List of deaths in rock and roll (1980s)

The following is a list of notable performers of rock and roll music or rock music, and others directly associated with the music as producers, songwriters or in other closely related roles, who have died in the 1980s. The list gives their date, cause and location of death, and their age.

Rock music developed from the rock and roll music that emerged during the 1950s, and includes a diverse range of subgenres. The terms "rock and roll" and "rock" each have a variety of definitions, some narrow and some wider. In determining criteria for inclusion, this list uses as its basis reliable sources listing "rock deaths" or "deaths in rock and roll", as well as such sources as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

Preceded by 1970s

List of deaths in popular music 1980s

Succeeded by 1990s

Name	Age	Date	Location	Cause of death
Amos Milburn	52	January 3, 1980	Houston, Texas, U.S.	Complications from a stroke [1]
Georgeanna Tillman The Marvelettes	35	January 6, 1980	Inkster, Michigan, U.S.	Complications from sickle cell anemia and lupus
Larry Williams	44	January 7, 1980	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Suicide by gunshot
Carl White The Rivingtons	47	January 7, 1980	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Acute tonsillitis
Professor Longhair	61	January 23, 1980	New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.	Heart attack
Jimmy Durante	86	January 29, 1980	Santa Monica, California, U.S.	Pneumonia
Edward Lewis Record producer for Decca Records	79	January 29, 1980	Chelsea, London, England	Cancer
Warren Smith	47	January 30, 1980		Heart attack
Bon Scott AC/DC, The Valentines	33	February 19, 1980	Dulwich, London, England	Alcohol poisoning, [2] heroin overdose [3]
Janet Vogel The Skyliners	38	February 21, 1980		Suicide by carbon monoxide [4]
Jacob Miller Inner Circle	27	March 23, 1980	Kingston, Jamaica	Traffic accident
John Poulos The Buckinghams	32	March 26, 1980	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.	Heart failure
Ricky Lancelotti	35	April 7, 1980		Unknown
Anna Jantar	29	April 14, 1980	Warsaw, Poland	"Mikolaj Kopernik" plane crash [5]
Tommy Caldwell The Marshall Tucker Band	30	April 28, 1980	Spartanburg, South Carolina, U.S.	Traffic collision
Ian Curtis Joy Division	23	May 18, 1980	Macclesfield, England	Suicide by hanging [6]
Carl Radle Derek and the Dominos, Eric Clapton	37	May 30, 1980	Claremore, Oklahoma, U.S.	Kidney infection
Charles Miller War	42	June 14, 1980	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Stabbing [7]
Bert Kaempfert	56	June 21, 1980	Mallorca, Spain	Stroke
Malcolm Owen The Ruts	26	July 14, 1980	London, England	Heroin overdose
Keith Godchaux The Grateful Dead	32	July 23, 1980	Marin County, California, U.S.	Traffic accident
Duke Pearson	47	August 4, 1980	Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.	Multiple sclerosis [8]
George Scott III	26	August 5, 1980	New York City, New York, U.S.	Heroin overdose
Jimmy Forrest	60	August 26, 1980	Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.	Heart failure
Bill Evans	51	September 15, 1980	New York City, New York, U.S.	Peptic ulcer
John Bonham Led Zeppelin	32	September 25, 1980	Windsor, England	Asphyxiation on vomit [9]
Pat Hare	49	September 26, 1980	Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.	Lung cancer
Lincoln Chase	54	October 6, 1980	Metro Atlanta, U.S.	Unknown
Bobby Lester The Moonglows	49	October 6, 1980		Lung cancer
Steve Peregrin Took T. Rex, Shagrat, Steve Took's Horns	31	October 27, 1980	Ladbroke Grove, London, England	Asphyxiation [10]
O. V. Wright	41	November 16, 1980	Mobile, Alabama, U.S.	Heart attack
Darby Crash Germs	22	December 7, 1980	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Suicide by heroin overdose
John Lennon The Beatles, Plastic Ono Band	40	December 8, 1980	New York City, New York, U.S.	Murder [11]
Tim Hardin	39	December 29, 1980	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Heroin overdose [12]
Robert Pete Williams	66	December 31, 1980	Rosedale, Louisiana, U.S.	Unknown
David Lynch The Platters	52	January 2, 1981		Cancer
Felton Jarvis	46	January 3, 1981	Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.	Stroke
Alice Mae Buschmann Spielvogel The Chordettes	55	January 6, 1981	North Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas, U.S.
