What Rock Star Just Died? Rockscapes.net honors the influential figures in rock music who passed away in 2024, leaving behind a legacy of music and inspiration. From iconic frontmen to behind-the-scenes contributors, these rock legends shaped the sounds and stories of generations; their musical contributions and influence will live on.
1. Who Were Some Rock Stars Who Died In Early 2024?
In early 2024, the rock world mourned the loss of several influential figures. Tony Clarkin, James Kottak, and Annie Nightingale were among those who passed away, leaving behind lasting legacies in rock music.
Tony Clarkin (Magnum)
Magnum guitarist, songwriter, and founding member Tony Clarkin died at 77 on January 7, 2024, after a short illness. His death occurred just three days before Magnum’s 23rd studio album release. Tony formed Magnum in 1972 and remained a constant member, contributing to all 23 of their studio albums.
Del Palmer (Kate Bush Collaborator)
Del Palmer, a musician and sound engineer, died at 71 on January 5, 2024. Best known for his long-term collaboration with Kate Bush, Palmer also worked with artists including Midge Ure and Roy Harper. Kate Bush acknowledged his significant impact on her life and work.
James Kottak (Scorpions, Kingdom Come)
Former Scorpions and Kingdom Come drummer James Kottak died at 61 on January 9, 2024, after suffering a cardiac arrest. Kottak played with various acts, but he was best known as a member of Scorpions for two decades (1996-2016). The Scorpions remembered him as a wonderful human being and musician.
Annie Nightingale (Radio DJ, TV Presenter)
Trailblazing radio DJ and TV presenter Annie Nightingale died at 83 on January 11, 2024, after a short illness. Nightingale joined Radio 1 in 1970 and became the station’s longest-serving broadcaster, championing an eclectic array of music.
Wayne Kramer (MC5)
Wayne Kramer, the co-founder, lead guitarist, and singer with Detroit punk pioneers MC5, died of pancreatic cancer on February 2, 2024. He was 75 years old. Despite not achieving considerable success with MC5, Kramer helped set the blueprint for the punk movement thanks to the band’s ferocious concerts, their timeless 1969 live album ‘Kick Out the Jams’ and two studio releases ‘Back in the USA’ and ‘High Time.’
Damo Suzuki (Can)
Can vocalist Damo Suzuki – real name Kenji Suzuki – died aged 74 on 9th February 2024 following a decade-long battle with colon cancer. Born in 1950 in Kobe, Japan, Suzuki moved to Germany as a teenager in the late 1960s where he was spotted busking in Munich by Can bassist Holger Czukay and drummer Jaki Liebezeit.
Vitalij Kuprij (Ring of Fire, Trans-Siberian Orchestra)
Ukrainian-American musician Vitalij Kuprij, best known for being keyboardist for Ring of Fire and Trans-Siberian Orchestra, died aged 49 on 20th February 2024. Born in Kyiv on 7th July 1974, Kuprij was a virtuoso musician who performed a concert with the New York Youth Symphony at Carnegie Hall in 1999.
Bobby Tench (Freddie King, Van Morrison)
London-born singer, guitarist and revered sideman Bobby Tench died aged 79 in February 2024. Tench was best known for his work with Freddie King and Van Morrison, as well as being a member of The Jeff Beck Group, Humble Pie, Van Morrison band, and Streetwalkers alongside future Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain.
Dave Myers (Hairy Bikers)
Hairy Bikers star and much-loved Planet Rock presenter Dave Myers died on February 28, 2024, aged 66, following a two-year battle with cancer. As The Hairy Bikers, Si King and Dave Myers traversed the world on their motorbikes, sampling and cooking food from different regions and cultures.
Brit Turner (Blackberry Smoke)
Blackberry Smoke drummer Brit Turner died following a 17-month battle with an aggressive brain tumor in early March 2024. Blackberry Smoke said: “If you had the privilege of knowing Brit on any level, you know he was the most caring, empathetic, driven and endearing person one could ever hope to meet. Brit was Blackberry Smoke’s True North, the compass that instituted the ideology that will continue to guide this band.”
Vince Power (Music Promoter)
Irish music promoter and venue owner Vince Power, nicknamed the ‘Godfather of Gigs’, died aged 76 on 9th March 2024. Born in County Waterford, Power moved to London aged 15 in 1963 and in the early 80s he opened the Mean Fiddler in Harlesden, which featured boasted performances from the likes of Van Morrison, Johnny Cash and Paul McCartney.
Karl Wallinger (World Party)
Karl Wallinger, the Welsh musician and songwriter who fronted World Party and was a former member of The Waterboys, died aged 66 on 10th March 2024.
Eric Carmen (The Raspberries)
Former Raspberries frontman and hitmaking solo star Eric Carmen died aged 74 in early March 2024. Carmen co-founded the Raspberries in his native Cleveland, Ohio, in 1970, and the pop rock band released four studio albums in the early 70s. However, he’s best known for his solo hits including ‘All By Myself’, ‘Hungry Eyes’ (from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack) and ‘Make Me Lose Control.’
