Copyright Mechanicsburg Patriot News
The R&B world has had its share of heartbreak in 2025. As the clock quickly winds down on this year, the following is a look back at the stars and influential members of the R&B community who have died this year. Check out the list below: Randy Brown Randy Brown joined sadly joined the long list of those who died on March 5. He was 72. Brown may not have enjoyed the commercial success that some of the other legendary R&B performers who have died this year did, but he was a popular singer in the 1970s and 1980s. SoulTracks.com reported Brown’s death and wrote that “for those who love their smooth, sensual, and stepped in Southern tradition, Randy Brown was a name worth knowing.” The site said Brown got started with the group The Newcomers but made his biggest mark as a solo act. The site said he began his solo career in 1978 and “quickly became a favorite among quiet storm enthusiasts.” SoulTracks noted that Brown had “slow-burning hits” such as “I’m Always in the Mood,” and “I Wanna Make Love To You.” It noted that he was known for his “rich, expressive tenor and heartfelt delivery.” Jerry Butler Jerry Butler, a legendary soul singer with the Impressions, died on Feb. 20. He was 85. He had reportedly been battling Parkinson’s disease. Butler, who was known as the “Iceman,” was a founding member of the Impressions and a baritone singer/songwriter, according to USA Today. The site said that Butler was known for such hits as “For Your Precious Love” and “Only The Strong Survive.” The Impressions were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991. Butler left the group in 1960 and had more than 55 Billboard Pop and R&B chart hits. He was inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in 2015. Following his singing career he served as a Commissioner for Cook County, Illinois from 1985-through 2018. D’Angelo Legendary R&B singer D’Angelo died on Oct. 14. He was 51. TMZ reported that the singer’s death came after a battle with pancreatic cancer. His death sent shockwaves through the music world. “I told you a long time ago,” singer Jill Scott wrote on X. “You ain’t gon understand everyting & everything ain’t meant 4 U, nor I, to understand. I never met D’Angelo but I love him, respect him, admire his gift. This loss HURTS!! Love to my family that are family to him. I’m so sorry. R.I.P. GENIUS.” “Such a sad loss to the passing of D’angelo,” DJ Premier wrote on X. “We have so many great times. Gonna miss you so much. Sleep Peacefully D. Love you KING.” “R.I.P. ICON D’Angelo,” Flavor Flav wrote. TMZ cited “sources connected to his family” as well as his former manager Kedar Massenberg in reporting his death. The outlet said he is survived by two sons and a daughter. Adding to their pain, fellow R&B legend Angie Stone, who died in a car crash this year, was the mother of his first son. The singer’s death comes just months after he pulled out of the Roots Picnic in Philadelphia at the last minute citing health issues. “It is with the deepest of regrets that (I) must cancel my performance at the Roots Picnic in Philadelphia next weekend,” the 51-year-old wrote on Instagram at the time. “But, due to an unforeseen medical delay regarding surgery (I) had earlier this year, (I’ve) been advised by my team of specialists that the performance this weekend could further complicate matters.” The Roots Picnic shared his post and wrote, “We’re sending love and keeping him in our thoughts as he continues to heal!” D’Angelo was a four-time Grammy winner. He rose to fame in the early in the mid-1990s with his hit “Brown Sugar.” His Grammy wins came for Best R&B album for “Voodoo” in 2001 and “Black Messiah” in 2016. He also won Best R&B Song in 2016 for “Really Love” and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for “Untitled (How Does It Feel).” TMZ noted that Raphael Saadiq said last year that the singer was working on a new album and that he seemed “super excited” about the project. John Edwards John Edwards, the former lead singer for the legendary R&B and soul group The Spinners, died on May 9. He was 80. Soultracks.com reported that Edwards had been “in poor health since a stroke forced his retirement from the group more than twenty years ago.” “We mourn the loss of John Edwards – who bore the weight of the world on his young shoulders when he joined The Spinners in the wake of Phillippe Wynne’s departure,” a post on The Spinners Facebook page read. “He proved more than capable of bearing the burden, ensuring that the excellence the fans came to associate with The Spinners would continue uninterrupted. ‘John Edwards is an integral part of The Spinners’ legacy and we will continue to celebrate his contributions to this mighty legacy.” Edwards was a Missouri native who found some success as a solo artist before joining The Spinners at 33. Soultracks noted when he joined the group he was replacing its most recognizable member, and he was a success at it for more than 20 