2020

R&B singer Sweet Pea Atkinson died May 5, 2020.

Hillard “Sweet Pea” Atkinson (September 20, 1945 – May 5, 2020) was an American R&B singer known as one of the vocalists for the band Was (Not Was). Hillard Atkinson was born in Oberlin, Ohio, and moved to Detroit as a child. He worked at the Chrysler factory, and sang with work colleagues in a local band called Hi Energy. He met Don Was in the late 1970s, when he was rehearsing at the same…
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The Stranglers keyboard player Dave Greenfield died May 3, 2020 from COVID-19 (coronavirus)

David Paul Greenfield (March 29, 1949 – May 3, 2020) was an English keyboardist, singer and songwriter who was a member of rock band The Stranglers. Dave Greenfield was born in the south coast seaside resort of Brighton, UK. Prior to the Stranglers, he played in local progressive rock band ‘Rusty Butler’. The Stranglers are an English rock band who emerged via the punk rock scene and have had 23 UK top 40 singles and…
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Country and Pop singer songwriter Cady Groves died May 2, 2020

Cady Groves (July 30, 1989 – May 2, 2020) was an American singer and songwriter from Marlow, Oklahoma. Cady Groves was born to Carol Pettit and Larry Groves and was the youngest of seven. After her parents divorced, she would turn on Christina Aguilera’s “Genie In A Bottle” and sing along from the inside of her closet, because she didn’t want any of her family members to hear her attempts to match Christina. One day,…
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Drummer and co-creator of Afrobeat Tony Allen died April 30, 2020

Tony Oladipo Allen (August 12, 1940 – April 30, 2020) was a Nigerian drummer, composer and songwriter who lived and worked in Paris, France. Tony Allen was born in Lagos, Nigeria and began playing drums at the age of 18, while working as an engineer for a radio station. He was influenced by the music his father who listened to –  Jùjú, a popular Yoruba music from the 1940s, but also American jazz, and the…
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Gospel Singer Troy Sneed died on April 27, 2020 due to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Troy Lenard Sneed Jr. (December 14, 1967 – April 27, 2020) was an American gospel musician. Troy Sneed was born on December 14, 1967, in Perry, Florida. He played football in college at Florida A&M University, but an injury on the field put an end to his playing days. He joined the choir at the university, and after graduating he became teacher at Jax Beach Elementary School in Jacksonville, Florida. Troy Sneed married Emily Frances…
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Derek Jones from Falling in Reverse died April 21, 2020

Derek Jones (June 5, 1984 – April 21, 2020) was an American guitarist, best known as the rhythm / lead guitarist and co-lead vocalist for the post-hardcore band Falling in Reverse. He was also previously the guitarist of the band A Smile from the Trenches until he left in 2010. Derek Jones was born in Lake Forest, California. He first started playing the saxophone but switched to the guitar. As a teenager he formed and…
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Bassist Matthew Seligman died April 17, 2020 from COVID-19 (coronavirus)

Matthew Seligman (July 14, 1955 – April 17, 2020) was an English bass guitarist, best known for his work with the new wave music scene of the 1980s. Matthew Seligman was born in Cyprus, and his family moved to Wimbledon, London, England when he was eight months old. He was inspired to learn bass by hearing the likes of Sir Paul McCartney, Andy Fraser from Free, and Tina Weymouth of Talking Heads. Matthew Seligman was…
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Jazz Saxophonist Lee Konitz died April 15, 2020 from COVID-19 (coronavirus)

Leon (Lee) Konitz (October 13, 1927 – April 15, 2020) was an American jazz composer and alto saxophonist. He performed in a wide range of jazz styles, including bebop, cool jazz, and avant-garde jazz. Lee Konitz’s association with the cool jazz movement of the 1940s and 1950s included him playing in the legendary Miles Davis’s “Birth of the Cool” sessions, and working with pianist Lennie Tristano. He was one of only a few alto saxophonists…
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John Prine, Folk Legend, died on April 7, 2020 from COVID-19 (coronavirus)

John Prine (October 10, 1946 – April 7, 2020) was an American country folk singer-songwriter. He was active as a composer, recording artist, and live performer from the early 1970s until his death, was known for an often humorous style of country music with elements of protest and social commentary, and was widely regarded as one of the most influential songwriters of his generation. John Prine was born and raised in the Maywood suburb of…
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