Sir Terry Wogan
Sir Terry Wogan, one of the most skilled, popular and enduring radio broadcasters of his generation, died on January 31 2016 aged 77. Wogan was no less popular on television and had hosted a hugely successful chat show. He was famous, too, for his ironic and sometimes blistering – but always amusing – commentary at the Eurovision Song Contest, a role he gave up in 2008.
Paul Kantner
Paul Kantner, the co-founder of Jefferson Airplane whose psychedelic sound and free-spirited mindset helped define Sixties counterculture in San Francisco, died on January 28, 2016, aged 74. With hits such as Somebody to Love and White Rabbit, Jefferson Airplane wrote anthems for the hippie movement and the memorable Summer of Love in which young people took over the US city in 1967.
Jimmy Bain
Jimmy Bain died on January 24 aged 68. The Scottish bass guitarist rose to prominence in the Seventies when he played with British rock band Rainbow. He went on to play with Dio, an American heavy metal band led by Ronnie James Dio after he left Black Sabbath. Bain also had stints playing with Thin Lizzy and appeared on Gary Moore’s 1983 album Dirty Fingers.
Glenn Frey
The Eagles’ songwriter, guitarist and founding member passed away at the age of 67 on Monday, January 18, 2016. “Glenn fought a courageous battle for the past several weeks but, sadly, succumbed to complications from rheumatoid arthritis, acute ulcerative colitis and pneumonia,” a statement on the band’s website read.
Changes One Bowie
David Bowie
The iconic rocker and actor died peacefully at his home on January 10 following a secret 18-month battle with liver cancer. His wife, supermodel Iman, posted a telling quote to Instagram just days before the star’s shocking death: “Sometimes you will never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory.” Bowie left his fans with a parting gift just before his death — one last album, Blackstar. The trailblazer was 69 years old. He and Iman welcomed their daughter, Alexandria, in 2000.
Alan Rickman
Alan Rickman
Say it ain’t so, Severus! The revered British actor died on January 14 after privately battling cancer. He was 69. Though Rickman was perhaps best known for his role as the seemingly villainous Professor Snape in the Harry Potter franchise, the award-winning actor had a storied career that included Hans Gruber in 1988’s Die Hard and roles in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and made-for-TV movie Rasputin. He completed voice work for Alice Through the Looking Glass, the sequel to 2010’s Alice in Wonderland, as the Blue Caterpillar. He is survived by his love of more than 50 years.
Celine Dion hand signed promo photo
René Angélil
Celine Dion’s husband and lifelong manager lost his battle to throat cancer on January 14. He was 73. The musician and manager was at his home in Las Vegas at the time of death, and friends and fans quickly jumped to social media to mourn the industry’s loss. Dion and Angélil married in an elaborate wedding at the Notre Dame Basilica in Montreal, Canada, in 1994, and shared three children together — René-Charles, 14, and twin boys, Nelson and Eddy, 5.
Natalie Cole
Natalie Cole
Music lost a legend when Natalie Cole died on New Year’s Eve 2015 due to heart failure caused by lung disease. She was 65. A rep for the Grammy-winning singer told Us in a statement that “Natalie fought a fierce, courageous battle, dying how she lived … with dignity, strength and honor.” The “Unforgettable” crooner was the daughter of the late and great Nat King Cole and had a storied music career that was only interrupted briefly in the early ‘80s due to her battle with drug addiction, which she detailed in her 2000 memoir Angel on My Shoulder. She is survived by her son, Robert Adam Yancy, and her sisters, Timolin and Casey Cole.
Craig Strickland
Craig Strickland
Country singer Craig Strickland, of the band Backroad Anthem, was discovered dead in an area just north of Tulsa, Oklahoma, on January 4, one week after he was first reported missing after embarking on a duck hunting expedition with pal Chase Morland. He was 29. Strickland’s grieving wife, former Miss Arkansas Helen Strickland, posted frequently on social media following his disappearance, asking for fans’ prayers that he would be found.
Lemmy Kilmister
Lemmy Kilmister
The Motörhead frontman was diagnosed with an extremely aggressive form of cancer on December 26 and died suddenly just two days later at home with his family. He was 70. His band encouraged fans to celebrate Kilmister’s life the way he would have wanted in a passionate message on Facebook: “We cannot begin to express our shock and sadness, there aren’t words. We will say more in the coming days, but for now, please … play Motörhead loud, play Hawkwind loud, play Lemmy’s music LOUD. Have a drink or few. Share stories. Celebrate the LIFE this lovely, wonderful man celebrated so vibrantly himself. HE WOULD WANT EXACTLY THAT.”
Dale Griffin
Dale Griffin
Drummer and co-founder for Mott the Hoople, died at 67 on Jan. 17 after a decade-long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.