirty Work by The Rolling Stones, and standout releases from Jane’s Addiction, Alice in Chains, Anthrax, Social Distortion, and The Offspring. Whether producing, mixing, or engineering, Jerden brought a signature touch that helped define entire eras of music.

David Johansen (New York Dolls, Buster Poindexter)
David Johansen, frontman of the New York Dolls and later known as Buster Poindexter, passed away from cancer on Feb. 28 at 75. He rose to fame in the ’70s with the Dolls, a groundbreaking band that helped shape punk with albums like New York Dolls and Too Much Too Soon. After going solo, he reinvented himself with a playful twist as Buster Poindexter, scoring a new wave of fans. Johansen also enjoyed a solid acting career, appearing in Scrooged, Let It Ride, Freejack, and Tales From the Darkside. A true original, he always kept fans guessing.

Clem Burke (Blondie)
Clem Burke, the legendary drummer for Blondie, passed away on April 6 at the age of 70 after a private battle with cancer. As the band said, “Clem was not just a drummer; he was the heartbeat of Blondie.” Known for his energy, passion, and relentless drive, Burke played on every Blondie album since joining in 1975. His powerful style helped define their sound. Outside Blondie, he played with Eurythmics, Iggy Pop, Joan Jett, Pete Townshend, Dramarama, The Romantics, and even briefly stepped in for the Ramones. A true force behind the kit, Clem’s legacy lives on.

Les Binks (Judas Priest)
Les Binks, former drummer for Judas Priest, passed away on April 15 at 77. He joined the band in 1977 and played a major role during their early years, appearing on classic albums like Stained Class and Killing Machine. Binks parted ways with the band during the Killing Machine tour but returned to the scene in 1981 with Lionheart. He also played with Tytan, Raw Glory, Broken Bones, and Kindred Spirit. In 2022, Binks was honored alongside his Judas Priest bandmates with induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Mike Peters (The Alarm)
Mike Peters, the passionate voice behind The Alarm, passed away on April 29 at the age of 66. In the ’80s, his band made waves with college rock favorites like “Sixty-Eight Guns,” “Strength,” and “Rain in the Summertime.” After five albums with I.R.S. Records, Peters later launched The Alarm MM++, releasing 16 albums from 2002 onward. He battled lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia for decades, but never stopped making music or fighting for others. He founded the Love Hope Strength foundation and even led a cancer survivor trek to Mount Everest’s base camp to raise awareness for cancer research.

Fredrik Lindgren (Unleashed)
Fredrik Lindgren, the original guitarist for death metal pioneers Unleashed, passed away on Jan. 5 at the age of 53. He was with the band from 1989 to 1995 and played on their first four albums, including Where No Life Dwells and Victory. Unleashed paid tribute, saying, “Fredrik was a huge part of the early history of the band. For this we are eternally grateful. See you in Valhalla brother!” Beyond Unleashed, Lindgren also rocked with bands like Terra Firma and Harms Way, leaving a strong mark on Sweden’s metal scene.

Ragne Wahlquist (Heavy Load)
Ragne Wahlquist, frontman and guitarist for Swedish Viking metal band Heavy Load, passed away on Jan. 7 at the age of 69. He co-founded the band with his brother Strybjorn in 1976, helping shape their epic sound. Wahlquist played on all three of their early albums, including Full Speed at High Level and Stronger Than Evil. After a long break, the band reunited in 2017 and released Riders of the Ancient Storm in 2023. At the time of his passing, Wahlquist was reportedly working on new music with the band, continuing his legacy in Viking metal.

Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul & Mary)
Peter Yarrow, beloved member of the iconic ’60s folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary, passed away on Jan. 7 at the age of 86 after a four-year battle with bladder cancer. Known for his warm voice and heartfelt lyrics, Yarrow co-wrote and sang lead on the timeless classic “Puff the Magic Dragon.” The group also found early success with Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind,” earning two Grammy Awards. From 1962 to 1969, they released nine studio albums before going solo, but reunited often over the years, continuing to spread their message of peace and unity.

