Remembering Musicians Lost In 2015

With the year coming to a close and New Year’s Eve celebrations on the horizon, we wanted to first pause to take a look back at some of the influential and beloved musicians who passed away in 2015. While we couldn’t highlight every artist who was lost this year, below are videos of legendary and well-respected musicians demonstrating the artistry and skill that made them revered around the world.

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of these people whose memories will live on in the amazing bodies of music they left behind. As you can see in the videos being presented, these musicians were not only wildly talented but also loved by fans and fellow performers alike and their impact will be heard for generations to come.

Mike Porcaro May 29, 1955 – March 15, 2015

[Toto – Jake To The Bone]

Percy Sledge November 25, 1940 – April 14, 2015

[When A Man Loves A Woman]

Ben E. King September 28, 1938 – April 30, 2015

[Stand By Me (with Eric Clapton & Phil Collins)]

B.B. King September 16, 1925 – May 14, 2015

[Rock Me Baby (with Susan Tedeschi & Derek Trucks)]

Ornette Coleman March 9, 1930 – June 11, 2015

[Ornette Coleman Sextet – Free Jazz]

Chris Squire March 4, 1948 – June 27, 2015

[Yes – Roundabout]

Raul Rekow 1954 – November 2015

[Santana – Savor (solo at 10:26)]

Allen Toussaint January 14, 1938 – November 10, 2015

[With The Funky Meters – Ride Your Pony]

Cynthia Robinson January 12, 1944 – November 23, 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ptrc2cWRxU

[Sly & The Family Stone – Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)]

Scott Weiland October 27, 1967 – December 3, 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uzx26V4WDlA

[Stone Temple Pilots – Big Empty]