Musicians Who Died In 2017

Of the many celebrities who died in 2017 over 100 were musicians. Here are the five I will miss most. Full obituaries available by clicking the hyperlinks.

Chuck Berry (18 Mar 2017):

Chuck Berry, singer-songwriter and guitarist who was one of the architects of rock ‘n’ roll, died Saturday, March 18, 2017. He was 90.

Berry is known for his distinctive Berry bop and walk on his guitar solos. His signature song was ‘Johnny B. Goode’ (although he’s also known for several other hit singles in his lifetime). His influence and contribution to rock & roll was obvious. He was one of the first musicians to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame when it opened in 1986.

Gregg Allman (27 May 2017)

Founding member of The Allman Brothers Band, singer and keyboardist Gregg Allman passed away on Saturday, May 27th, at his home in Savannah, Georgia. He was 69. The New York Times and his publicist, Ken Weinstein, confirmed the cause of death was from complications of liver cancer.

Gregg Allman picked up the guitar before his older brother Duane. However,  Duane soon surpassed his abilities. That when Gregg turned to the keyboards and microphone to put his stamp on what was to become one of the most important American bands in rock music history: The Allman Brothers Band. Gregg’s contributions also included penning some of the group’s most notable songs, including “Whipping Post” and “Midnight Rider,”

Glen Campbell (08 Aug 2017)

Glen Campbell, the country singer, guitarist, songwriter, television host, and actor died Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017, following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 81.

His career spanned decades, merged popular genres, and earned him record sales, industry awards, and a string of hits. He charted 80 hit songs in a music career that spanned 60 years. In the ’60s, he was riding a solo career that ran strong for 20 years. Hits included  “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” “Wichita Lineman,” “Gentle on My Mind,” “Galveston,” and “Rhinestone Cowboy.”

Walter Becker  (03 Sep 2017)

Co-founder of Steely Dan, guitarist, bassist, songwriter Walter Becker died September 3rd, 2017.

Becker was born and raised in New York City, meeting his eventual co-conspirator and band mate Donal Fagen at Bard College. The songwriting duo kicked around New York for a while before moving to California and forming Steely Dan.

Shortly afterward, the group released Can’t Buy A Thrill. The album was a success on the strength of now-classic tracks like “Reelin’ In The Years,” “Dirty Work,” and “Do It Again.” They launched a string of hit albums, culminating in Aja in 1977, the biggest-selling album in the group’s catalog. Featuring “Peg,” “Josie,” and “Deacon Blues,”

Tom Petty (02 Oct 2017)

Tom Petty, American rock star beloved by millions for his authentic heartland rock and roll, died Monday, Oct. 2, at the age of 66.

The news of his death seemed untimely. Just weeks before (late September 2017), he and the Heartbreakers’ were playing three sold out nights at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. This was the last stop on the extensive North American tour celebrating the 40th anniversary of their self-titled debut.

Tom Petty and his band, the Heartbreakers, produced a long string of hits that melded California rock with his Southern heritage. With songs like “Refugee,” “Don’t Come Around Here No More” and “Free Fallin,’”. Petty sold millions of albums. He performed at the 2008 Super Bowl and entered the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. Scroll down