Bo Diddley, 79

Singer/Guitarist

Legendary inventive singer and guitarist, Bo Diddley, died June 2 in Archer, Fla. He was 79 years old. He is regarded as one of the founders of rock ’n’ roll, and his signature beat, the three strokes/rest/two strokes technique, was frequently used in some of the most beloved rock ’n’ roll songs of all time. Aside from his impressive rhythm creations, Bo Diddley was known for his booming voice and energetic live performances. Though he has faded into the background in recent years, he has influenced a large variety of musicians, from the Rolling Stones and The Beatles to The Clash. Bo Diddley’s contributions to rock ’n’ roll have helped to shape the sound of music both then and now.

Hugh Jarrett, 78

Singer/DJ

Hugh Jarrett, a member of Elvis Presley’s back up vocal band The Jordanaires, died on May 31 due to injuries he sustained in a March car accident. Jarrett was 78 years old. The Jordanaires provided The King with a rich vocal backdrop while on tour and on hits like “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Teddy Bear” and “Jailhouse Rock.” Jarrett was not only a singer but also a DJ and was inducted into the Country Music Hall Of Fame,

Gospel Music Hall Of Fame and Georgia Music Hall Of Fame.

Alton Kelly, 67

Concert Poster/Album Cover Artist

Alton Kelly, an artist who created iconoclastic images for bands like The Beatles, Grateful Dead, and Jimi Hendrix, died on June 1 at the age of 67. Kelly and his partner Stanley Mouse combined the vibrant color schemes of the late 1960s with the aesthetics of older artistic movements to create their signature style, now recognized as a visual representation of the original hippie movement. Best known for their psychedelic concert posters that advertised the most important performances of the day, Mouse and Kelly also created countless album covers and band graphics including the Grateful Dead’s classic “skeleton and roses” logo.

Esbjörn Svensson, 44

Contemporary Jazz Pianist/Composer

Popular Swedish jazz pianist Esbjörn Svensson died June 14 in a scuba diving accident. He was 44 years old. Svensson was the leader of the Esbjorn Svensson Trio (E.S.T.), a jazz group that had gained considerable fame in Europe by blending jazz with elements of pop, funk, and hip-hop. Though they had not yet gained notoriety in America, the trio had been scheduled to play the J.V.C. festival in New York, which took place one week after Svensson’s death.

Earle Hagen, 88

TV Music Composer

Earle Hagen, the man behind the infectious “The Andy Griffith Show” theme song, died on May 26. He was 88 years old. Hagen composed many other scores for television, including “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and “I Spy,” for which he received an Emmy award. Hagen also worked at 20th Century Fox as an arranger and orchestrator, working on films such as Monkey Business, Call Me Madam and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

Jerry Cole, 68

Guitarist/Songwriter

Jerry Cole, a guitarist and songwriter best known for his surf music, died May 28 at the age of 68. In addition to releasing four of his own albums with his group, The Spacemen, Cole was a member of Phil Spector’s team of studio musicians who played on many of the famous producer’s hits in the 1960s. Cole also played on The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds and The Byrds’ single “Mr. Tambourine Man.” Cole led the pit bands for 1960s rock ‘n’ roll shows like “Shindig” and “Hullabaloo.” He was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame in 2004.

Jimmy McGriff, 72

Blues Organist

Jimmy McGriff, noted blues organist, died on May 24 in a New Jersey nursing home at the age of 72. McGriff’s fame began with the discovery of his instrumental arrangement of Ray Charles’ “I’ve Got A Woman.” He was playing the song in a club in 1962 when a talent scout came upon him and offered him a record deal. This deal led to a hit record and eventually to his contract with Sue Records.

Camu Tao (Tero Smith), 30

Hip-Hop Artist/Producer

Tero Smith, commonly called “Camu Tao,” died Sunday, May 25 of lung cancer. He was 30 years old. Born in Columbus, Ohio, Camu was a member of The Weathermen, a “supergroup” of underground New York hip-hop artists and part of the Definitive Jux family. As well as being a performing rapper, he worked as a producer. Camu was also a part of The Nighthawks, S.A. Smash, MHz and Central Services.

U. Utah Phillips, 73

American Folk Singer/Political Activist

Bruce Duncan Philips, folk singer, songwriter and storyteller, died Friday, May 23 at the age of 73. A self-described anarchist, his live performances mixed storytelling with music, and he threw in political digs whenever he could. Over the years, he worked with Emmylou Harris, Tom Waits and Joan Baez, and was signed to Ani DiFranco’s label, Righteous Babe, in the 1990s. In 1999 Phillips collaborated with DiFranco on the album Fellow Workers, and the album earned a Grammy Award nomination the following year for Best Contemporary Folk Album.

Michelle Meldrum, 39

Guitarist

Michelle Meldrum, guitarist of the band Meldrum, died on May 21 as the result of a cystic growth on her brain. She was 39 years old. Meldrum had played in many bands over the years including the popular Phantom Blue on Geffen Records. After Phantom Blue disbanded, Meldrum foundered her own band, eventually featuring her long-time collaborator Gene Hoglan (Dark Angel, Death). The band did several successful tours with the likes of Danzing and Motorhead, and they were working on a new album at the time of her death. The remaining members have vowed to finish the record as tribute to her memory.