Musicians Who Died in 2023 (Complete, Verified List by Month)
This article lists notable musicians who died in 2023 across multiple genres including rock, hip-hop, jazz, pop, classical, and global music. The list includes singers, instrumentalists, composers, producers, and influential performers whose work shaped the music industry.
Information presented below includes publicly reported details such as birth year, date of death, nationality, musical role, and confirmed causes of death where available. The list is organized chronologically by month to provide a clear overview of the major losses in the global music community during 2023.
Quick Summary: Musicians Who Died in 2023
| Name | Genre / Role | Nationality | Date of Death | Age |
| Gangsta Boo | Rapper | American | Jan 1, 2023 | 43 |
| Fred White | Drummer (Earth, Wind & Fire) | American | Jan 1, 2023 | 67 |
| Jeff Beck | Rock guitarist | British | Jan 10, 2023 | 78 |
| Robbie Bachman | Rock drummer | Canadian | Jan 12, 2023 | 69 |
| Van Conner | Bassist (Screaming Trees) | American | Jan 17, 2023 | 55 |
| Peter McCann | Songwriter | American | Jan 26, 2023 | 74 |
| Barrett Strong | Motown songwriter | American | Jan 28, 2023 | 81 |
| Burt Bacharach | Composer | American | Feb 8, 2023 | 94 |
| AKA | Rapper | South African | Feb 10, 2023 | 35 |
| Costa Titch | Rapper | South African | Mar 11, 2023 | 27 |
| Tony Coe | Jazz musician | British | Mar 16, 2023 | 88 |
| Tom Leadon | Rock guitarist | American | Mar 22, 2023 | 70 |
| Moonbin | K-pop singer | South Korean | Apr 19, 2023 | 25 |
| Harry Belafonte | Singer / activist | American | Apr 25, 2023 | 96 |
| Gordon Lightfoot | Folk singer | Canadian | May 1, 2023 | 84 |
| Jon Povey | Keyboardist | British | May 9, 2023 | 80 |
| Chas Newby | Bassist | British | May 22, 2023 | 81 |
| George Winston | Pianist | American | Jun 4, 2023 | 74 |
| Teresa Taylor | Drummer | American | Jun 18, 2023 | 60 |
| Pacho El Antifeka | Rapper | Puerto Rican | Jun 1, 2023 | 42 |
| Peter Brötzmann | Jazz saxophonist | German | Jun 22, 2023 | 82 |
| Coco Lee | Pop singer | Chinese-American | Jul 5, 2023 | 48 |
| George Tickner | Rock guitarist | American | Jul 5, 2023 | 76 |
| Randy Meisner | Rock bassist | American | Jul 26, 2023 | 77 |
| Erkin Koray | Rock musician | Turkish | Aug 7, 2023 | 82 |
| Robbie Robertson | Rock songwriter | Canadian-American | Aug 9, 2023 | 80 |
| Walter Aipolani | Reggae musician | American | Aug 17, 2023 | 68 |
| Jack Sonni | Rock guitarist | American | Aug 30, 2023 | 68 |
| Brian McBride | Ambient musician | American | Aug 2023 | 53 |
| MohBad | Rapper | Nigerian | Sep 12, 2023 | 27 |
| Larry Chance | Doo-wop singer | American | Sep 5, 2023 | 82 |
| Charles Gayle | Jazz musician | American | Sep 7, 2023 | 84 |
| Julian Bahula | Jazz drummer | South African | Oct 1, 2023 | 85 |
| Angelo Bruschini | Guitarist | British | Oct 23, 2023 | 62 |
| Heath | Bassist (X Japan) | Japanese | Oct 29, 2023 | 55 |
| Johnny Ruffo | Singer | Australian | Nov 10, 2023 | 35 |
| Geordie Walker | Guitarist | British | Nov 26, 2023 | 64 |
| Shane MacGowan | Singer (The Pogues) | Irish | Nov 30, 2023 | 65 |
| Myles Goodwyn | Rock singer | Canadian | Dec 3, 2023 | 75 |
| Denny Laine | Rock musician | British | Dec 5, 2023 | 79 |
| Amp Fiddler | Funk musician | American | Dec 18, 2023 | 65 |
Musicians Who Died in January 2023
Gangsta Boo
- Born: August 7, 1979
- Died: January 1, 2023
- Nationality: American
- Known for: Rapper and member of hip-hop group Three 6 Mafia
- Cause of death: Accidental overdose (fentanyl, cocaine, alcohol)
Fred White
- Born: January 13, 1955
- Died: January 1, 2023
- Nationality: American
- Known for: Drummer and founding member of Earth, Wind & Fire
- Cause of death: Not publicly disclosed
Jeff Beck
- Born: June 24, 1944
- Died: January 10, 2023
- Nationality: British
- Known for: Legendary rock guitarist, member of The Yardbirds
- Cause of death: Bacterial meningitis
Robbie Bachman
- Born: February 18, 1953
- Died: January 12, 2023
- Nationality: Canadian
- Known for: Drummer for Bachman–Turner Overdrive
- Cause of death: Not publicly disclosed
Van Conner
- Born: March 17, 1967
- Died: January 17, 2023
- Nationality: American
- Known for: Bassist and founding member of Screaming Trees
- Cause of death: Pneumonia
Peter McCann
- Born: March 6, 1948
- Died: January 26, 2023
- Nationality: American
