Music Obituaries: March 2025

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Every month that goes by takes with it a number of people from all walks of life. Since music is my primary interest, I devote a moment every month to salute those from that world who passed away in the preceding month. Very few have big name coverage like Michael Jackson or Whitney Houston received, but that doesn’t make their music any less special. Here are the individuals related to music who took their final bows in March 2025: Joey Molland (March 1, complications of diabetes, age 77): singer, songwriter, and guitarist in Badfinger. He was also the last surviving member of the band. Angie Stone (March 1, car wreck, age 63): R&B singer and songwriter. She was killed in a wreck while on tour. Randy Brown (March 3, unknown cause, age 72): R&B singer who was part of the band the Newcomers in the 70s and later scored solo hits like “I’d Rather Hurt Myself” and “We Ought to Be Doin’ It.” Carl Dean (March 3, unknown cause, age 82): quiet, successful Nashville businessman who just happened to also be known as “Mr. Dolly Parton.” He and Dolly were married for 58 years. Roy Ayers (March 4, long illness, age 84): jazz/soul musician and songwriter best known for his 1970s hit “Everybody Loves the Sunshine.” Brian James (March 6, unknown cause, age 70): guitarist and co-founder of the seminal punk band The Damned. He also later joined The Lords of the New Church. *Troy Seals (March 6, natural causes, age 86): NASHVILLE SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAMER. Legendary country music songwriter whose songs were recorded by the likes of George Jones, Charlie Rich, Elvis, and Ronnie Milsap. His “Seven Spanish Angels” was one of his numerous crossover hits. D’Wayne Wiggins (March 7, bladder cancer, age 64): songwriter and member of the R&B band Tony! Toni! Toné! Beau Dozier (March 8, unknown cause, age 45): the son of the legendary songwriter Lamont Dozier was a songwriter, producer, and American Idol music consultant. Stedman Pearson (March 10, complications from diabetes, age 60): one of the siblings who comprised the British award-winning pop group Five Star. *Bob Rivers (March 11, esophageal cancer, age 68): RADIO HALL OF FAMER. Rock and roll DJ with a long list of parodies known as “Twisted Radio.” Ann Sexton (March 13, unknown cause, age 78): not the poet (who died in 1974), but an R&B singer from the 70s best remembered for “You’re Gonna Miss Me” from 1973. Jesse Colin Young (né Perry Miller) (March 16, unknown cause, age 83): folk-rock singer best remembered for his 60s anthem with the Youngbloods, “Get Together.” Bob Harvey (March 18,natural causes, age 90): the original bassist in the band Jefferson Airplane. He was replaced by bassist Jack Cassidy before the band gained any success. *Eddie Adcock (March 20, illness, age 86): BLUEGRASS HALL OF FAMER. Member of the legendary Hall of Fame band The Country Gentleman as well as a performer for decades on his own and with other groups. Larry Tamblyn (March 21, myelodysplastic syndrome, age 82): keyboardist and singer for the 60s band the Standells, best known for the ode to Boston’s polluted rivers, “Dirty Water.” Andy Peebles (March 22, unknown cause, age 76): BBC1 disc jockey, longtime host of Top of the Pops, and one of the last music journalists to interview John Lennon before his death. Kevan Staples (March 23, unknown cause, age 74): member of the Canadian alt-rock band Rough Trade and writer of the band’s best-known song, “High School Confidential.” Huey Williams (March 24, unknown cause, age 86): member of the Grammy-winning gospel group the Jackson Southernaires. Terry Manning (March 25, fall, age 77): recording engineer who worked in the studio on albums like ZZ Top’s Eliminator and Led Zeppelin III. Richard Chamberlain (March 29, stroke, age 90): legendary actor in Dr. Kildare and The Thorn Birds who also had a recording career. One of his biggest hits was the theme to his TV show, “Three Stars Will Shine Tonight.” Dick Damron (March 29, unknown cause, age 91): Canadian country music singer with five Canadian #1 hits, including “Susan Flowers” and “Countryfied.” Tracy Schwarz (March 29, natural causes, age 86): final surviving member of the folk band the New Lost City Ramblers. Farewell, and thank you for the music. The late Bob Rivers (left in the screen grab) and his parody of David Lee Roth, “Just a Big Ego”: