Remembering The Musicians And Artists We Lost in 2020

ByThe Colorado Sound


Joe Diffie, December 28, 1958 – March 29, 2020, was an American country singer and songwriter. He had several hits in the genre, including "Pickup Man," and "Third Rock From The Sun."
Joe Diffie, December 28, 1958 – March 29, 2020, was an American country singer and songwriter. He had several hits in the genre, including "Pickup Man," and "Third Rock From The Sun."
Ron Galella / Getty Images
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John Prine, October 10, 1946 – April 7, 2020, was an influential American songwriter and folk, bluegrass, and Americana musician. His influence on generations of musicians is profound, and he has penned some of the greatest lyrics in the American music canon.
John Prine, October 10, 1946 – April 7, 2020, was an influential American songwriter and folk, bluegrass, and Americana musician. His influence on generations of musicians is profound, and he has penned some of the greatest lyrics in the American music canon.
Bill Withers, July 4, 1938 - March 30, 2020, was an American songwriter who contributed classics such as "Lean On Me," "Lovely Day," and "Just The Two Of Us." He is widely considered one of the best soul singers of any era.
Bill Withers, July 4, 1938 - March 30, 2020, was an American songwriter who contributed classics such as "Lean On Me," "Lovely Day," and "Just The Two Of Us." He is widely considered one of the best soul singers of any era.
Little Richard, December 5, 1942 - May 9, 2020, was an American pioneer of rock and roll. His nickname, "The Innovator, The Originator, and The Architect of Rock and Roll" says it all.
Little Richard, December 5, 1942 - May 9, 2020, was an American pioneer of rock and roll. His nickname, "The Innovator, The Originator, and The Architect of Rock and Roll" says it all.
Eddie Van Halen, January 26, 1955 – October 6, 2020, was an American guitarist for Van Halen and is hailed as one of the most technically gifted guitarists of all time, as well as an innovator for the instrument beyond compare.
Eddie Van Halen, January 26, 1955 – October 6, 2020, was an American guitarist for Van Halen and is hailed as one of the most technically gifted guitarists of all time, as well as an innovator for the instrument beyond compare.
Charley Pride, March 18, 1934 – December 12, 2020, was an American country singer and guitarist. He had dozens of top-10 hits in the Billboard charts, and is one of three African-American members of the Grand Ole Opry, as well as a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Charley Pride, March 18, 1934 – December 12, 2020, was an American country singer and guitarist. He had dozens of top-10 hits in the Billboard charts, and is one of three African-American members of the Grand Ole Opry, as well as a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Justin Townes Earle, January 4, 1982 – August 20, 2020, was an American songwriter and musician who released eight EPs and was an influential Americana artist, writing some of the greatest songs in the past decade. His father was Steve Earle.
Justin Townes Earle, January 4, 1982 – August 20, 2020, was an American songwriter and musician who released eight EPs and was an influential Americana artist, writing some of the greatest songs in the past decade. His father was Steve Earle.
Kenny Rogers, August 21, 1938 – March 20, 2020, was an American songwriter and member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. His dozens of albums and collaborations led to a highly influential career spanning seven decades.
Kenny Rogers, August 21, 1938 – March 20, 2020, was an American songwriter and member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. His dozens of albums and collaborations led to a highly influential career spanning seven decades.
Tony Rice, June 8, 1951 – December 25, 2020, was an American guitarist and bluegrass musician par excellence. He became a member of the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2013.
Tony Rice, June 8, 1951 – December 25, 2020, was an American guitarist and bluegrass musician par excellence. He became a member of the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2013.
Florian Schneider, April 7, 1947 – April. 21, 2020, was a German member and founder of the electronic outfit Kraftwerk.
Florian Schneider, April 7, 1947 – April. 21, 2020, was a German member and founder of the electronic outfit Kraftwerk.
Charlie Daniels, October 28, 1936 – July 6, 2020, was an American songwriter and multi-instrumentalist versed in country, gospel, bluegrass, and much more. He is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Charlie Daniels, October 28, 1936 – July 6, 2020, was an American songwriter and multi-instrumentalist versed in country, gospel, bluegrass, and much more. He is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Neil Peart, September 12, 1952 – January 7, 2020, was a Canadian drummer for Rush and is considered one of the greatest drummers ever.
Neil Peart, September 12, 1952 – January 7, 2020, was a Canadian drummer for Rush and is considered one of the greatest drummers ever.
McCoy Tyner, December 11, 1938 - March 6, 2020, was an American jazz pianist, five-time Grammy winner, and member of the John Coltrane Quartet.
McCoy Tyner, December 11, 1938 - March 6, 2020, was an American jazz pianist, five-time Grammy winner, and member of the John Coltrane Quartet.
Adam Schlesinger, October 31, 1967 - April 1, 2020, was an American musician, guitarist, and founding member of Fountains of Waye.
Adam Schlesinger, October 31, 1967 - April 1, 2020, was an American musician, guitarist, and founding member of Fountains of Waye.
Billy Joe Shaver, August 16,1939 - October 28, 2020, was a Texas musician and guitarist. He played with Willie Nelson, Nanci Griffith, Dickey Betts, Charlie Daniels, and more.
Billy Joe Shaver, August 16,1939 - October 28, 2020, was a Texas musician and guitarist. He played with Willie Nelson, Nanci Griffith, Dickey Betts, Charlie Daniels, and more.