- Known for: Songwriter of “Right Time of the Night”
- Cause of death: Not publicly disclosed
Barrett Strong
- Born: February 5, 1941
- Died: January 28, 2023
- Nationality: American
- Known for: Motown songwriter and singer (“Money (That’s What I Want)”)
- Cause of death: Not publicly disclosed
Musicians Who Died in February 2023
Burt Bacharach
- Born: May 12, 1928
- Died: February 8, 2023
- Nationality: American
- Known for: Composer of classic pop songs including “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head”
- Cause of death: Natural causes
AKA (Kiernan Forbes)
- Born: January 28, 1988
- Died: February 10, 2023
- Nationality: South African
- Known for: Hip-hop artist and major figure in South African rap
- Cause of death: Fatal shooting
Musicians Who Died in March 2023
Costa Titch
- Born: January 10, 1995
- Died: March 11, 2023
- Nationality: South African
- Known for: Amapiano rapper and performer
- Cause of death: Collapsed during performance (exact cause not officially confirmed)
Tony Coe
- Born: November 29, 1934
- Died: March 16, 2023
- Nationality: British
- Known for: Jazz saxophonist and composer
- Cause of death: Not publicly disclosed
Tom Leadon
- Born: September 16, 1952
- Died: March 22, 2023
- Nationality: American
- Known for: Founding member of Mudcrutch
- Cause of death: Not publicly disclosed
Musicians Who Died in April 2023
Moonbin
- Born: January 26, 1998
- Died: April 19, 2023
- Nationality: South Korean
- Known for: Member of K-pop group ASTRO
- Cause of death: Ruled as suicide by authorities
Harry Belafonte
- Born: March 1, 1927
- Died: April 25, 2023
- Nationality: American
- Known for: Singer of “Day-O (Banana Boat Song)” and civil rights activist
- Cause of death: Congestive heart failure
Musicians Who Died in May 2023
Gordon Lightfoot
- Born: November 17, 1938
- Died: May 1, 2023
- Nationality: Canadian
- Known for: Folk singer-songwriter (“If You Could Read My Mind”)
- Cause of death: Natural causes
Jon Povey
- Born: October 20, 1942
- Died: May 9, 2023
- Nationality: British
- Known for: Keyboardist of The Pretty Things
- Cause of death: Not publicly disclosed
Chas Newby
- Born: June 18, 1941
- Died: May 22, 2023
- Nationality: British
- Known for: Bassist who briefly performed with The Beatles
- Cause of death: Not publicly disclosed
Musicians Who Died in June 2023
George Winston
- Born: February 11, 1949
- Died: June 4, 2023
- Nationality: American
- Known for: Grammy-winning pianist and composer
- Cause of death: Cancer
Teresa Taylor
- Born: April 24, 1962
- Died: June 18, 2023
- Nationality: American
- Known for: Drummer for Butthole Surfers
- Cause of death: Not publicly disclosed
Pacho El Antifeka
- Born: July 24, 1981
- Died: June 1, 2023
- Nationality: Puerto Rican
- Known for: Latin trap rapper
- Cause of death: Fatal shooting
Peter Brötzmann
- Born: March 6, 1941
- Died: June 22, 2023
- Nationality: German
- Known for: Free jazz saxophonist
- Cause of death: Not publicly disclosed
Musicians Who Died in July 2023
George Tickner
- Born: February 8, 1946
- Died: July 5, 2023
- Nationality: American
- Known for: Founding guitarist of the rock band Journey
- Cause of death: Not publicly disclosed
Randy Meisner
- Born: March 8, 1946
- Died: July 26, 2023
- Nationality: American
- Known for: Co-founder and bassist of the Eagles; vocalist on “Take It to the Limit”
- Cause of death: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Coco Lee
- Born: January 17, 1975
- Died: July 5, 2023
- Nationality: Chinese-American
- Known for: International pop singer and Mandopop star
- Cause of death: Suicide following long-term depression
Musicians Who Died in August 2023
Erkin Koray
- Born: June 24, 1941
- Died: August 7, 2023
- Nationality: Turkish
- Known for: Pioneer of Anatolian rock music
- Cause of death: Pulmonary disease complications
Robbie Robertson
- Born: July 5, 1943
- Died: August 9, 2023
- Nationality: Canadian-American
- Known for: Guitarist and songwriter for The Band
- Cause of death: Prostate cancer
Walter Aipolani
- Born: June 4, 1955
- Died: August 17, 2023
- Nationality: American
- Known for: Hawaiian reggae musician
- Cause of death: Not publicly disclosed
Jack Sonni
- Born: December 9, 1954
- Died: August 30, 2023
- Nationality: American
- Known for: Guitarist associated with Dire Straits
- Cause of death: Not publicly disclosed
Brian McBride
- Born: March 20, 1970
- Died: August 2023
