(January 3, 2026) – Some years leave a deeper echo than others—and 2025 was one of them. Over twelve months, the music world said goodbye to artists whose voices once dominated radios, vinyl grooves, concert halls, churches, and car speakers.
These weren’t just performers; they were cultural touchstones whose work shaped eras, genres, and personal soundtracks. This tribute compilation gathers DJROBBLOG’s musical eulogies to the artists we lost in 2025, not as a somber roll call, but as a living archive—each piece a reflection on legacy, influence, and why their music continues to resonate long after the final note faded.
Every one of the below artists touched me in some personal way. Which of these artists’ passings hit you the hardest—and why?
Was it a song, an album, a live performance, or a moment in your life their music will always be tied to?
January:
Sam Moore (Sam & Dave)
February:
March:
R&B Hitmakers – A Season of Loss
D’Wayne Wiggins (Tony! Toni! Tone!)
May:
Thom Bell (late tribute from R&R Hall of Fame entry)
June:
Brian Wilson (Beach Boys)
Walter Scott (The Whispers)
Music Jeopardy tribute to lost legends
July:
October:
Ace Frehley (KISS):
Dave Ball (Soft Cell)
November:
Jellybean Johnson (The Time)
December:
Taken together, these tributes tell a larger story: music doesn’t end when life does. Revisiting these moments of remembrance isn’t about loss alone; it’s about gratitude, context, and continuity. As long as we keep listening, revisiting, and passing these songs forward, these artists remain exactly where they belong—woven permanently into the soundtrack of our lives.
May they all continue to rest in soulful peace.
DJRob
DJRob (he/him) is a freelance music blogger from the East Coast who covers R&B, hip-hop, disco, pop, rock and country genres – plus lots of music news and current stuff! You can follow him on Bluesky at @djrobblog.bsky.social, X (formerly Twitter) at @djrobblog, on Facebook or on Meta’s Threads.
You can also register for free by selecting the menu bars above to receive notifications of future articles.