Remembering the legends of rock and metal we've lost in 2025 (so far)

Rock and roll has been around for more than seven decades, and the world has seen some of the most brilliant musicians and artists over time. But like all living beings, even the lives of legendary rock stars eventually come to an end. In 2025, the world had to say goodbye to some of the widely known names in the rock and metal music industry.

From legendary guitarists to powerful vocalists, many fans mourned the passing of some of their rock icons. These artists and musicians have impacted not only the music scene they were in, but the lives of countless many.

Keep reading to learn about some of the legends of rock and metal who passed away this year.

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Names of rock and metal artists who died in 2025 (so far)

Five months into 2025, the rock and metal community has already faced heartbreaking losses. These are some of the artists who passed away this year.

Aaron Rossi

Rossi was the former drummer of Ministry. He passed away on January 27, 2025, at just 44 years old due to a heart attack.

Al Barile

Barile was one of the founding guitarists for the hardcore band SS Decontrol (SSD). He was influential in helping the band grow its name. He passed away on April 6, after battling cancer at the age of 63.

Bob Rupe

Bob Rupe was known for his role as the bassist for Cracker. He passed away on March 3, when he was 68 years old.

A statement from his band said:

"Bob was the charismatic and talented bassist for Cracker from roughly 1994 to 1999. Along with the late Charlie Quintana, he formed the rhythm section that powered Cracker’s theatre and shed tours at the peak of the band's popularity."

Brian James

James was a part of two bands throughout his entire lifetime. He was the founding guitarist and songwriter for the English rock band, The Damned, and also a member of the American-English rock band, Lords of the New Church. Brian James passed away on March 6 at the age of 70.

Clem Burke

Clement Anthony Burke was known as Blondie's former drummer. He joined the band in 1975 and has stuck with them ever since, until the band split. Burke passed away at the age of 70 after a "private battle with cancer."

His bandmates said in a statement following his death:

"Clem was not just a drummer; he was the heartbeat of Blondie. His talent, energy, and passion for music were unmatched, and his contributions to our sound and success are immeasurable. Beyond his musicianship, Clem was a source of inspiration both on and off the stage. His vibrant spirit, infectious enthusiasm and rock solid work ethic touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing him,."

Coburn Pharr

Pharr was known for his vocals in the Annihilator album titled Never, Neverland. The former lead singer passed away on February 25 at 62 years old. The cause of death was not revealed by the family members.

Dave Allen

Dave Allen was one of the original members of Gang of Four, an English post-punk band. He was on the bass guitar. Allen passed away at the age of 68 on March 10, 2025.

David Johansen

Another rock legend who succumbed to cancer was David Johansen. He was initially a member of The New York Dolls, but after the band split, he started performing under the pseudonym "Buster Poindexter." The singer-songwriter died on February 28 due to cancer. He was 75 years old.

David Thomas

The frontman of Pere Ubu passed away on April 23, at 71 years old, after fighting a "long illness." He passed away while the band was in the middle of releasing their 20th studio album. Pere Ubu has confirmed that the album is still in the works and will be released when it is completed.

Fredrik Lindgren

Lindgren was one of the original guitarists for the metal band Unleashed. He passed away when he was 53 years old on January 5.

His band members broke the news on social media with a post saying:

"Fredrik was a huge part of the early history of the band. For this we are eternally grateful. See you in Valhalla brother! Johnny & The Boys".

Garth Hudson

The multi-talented Garth Hudson from The Band passed away on January 21 at the ripe age of 87. He was their keyboardist, organist, and saxophonist. Hudson was also a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Garth was battling a long illness before he passed away in his sleep.

James Baker

The founding member of the Hoodoo Gurus, an Australian rock band, passed away a few days ago on May 5 at 71 years old. His cause of death was not revealed.

Jamie Muir

Muir was a man of many pursuits, although he was mostly famous for his part as a percussionist with the English progressive rock band King Crimson. Muir spent most of his life going back and forth between his personal interests and music. At the end of his life, he left the music industry to become a painter. Jamie died at the age of 79 on February 17.

Jesse Colin Young

Before Jesse Colin Young went solo, he was the singer and songwriter for the American rock band, The Youngbloods. Young passed away at the age of 83 on March 16, 2025.

Jill Sobule

One of the most tragic deaths in 2025 was Jill Sobule's. The singer-songwriter died due to a house fire while she was staying at a friend's house in Minnesota. Sobule passed away recently on May 1 at 66 years old.

Joey Molland

When Molland joined Badfinger, they were initially known as The Iveys. However, after their split, Joey Molland moved on to create another band named Natural Gas. They only released one album. Molland died at the age of 77 on March 1, 2025.

John Sykes

According to an official statement, the former Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake guitarist passed away due to cancer. He was 65 years old when he died on January 20. The statement described Sykes as:

"He certainly marched to the beat of his own drum and always pulled for the underdog."

Les Binks

Binks joined Judas Priest in 1977 to support their tour for their Sin After Sin album. He was a part of the band when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Les Binks died at 77 years old on April 15, 2025.

Mike Peters

The longtime frontman for The Alarm passed away on April 29 at the age of 66. Peters has been an inspiration throughout his life. Although the lead singer has been battling numerous illnesses throughout his life, his contribution to the music scene was immense.

Not just that, he also founded the Love Strength Hope foundation in 2005. Additionally, the singer took a bunch of musicians and cancer survivors on a 14-day trek to the base camp of Mount Everest. This was done with the purpose of raising awareness for cancer research.

P. Fluid

Another tragic death on the list, P. Fluid, real name Peter Forrest, was the founding lead singer of 24-7 Spyz. He was found beaten to death in New York City on January 13. The artist was 64 years old at the time.

Ragne Wahlquist

Wahlquist founded Heavy Load, a Swedish heavy metal Viking band, with his brother and drummer, Strybjorn Wahlquist. The singer and guitarist passed away at the age of 69 on January 7, 2025.

Rick Buckler

Buckler was a drummer for the British rock band The Jam. He passed away on February 17 at 69 years old. The cause of death was not revealed.

Sal Maida

Sal joined American rock band Cracker in 2006 and lent a helping hand with their Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey album. He passed away on February 1 when he was 76 years old. He succumbed to complications due to a fall.

His bandmates posted a tribute for him that said:

"We had the pleasure of having Sal Maida as a bass player for many years. We made some of our best recordings when he was our bass player. But more than that he was incredible person with a huge heart. We will miss him".

Toby Myers

The John Mellencamp bassist passed away at 75 years old on January 16, 2025. His band paid a tribute to the musician via a note on their official website. It reads:

"Sadness has entered the Mellencamp band and John over the passing of a longtime member...Toby was a great contribution to the music, and the band. We will miss him as a friend, and a fellow musician."

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The last five months of 2025 have been hard on the fans and members of the rock and roll and metal music worlds. The musicians and artists on this list have contributed to the genre in immeasurable ways and will always be remembered for the mark they have made in the rock and metal world.