Acclaimed bluegrass banjo player and vocalist Ralph Stanley, “Dr. Ralph,” passed away at his home in the mountains of southwestern Virginia. Ralph Edmund Stanley…
Bluegrass Maestro Ralph Stanley Dies at 89
Category: Obituaries
Celebrated Qawwali Singer Amjad Sabri Assassinated in Pakistan
News reports from Pakistan indicate that renowned Qawwali musician Amjad Sabri, one of Pakistan’s most well-known Sufi musicians, was shot and killed on Wednesday, June…
Celebrated Salsa Composer and Pianist José Lugo Dies of Cancer
Acclaimed Puerto Rican composer, arranger and pianist José Lugo passed away June 12. In a joint press release Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy…
Tejano Music Singer Emilio Navaira III Dies at 53
Tejano and country music singer-songwriter and musician Emilio Navaira III passed away May 16, 2016 in New Braunfels, Texas. Emilio was also one of the…
Country and folk musician and songwriter Guy Clark Dies at 74
American country and folk music singer-songwriter and musician Guy Clark passed away May 17, 2016 in Austin, Texas. Guy Clark was born November 6, 1941…
Former Canyon Records Recording Engineer Jack Miller Dies
Canyon Records announced that recording engineer Jack Miller has passed away. Mr. Miller was a well-known sound engineer in Arizona, who recorded numerous American Indian…
Congolese Music Star Papa Wemba Dies at 66
Popular Congolese singer Papa Wemba died April 24, 2016 after collapsing on stage during a performance in Ivory Coast. Papa Wemba was born Shungu Wembadio…
Influential Salsa Vocalist and Composer Ismael Quintana Dies at 78
Puerto Rican salsa singer and composer Ismael Quintana passed away on April 16, 2016 in Colorado. Ismael Quintana was the lead singer of Eddie Palmieri’s…
Country Music Star Merle Haggard Dies at 79
Acclaimed country music singer-songwriter, guitarist and fiddler Merle Haggard passed away April 6, 2016. The Recording Academy’s CEO, Neil Portnow, released the following statement: “Two-time…
Influential Brazilian Percussionist Nana Vasconcelos Dies at 71
Admired Brazilian percussionist Nana Vasconcelos passed away on March 9, 2016. Juvenal de Holanda Vasconcelos, better known as Nana Vasconcelos, was born in Recife. He…