Musicians We've Lost to the Coronavirus

Tommy DeVito, a founding member of the legendary 1960s Four Seasons band, died from the coronavirus at the age of 92 on Sept. 21.

The Grammy-nominated composer, Pursell died on Sept. 5 at age 94 after a battle with COVID-19 and pneumonia, his daughter said. Pursell was famous for composing "Our Winter Love."

Trini Lopez died of COVID-19 complications at a hospital in Palm Springs on Aug. 11. The "If I Had a Hammer" singer -- who also had a role in The Dirty Dozen -- was 83 years old.

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."

Broadway star Nick Cordero died on July 5, after a long battle with Covid-19 at the age of 41. Cordero, who starred in musicals such as Waitress, A Bronx Tale, and Bullets Over Broadway, is survived by his wife Amanda Kloots and his one-year-old son Elvis.

Fred the Godson, a rising rapper, 35, died three weeks after revealing that he had been hospitalized with COVID-19. A member of the 2011 XXL Freshman class -- along with Kendrick Lamar, Meek Mill and others -- Fred the Godson was recognized for his exemplary wordplay and smooth delivery.

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."

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.

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.

The New Orleans DJ, born Oliver Stokes Jr., died at age 44 on March 19 after contracting the coronavirus. Stokes brought bounce music to the radio, and also DJed around the New Orleans region.


SOURCE: Billboard