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Musicians often share a piece of themselves in their music and in doing so, many audiences feel a special closeness towards them. And so, it can be very heartfelt for music fans when their favourite artist passes away.
While their music will live on and enrich new generations to come, and though there are more artist deaths than listed below, we look back on some of the music legends lost in 2022.
May their sounds continue to bring a connection to all who listen to them for many decades to come.
Jerry Lee Lewis, left, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash in 1956.
Australian singer, Archie Roach
8 January 1956 - 30 July 2022
Archie Roach. Picture: Steve Pohlner/AAP
Archibald Roach was an ARIA Award winning Australian singer, songwriter and Aboriginal activist who was often referred to as "Uncle Archie". One of many Indigenous Australian children of the Stolen Generations, and a Gunditjmara and Bundjalung elder, Roach campaigned for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights and wrote a memoir in 2019 with an accompanying album called Tell Me Why. His work in youth detention centres continue to affect all those who knew him.
American singer-songwriter, Christine McVie
12 July 1943 - 30 November 2022
Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie dies at age 79
Christine McVie was the vocalist and keyboardist of British-American rock band, Fleetwood Mac and solo artist who also released three solo albums. Fondly remembered for her heartwarming lyrics and incredible music brilliance, she was the talent behind some of Fleetwood Mac's biggest hits - Don't Stop, Everywhere and Little Lies. Christine McVie passed away peacefully in hospital following a short illness, she was 79. Read Christine McVie's full tribute here.
American rapper, Coolio
1 August 1963 - 28 September 2022
Coolio made world headlines with his hit songs from the 1990s.
One of the first rappers to balance pop with gritty, street level rap, Coolio's music was popular with young and old. His biggest hit was the Grammy-winning song Gangsta's Paradise. Coolio teamed up with many artists in his career like gospel-trained singer LV as well as Mariah Carey, Boyz II Men and Kenny Rogers. Coolio passed away in LA aged 59.
Australian musician and talent manager, Glenn Wheatley
23 January 1948 - 1 February 2022
Music legend Glenn Wheatley dies at 74 from COVID-19 complications
Glenn Wheatley was a popular Australian musician and talent manager who earned a place in the ARIA Hall of Fame with The Masters Apprentices where he was bass guitarist. He went on to become a music entrepreneur and manager with the likes of John Farnham and Little River Band. Wheatley passed away from COVID-19 complications, aged 74.
American singer and pianist, Jerry Lee Lewis
29 September 1935 - 28 October 2022
Jerry Lee Lewis at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995.
Remembered for his energetic performances, colourful personality and erratic behaviour, Jerry Lee Lewis was a legendary rock music pioneer. His most notable songs were "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," "Great Balls of Fire" and "Breathless". Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, he is subject to numerous biographies, documentaries and Hollywood films. Jerry Lee Lewis passed away from a minor stroke in Memphis, aged 87.
International music legend, Judith Durham
3 July 1943 - 5 August 2022
A State Memorial Service is being held to honour and celebrate the life of Judith Durham. Picture : Nicki Connolly
Best known as the lead soprano singer of The Seekers, Durham was an incredibly talented and successful musician who was named Victorian of the Year in 2015, for her services to music and a range of charities. Judith Durham passed away peacefully in her sleep aged 79 from complications associated with a long-standing chronic lung disease.
American country singer-songwriter, Loretta Lynn
14 April 1932 - 4 October 2022
American country music legend Loretta Lynn.
In her incredible 60 year plus career, Lynn had 51 Top-10 hits and sold 45 million albums worldwide. She also earned dozens of awards including four Grammy awards and her name placed in the Country Music Hall of Fame. Loretta Lynn passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 90.
NZ, Australian singer-songwriter, Margaret Urlich
24 January 1965 - 22 August 2022
Singer Margaret Urlich whose hits include Escaping and Number One. Pic: Supplied
One of New Zealand's most successful artists, Margaret Urlich rose to prominence in the 1990s following her move to Sydney and her standout performance with Daryl Braithwaite, The Horses. Ulrich's debut solo album, Safety in Numbers, won her a 1991 Aria Award for breakthrough artist - album. Her follow up album Chameleon Dreams was also a big success. Margaret Urlich passed away at the age of 57 after a two and a half year journey with cancer.
American rock singer and actor, Meat Loaf
27 September 1947 - 20 January 2022
Meatloaf performing in Perth.
Born, Marvin Lee Aday, Meat Loaf is best remembered for his powerful singing voice and live theatrical shows. One of the best selling music artists of all time, selling more than 100 million records worldwide, his biggest hits were "Bat Out of Hell", "I'd Do Anything for Love" and his stage performance on "The Rocky Horror Show". Meat Loaf passed away in January aged 74.
Australian singing icon, Olivia Newton-John
26 September 1948 - 8 August 2022
Olivia Newton-John to be honoured at a state service in Melbourne
Dame Olivia Newton-John was a British-Australian singer, actress and activist and four-time Grammy Award winner. Fans first fell in love with Newton-John's natural beauty and down to earth charm in her on screen-performance with John Travolta in the hit musical film Grease. Her iconic music career included five number-one songs and many other top-ten hits. Olivia Newton-John died following her long journey with breast cancer. She was 73.
American singer, Ronnie Spector
10 August 1943 to 12 January 2022
Ronnie Spector, lead singer of the Ronettes
Lead singer of the Ronettes and girl-group icon, Ronnie Spector was a premier act of the 60s era. Her big hits were "Be My Baby", "Baby I Love You" and "Walking in the Rain". She passed away after a brief battle with cancer, aged 78.
American musician, Taylor Hawkins
17 February 1972 - 25 March 2022
The talented drummer of the band Foo Fighters, Hawkins recorded eight studio albums with the band between 1999 and 2021. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021, he was also voted "Best Rock Drummer" in 2005 by British drumming magazine Rhythm. Oliver Taylor Hawkins passed away in March, aged 50.
By Kirsten Jakubenko
Sources:
- https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/celebrity-deaths/margaret-urlichs-cause-of-death-at-age-57-revealed-by-her-family/news-story/7d27ccd8206ccc718afb18b85f9f2a35
- https://www.countryliving.com/life/entertainment/g3088/things-you-didnt-know-about-loretta-lynn/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judith_Durham
- https://apnews.com/article/ronnie-spector-dead-84c905db02a01ffa43a6052c3ce66920
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_Hawkins
- https://open.spotify.com/artist/3y24n3XhZ96wgwRXjvS17T
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Wheatley
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meat_Loaf https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archie_Roach
- https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jerry-Lee-Lewis
Fleetwood Mac pictured in 1980. (from left) John McVie, Christine McVie, Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood and Lindsay Buckingham. Picture: Supplied
