In Memoriam - Page 2

Chuck Jacobs, who played bass for Kenny Rogers from 1979 through his final 2017 show, has died at 76 after a career spanning jazz, soul, and country.

We pause to remember the legendary bassists and innovators who passed away in 2025, and the enduring mark they left on music.

Tetsu Yamauchi, bassist for Free and The Faces, has died at 79. His family shared the news as fans remember his era-defining work in both bands.

Phil Upchurch, the guitarist and bassist heard with Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, and George Benson, has died at 84. We reflect on his remarkable legacy.

Gary “Mani” Mounfield, bassist for The Stone Roses and Primal Scream, has died at 63. A defining player of the Madchester scene, he leaves a lasting legacy.

Jazz bassist and composer Ray Drummond has died at 78. A prolific sideman and bandleader, he left an enduring mark on modern jazz.

Scott Sorry, bassist for The Wildhearts and Brides of Destruction, has died at 47 after a long battle with brain cancer.

Anthony Jackson pushed the boundaries of the electric bass and anchored iconic recordings across genres. We remember his unmatched voice in low-end.

The Moody Blues bassist John Lodge has died at 82. A Rock Hall inductee, Lodge helped define progressive rock with his songs and bass lines.

Innovative luthier Ken Parker, creator of Parker Guitars and the iconic Fly design, has died at 73 after battling a rare form of cancer.

Influential double bassist Danny Thompson, co-founder of Pentangle and collaborator with Kate Bush, John Martyn, and Nick Drake, has died at 86.

Electronics pioneer George Mundy, who helped create Phil Lesh’s legendary “Mission Control” bass, has died at 79, leaving a lasting musical legacy.