Blind James Campbell	74	January 22, 1981	Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.	Unknown
Carl Feaster The Chords	50	January 23, 1981		Cancer
Bill Haley Bill Haley & His Comets	55	February 9, 1981	Harlingen, Texas, U.S.	Brain tumor or heart attack [13]
Mike Bloomfield The Paul Butterfield Blues Band	37	February 15, 1981	San Francisco, California, U.S.	Accidental drug overdose
Ty Hunter The Originals	40	February 24, 1981	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Lung caner [14]
Little Hat Jones	81	March 7, 1981	Naples, Texas, U.S.	Unknown
Tampa Red	77	March 19, 1981	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.	Unknown
Bob Hite Canned Heat	38	April 5, 1981	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Heart attack caused by heroin overdose [15]
Kit Lambert	45	April 7, 1981	Middlesex, England	Cerebral hemorrhage after fall down stairs [16]
Austin Pitre	63	April 8, 1981	Elton, Louisiana, U.S.	Unknown
Steve Currie T. Rex	33	April 28, 1981	Vale de Parra, Algarve, Portugal	Traffic accident
Tracy Weber	21	May 1981	Harlem, New York City, U.S.	Murder by gunshot
Bob Marley The Wailers	36	May 11, 1981	Miami, Florida, U.S.	Acral lentiginous melanoma [17]
Ernie Freeman	58	May 16, 1981	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Heart attack
Roy Brown	55-60	May 25, 1981	San Fernando, California, U.S.	Heart attack
Mary Lou Williams	71	May 28, 1981	Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.	Bladder cancer
Joseph Santollo The Duprees	37	June 4, 1981		Heart attack
Polka Dot Slim	54	June 22, 1981	Oakland, California, U.S.	Unknown
Chuck Wagon The Dickies	24	June 28, 1981	San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Suicide by gunshot
Rushton Moreve Steppenwolf	32	July 1, 1981	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Traffic accident
Hubert Johnson The Contours	40	July 11, 1981	Detroit, Michigan, U.S.	Suicide by poison and gunshot
Harry Chapin	38	July 16, 1981	Jericho, New York, U.S.	Heart attack/Traffic accident [18]
Guy Stevens Record producer and band manager from Hapshash and the Coloured Coat, Mott the Hoople, Procol Harum and The Clash	38	August 28, 1981	South London, England	Prescription drug overdose
Sandra Tilley The Velvelettes, Martha and the Vandellas	35 or 36	September 9, 1981	Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.	Complications from brain surgery
Helen Humes	68	September 13, 1981	Santa Monica, California, U.S.	Cancer [19]
Furry Lewis	88	September 14, 1981	Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.	Heart failure
Hazel Scott	61	October 2, 1981	Mount Sinai Hospital, Manhattan, New York, U.S.	Pancreatic cancer [20]
Jud Strunk	45	October 5, 1981	Carrabassett Valley, Maine, U.S.	Plane crash
George de Fretes	59	November 19, 1981	Los Angeles County, California, U.S.
Big Walter Horton	60	December 8, 1981	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.	Heart failure
Pigmeat Markham	77	December 13, 1981	The Bronx, New York, U.S.	Stroke
Elis Regina	36	January 19, 1982	São Paulo, Brazil	Drug overdose
Tommy Tucker	48	January 22, 1982	Newark, New Jersey, U.S.	Food poisoning [21]
Lightnin' Hopkins	69	January 30, 1982	Houston, Texas, U.S.	Esophageal cancer [22]
Alex Harvey Sensational Alex Harvey Band	46	February 4, 1982	Zeebrugge, Belgium	Heart attack [23]
Thelonious Monk	64	February 17, 1982	Englewood, New Jersey, U.S.	[24]
John Belushi The Blues Brothers	33	March 5, 1982	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Speedball overdose [25]
Randy Rhoads Quiet Riot	25	March 19, 1982	Leesburg, Florida, U.S.	Plane accident [26]
Floyd Smith	65	March 29, 1982	Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.	Unknown
Lester Bangs music journalist	33	April 30, 1982	New York City, New York, U.S.	Opioid, diazepam, and NyQuil overdose
Neil Bogart Record producer for Kiss and music executive from Casablanca Records	39	May 8, 1982	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Cancer
Monk Montgomery	60	May 20, 1982	Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.	Cancer [27]
Rusty Day The Amboy Dukes	36	June 3, 1982	Longwood, Florida, U.S.	Murder
Addie Harris The Shirelles	42	June 10, 1982	Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.	Heart attack
Art Pepper	56	June 15, 1982	Los Angeles. California, U.S.	Stroke
James Honeyman-Scott The Pretenders	25	June 16, 1982	London, England	Cocaine overdose [28]
Warren Ryanes The Monotones	45	June 16, 1982		Unknown
Jane Vasey Downchild Blues Band	32-33	July 6, 1982		Leukemia
