File Photo: Julie La Crout

Chester Bennington (March 20, 1976 – July 20, 2017)

Rock legend Chester Bennington possessed one of the most powerful and iconic voices of all time. The former Linkin Park and Stone Temple Pilots lead vocalist was famous for both his primal screams onstage and his friendly demeanor off of it. He was a devoted husband and father to six children, and was extremely active in charity work. He had to overcome serious drug addictions and psychological and sexual abuse as a child, and fans loved him for openly singing about these issues. Sadly, those demons ultimately took him away from us as Bennington committed suicide July 20th at the age of 41.

– Arnim Whisler

File Photo: Alyssa Fried

Chris Cornell (July 20, 1964 – May 18, 2017) 

Grunge legend Chris Cornell shocked the entire world by tragically committing suicide May 17th at the age of 52, despite no outward health struggles that people were aware of. The vocalist of Soundgarden, Audioslave and Temple of the Dog possessed a raspy and powerful four-octave range and wonderfully creative songwriting mind, as seen in his solo works. Cornell struggled with depression and substance abuse earlier on in his career, and is survived by his wife Vicky and three children. His departure will forever leave a massive imprint on the rock scene that will never be filled.

– Arnim Whisler

Chuck Berry – (Oct. 18, 1926 – March 18, 2017)

Rock & Roll’s founding father, Chuck Berry, who defined the sonic landscape of an entire generation and genre of music, passed away in March at age 90. In 1955, Berry signed to Chess Records label, where he recorded the songs that would pioneer the genre: “Maybellene” (1955), “Roll Over Beethoven” (1956), and “Johnny B. Goode” (1958), all of which would influence scores of rock bands such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Inherent to Berry’s craft and performance was the dominance of guitar-driven melody, immaculate showmanship and lyrics that told the story of what it meant to be a young person in America—elements that would become staples of the rock n roll aesthetic. For these reasons alone, Chuck Berry’s influence on modern music is immeasurable. Berry’s funeral was held in his native St. Louis, with the musician’s beloved cherry-red Gibson nailed to the inside lid of his coffin.

– Ben Jardine

File Photo: Boston Lynn Schulz

Tom Petty (Oct. 20, 1950 – Oct. 2, 2017)

Hitmaker and “Heartbreaker”, Tom Petty was consistently one of rock’s great performers—playing shows right up until his death in early October. The singer perfectly captured the rebel’s plight, the beauty in the downtrodden romantic, and represented the voice of the outcast in a career that spanned over forty years and twenty albums with various projects (thirteen with the Heartbreakers and two with supergroup The Traveling Wilburys). With rock staples “Free Fallin’,” “American Girl,” “Mary Jane’s Last Dance,” and “I Won’t Back Down,” Petty created a brand of intricately simple rock music, full of hooks and dynamic Petty was inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2002, following a string of successful Heartbreakers and solo albums. He was 66.

– Ben Jardine

File Photo: Brett Padelford

Charles Bradley (Nov. 5, 1948 – Sept. 23, 2017)

Neo-funk heavyweight Charles Bradley passed away in September, at age 68, following a bout with stomach and liver cancer. The self-proclaimed “Screaming Eagle of Soul”, Bradley’s stage presence and revitalized soul aesthetic brought him late-in-life success. After a hard life spent travelling the country as a semi-successful James Brown impersonator, Bradley was discovered by executives at Daptone Records. His debut LP was released in 2011, at the age of 62. Two more albums followed, including 2016’s critically acclaimed Changes, which featured a cover of Black Sabbath’s “Changes”. A film about Bradley’s life, entitled Soul of America, premiered at South by Southwest in 2012.

– Ben Jardine

File Photo: Marv Watson

Jessi Zazu (July 28, 1989 – Sept. 12, 2017)

After being diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2015, Jessi Zazu’s widely successful garage-country band Those Darlins ended their ten-year run as she began treatment. Her battle with cancer was shared publicly through her optimistic “Ain’t Afraid” campaign, and she spent the last year of her life giving back to her community by donating original art to the hospital where she stayed. She was a beloved member of the Nashville music scene and was actively passionate about motivating women and children in music through the Southern Rock Camp for Girls. Jessi was only 28 when she passed away this September, surrounded by family and friends.

– Kellie MacDougall

File Photo: Brett Padelford

Chuck Mosley (Dec. 26, 1959 – Nov. 9, 2017)

While many fans know of Faith No More, notably their singer, the ever-productive Mike Patton, the band had a different singer at the helm in their early days, Chuck Mosley. Mosley recorded two albums with Faith No More: We Care a Lot and Introduce Yourself, both of which included the band’s early hit, the funked-up stomp of “We Care a Lot.” Mosley reunited with the rest of Faith No More for a special series of concerts last year. Sadly Mosley, who had battled a lifetime of addiction to heroin and alcohol, was found dead of an apparent overdose earlier this year.