P. Fluid (24-7 Spyz)
P. Fluid, also known as Peter Forrest, founding frontman of 24-7 Spyz, was tragically found beaten to death on Jan. 13 in New York City. He was 64. Forrest had been working as an ambulette driver, and co-workers grew concerned when he missed stops and didn’t check in. He was later discovered in the back of the vehicle, with a broken window and signs of foul play. As the powerful voice behind 24-7 Spyz’s genre-blending sound, P. Fluid appeared on key albums like Harder Than You, Gumbo Millennium, and Temporarily Disconnected, helping shape the band’s funk-metal legacy.

Toby Myers (John Mellencamp)
Toby Myers, longtime bassist for John Mellencamp, passed away on Jan. 16 at 75. A tribute on Mellencamp’s site read, “Toby was a great contribution to the music, and the band. We will miss him as a friend, and a fellow musician.” Before teaming up with Mellencamp in 1982, Myers played in the ’70s rock group Roadmaster, discovered by Todd Rundgren. With Mellencamp, he laid down bass on major albums like Uh-Huh, Scarecrow, and The Lonesome Jubilee. In 1999, Myers stepped away from the spotlight to focus on raising his newborn son.

Aaron Rossi (Ministry)
Aaron Rossi, former drummer for industrial metal giants Ministry, passed away from a heart attack on Jan. 27 at just 44 years old. He was part of the band during their Grammy-nominated run with “Señor Peligro” from the Adios… Puta Madres live album and later appeared on 2013’s From Beer to Eternity. Known for his fierce drumming style, Rossi also lent his talents to projects with John 5, Prong, and Ankla. His powerful playing left a lasting impact across the heavy music scene.

Sal Maida (Cracker, Roxy Music, Sparks)
Sal Maida, former bassist for Cracker, passed away on Feb. 1 at the age of 76 following complications from a fall. Cracker paid tribute, saying, “We made some of our best recordings when he was our bass player… he was an incredible person with a huge heart. We will miss him.” Maida had an impressive career, playing with acts like Roxy Music, Sparks, and Milk N’ Cookies, and even contributed to Cherie Currie’s debut solo album. He joined Cracker in 2006 and co-wrote on their 2009 album Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey.

Jamie Muir (King Crimson)
Jamie Muir, former percussionist for King Crimson, passed away on Feb. 17 at the age of 79. Known for his wild, experimental style, Muir joined King Crimson in 1972 and played on their 1973 album Larks’ Tongues in Aspic. Before that, he worked with The Music Improvisation Company, Boris, and Assagai. Not long after the album’s release, Muir left the band to embrace a monastic life in Southern Scotland, following Buddhist teachings. He briefly returned to music in 1980 but ultimately stepped away in 1990 to focus on painting full-time.

Rick Buckler (The Jam)
Rick Buckler, drummer for British alt-rock legends The Jam, passed away on Feb. 17 at 69. As part of the iconic trio, Buckler helped power hits like “A Town Called Malice,” “That’s Entertainment,” and “Start!” during the band’s run from 1977 to 1982. After The Jam split, he formed Time UK and later teamed up with bassist Bruce Foxton in the band Sharp. Beyond performing, Buckler worked in music production and management, and also pursued creative passions like carpentry and art.

Coburn Pharr (Annihilator)
On Feb. 25, it was announced that former Annihilator singer Coburn Pharr had passed away at the age of 62. Jeff Waters, a longtime member of the band, shared the news on social media, calling Pharr’s voice “the most unique of all our singers.” Pharr is best remembered for his work on Annihilator’s 1990 album Never, Neverland, considered one of their best and most successful releases. He briefly reunited with the band in 2015 for a performance on the 70,000 Tons of Metal Cruise and reconnected with Waters again in 2018.

Joey Molland (Badfinger)
Joey Molland, guitarist for ‘70s rock favorites Badfinger, passed away on March 1 at the age of 77. He first played with Gary Walker and the Rain before joining The Iveys, who later became Badfinger under The Beatles’ Apple Records label. Molland appeared on seven of the band’s albums, helping create classics like “No Matter What,” “Day After Day,” and “Baby Blue.” Beyond Badfinger, he contributed to George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass and John Lennon’s Imagine. After Badfinger, he formed Natural Gas, released six solo albums, and often rejoined Badfinger reunions over the years.