Bill Justis	55	July 15, 1982	Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.	Cancer
Sonny Stitt	58	July 22, 1982	Washington, D.C., U.S.	Heart attack
Nick Lucas	84	July 28, 1982	Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S.	Double pneumonia
Joe Tex	47	August 13, 1982	Navasota, Texas, U.S.	Heart attack
Doyle Wilburn The Wilburn Brothers	52	September 27, 1982		Lung cancer
Hoyt Hawkins The Jordanaires	54	October 23, 1982		Heart attack
Patrick Cowley	32	November 12, 1982	San Francisco, California, U.S.	HIV/AIDS
Al Haig	60	November 16, 1982	New York City, New York, U.S.	Heart attack [29]
David Blue	41	December 2, 1982	New York City, New York, U.S.	Heart attack [30]
Tommy Cogbill	50	December 7, 1982	Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.	Stroke [31]
Dave Torbert Kingfish, New Riders of the Purple Sage	34	December 7, 1982		Heart attack
Marty Robbins	57	December 8, 1982	Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.	Heart attack
Lazy Bill Lucas	64	December 11, 1982	Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.	Natural causes
Rebop Kwaku Baah Traffic, Can	38	January 12, 1983	Stockholm, Sweden	Cerebral hemorrhage
Lamar Williams The Allman Brothers Band	34	January 21, 1983	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Lung cancer
Billy Fury	42	January 28, 1983	London, England	Heart attack [32]
Lorraine Ellison	51	January 31, 1983		Ovarian cancer
Sam Chatmon	86	February 2, 1983	Hollandale, Mississippi, U.S.	Unknown
Karen Carpenter The Carpenters	32	February 4, 1983	Downey, California, U.S.	Heart attack due to anorexia [33]
Dig Richards	42	February 17, 1983	Sydney, Australia	Pancreatic cancer [34]
Cliff Trenier The Treniers	63	March 2, 1983		Cancer
William Walton	80	March 8, 1983	La Mortella, Ischia, Italy	Natural causes
Danny Rapp Danny & The Juniors	41	April 5, 1983	Parker, Arizona, U.S.	Suicide by gunshot
Pete Farndon The Pretenders	30	April 14, 1983	London, England	Drowning after heroin overdose
Felix Pappalardi Mountain	43	April 17, 1983	New York City, New York, U.S.	Murdered by his wife Gail Collins Pappalardi
Earl Hines	79	April 22, 1983	Oakland, California, U.S.	Heart attack
Muddy Waters	70	April 30, 1983	Westmont, Illinois, U.S.	Heart attack [35]
Clarence Quick The Del-Vikings	46	May 5, 1983		Heart attack
Eduardo Benavente Alaska y los Pegamoides Parálisis Permanente	20	May 14, 1983	Alfaro, La Rioja, Spain	Car accident [36]
Stan Rogers	33	June 2, 1983	Hebron, Kentucky, U.S.	Was onboard Air Canada Flight 797 [37]
J. B. Hutto	57	June 12, 1983	Harvey, Illinois, U.S.	Cancer
Douglas "Buzz" Shearman Moxy	32	June 16, 1983	Toronto, Canada	Motorcycle accident
Walter Jackson	45	June 20, 1983	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.	Cerebral hemorrhage
Larry Darnell	54	July 3, 1983	Columbus, Ohio, U.S.	Lung cancer
Chris Wood Traffic	39	July 12, 1983	Birmingham, England	Pneumonia
Frank Fenter Record producer and music industry executive of Atlantic Records and Capricorn Records	47	July 21, 1983	Macon, Georgia, U.S.	Heart attack
Jimmy Liggins	64	July 21, 1983	Durham, North Carolina, U.S.	Unknown
Wild Bill Moore	65	August 1, 1983	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Unknown
James Jamerson The Funk Brothers	47	August 2, 1983	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Complications of cirrhosis, heart failure and pneumonia
Jobriath	36	August 3, 1983	Manhattan, New York City, U.S.	AIDS
Klaus Nomi	39	August 6, 1983	New York City, New York, U.S.	Complications due to AIDS
Ira Gershwin	86	August 17, 1983	Beverly Hills, California, U.S.	Cardiovascular disease
Willie Bobo	49	September 15, 1983		Cancer
George "Harmonica" Smith	59	October 2, 1983	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Unknown
Hugh Mundell	21	October 14, 1983	Kingston, Jamaica	Murder by gunshot
Merle Travis	65	October 20, 1983	Tahlequah, Oklahoma, U.S.	Heart attack
James Booker	43	November 8, 1983	New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.	Renal failure related to chronic abuse of heroin and alcohol
John Grimaldi Argent, Flux, Cheap Flights	28	November 15, 1983		Multiple sclerosis
Tom Evans Badfinger	36	November 19, 1983	London, England	Suicide by hanging [38]
Gene Bricker The Marcels	45	December 10, 1983		Unknown
Jimmy Nolen	49	December 18, 1983	Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.	Heart attack
Dennis Wilson The Beach Boys	39	December 28, 1983	Marina del Rey, California, U.S.	Accidental drowning [39]
Alexis Korner	55	January 1, 1984	Westminster, London	Lung cancer