Betty Wright, December 21, 1953 - May 10, 2020, was an American soul singer who gave us the hits "Clean Up Woman," and "Tonight is the Night."
Betty Wright, December 21, 1953 - May 10, 2020, was an American soul singer who gave us the hits "Clean Up Woman," and "Tonight is the Night."
Manu Dibango, December 12, 1933 - March 24, 2020, was a musician from Cameroon whose contributions to afrojazz and afrobeat are many. He played saxophone and vibraphone, and is best known for his 1972 hit "Soul Makossa."
Manu Dibango, December 12, 1933 - March 24, 2020, was a musician from Cameroon whose contributions to afrojazz and afrobeat are many. He played saxophone and vibraphone, and is best known for his 1972 hit "Soul Makossa."
Peter Green, October 29, 1946 - July 25, 2020, was a founding member of Fleetwood Mac. The English musician is consistently ranked as one of the greatest guitarists of all time.
Peter Green, October 29, 1946 - July 25, 2020, was a founding member of Fleetwood Mac. The English musician is consistently ranked as one of the greatest guitarists of all time.
Jerry Jeff Walker, March 16, 1942 – October 23, 2020, was an American country singer and a leading member of the outlaw movement. He wrote the classic "Mr. Bojangles" in 1968.
Jerry Jeff Walker, March 16, 1942 – October 23, 2020, was an American country singer and a leading member of the outlaw movement. He wrote the classic "Mr. Bojangles" in 1968.
Mac Davis, January 21, 1942 – September 29, 2020, was an American country singer. He wrote early songs for Elvis Presley and had a successful solo career in the 70s.
Mac Davis, January 21, 1942 – September 29, 2020, was an American country singer. He wrote early songs for Elvis Presley and had a successful solo career in the 70s.
Hal Ketchum, April 9, 1953 - November 23, 2020, was an American country musician and had hits such as "Small Town Saturday Night" and "Hearts Are Gonna Roll."
Hal Ketchum, April 9, 1953 - November 23, 2020, was an American country musician and had hits such as "Small Town Saturday Night" and "Hearts Are Gonna Roll."
Spencer Davis, July 17, 1939 - October 19, 2020, a Welsh singer and musician, founded The Spencer Davis Group, giving us the hits "Keep On Running," "Gimme Some Lovin'", and many more.
Spencer Davis, July 17, 1939 - October 19, 2020, a Welsh singer and musician, founded The Spencer Davis Group, giving us the hits "Keep On Running," "Gimme Some Lovin'", and many more.
Hal Wilner, April 6, 1956 - April 7, 2020, was an American music producer, best known for his work on Saturday Night Live.
Hal Wilner, April 6, 1956 - April 7, 2020, was an American music producer, best known for his work on Saturday Night Live.
Toots Hibbert, December 8, 1942 - September 11, 2020, was a Jamaican singer and songwriter and a reggae legend, pioneering ska, rocksteady, roots rock, and more.
Toots Hibbert, December 8, 1942 - September 11, 2020, was a Jamaican singer and songwriter and a reggae legend, pioneering ska, rocksteady, roots rock, and more.
Helen Reddy, October 25, 1941 - September 29, 2020, was an Australian-American musician. Her most famous song is "I Am Woman." She got her start in music on the TV show Bandstand in 1966.
Helen Reddy, October 25, 1941 - September 29, 2020, was an Australian-American musician. Her most famous song is "I Am Woman." She got her start in music on the TV show Bandstand in 1966.
Dave Greenfield, March 29, 1949 - May 3, 2020, was an English singer and songwriter who played keyboards for The Stranglers.
Dave Greenfield, March 29, 1949 - May 3, 2020, was an English singer and songwriter who played keyboards for The Stranglers.
Hillard "Sweet Pea" Atkinson, September 20, 1945 - May 5, 2020, was an American R&B vocalist for Was (Not Was) and recorded with Bonnie Raitt, Bob Dylan, Brian Wilson, and many more.
Hillard "Sweet Pea" Atkinson, September 20, 1945 - May 5, 2020, was an American R&B vocalist for Was (Not Was) and recorded with Bonnie Raitt, Bob Dylan, Brian Wilson, and many more.
Johnny Nash, August 19, 1940 – October 6, 2020, was an American artist known for his 1972 hit "I Can See Clearly Now".
Johnny Nash, August 19, 1940 – October 6, 2020, was an American artist known for his 1972 hit "I Can See Clearly Now".
Todd Nance, November 20, 1962 – August 19, 2020, was an American musician and the original drummer for Widespread Panic.
Todd Nance, November 20, 1962 – August 19, 2020, was an American musician and the original drummer for Widespread Panic.
Ivan Král, May 12, 1948 - February 2, 2020, was a Czech-American composer, bassist, and songwriter who worked with U2, Patti Smith, David Bowie, and many more. Here he is with Smith.
Ivan Král, May 12, 1948 - February 2, 2020, was a Czech-American composer, bassist, and songwriter who worked with U2, Patti Smith, David Bowie, and many more. Here he is with Smith.
Ellis Marsalis, November 14, 1934 - April 1, 2020, was an American jazz musician and pianist. For decades, he recorded on Elm, Blue Note, Columbia, and Sony. His sons include jazz greats Wynton and Branford.
Ellis Marsalis, November 14, 1934 - April 1, 2020, was an American jazz musician and pianist. For decades, he recorded on Elm, Blue Note, Columbia, and Sony. His sons include jazz greats Wynton and Branford.
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