Steve Harley (Cockney Rebel)
Steve Harley died on Sunday 17th March 2024 aged 73 following a battle with cancer. Best known as the frontman of glam rock band Cockney Rebel, he scored five hit singles in the 1970s including ‘Judy Teen’, ‘Mr. Soft’ and the Number 1 smash ‘Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)’.
2. Which Rock Musicians Passed Away In Spring 2024?
Spring 2024 brought further losses to the music community. C.J. Snare, Dickey Betts, and Mike Pinder were among the notable musicians who passed away during this time.
C.J. Snare (Firehouse)
Firehouse singer C.J. Snare passed away at the age of 64 on April 5. Snare co-founded Firehouse and sang and played keyboards on all seven of the band’s albums, including their 1990 self-titled debut, which went double Platinum in the US.
Dickey Betts (The Allman Brothers Band)
Dickey Betts, co-founder, guitarist, and eventual leader of The Allman Brothers Band, died at 80 on April 18, 2024. Betts was part of the original line-up of the band and wrote their biggest hits, including ‘Jessica’ and ‘Ramblin’ Man’.
Mike Pinder (The Moody Blues)
Mike Pinder, the co-founder and original keyboard player with the Moody Blues, died aged 82 on April 24, 2024. Pinder was the last surviving original member of the group and an early proponent of the Mellotron.
Duane Eddy
‘King of Twang’ guitarist Duane Eddy died aged 86 on 30th April 2024 following a cancer battle. “Duane inspired a generation of guitarists the world over with his unmistakeable signature ‘Twang’ sound,” a statement from his family read.
Richard Tandy
Electric Light Orchestra keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist Richard Tandy died aged 76 on 1st May 2024. ELO lynchpin Jeff Lynne broke the news of Tandy’s passing, writing on social media: “It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of my long-time collaborator and dear friend Richard Tandy. He was a remarkable musician and friend and I’ll cherish the lifetime of memories we had together.”
Steve Albini
Prolific rock producer and musician Steve Albini died on 8th May 2024 aged 61 of a heart attack. Alongside fronting his own bands Shellac and Big Black, Steve Albini was a revered studio wizard who worked on over 2,000 albums by both eminent and underground bands, largely at his own Chicago studio Electrical Audio.
Dennis Thompson
MC5 drummer and last surviving member Dennis Thompson died aged 75 on 9th May 2024. Thompson died in a Michigan nursing home just a few weeks after suffering a heart attack in April. His death follows the passing of MC5 leader Wayne Kramer in February.
David Sanborn
Revered jazz saxophonist David Sanborn, who worked with a smorgasbord of rockers including David Bowie, Eagles, Bruce Springsteen and The Rolling Stones, died aged 78 on 12th May 2024. A statement from Sanborn’s representatives read: “It is with sad and heavy hearts that we convey to you the loss of internationally renowned, 6 time Grammy Award-winning, saxophonist, David Sanborn. Mr. Sanborn passed Sunday afternoon, May 12th, after an extended battle with prostate cancer with complications.
Jon Wysocki
Jon Wysocki, the founding drummer of Massachusetts rock band Staind, died aged 53 on 18th May 2024. The cause of death was noted as due to “issues with his liver that required him to be under the care of medical professionals.”
Doug Ingle
Iron Butterfly founder, organist, primary composer and lead vocalist Doug Ingle died on 24th May 2024 aged 79. His son, Doug Ingle Jr., wrote: “It’s with a heavy heart and great sadness to announce the passing of my Father Doug Ingle. Dad passed away peacefully on Friday evening in the presence of family. Ingle was the last surviving original member of Iron Butterfly, the American psychedelic rock band best known for the 1968 hit ‘In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.’
3. Who Were Some Rock Stars Who Died In Summer 2024?
Summer 2024 marked the passing of notable figures such as Shifty Shellshock, John Mayall, and Bill Crook. Their contributions to different genres of rock music were widely recognized.
Shifty Shellshock (Crazy Town)
Shifty Shellshock, the frontman of American rap-rock group Crazy Town, died aged 49 on June 24, 2024. Crazy Town scored an international mega-hit with their song ‘Butterfly’ in 2000.
John Mayall
John Mayall, The Godfather of British Blues, died aged 90 on 22nd July 2024 at his home in California. His family said in a statement: “Health issues that forced John to end his epic touring career have finally led to peace for one of this world’s greatest road warriors. John Mayall gave us ninety years of tireless efforts to educate, inspire and entertain.”
Bill Crook (Spiritbox)
Bill Crook, the former bassist of Canadian metallers Spiritbox, died in July 2024. Crook also worked with a number of other projects including Living With Lions and A Textbook Tragedy, and he had a four-year tenure with Spiritbox from 2018 until May 2022.
Jack Russell
Jack Russell, the former frontman of Great White, died aged 63 on 7th August 2024. In a statement, his family wrote that he “died peacefully” surrounded by his family and friends.
Richard Macphail
Former Genesis and Peter Gabriel tour manager and “sixth-member”, Richard Macphail, died aged 73 on 28th August 2024. Peter Gabriel said: “We had sixty years of history together, from when we were at school and he was the cool singer in the band called the Anon to when I spoke to him last week after he had had a nasty fall. Rich was the person who time after time bailed us out of difficult situations. When some of the band were having doubts about our future, he would inspire all of us and convince us to carry on. He went from friend and champion to became Genesis’s tour manager and then my own tour manager when I started working again. His determination, good humour and enthusiasm got us all through so many difficult moments.”