Jackie Wilson Billy Ward and his Dominoes	49	January 21, 1984	Mount Holly, New Jersey, U.S.	Pneumonia [40]
Paul Gardiner Tubeway Army, Gary Newman	25	February 4, 1984	Northolt, Middlesex, England	Heroin overdose
Ethel Merman	76	February 15, 1984	Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.	Brain cancer
Joey Vann The Duprees	40	February 28, 1984		Heart attack
Tom Jans	36	March 25, 1984	Los Angeles. California, U.S.	Drug overdose
Marvin Gaye	44	April 1, 1984	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Murdered by his father [41]
Ral Donner	41	April 6, 1984	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.	Lung cancer
Red Garland	60	April 23, 1984	Dallas, Texas, U.S.	Heart attack
Count Basie	79	April 26, 1984	Hollywood, Florida, U.S.	Pancreatic cancer [42]
Z. Z. Hill	48	April 27, 1984	Dallas, Texas, U.S.	Heart attack
Moses "Whispering" Smith	52	April 28, 1984	Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.	Unknown
Nate Nelson The Flamingos	52	June 1, 1984	Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.	Heart attack
Meredith Willson	82	June 15, 1984	Santa Monica, California, U.S.	Heart failure
Harmonica Slim	49	June 16, 1984	Texarkana, Texas, U.S.	Unknown
Guy McDonough	28	June 26, 1984	Melbourne, Australia	Pneumonia
Jimmie Spheeris	34	July 4, 1984	Santa Monica, California	Motorcycle accident
Philippé Wynne The Spinners	43	July 14, 1984	Oakland, California, U.S.	Heart attack
Big Mama Thornton	57	July 25, 1984	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Heart attack [43]
Esther Phillips	48	August 7, 1984	Carson, California, U.S.	Liver and kidney failure due to long-term drug abuse
Percy Mayfield	63	August 11, 1984	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Heart attack
Lenny Breau	43	August 12, 1984	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Murder by strangulation
Hammie Nixon	76	August 17, 1984	Jackson, Tennessee, U.S.	Unknown
Trummy Young >	72	September 10, 1984	San Jose, California, U.S.	Cerebral hemorrhage
Titus Turner	51	September 13, 1984	Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.	Unknown
Shelly Manne	64	September 26, 1984	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Heart attack
Geater Davis	42	September 29, 1984	Dallas, Texas, U.S.	Heart attack
Teddy Reig Record producer, record company executive and co-founded of Roost Records	58	September 29, 1984	Teaneck, New Jersey, U.S.	Unknown
Steve Goodman	36	September 30, 1984	Seattle, Washington, U.S.	Leukemia
Wells Kelly Orleans	34	October 29, 1984	London, England	Morphine and cocaine overdose
Keith Hudson	38	November 14, 1984	New York, U.S.	Lung cancer
Razzle Hanoi Rocks	24	December 8, 1984	Redondo Beach, California, U.S.	Traffic accident
Mal Spooner Demon	39	December 10, 1984	Leek, Staffordshire, England	Pneumonia
Ron Tabak Prism	31	December 25, 1984	Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada	Brain blood clot
Eddie "Bongo" Brown The Funk Brothers	52	December 28, 1984	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Heart ailment
Paul Hewson Dragon	32	January 9–10, 1985		Accidental drug overdose
Georgie Stoll Musical director from Metro-Goldwyn Mayer	79	January 18, 1985	Monterey, California, U.S.	Pneumonia
Kenny Clarke	71	January 26, 1985	Montreuil, France	Heart attack
Dennis Parker	38	January 28, 1985	New York City, New York, U.S.	AIDS
Matt Monro	54	February 7, 1985	Cromwell Hospital, London, England	Liver cancer
David Byron Uriah Heep	38	February 28, 1985	Reading, Berkshire, England	Alcohol-related liver failure
Robert Blackwell Record producer and arranger	66	March 9, 1985	Hacienda Heights, Whittier, California, U.S.	Pneumonia
Bob Shad Record producer for Big Brother and the Holding Company	65	March 13, 1985	Beverly Hills, California, U.S.	Heart attack
The Singing Nun	51	March 29, 1985	Wavre, Brabant, Belgium	Suicide
Willie Mabon	59	April 19, 1985	Paris, France	Cancer
Johnny Fuller	56	May 20, 1985	Oakland, California, U.S.	Lung cancer
Lloyd Green	75	May 23, 1985	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Myocardial infarction
Pee Wee Crayton	70	June 25, 1985	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Heart attack
Wynn Stewart	51	July 17, 1985	Hendersonville, Tennessee, U.S.	Heart attack
Kay Kyser	80	July 31, 1985	Chapel Hill, North Carolina, U.S.	Heart attack
Kyu Sakamoto	43	August 12, 1985	Mount Osutaka, Ueno, Gunma Prefecture, Japan	Plane crash (Japan Airlines Flight 123) [44]
Jimmy Stokely Exile	41	August 13, 1985	Richmond, Kentucky, U.S.	Complications from hepatitis/Chronic liver disorder
