Category : Industry Passings
Industry Passings honoring radio, music, and media professionals whose contributions shaped the business, documenting their careers, leadership, and lasting impact on the industry.
M.C. Richardson, Kansas City Radio Host, Dies at 86
M.C. Richardson, Kansas City radio host and founder of United Minority Media Association, has died at 86. The KKFI host advocated for media diversity....
Industry Mourns Loss of Session Musician Jerry Kennedy
Jerry Kennedy, influential session guitarist who worked with Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, and Bob Dylan, has died at age 85. His guitar work shaped iconic...
Industry Bodies Push for EU Music Funding
European music industry organizations formally request increased funding through an open letter, addressing financial challenges and promoting cultural diversity in the evolving music landscape....
Remembering Jim Dr. Daddio Walker, a Radio Great
Jim 'Dr. Daddio' Walker, pioneering Black radio station owner of KDKO AM 1510, passed away January 27. A revolutionary who fought for Black-owned media representation...
Big B of The Boodah Brothers: Radio Legend Dies
Big B, radio personality and half of the influential Boodah Brothers morning show on 103 JAMZ, has died. He helped shape Hampton Roads hip-hop culture...
Country Radio Icon Doug James Passes Away at 71
Doug James, beloved K-105 country radio host who served the Mahoning Valley for nearly four decades, passed away January 8 at age 71. The longtime...
Nino Tempo, Influential Musician, Dies at 88
Nino Tempo, influential musician known for his 1963 hit 'Deep Purple' and collaborations with Ray Charles, has died at 88. His career bridged genres and...
Tributes Honor Jazz Musician Victor Fields After His Passing
Jazz musician Victor Fields passed away December 1, 2025. The Brooklyn-born singer released six albums and was called 'the man with the Golden Voice' by...
Michael Lippman, Music Manager, Dies at 79
Michael Lippman, influential music manager who guided careers of George Michael, David Bowie, and other legends, passed away at 79 on December 29, 2025....
Music Industry Icon Michael Lippman Passes Away at 79
Music industry legend Michael Lippman died at 79 on December 29, 2025. The renowned artist manager represented icons like George Michael and David Bowie....
Influential Music Manager Michael Lippman Dies at 79
Influential music manager Michael Lippman, who guided careers of David Bowie and George Michael, died at 79. Known for fierce advocacy and negotiation skills....
Gospel Legend Richard Smallwood Passes Away at Age 77
Gospel legend Richard Smallwood died December 30, 2025 at age 77. The composer of 'Total Praise' reshaped contemporary gospel music by blending classical structure with...
Michael Lippman, Bowie Manager, Dies at 79
Michael Lippman, influential music manager who guided David Bowie and George Michael's careers, died at 79 at his Santa Ynez home surrounded by family....
Roger Sovine, Influential Country Music Figure, Dies at 82
Roger Sovine, influential BMI executive who championed outlaw country artists like Willie Nelson and mainstream stars like Dolly Parton, died at 82 in Nashville....
Howie Klein, Influential Music Executive, Passes Away at 77
Influential music executive Howie Klein, former president of Sire and Reprise Records, passed away at 77 after battling pancreatic cancer. Klein shaped careers of Madonna,...
Remembering Maye James: Connected, Protected, Respected
Remembering Maye James, the unsung hero behind Black radio's golden era who worked at Scepter Records and alongside Frankie Crocker at WBLS, keeping the industry...
Bushwick Bill, Influential Hip-Hop Artist, Passes Away at 56
Bushwick Bill, influential Geto Boys rapper known for classic hit 'Mind Playing Tricks on Me,' passed away at 56. The hip-hop pioneer shaped Southern rap....
Industry Vet has Died
Music industry veteran Kevin E Ross has passed away after battling health challenges. The entertainment professional was known for his work in the music business....
Music World Mourns Reggae Pioneers Jimmy Cliff, Tim Williams
Reggae legend Jimmy Cliff passed away at 81 from seizure complications, while Canadian blues guitarist Tim Williams died at 77 after battling cancer....
Remembering Carol Ford: The Iconic New York City DJ (audio)
Legendary New York City radio DJ Carol Ford has passed away. Ford was a trailblazing broadcaster at WRKS 98.7 KISS FM and WNEW-FM during the...
Voletta Wallace, Notorious B.I.G.’s Mother, Dies at 78
Voletta Wallace, mother of hip-hop legend Notorious B.I.G., has died at age 78. The Jamaican immigrant turned her son's tragic death into a mission to...
Music Industry Mourns Loss of James Leach
James Leach, SESAC Vice President of Creative Operations, has passed away. Known for championing Black artists and building industry connections throughout his decades-long career....
Wanda Smith from V-103’s “Frank and Wanda” Show has Died
Comedian Wanda Smith from Atlanta's V-103 Frank and Wanda Morning Show has died after struggling with health issues. She hosted the popular radio show for...
Remembering Donda West: Kanye’s Inspirational Mother
Donda West was more than Kanye's mother - she was an educator, author, and cultural icon who shaped the rap superstar's career through unwavering support....
Remembering Fatman Scoop: A Legacy of Energy and Influence
Isaac Freeman III, known as Fatman Scoop, passed away August 31, 2024. The iconic rapper and hype man left behind a powerful legacy with hits...