4. Which Rock Legends Died In Fall 2024?
Fall 2024 saw the deaths of Herbie Flowers, JD Souther, Juan Brujo, Johnny Neel, and Paul Di’Anno. Each of these artists left a significant mark on the music industry through their unique talents and contributions.
Herbie Flowers
Esteemed bass guitarist Herbie Flowers, who worked with an array of rock icons, died aged 86 on 5th September 2024. Arguably Flowers’ most famous bass line was Lou Reed’s ‘Walk on the Wild Side’ from his seminal 1972 album ‘Transformer.’
JD Souther
American singer, songwriter, and actor John David Souther died aged 78 on 17th September 2024. JD Souther co-wrote some of the biggest hits for the Eagles, including ‘Best of My Love’, ‘Victim of Love’, ‘Heartache Tonight’, and ‘New Kid in Town.’
Juan Brujo
Juan Brujo (real name Juan Lepe), vocalist of US extreme metal band Brujeria, died of a heart attack on Wednesday 18th September 2024 aged 61. “It is with deep sadness we have to announce that our leader Juan Brujo has passed away today,” Brujeria wrote.
Johnny Neel
Former Allman Brothers Band and Dickey Betts Band member Johnny Neel died aged 70 on 6th October 2024. Paying tribute to his former band mate, Warren Haynes wrote: “Aside from being an amazing musician and singer, Johnny was one of the funniest people on the planet — a true character. ‘Johnny Neel stories,’ as we refer to them in our little chunk of the music world, are legendary. Some of you reading this will know some of those stories and even ones that I don’t know — but I know a ton.”
Paul Di’Anno (Iron Maiden)
Former Iron Maiden frontman Paul Di’Anno died aged 66 on October 20, 2024. Di’Anno sang on Iron Maiden’s groundbreaking debut album and the influential follow-up release, Killers.
Phil Lesh
Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh died aged 84 on 25th October 2024. Born in Berkeley, California, on 15th March 1940, Philip Chapman Lesh formed Grateful Dead alongside Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Ron “Pigpen” McKernan and Bill Kreutzmann in 1965 and he remained a constant member of the band until their split 30 years later.
Vic Flick
English studio guitarist Vic Flick, best known for playing on the iconic James Bond theme song, died aged 87 on 14th November 2024 following a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Born in Worcester Park, Surrey on 14th May 1937, Victor Harold Flick joined The John Barry Seven in the late 1950s, and they released a number of singles together.
Peter Sinfield
King Crimson co-founder and lyricist Peter Sinfield died aged 80 from sepsis on 14th November 2024. Sinfield penned lyrics for King Crimson’s first four studio albums, including their seminal 1969 debut ‘In The Court Of The Crimson King’, plus he worked with Emerson, Lake & Palmer on their ‘Brain Salad Surgery’ record.
Bob Bryar
Former My Chemical Romance drummer Bob Bryar sadly died aged 44 on 24th November 2024. Bryar’s body was found at his home in Tennessee on Tuesday 26thNovember. His cause of death remains under investigation.
5. What Rock Artists Died Towards The End of 2024?
Towards the end of 2024, the music world mourned the loss of Casey Chaos and Johnnie Walker. Their unique contributions to punk music and radio broadcasting were remembered and celebrated.
Casey Chaos (Amen)
Casey Chaos, frontman of California punks Amen, died aged 59 on December 20, 2024. Chaos was hailed as one of the most exciting and individual punk and metal performers of the last 30 years.
Johnnie Walker
Radio presenter and broadcasting legend Johnnie Walker died aged 79 on Tuesday 31st December 2024 just two months after retiring. Walker suffered from pulmonary fibrosis, a scarring of the lungs that makes breathing difficult.
6. Did Any Rock Stars Die In January 2025 But Technically In 2024?
Yes, John Sykes passed away at the age of 65, with news of his death emerging on January 20, 2025. However, his official website indicates he died at an unspecified date in 2024.
John Sykes
Legendary English guitarist John Sykes, known for his work with Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy, and Blue Murder, died at the age of 65, reportedly in 2024 though the announcement came in January 2025.
7. What Impact Did These Musicians Have On The Rock World?
These musicians left an indelible mark on the rock world through their innovative music, songwriting, and performances. Their influence continues to inspire future generations of artists.
8. How Will Their Music Be Remembered?
Their music will be remembered through their iconic recordings, live performances, and the impact they had on fans and fellow musicians alike. Their songs continue to be played and celebrated worldwide.
9. What Are Some Ways To Honor Their Legacies?
To honor their legacies, fans can listen to their music, share their stories, and support organizations dedicated to music education and preservation.
10. How Can Rockscapes.Net Help You Explore The Legacy Of Rock Music?
Rockscapes.net offers a platform to discover and celebrate the legacies of these rock musicians. Explore their music, stories, and the impact they had on the world.
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