Philly Joe Jones	62	August 30, 1985	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.	Heart attack
Jo Jones	73	September 3, 1985	New York City, New York, U.S.	Pneumonia
Little Brother Montgomery	79	September 6, 1985	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.	Unknown
Brian Keenan The Chamber Brothers	42	October 5, 1985		Heart attack
Blind John Davis	71	October 12, 1985	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.	Unknown
Ricky Wilson The B-52's	32	October 12, 1985	New York City, New York, U.S.	Complications due to AIDS
Big Joe Turner	74	November 24, 1985	Inglewood, California, U.S.	Heart attack [45]
Ian Stewart The Rolling Stones	47	December 12, 1985	London, England	Heart attack
Curley Moore	42	December 14, 1985	Algiers, Louisiana, U.S.	Murdered
D. Boon The Minutemen	27	December 22, 1985	Tucson, Arizona, U.S.	Traffic accident
Gus Jenkins	54	December 22, 1985	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Unknown
Tommy Blake	54	December 24, 1985	Haughton, Louisiana, U.S.	Murdered by his wife
Andy Chapin The Association, Ricky Nelson	34	December 31, 1985	De Kalb, Texas, U.S.	Plane accident
Ricky Nelson Ricky Nelson	45	December 31, 1985	De Kalb, Texas, U.S.	Plane accident
Bobby Neal Ricky Nelson	38	December 31, 1985	De Kalb, Texas, U.S.	Plane accident
Pat Woodward Ricky Nelson	35	December 31, 1985	De Kalb, Texas, U.S.	Plane accident
Ricky Intveld Ricky Nelson	22	December 31, 1985	De Kalb, Texas, U.S.	Plane accident
Clark Russel Sound man for Ricky Nelson	35	December 31, 1985	De Kalb, Texas, U.S.	Plane accident
Phil Lynott Thin Lizzy	36	January 4, 1986	Salisbury, Wiltshire, England	Heart failure and pneumonia caused by alcohol and drug use [46]
Joe Farrell Return to Forever	48	January 10, 1986	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Myelodysplastic syndrome
Gordon MacRae	64	January 24, 1986	Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S.	Pneumonia
Albert Grossman	59	January 25, 1986		Heart attack
John R. American disc jockey and record producer	75	February 15, 1986	Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.	Lung cancer
Robbie Basho	45	February 28, 1986	Berkeley, California, U.S.	Stroke
Richard Manuel The Band	42	March 4, 1986	Winter Park, Florida, U.S.	Suicide by hanging
Sonny Terry	74	March 11, 1986	Mineola, New York, U.S.	Natural causes
Mark Dinning	52	March 22, 1986	Jefferson City, Missouri, U.S.	Heart attack
O'Kelly Isley, Jr. The Isley Brothers	48	March 31, 1986	Alpine, New Jersey, U.S.	Heart attack [47]
Dorothy Ashby	53	April 13, 1986	Santa Monica, California, U.S.	Cancer
Hank Mobley	55	May 30, 1986	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.	Pneumonia
Benny Goodman	77	June 13, 1986	New York, New York, U.S.	Heart attack
Dean Reed	47	June 13, 1986	East Berlin, GDR	Suicide by drowning
Clarence Garlow	75	July 24, 1986	Beaumont, Texas, U.S.	Unknown
William B. Williams American disc jockey	62	August 3, 1986	New York City, New York, U.S.	Acute anemia and respiratory failure
Thad Jones	63	August 20, 1986	Copenhagen, Denmark	Cancer/Bone cancer
Cliff Burton Metallica	24	September 27, 1986	Ljungby Municipality, Sweden	Traffic accident [48]
Moses Asch	80	October 19, 1986	New York City, New York, U.S.	Unknown
Esquerita	50	October 23, 1986	Harlem, New York, U.S.	Complications due to AIDS
Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis	64	November 3, 1986	Culver City, California, U.S.	Hodgkin's lymphoma [49]
Bobby Nunn The Coasters	63	November 5, 1986	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Heart failure
Tracy Pew	28	November 7, 1986	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia	Brain hemorrhage
Bea Booze	74	November 11, 1986	Scottsville, New York, U.S.	Unknown
Scatman Crothers	76	November 22, 1986	Van Nuys, California, U.S.	Pneumonia and lung cancer
Lee Dorsey	61	December 1, 1986	New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.	Emphysema
Billy Rancher The Malchicks, Billy Rancher and the Unreal Gods, and Flesh and Blood	29	December 2, 1986	Portland, Oregon, U.S.	Kidney and liver cancer
Desi Arnaz	69	December 2, 1986	Solana Beach, California, U.S.	Lung cancer
Hollywood Fats Canned Heat, The Blasters	32	December 8, 1986	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Drug overdose
Kate Wolf	44	December 10, 1986	San Francisco, California, U.S.	Leukemia
Tommy Keifer Krokus	34	December 24, 1986		Suicide by hanging
Peter Lucia, Jr. Tommy James and the Shondells	39	January 6, 1987		Heart attack