– Andy Lindquist

File Photo: Raymond Flotat

Gregg Allman (Dec. 8, 1947 – May 27, 2017)

Known as the lead singer and keyboardist for the legendary Allman Brothers band in addition to a prolific solo career, Gregg Allman became one of the most iconic vocalists in the history of rock. Allman had suffered from numerous health ailments over the years such as hepatitis C, which necessitated a liver transplant in 2010. Allman passed away earlier this year due to complications from liver cancer.

– Andy Lindquist

Glen Campbell (April 22, 1936 – Aug. 8, 2017)

Glen Campbell was a beloved singer-songwriter who gave us such hits like “Rhinestone Cowboy” and “Wichita Lineman.” Campbell passed away in August after a long and public battle with Alzheimer’s.

– Chris Lee

Grant Hart (March 18, 1961 – Sept. 13, 2017)

After a year full of heavy hitting hero losses, it makes sense that 2017 would take some of the few influencers we have left. One in particular comes from a band that holds high regard in 90s alternative and hardcore punk — Grant Hart, the drummer and co-founder of Hüsker Dü. Vocalist, guitarist and other founding member Bob Mould confirmed Hart’s passing the morning of September 14. Hart passed away from complications of dealing with Hepatitis C and liver cancer, though he lives on through his wife Bridgid McGough Hart, his son Karl Turbenson, his granddaughter Grace and his siblings Roxanne, Nett and Craig Hart, among the numerous souls he’s touched in the music world. “Grant Hart was a gifted visual artist, a wonderful story teller, and a frighteningly talented musician,” says Mould. “Everyone touched by his spirit will always remember.”

– Cervante Pope

Lil Peep (Nov. 1 1996 – Nov. 15, 2017)

Lil Peep (né Gustav Elijah Åhr) represented the peak of soundcloud rap to a new generation of emo fans. He tragically died November 15 after overdosing on a mixture of fentanyl and xanax.

– Chris Lee

Martin Ain (July 18, 1967 – Oct. 21, 2017)

Martin Eric Ain made his name as the bassist to the extremely influential black metal outfit Celtic Frost. He passed away on October 21, 2017 following a heart attack.

– Chris Lee

William Onyeabor (March 26, 1946 – Jan. 16, 2017)

William Onyeabor was a mysterious and enigmatic Nigerian funk musician, as well as businessman, whose music was widely heard throughout Nigeria in the 70s and 80s. Onyeabor peacefully died in his sleep, earlier in January.

– Chris Lee

Travis Peterson (Dec. 25, 1976 – Jan. 2017)

Travis Peterson was a noted music video director, working with great Los Angeles indie rock artists including Ariel Pink, Vivian Girls, Nite Jewel, and Glass Candy. He was found dead in his car this January after going missing last December.

– Chris Lee

Malcolm Young (Jan. 6, 1953 – Nov. 18, 2017)

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and co-founder of one of the most legendary rock bands of all time, AC/DC, passed this year due to dementia and related health issues. The 64-year-old song-writer, rhythm guitarist, performer and producer made an impact in the rock world that will never fade.

– Ally Tatosian

Prodigy (Nov. 2, 1974 – June 20, 2017)

Albert Johnson, Prodigy, passed in November in Las Vegas due to his long time battle with sickle cell anemia (though it was later determined that his cause of death was accidental choking). The 42-year-old New York rap legend and one half of Mobb Deep landed high on the charts numerous times and Johnson himself landed a solo Hot 100.

– Ally Tatosian

George Young (Nov. 6, 1946 – Oct. 23, 2017)

The Easybeats guitarist, AC/DC producer and brother to Angus and the late Malcolm Young, both of AC/DC, passed this year with no reported cause of death.

– Ally Tatosian

Kevin Garcia (June 22, 1975 – May 2, 2017)

The 41-year-old founding member and bassist of the American indie-rock band Grandaddy passed in June due to a massive stroke.

– Ally Tatosian

Cuba Gooding Sr. (April 27, 1944 – April 22, 2017)

Known for his work The Main Ingredient, soul singer and father of actor Cuba Gooding Jr. passed due to unknown reasons in April.

– Ally Tatosian

Butch Trucks – (May 11, 1947 – Jan. 25, 2017)

Butch Trucks, founding member and drummer for the world renowned Allman Brothers Band, passed away on January 25 at 69 years old in West Palm Beach, Florida.