years. Edwards was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with The Spinners in 2023. Roberta Flack Roberta Flack, a legendary singer and Grammy Award Lifetime Achievement Award winner, died on Feb. 24. She was 88. It was reported in November of 2022 that Flack was battling ALS and could no longer sing. She also reportedly suffered a stroke in 2016. Flack had a long list of hits, including No. 1 charting “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and “Killing Me Softly With His Song.” Gary Grier Gary Grier, a longtime member of the iconic R&B group The Contours, died in February. The group announced his passing in a post on social media. “Today, we lost one of our own,” the post on Facebook read. “We are profoundly saddened by the sudden death of Gary Grier. Gary has been a member of The Countours for over three decades. He was an integral part of our group, and he will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of Gary’s family and friends. SoulTracks.com called Grier “a seasoned performer with a commanding stage presence.” He joined The Countours in 1993, and the website said that he “played a vital role in preserving and rejuvenating the legacy of The Contours.” While Grier was a longtime member of the group, the Contours’ start stretches all the way back to the early 1960s when they had the breakout hit “Do You Love Me,” which hit No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold more than a million copies. Tommy Hunt Tommy Hunt, a Pittsburgh native, legendary soul singer and member of the iconic group The Flamingos, died on Feb. 12. He was 91. The Flamingos were known for their 1959 cover of the hit “I Only Have Eyes for You.” Their version of the song was ranked 158th on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. The Flamingos were also inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Doo-Wop Hall of Fame in 2001. Soultrack.com reported that Hunt “spent more than seven decades thrilling audiences on both sides of the Atlantic.” He was born in 1933 in Pittsburgh, but he and his mother moved to Chicago when he was 10. Hunt reportedly enlisted in the Air Force but went AWOL to be with his mother who was dying at the time. He subsequently served time in prison but returned to Chicago upon his release and got his music career off the ground. Hunt embarked on a solo career in 1961, and Soultracks.com said he became a regular at the Apollo Theater. Hunt also became a star in the United Kingdom during his career. Chris Jasper R&B legend Chris Jasper died on Feb. 24. He was 73. His family announced the news on his Facebook, noting that he was diagnosed in December with cancer. Jasper was a member of the legendary group The Isley Brothers and was credited by PEOPLE Magazine with helping shape some of the group’s biggest hits. Terry “Buzzy” Johnson Terry “Buzzy” Johnson, an R&B legend known for his time with the group The Flamingos, died on Oct. 8. He was 86. No cause of death has been reported. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame posted about Johnson’s death on X. “Doo-wop legends the Flamingos, including 2001 inductee Terry Johnson, took listeners higher with their sublime harmonies and impeccable arrangements,” the statement read. “With Johnson joining as tenor/lead vocalist, guitarist and arranger in 1958, The Flamingos crafted a sophisticated sound like no other vocal group. They stand as one of the most influential doo-wop groups of all time, and their rendition or the definitive ‘I Only Have Eyes for You’ remain an irresistible expression of yearning. “In the 1960s, Smokey Robinson recruited Johnson to join the staff at Motown, where he worked with such Hall of Famers as the Temptations, the Four Tops, and the Supremes.” Johnson was a native of Baltimore, and he went on to form The Whispers in 1954. The group recorded for Gotham Records out of Philadelphia. He is best known, though, for his work with the Hall of Fame Flamingos. Johnson joined the group in 1958, per Soultracks.com, and he is credited with arranging and co-producing the iconic hit song “I Only Have Eyes for You,” in 1959. The Flamingo’s cover of “I Only Have Eyes for You” ranked 158 on Rolling Stone’s list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” that was first published in 2004. The group split following its “hit-making years” per Soultracks, but Johnson owned the trademark for the name and toured with his version of The Flamingos well into the 21st century. Wayne Lewis Wayne Lewis, the singer for Atlantic Starr, died on June 5. “It’s with great sadness we have to post the passing for Wayne Lewis,” a statement on the band’s Facebook page read. “Please keep the family in your prayers and respect (their) privacy. #waynelewis #restinpeace #flyhigh Sunrise 4/13/1957 Sunset 6/5/2025 #restinpeaceWayne.” Soul Tracks called Lewis “legendary,” writing that he led “an all-time favorite act for nearly a half century.” Atlantic Starr was founded in White Plains, New York in 