Handsome Ned	29	January 10, 1987	Toronto, Ontario, Canada	Accidental heroin overdose
Rauli Somerjoki	39	January 14, 1987	Helsinki, Finland	Alcohol-related ailments
Ray Bolger The Scarecrow from The Wizard of Oz	83	January 15, 1987	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Bladder cancer [50]
Alfred Lion Record executive and co-founder of Blue Note Records	78	February 2, 1987	San Diego, California, U.S.	Heart failure
Liberace	67	February 4, 1987	Palm Springs, California, U.S.	AIDS [51]
Tony Destra Cinderella, Britny Fox	32	February 8, 1987	Pennsylvania, U.S.	Car Accident
Seymor Spiegelman The Hilltoppers	56	February 13, 1987	New York City, New York, U.S.	Heart defect
Jimmy Holiday	52	February 15, 1987	Iowa City, Iowa, U.S.	Congestive heart failure
Jim Connors Radio personality and disc jockey	46	February 24, 1987	I-95, Virginia, U.S.	Car crash
Danny Kaye	76	March 3, 1987	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Heart failure from Hepatitis
Norman Harris MFSB	39	March 14, 1987	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.	Cardiovascular disease
Don Gant	44	March 15, 1987	Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.	Complications following a boating accident
Tony Stratton Smith Record producer and manager from The Nice, Van der Graaf Generator, Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band and co-founder of Charisma Records	53	March 19, 1987	St Helier, Jersey	Pancreatic cancer
Dino Martin Dino, Desi & Billy	35	March 21, 1987	San Gorgonio Mountain, California, U.S.	Military aircraft crash
Buddy Rich	69	April 2, 1987	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Respiratory and cardiac failure [52]
Maxine Sullivan	75	April 7, 1987	New York City, New York, U.S.	Seizure
Carlton Barrett The Wailers	36	April 17, 1987	Kingston, Jamaica	Murder by gunshot
Irving Ashby	66	April 22, 1987	Perris, California, U.S.	Unknown
Billy Johnson The Moonglows	59	April 28, 1987	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Unknown
Dalida	54	May 3, 1987	Paris, France	Suicide by drug overdose [53]
Paul Butterfield The Paul Butterfield Blues Band	44	May 4, 1987	North Hollywood, California, U.S.	Accidental heroin overdose
Allen Jones Record producer for The Bar-Kays	46	May 5, 1987		Heart attack
Victor Feldman	53	May 12, 1987	Woodland Hills, California, U.S.	Heart attack
Gary Driscoll Rainbow, Elf	41	June 8, 1987	Ithaca, New York, U.S.	Murdered
Kid Thomas Valentine	91	June 18, 1987	New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.	Unknown
Fred Astaire	88	June 22, 1987	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Pneumonia
Elizabeth Cotten	94	June 29, 1987	Syracuse, New York, U.S.	Pneumonia
Snakefinger The Residents	38	July 1, 1987	Linz, Austria	Heart attack
John Hammond Record producer for Columbia Records	76	July 10, 1987		Stroke
Lee Gaines The Delta Rhythm Boys	90	July 15, 1987	Helsinki, Finland	Cancer
Pete King After the Fire, BAP, The Flys	28	July 15, 1987		Testicular cancer
Howard McGhee	69	July 17, 1987	New York City, New York, U.S.	Unknown
Todd Crew Bassist for Jetboy	21	July 18, 1987		Heroin and alcohol overdose
Alex Sadkin Record producer for Arcadia, Simply Red, Thompson Twins, Boom Crash Opera and Duran Duran	38	July 25, 1987	Nassau, Bahamas	Traffic accident
Joe Liggins	71	July 31, 1987	Lynwood, California, U.S.	Stroke
David A. Martin Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs	50	August 2, 1987		Heart attack
Scott La Rock Boogie Down Productions	25	August 27, 1987	New York City, New York, U.S.	Gunshot
Peter Tosh The Wailers	42	September 11, 1987	Kingston, Jamaica	Murder by gunshot
Lorne Greene	72	September 11, 1987	Santa Monica, California, U.S.	Pneumonia
Jaco Pastorius Weather Report	35	September 21, 1987	Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.	Brain hemorrhage following beating [54]
Ted Taylor The Cadets	53	October 2, 1987	Lake Charles, Louisiana, U.S.	Traffic accident
Woody Herman	74	October 29, 1987	West Hollywood, California, U.S.	Pneumonia following ulcer surgery
Luke "Long Gone" Miles	62	November 22, 1987	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Unknown
Little Willy Foster	65	November 25, 1987	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.	Cancer
Richard "Ricky" Taylor The Manhattans	47	December 9, 1987		Cancer
Slam Stewart Slim & Slam	73	December 10, 1987	Binghamton, New York, U.S.	Congestive heart failure
Conny Plank Record producer and also known as Moebius & Plank	47	December 18, 1987	Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany	Cancer