– Ilana Tel-Oren

Ikutaro Kakehashi (Feb. 7, 1930 – April 1, 2017) 

Roland founder and creator of influential instruments including the System 700 modular synthesizer, the TB-303 bassline synthesizer, the TR-909 and the TR-808 drum machine, Ikutaro Kakehshi, passed away on April 2nd.

– Ilana Tel-Oren

Robert “Strängen” Dahlqvist (April 16, 1976 – Feb 1, 2017)

Robert “Strängen” Dahlqvist, guitarist for Swedish garage rock band Hellacopters and frontman of Dundertaget, passed away at the age of 40 on February 3rd.

– Ilana Tel-Oren

John Wetton (June 12, 1949 – Jan. 31, 2017)

Bassist and singer John Wetton, one of the founding members of the ’80s supergroup, Asia, died at 67 after a hard fought battle with colon cancer.

– Ilana Tel-Oren

Daisy Berkowitz (April 28, 1968 – Oct. 22, 2017)

Better known by his stage name, Daisy Berkowitz, Scott Putesky is best known for his collaborations with industrial metal artist, Marilyn Manson, through the late-90s. Putesky composed the majority of the band’s earlier work, including many of the tracks on the Trent Reznor-produced Portrait of an American Family (1994). Putesky passed away in October after a long battle with stage-four colon cancer. He was 49.

– Ben Jardine

David Cassidy (April 12, 1950 – Nov. 21, 2017)

An idol of the 70s, David Cassidy was a member of the Partridge Family as well as a highly acclaimed actor. Cassidy was known for both his charm and his tremendous amount of talent. Cassidy was 67 and passed away in the hospital after a year of poor health and dementia.

– Sophia Gragg

Walter Becker (Sept. 3, 2017)

Walter Becker, guitarist and co-founder of the legendary rock band Steely Dan, passed away suddenly amidst chemotherapy treatment for esophageal cancer. At 67, he was a songwriter, record producer, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee.

– Kellie MacDougall

Fats Domino (Feb. 25, 1928 – Oct. 24, 2017) 

Rock n’ Roll had many legendary founders, but this year saw the loss of one of its greatest. Fats Domino, who was born in New Orleans, deviated from the genre that encompassed the city he grew up in and established himself as the grandfather of Rock n’ Roll. Domino was famous for his boogie-woogie piano and casual vocals. His early style of rhythm and blues slowly morphed into early rock n roll, and during his peak his song would compete against Elvis Presley’s on the charts. During the 50’s and early 60’s, Domino teamed up with producer Dave Bartholomew, and their run of songs helped establish New Orleans as a hub for early rock n roll. His fingerprints on the rock world is undeniable, and will continue to remain so for years to come.

– Joel Longini

Chris Bevington (April 7, 2017)

The music industry was shocked to hear the passing of Chris Bevington, an executive at Spotify, was killed in the Stockholm attack in April. Bevington was one of four civilians killed and 15 injured in the attack. The 41 year old executive has a tremendous impact on the company in his five years spent at the company.

– Sophia Gragg

Mika Vainio (April 13, 2017)

Pan Sonic’s Mika Vainio passed away in April of this year to the surprise of many. Vainio was only 53 years old and his large impact on electronic music is still recognized to this day.

– Sophia Gragg

Leon Ware (Feb. 16, 1940 – Feb. 23, 2017)

Beloved singer/songwriter Leon Ware passed away in February. The renowned soul musician began his career on the iconic Motown label and took on the music industry from there.

– Sophia Gragg

Matt Holt (May 28, 1977 – April 15, 2017) 

Heavy metal singer Matt Holt passed away in his Maryland home after a long battle with an undiagnosed degenerative disease. His band Nothingface achieved moderate success in the late 90s and early 00s with their 2001 single “Bleeder”. He was only 39.

– Kellie MacDougall

File Photo: Raymond Flotat

Dave Rosser (June 27, 2017)

Dave Rosser, guitarist for the band Afghan Whigs, died on June 29th at the age of 50 following an inoperable colon cancer diagnosis. He was a longtime friend of the vocalist Greg Dulli and joined the band during their reunion in 2014.

– Arnim Whisler

Keith Mitchell (May 15, 2017) 

One of the original members of alternative rock group Mazzy Star, drummer Keith Mitchell passed away last May, though the cause of death remains unannounced. His drumming is featured on the band’s 1994 hit single “Fade Into You”.

– Kellie MacDougall

Holger Czukay (March 24, 1938 – Sept. 5, 2017)

As the founding member and bassist of famous German rock band Can, Czukay was instrumental in experimenting with non-traditional song structures and instrumentation in the early 70’s. Czukay was found dead earlier this year.