Bob Rupe (Cracker)
Bob Rupe, former bassist for Cracker, passed away on March 3 at the age of 68. He joined the band in the mid-’90s, contributing to the albums The Golden Age (1996) and Gentleman’s Blues (1998) before leaving in early 2000. Cracker paid tribute, saying Rupe and the late Charlie Quintana “formed the rhythm section that powered Cracker’s theatre and shed tours at the peak of the band’s popularity.” Beyond Cracker, Rupe was a founding member of The Silos and also played with Gutterball, House of Freaks, and Sparklehorse, leaving a lasting impact on the alt-rock and Americana scenes.

Brian James (The Damned)
Brian James, founding guitarist and songwriter for punk pioneers The Damned, passed away on March 6 at the age of 70. He kicked off his career in the early ’70s with Bastard and later joined London SS before forming The Damned. James wrote most of the songs on the band’s first two albums, Damned Damned Damned and Music for Pleasure, before leaving in 1977. He later played with Tanz Der Youth, toured with Iggy Pop, and found renewed success with The Lords of the New Church. James also led bands like The Dripping Lips and The Racketeers and released five solo albums.

Jesse Colin Young (The Youngbloods)
Jesse Colin Young, lead singer of The Youngbloods, passed away on March 16 at 83. He was best known for singing the band’s peace anthem “Get Together,” which became a ’60s classic. The Youngbloods released five albums before parting ways in 1972. Young then launched a long solo career, releasing 17 albums that showcased his signature blend of folk, rock, and heartfelt storytelling. His music carried a message of unity and love that still resonates today.

Marty Callner
Marty Callner, the legendary music video director, passed away on March 17 at his Malibu home at the age of 78. He helped define the look of ’80s rock with iconic videos like Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” Whitesnake’s “Here I Go Again,” and Aerosmith’s “Love in an Elevator.” Callner later branched out into directing comedy specials for stars like Jerry Seinfeld and Robin Williams and even created the hit sports docuseries Hard Knocks before wrapping up his storied career.

Dave Allen (Gang of Four)
Dave Allen, founding bassist of Gang of Four, passed away on March 10 at 68. He helped shape the band’s post-punk sound from their 1979 debut Entertainment! before leaving after 1981’s Solid Gold. Allen then teamed up with XTC’s Barry Andrews in Shriekback and later played with Elastic Purejoy and Low Pop Suicide. Beyond performing, he launched World Domination Recordings and also worked with tech giants like Intel and Apple Music, blending music and innovation throughout his life.

Al Barile (SSD)
Al Barile, founding guitarist of hardcore pioneers SSD, passed away on April 6 at 63 after a battle with cancer. A key figure in Boston’s early hardcore scene, Barile helped shape the genre with SSD’s 1982 debut The Kids Will Have Their Say and the 1983 Get It Away EP. After the band split in 1985, he returned in the ’90s with the alt-rock group Gage, continuing to leave his mark on underground music.

David Thomas (Pere Ubu)
David Thomas, longtime frontman of Pere Ubu, passed away on April 23 at 71 after a long illness. As the only constant member since the band’s 1975 start in Cleveland, Thomas helped shape their experimental sound across 19 studio albums—with a 20th still in the works at the time of his death. Known for blending proto-punk, art rock, new wave, and industrial elements, Pere Ubu never chased mainstream fame but found a loyal following on college radio and in the underground music scene. The band plans to finish and release their final album.

Jill Sobule
Jill Sobule, the singer-songwriter behind ’90s alt-rock favorites “I Kissed a Girl” and “Supermodel,” tragically died in a house fire on May 1 at the age of 66. She was staying with a friend in St. Paul, Minnesota when the fire broke out. Over her 30-year career, Sobule released 12 studio albums, earning a devoted fan base with her witty, heartfelt songwriting. She also gained recognition for writing the theme song to Nickelodeon’s Unfabulous, showcasing her talent across generations.

James Baker (Hoodoo Gurus)
James Baker, the original drummer for Australian college rock favorites Hoodoo Gurus, passed away on May 5 at the age of 71. A key part of the band’s early sound, Baker played on their 1984 debut Stoneage Romeos before moving on. Beyond the Gurus, he made his mark with several influential Aussie acts, including The Scientists, The Beasts of Bourbon, and The Victims. Known for his raw energy and punk spirit, Baker helped shape the sound of Australia’s underground rock scene.