John Spence No Doubt	18	December 21, 1987	Anaheim, California, U.S.	Suicide
Gene "Bowlegs" Miller	54	December 25, 1987	Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.	Unknown
Nat Tarnopol Record producer for Brunswick Records	56	December 25, 1987		Congestive heart failure
John Dopyera	94	January 3, 1988	Grants Pass, Oregon, U.S.	Unknown
Joe Albany	63	January 12, 1988	New York City, New York, U.S.	Respiratory failure
René Hall	75	February 11, 1988	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Heart disease
John Curulewski Styx	37	February 13, 1988	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.	Brain aneurysm
Alexander Bashlachev	27	February 17, 1988	Leningrad, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union	Fall from the window (most likely suicide)
Memphis Slim	72	February 24, 1988	Paris, France	Kidney failure
Pearl Butler Carl Butler and Pearl	60	March 1, 1988		Unknown [55]
Divine	42	March 7, 1988	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Heart enlargement after years of obesity [56]
Gordon Huntley Matthews Southern Comfort	62	March 7, 1988		Cancer
Amar Singh Chamkila	27	March 8, 1988	Mehsampur, Punjab, India	Murder by gunshot
Andy Gibb Younger brother of the Bee Gees	30	March 10, 1988	Oxford, England	Myocarditis worsened by drug addiction
Moody Jones	79	March 23, 1988	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.	Unknown
Dave Prater Sam & Dave	50	April 9, 1988	Sycamore, Georgia, U.S.	Traffic accident
Brook Benton	56	April 9, 1988	Queens, New York City, New York, U.S.	Pneumonia from spinal meningitis
Pony Poindexter	62	April 14, 1988	Oakland, California, U.S.	Unknown
John Banks The Merseybeats	45	April 20, 1988		Throat cancer
Barbara Robison The Peanut Butter Conspiracy	42	April 22, 1988	Billings, Montana, U.S.	Toxic shock poisoning
Carolyn Franklin	43	April 25, 1988	Bloomfield, Michigan, U.S.	Breast cancer
B. W. Stevenson	38	April 28, 1988		Heart valve surgery complications
Claude Demetrius	71	May 1, 1988	New York City, New York, U.S.	Unknown
Howie Johnson The Ventures	49-50	May 5, 1988		Cancer
Paul Wilson The Flamingos	53	May 6, 1988		Unknown
Chet Baker	58	May 13, 1988	Amsterdam, Netherlands	Fall from hotel window after heroin and cocaine abuse [57]
Gil Evans	75	May 20, 1988	Cuernavaca, Mexico	Peritonitis
Ted Dunbar	51	May 29, 1988	New Brunswick, New Jersey, U.S.	Stroke
Dick Jacobs Record producer from Decca Records, Brunswick Records	70	May 30, 1988	New York City, New York, U.S.	Unknown
Charles Jacobie Country singer	60	June 16, 1988	Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, South Africa	Heart attack
John Jordan The Four Vagabonds	74	June 16, 1988		Unknown
Finbarr Donnelly Five Go Down to the Sea?	27	June 18, 1989	The Serpentine, Hyde Park, London	Drowning accident
Jesse Ed Davis	43	June 22, 1988	Venice, Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Drug overdose
Hillel Slovak Red Hot Chili Peppers	26	June 25, 1988	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Heroin overdose
Jimmy Soul	45	June 25, 1988	Spring Valley, New York, U.S.	Heart attack
Nico	49	July 18, 1988	Ibiza, Spain	Cerebral haemorrhage after fall from bicycle [58]
Priscilla Bowman	60	July 24, 1988	Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.	Lung cancer
Jean-Michel Basquiat Gray	27	August 12, 1988	Manhattan, New York, U.S.	Speedball overdose
Tenor Saw	21	August 13, 1988	Houston, Texas, United States	Injuries sustained from a hit and run
Fred Below The Aces	61	August 13–14, 1988	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.	Liver cancer
Robert Calvert Hawkwind	43	August 14, 1988	Ramsgate, England	Heart attack
Roy Buchanan	48	August 14, 1988	Fairfax County, Virginia, U.S.	Suicide by hanging
Tim Davis The Steve Miller Band	44	September 20, 1988		Complications related to diabetes
J. C. Heard	71	September 27, 1988	Royal Oak, Michigan, U.S.	Heart attack
Cliff Gallup Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps	58	October 9, 1988	Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.	Heart attack
Son House	86	October 19, 1988	Detroit, Michigan, U.S.	Laryngeal cancer
Johnnie Louise Richardson Johnnie & Joe	53	October 25, 1988	New York City, New York, U.S.	Stroke
Black Randy Black Randy and the Metrosquad	36	November 11, 1988	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Complications due to AIDS [59]
Janet Ertel The Chordettes	75	November 22, 1988	Sheboygan, Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, U.S.
