Gone, but not forgotten – those we’ve lost in 2021
RIP
We wish every artist on this list a peaceful rest, and thank them for their efforts.
January
Sophie Xeon aka. SOPHIE (1986-2021): Scottish electronic musician and DJ, known for pioneering the hyperpop / PC music sound.
Phil Asher (1966-2021): DJ / producer, and a prime mover in the West London/broken beat scene, centred on the infamous Co-Op club night.
February
Milford Graves (1941-2021): American jazz drummer and percussionist, known for his pioneering hand in free jazz by separating percussion from its time-keeping role.
March
Bunny Wailer (1947-2021): Jamaican singer and percussionist, best known for his membership of reggae group the Wailers alongside Bob Marley.
Lou Ottens (1926-2021): Dutch engineer and inventor, best known as the inventor of the cassette tape and his work on the invention of the CD.
May
Michael Baumann aka. Soulphiction / Jackmate (1972-2021): German house DJ and producer, known by his two aliases Soulphiction and Jackmate.
June
Peter Rehberg (1968-2021): Ambient electronic musician and founder of the influential labels Mego and Editions Mego.
Jon Hassell (1937-2021): American trumpet player and experimental musician, and coiner of the term ‘fourth world music’, which fused world ethnic music with modern electronica.
August
Charlie Watts (1941-2021): Rolling Stones drummer and jazz solo musician, who joined the legendary band in January 1963.
Paul Johnson (1971-2021): US house producer and DJ, born and raised in Chicago and best known for his 1999 hit ‘Get Get Down’.
Kelli Hand (1965-2021): DJ and producer, known as the ‘first lady of Detroit techno’, and frequent resident at legendary clubs like The Paradise Garage.
Lee “Scratch” Perry (1936-2021): Jamaican dub record producer and singer, known for his pioneering studio techniques and performances throughout his career with his house band, The Upsetters.
Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas (1951-2021): Saxophonist, flautist, percussionist and hypeman, and a founding member of American R&B/funk band Kool & The Gang.
Nanci Griffith (1953-2021): American country singer, guitarist and songwriter, known for her albums ‘Other Voices, Other Rooms’ and live tours with her band, the Blue Moon Orchestra.
September
Richard H. Kirk (1956-2021): Musician and creative leader of post-punk and industrial band Cabaret Voltaire. Later a pivotal figure in the development of Warp Records.
Dr. Lonnie Smith (1942-2021): American jazz organist, known for his distinctive playing style and membership of the George Benson quartet in the 1960s.
Sarah Harding (1981-2021): English singer, model and actress, and part of the dance-pop girl group Girls Aloud.
October
Dee Pop (1956-2021): Drummer and founding member of New York post-punk band Bush Tetras, known for their 1980 hit ‘Too Many Creeps’.
November
Virgil Abloh (1980-2011): American fashion designer, entrepreneur and DJ. Known for his artistic direction of Louis Vuitton’s menswear collection, and his influence on Chicago street fashion.
Ronnie Wilson (1948-2021): Singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and member of 1970s American R&B and funk band The Gap Band.
Andrew Barker (1968-2021) Bassist and keyboard player with Mancunian rave heroes 808 State.
December
Steve Bronski (1960-2021): Singer-songwriter, keys player, LGBTQ+ activist and founding member of the Glaswegian synthpop band Bronski Beat.
Mike Nesmith (1942-2021): American guitarist and member of the pop-rock band The Monkees.
DJ Scholar (Unknown-2021): Grime producer and DJ, and a founding member of influential grime crew Ruff Sqwad, along with Tinchy Stryder and Sir Spyro.
Greg Tate (1957-2021): Influential journalist and black cultural critic, famous for his work towards establishing hip-hop as a music genre worthy of academic criticism.
Alvin Lucier (1931-2021): American electro-acoustic sound artist and experimental musician, known for sound installations exploring the perception of sound.
Janice Long (1955-2021)- Pioneering radio presenter and DJ with Radio1 and Radio Wales.
Robbie Shakespeare (1953-2021): Esteemed bassist and one part of the Jamaican record production duo Sly & Robbie, often known as the ‘Riddim Twins’.