Musicians We've Lost to Covid-19
Musicians We've Lost to the Coronavirus
Thanks to Billboard Magazine for publishing info on these and other musician losses.
Dave Greenfield
The Stranglers' keyboardist, 71, died May 3 due to complications from COVID-19, the band announced. Greenfield is credited for penning the English group's biggest hit, 1981's "Gold Brown."
Troy Sneed
The Grammy-nominated gospel singer, 52, died on April 27 due to complications from COVID-19. During his career, Sneed had seven records on the Top Gospel Albums chart, and also landed on the Hot Gospel Songs chart 13 times. He also appeared in the 1996 film The Preacher's Wife, which starred Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington.
John Prine
Americana legend and revered singer-songwriter John Prine died April 7 from complications of COVID-19. The two-time Grammy-winning artist was 73. Prine’s family revealed his diagnosis on March 29. In a message posted to social media, his family let fans know that he had been in the hospital for several days and that his situation was “critical.” His wife, Fiona, gave an update April 2, stating that he was still "very ill," yet she remained "hopeful."
Adam Schlesinger
The Fountains of Wayne member died on April 1 at age 52 from complications from the coronavirus. Schlesinger was a highly accomplished musician, with Grammy nominations for his work with the band, Oscar and Golden Globe nods for the music he wrote for That Thing You Do!, Tony nominations for Cry-Baby, an Emmy win for Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, and more.
Joe Diffie
The country artist died March 29 at age 61, two days after he shared his diagnosis. During his career, Diffie was known for hits such as "Bigger Than The Beatles," "Third Rock From the Sun," "Home," and many more. The artist, who had a Grammy and CMA Award under his belt, also wrote hits for country artists including Tim McGraw and Conway Twitty.
Matthew Seligman
Matthew Seligman, best known as the bass player for The Soft Boys, died April 17 due to complications of the coronavirus. Former Soft Boys frontman Robyn Hitchcock confirmed the news of Seligman's death in a heartfelt Facebook post. "I’m writing this as Matthew Seligman slips out of this life and into wherever souls go next," wrote Hitchcock, who met Seligman in 1976. "Everybody goes, but none of us were expecting Matthew to leave us so abruptly, forever." Seligman's friend and former bandmate Thomas Dolby shared on Facebook that Seligman "suffered a catastrophic haemorrhagic stroke" after being admitted to St George’s in London for COVID-19.
Lee Konitz
The 92-year-old jazz saxophonist died on April 15 from pneumonia related to COVID-19, his son told NPR. Over the course of his seven-decade career, Konitz played with Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, Stan Kenton, and many others. His 1989 solo album, Lee Konitz in Rio, peaked at No. 22 on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Albums chart.
Ellis Marsalis
The New Orleans jazz patriarch died on April 1 at age 85. He is survived by six sons, four of whom are musicians: Pulitzer and Grammy winner Wynton; Grammy winner Branford; trombonist and producer Delfeayo; percussionist Jason; photographer Ellis III; and Mboya. "Pneumonia was the actual thing that caused his demise," Ellis III told the Associated Press. "But it was pneumonia brought on by COVID-19."
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