Roy Orbison Traveling Wilburys	52	December 6, 1988	Hendersonville, Tennessee, U.S.	Heart attack [60]
Bill Harris The Clovers	63	December 6, 1988	Washington, D.C., U.S.	Pancreatic cancer
Herbert Rhoad The Persuasions	44	December 8, 1988	Sacramento, California, U.S.	Aneurysm
Sylvester	41	December 16, 1988	San Francisco, California, U.S.	AIDS [61]
Paul Jeffreys Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel	36	December 21, 1988	Lockerbie, Scotland	Pan Am Flight 103 bombing
Bobby Baylor The Solitaires, The Mello-Moods	54	January 4, 1989		Pneumonia
Patti McCabe The Poni-Tails	49	January 17, 1989		Cancer
Whistlin' Alex Moore	89	January 20, 1989	Dallas, Texas, U.S.	Heart attack
Steve Wahrer The Trashmen	47	January 21, 1989		Throat cancer
Donnie Elbert	52	January 26, 1989	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.	Stroke
Blaze Foley	39	February 1, 1989	Austin, Texas, U.S.	Gunshot
Paul Robi The Platters	57	February 1, 1989		Pancreatic cancer
Kenneth C. "Jethro" Burns Homer and Jethro	68	February 4, 1989	Evanston, Illinois, U.S.	Prostate cancer
Joe Raposo Television writer and lyrics from Sesame Street	51	February 5, 1989	Bronxville, New York, U.S.	Lymphoma
King Tubby	48	February 6, 1989	Kingston, Jamaica	Gunshot
Hip Linkchain	52	February 13, 1989	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.	Cancer
Vincent Crane The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Dexys Midnight Runners, Atomic Rooster	45	February 14, 1989	Westminster, London, England	Suicide by barbiturate overdose
Roy Eldridge	78	February 26, 1989	Valley Stream, New York, U.S.	Heart failure
Odie Payne	62	March 1, 1989	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.	Unknown
Bobby Mitchell	53	March 17, 1989		Diabetes
Marek Blizinski	41	March 17, 1989	Warsaw, Poland	Cancer
Ray Agee	68	April 15, 1989	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Unknown
Dmitry Selivanov	25	April 22, 1989	Novosibirsk, Russia	Suicide
Lucille Ball	77	April 26, 1989	Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Aortic rupture
Ron Wilson The Surfaris	44	May 7, 1989	Placer County, California, U.S.	Brain aneurysm
Keith Whitley	34	May 9, 1989	Goodlettsville, Tennessee, U.S.	Alcohol poisoning
Good Rockin' Charles	56	May 17, 1989	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.	Unknown (ill health)
John Cipollina Quicksilver Messenger Service	45	May 29, 1989	San Francisco, California, U.S.	Emphysema
Lou Monte	72	June 12, 1989	Pompano Beach, Florida, U.S.	Emphysema
Vivian Carter Record producer, company executive and co-founded of Vee Jay Records	68	June 12, 1989		Hypertension, diabetes and stroke
Pete de Freitas Echo & the Bunnymen	27	June 14, 1989	London, England	Traffic accident
Vic Maile	45	July 11, 1989		Cancer
Nesuhi Ertegun Record producer, record executive of Atlantic Records and Warner Music Group	71	July 15, 1989	New York City, New York, U.S.	Complications of cancer surgery
Paul C East Coast hip hop pioneer, producer, engineer, and mixer	24	July 17, 1989	New York City, New York, U.S.	Murdered [62]
Bull Moose Jackson	70	July 31, 1989	Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.	Lung cancer
Larry Parnes	59	August 4, 1989	London, England	Meningitis
Sonny Thompson	65	August 11, 1989	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.	Unknown
Mickey Hawks	49	August 31, 1989	North Carolina, U.S.	Unknown
Keef Cowboy Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five	28	September 8, 1989		Heart attack after crack-cocaine overdose
Tim Hovey New Riders of the Purple Sage	43	September 9, 1989	Watsonville, California, U.S.	Suicide by drug overdose
Pérez Prado	72	September 14, 1989	Mexico City, Mexico	Stroke
Gene Nobles American disc jockey	76	September 21, 1989	Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.	Unknown
Irving Berlin	101	September 22, 1989	Manhattan, New York City, U.S.	Natural causes and Heart attack
Cousin Joe	81	October 2, 1989	New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.	Natural causes
Alan Murphy Go West, Level 42	35	October 19, 1989	London, England	Pneumonia resulting from AIDS
Ewan MacColl	74	October 22, 1989	Brompton, London, England	Complications following heart surgery
Dickie Goodman Record producer	55	November 8, 1989	North Carolina, U.S.	Suicide by gunshot
Freddie Waits	49	November 18, 1989	New York City, New York, U.S.	Kidney failure
Billy Lyall Bay City Rollers, Pilot	36	December 1, 1989		AIDS
Patti Santos It's a Beautiful Day	39	December 14, 1989	Near Geyserville, California, U.S.	Car crash
Floyd Jones	72	December 19, 1989	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.	Unknown [63]
Lance Railton "Earl Preston & the TT's"	40s	December 24, 1989		Unknown

See also

• List of deaths in rock and roll (1950s)
• List of deaths in rock and roll (1960s)
• List of deaths in rock and roll (1970s)
• List of deaths in rock and roll (1990s)
• List of deaths in rock and roll (2000s)
• List of 2010s deaths in popular music
• List of 2020s deaths in popular music

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