31 Musicians That Died In 2023

Andy Rourke

1964 – 2023

English musician Andy Rourke is best known as the bassist of The Smiths, an 80s indie rock band. After the band broke up in 1987, Rourke went on to work with Morrissey and recorded with The Pretenders and Sinéad O’Connor. Later in his career, he would work with the likes of Freebass and D.A.R.K.

Rourke died of pancreatic cancer on May 19, 2023.

The Smiths’ hits include “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out,” “How Soon Is Now?,” “Back to the Old House,” “Bigmouth Strikes Again,” and “The Charming Man.”

Algy Ward

1959 – 2023

English punk rocker, heavy metal bassist, and singer Algy Ward was a part of the Australian rock band The Saints. He would later join The Damned and founded Tank, part of the new wave of British Heavy Metal in 1980.

The three distinct periods of his career all have high points, but he will probably be remembered best for The Saint’s second record, Eternally Yours, even though it was kind of panned upon its release.

Jordan Blake

1986 – 2023

Jordan Blake was the first vocalist for the post-hardcore outfit A Skylit Drive. Blake fronted the band between 2005 and 2007 and joined the original members in January 2022 for an anniversary celebration.

Blake’s life was unfortunately cut short, and the cause of death has yet to be announced.

Tim Bachman

1951 – 2023

Canadian guitarist and vocalist Tim Bachman will be remembered best for his work with Canadian rock bands Bachman-Turner Overdrive and Brave Belt.

All of Bachman-Turner Overdrive’s catalog is worth a listen, though if you have yet to hear “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet,” “Roll On Down the Highway,” and “Takin’ Care of Business,” start there.

Mark Stewart

1960 – 2023

English singer Mark Stewart was one of the founding members of The Pop Group, and he’s considered a pioneer of industrial music and post-punk.

If you need to brush up on your Pop Group, then check out “Mad Truth,” “Where There’s a Will,” and “Justice.”

Mark Sheehan

1976 – 2023

Irish musician, singer, composer, and producer Mark Sheehan was a member of the boy band Mytown. In 2001, he would switch gears and co-founded the alt-rock band The Script.

Not much has been announced regarding Sheehan’s death, which was due to an illness that has yet to be disclosed.

Ian Bairnson

1953 – 2023

Scottish musician and multi-instrumentalist Ian Bairnson will always be remembered as one of the key members of The Alan Parsons Project. Bairnson was also a member of Pilot, and he lent his guitar-playing talent to Kate Bush for four albums too.

Bairnson may be known best as a guitarist, but he also played keyboards and the saxophone.

John Regan

1951 – 2023

Musician, songwriter, producer, and bassist John Regan was a member of Ace Frehley’s Frehley’s Comet from 1984 to 1990. His longest stint, however, was with Peter Frampton from 1979 to 2011.

Regan also recorded with the likes of The Rolling Stones, Robin Trower, Billy Idol, David Lee Roth, and David Bowie, among others.

Paul Cattermole

1977 – 2023

“S Club… gonna show you how…”

If the untimely death of S Club 7’s Paul Cattermole doesn’t make you a little teary-eyed, we’re not sure what will.

Sure, some said S Club 7 was little more than a “Spice Girls clone,” but those who remember them usually remember them fondly.

It might be time for a little S Club binge, so why not go with “Never Had a Dream Come True,” “Reach,” “Have You Ever,” “Don’t Stop Movin’,” and “Natural.”

Vivian Trimble

1963 – 2023

American musician Vivian Trimble was the keyboardist of Luscious Jackson. She would also participate in a couple of side projects – Kostars and Dusty Trails. Trimble, unfortunately, passed of cancer on April 4, 2023.