– Andy Lindquist

Jaki Liebezeit (May 26, 1938 – Jan. 22, 2017)

With an expressive rhythmic style that delved into worldbeat and noise-rock, Liebezeit helped make Can into one of the most innovative bands in continental Europe in the early 70’s. Sadly, Liebezeit passed away earlier this year due to complications from pneumonia.

– Andy Lindquist

John Warren Geils Jr. (Feb. 20, 1946 – April 11, 2017)

In April, John Warren Geils Jr. of the J. Geils Band was found dead at home at the age of 71. J. Geils Band is best known for their 1981 hit single “Centerfold.”

– Caitlin Herrera

Allan Holdsworth (Aug. 6, 1946 – April 15, 2017)

Guitarist Allan Holdsworth died from a heart attack at age 70 in April. Eddie Van Halen once heralded him as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, and his legend will continue to live on.

– Caitlin Herrera

Clyde Stubblefield (April 18, 1943 – Feb. 18, 2017)

Funk drummer Clyde Stubblefield passed away at age 73 in February due to kidney failure. One of his most iconic works was his solo on James Brown’s “Funky Drummer.”

– Caitlin Herrera

Junie Morrison (1951 – Jan. 21, 2017)

Keyboardist Junie Morrison of Ohio Players died in February at the age of 62. He was also known for his work with George Clinton in the group Parliament-Funkadelic.

– Caitlin Herrera

Wayne Cochran (May 10, 1939 – Nov. 21 2017)

Wayne Cochran, best known for his song “Last Kiss,” passed away at the age of 78 in November. Bands like Pearl Jam and The Blues Brothers have covered his music.

– Caitlin Herrera

Gord Downie (Feb. 6, 1964 – Oct. 17, 2017)

Downie, the frontman of Canadian band The Tragically Hip, passed away this October from terminal brain cancer at 53. His solo album Introduce Yerself was released post-humorously.

– Vanessa Phan

Alvin DeGuzman (Oct. 5, 2017)

DeGuzman was the guitarist, bassist, and keyboardist from post-hardcore band The Icarus Line, named the greatest rock group of the 21st century by The Guardian. He passed away in October.

– Vanessa Phan

Dave Franklin (Jan. 5, 2017) 

Franklin was the frontman of the hardcore band Vision from New Jersey. Vision rose to acclaim in the punk scene during the late ’80s and ’90s. He passed away in January.

– Vanessa Phan

Col. Bruce Hampton (April 30, 2017 – May 1, 2017)

A man whose legend still radiates in the jam community, Bruce Hampton was one of the greatest to hit the scene. Performing with such greats as The Allman Brothers, Warren Hayes and so many more, it seemed only fitting for such a great musician to pass away on stage mid show. At 70 years old, Hampton led a life of beautiful musical improvisation.

– Joel Longini

DJ Robert Miles (Nov. 3, 1969 – May 9, 2017) 

Known for smashing electronic hits like “Children”, and producing scores for big hit movies like The Bourne Identity, Ever After, and City of Ghosts. Robert Concina aka DJ Robert Miles was a Swiss-Italian legend in the electronic scene who, like many others, was taken too early. After the success of “Children,” Concina went on to work with Kathy Sledge of Sister Sledge as well as Nina Miranda of Smoke City, among others. In 2000, he set up his own independent record label in the United Kingdom called Salt Records, which distributed his own music as well as that of Miles Gurtu and Blue Light Fever. He was a huge inspiration to many current DJ’s in the EDM scene.

– Joel Longini

Saxa (Jan. 5, 1930 – May 3, 2017) 

Saxa, a saxophone player for 2-Tone era band ska-pop band The (English) Beat passed away this year. Born Lionel Augustus Martin, Saxa was a Jamaican-born saxophone player who had played with some of Ska’s greatest including Prince Buster and Desmond Dexter before leading his talents to the Beat. Bringing Jamaican authenticity and sound, Saxa was able to distinguish the Beat – dubbed the English Beat in America from the rest. Hiss signature sound can be heard on some of the band’s favorites including, “Mirror on the Bathroom,” “Too Nice to Talk To,” and “Hands Off She’s Mine.” Throughout the years, the songs by the Beats continue to be about race and problems we all face and they have continued to donate profits from their music to help organizations. Even in his death he continues to inspire.

– Joel Longini

Pat Dinizio (Oct. 12, 1955 – Dec. 12, 2017) 

Pat Dinizio, lead singer of rock band the Smithereens, passed away in December at the age of 62. The band are known for hits such as “Only A Memory” and “A Girl Like You.”

– Arnim Whisler

Featured Image Photo Credit: Boston Lynn Schulz