- Nationality: American
- Known for: Ambient music duo Stars of the Lid
- Cause of death: Not publicly disclosed
Musicians Who Died in September 2023
MohBad (Ilerioluwa Aloba)
- Born: January 8, 1996
- Died: September 12, 2023
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Known for: Afrobeat and street-pop rapper
- Cause of death: Complications following medical treatment
Larry Chance
- Born: October 19, 1940
- Died: September 5, 2023
- Nationality: American
- Known for: Doo-wop singer and leader of Larry Chance and the Earls
- Cause of death: Not publicly disclosed
Charles Gayle
- Born: February 28, 1939
- Died: September 7, 2023
- Nationality: American
- Known for: Free jazz saxophonist and pianist
- Cause of death: Not publicly disclosed
Musicians Who Died in October 2023
Julian Bahula
- Born: April 13, 1938
- Died: October 1, 2023
- Nationality: South African
- Known for: Jazz drummer and anti-apartheid activist
- Cause of death: Not publicly disclosed
Angelo Bruschini
- Born: September 1961
- Died: October 23, 2023
- Nationality: British
- Known for: Guitarist associated with Massive Attack
- Cause of death: Lung cancer
Heath (Hiroshi Morie)
- Born: January 22, 1968
- Died: October 29, 2023
- Nationality: Japanese
- Known for: Bassist for the rock band X Japan
- Cause of death: Colon cancer
Musicians Who Died in November 2023
Johnny Ruffo
- Born: March 8, 1988
- Died: November 10, 2023
- Nationality: Australian
- Known for: Singer and television personality
- Cause of death: Brain cancer
Geordie Walker
- Born: December 18, 1958
- Died: November 26, 2023
- Nationality: British
- Known for: Guitarist for post-punk band Killing Joke
- Cause of death: Stroke
Shane MacGowan
- Born: December 25, 1957
- Died: November 30, 2023
- Nationality: Irish
- Known for: Frontman and songwriter for The Pogues
- Cause of death: Pneumonia complications
Musicians Who Died in December 2023
Myles Goodwyn
- Born: June 23, 1948
- Died: December 3, 2023
- Nationality: Canadian
- Known for: Lead singer and guitarist of April Wine
- Cause of death: Not publicly disclosed
Denny Laine
- Born: October 29, 1944
- Died: December 5, 2023
- Nationality: British
- Known for: Founding member of The Moody Blues and Wings
- Cause of death: Lung disease complications
Amp Fiddler
- Born: May 16, 1958
- Died: December 18, 2023
- Nationality: American
- Known for: Funk and soul keyboardist and producer
- Cause of death: Cancer
International Losses Worth Noting
Coco Lee (48)
- Chinese-American singer
- Died: July 5, 2023
Costa Titch (27)
- South African Amapiano star
AKA (35)
- South African rap icon
Closing
The musicians who died in 2023 came from diverse musical traditions and generations. Some were pioneers whose careers spanned decades, while others were younger artists who were still shaping the future of music. Their recordings, performances, and creative influence continue to shape the global music landscape.
Although their lives ended, their music remains widely heard through recordings, streaming platforms, and live performances by future artists inspired by their work.
FAQs
Who was the most famous musician who died in 2023?
Jeff Beck, Harry Belafonte, Burt Bacharach, and Robbie Robertson were among the most globally recognized figures.
Which young musicians died in 2023?
Moonbin (25), Costa Titch (27), and MohBad (27) were among the youngest high-profile losses.
Which musicians died from illness in 2023?
Robbie Robertson (cancer), Johnny Ruffo (brain cancer), Amp Fiddler (cancer), and others passed due to illness-related causes.
Which musicians were victims of violence in 2023?
AKA and Pacho El Antifeka died in shootings.
Final Reflection
The musicians who died in 2023 leave behind catalogs that continue to shape culture, inspire artists, and connect generations. Though their lives ended, their artistry remains permanent — streaming, playing on radio waves, sampled in new tracks, and rediscovered by future fans.
Music endures. And so does their legacy.
Editorial Notes
- This list includes notable musicians whose deaths were publicly reported in 2023.
- Information such as cause of death is included only when confirmed by reliable public sources.
- The list covers artists from multiple genres including rock, hip-hop, jazz, folk, pop, and global music.
- The article may be updated periodically to reflect corrections or additional verified information.
