31 Musicians That Died In 2023

Wayne Swinny

1963 – 2023

Wayne Swinny was one of the founders and guitarists of the Memphis rock band Saliva (with heavy nu-metal influences and shades of Korn), and the last of the original members to pass on.

Swinny died of a brain hemorrhage on March 22, 2023, at the age of 59.

Bobby Caldwell

1951 – 2023

American singer, songwriter, and musician Bobby Caldwell had a prolific career as a solo artist and became well-known for his versatile, soulful vocal style. Over the course of his career, he would sing everything from R&B and smooth jazz to standards and much more.

As a songwriter, Caldwell ended up writing hits for the likes of Peter Cetera and Amy Grant.

Caldwell’s tracks have been sampled by countless R&B and hip-hop artists, which will likely continue to keep him in mainstream consciousness posthumously.

Caldwell died on March 14, 2023.

Jim Gordon

1945 – 2023

American musician and songwriter Jim Gordon kept busy as a session drummer during the 60s and 70s and will be remembered best as the drummer for the supergroup Derek and the Dominos.

Gordon’s life wasn’t exactly trouble-free. Due to an episode related to undiagnosed schizophrenia, Gordon ended up murdering his mother, becoming a convicted murderer. Gordon’s life would end in prison on March 13, 2023.

Jim Durkin

1965 – 2023