1976 and remained active until present day. Lewis was a founding member along with his brothers, David and Jonahtan. According to Soul Tracks, the band’s last major hit came back in 1992 with “Masterpiece,” but the band had hits throughout the 1970s and 1980s. The song “Secret Lovers” helped land the band a contract with Warner Brothers in 1987, according to Soul Tracks, and the band then hit with their first pop hit song, “Always.” The band’s post on Facebook Friday received more than 2,000 comments with fans sharing their heartbreak and sending prayers and well-wishes to the family. Gwen McCrae Gwen McCrae, the popular singer who rose to popularity in the mid-1970s, died on Feb. 21. She was 81. No cause of death was reported. Soultracks.com was the first to report McCrae’s passing. The Florida native was best known for her 1975 hit, “Rockin’ Chair,” but the site noted that she “recorded regularly for decades and amassed a loyal following in both the US and Europe for her dance-oriented material and her expressive vocals.” McCrae was credited with releasing 14 albums during her long career which stretched from 1969-through-2012. She reportedly suffered a stroke in 2012 that left her unable to walk. Niko McKnight Niko McKnight, the son of R&B legend Brian McKnight, died on May 30. He was 32. Billboard.com reported that McKnight had been in a “yearslong battle” with cancer. “Nikolas was a cherished husband, son, brother, grandson, uncle, and nephew whose warmth, laughter, and love touched the lives of all who knew him,” his mother, Julie McKnight, wrote on social media. “Nikolas was a self taught artist of music and photography. His passing is an immeasurable loss to his family and all those who held him dear.” Billboard reported that Claude McKnight, Niko’s uncle, also addressed his death on TikTok. Claude McKnight said that Niko had been “bravely battling cancer for the past two years or so.” “Niko was one of those amazing kids — quirky and curious and ridiculously talented,” Claude McKnight said. “Amazing singer, amazing guitar player. Had a great eye as a photographer. And one of those kids, at least in my estimation, that you always wanted to be around, and so it really sucks that he’s no longer with us.” Brian McKnight has yet to make a statement on his son’s passing. Billboard.com reported that the two had been estranged “for a number of years” after the singer called Niko and Brian Jr. “products of sin” on social media. Billboard reported that McKnight claimed last year that Julie, his ex-wife) “forced” him to stop contributing to Niko’s cancer treatments. Julie reportedly called that a false narrative, and Niko wrote on X, “When I was about to die in the hospital from complications from my cancer, I just wanted to bury the hatchet and hear him say he loves me and he told me he couldn’t arbitrarily tell me he loves me. “Still cuts so deep.” Sam Moore Legendary soul singer Sam Moore died on Jan. 10. He was 89. Moore reportedly died from complications while recovering from a surgery. Moore was best known as one-half of the R&B group Sam & Dave. His partner in that group, Dave Prater, died in 1988. Together, Sam & Dave had such hits as “Soul Man,” “Hold On, I’m Comin’,” “You Don’t Know Like I know,” “I Thank You,” “When Something Is Wrong with My Baby,” and “Wrap It Up.” “Soul Man” hit number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967 and won the duo a Grammy for Best R&B group performance. They were nominated for three more Grammy awards and received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. “It means more to me than anything in the world,” Moore said at the time. “It means my work — what I’ve done and what I’m going to do in the near future — is not in vain.” Although the duo had near unparalleled success, they had a tumultuous relationship that led them to a breakup in 1970. Bruce Springsteen was among those memorializing Moore. “Over on E Street, we are heartbroken to hear of the death of Sam Moore, one of America’s greatest soul voices,” he said on Instagram. “He was filled with stories of the halcyon days of soul music, and to the end had that edge of deep authenticity in his voice I could only wonder at.” Sam & Dave were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. Robbie Pardlo Robbie Pardlo, the lead singer for Grammy-nominated R&B group City High, has died. He was 46. A rep for the singer told TMZ that he died on Thursday, July 17 surrounded by family and friends in Willingboro, New Jersey. TMZ said that no cause of death has been determined. City High had a brief but brilliant run in the early 2000s with its hit single “What Would You Do?” getting plenty of airtime on MTV and BET in 2001. The song, which was produced by Wyclef Jean, made it to number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned the group a nomination for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group. The group’s 2001 self-titled studio album also did well, and produced another hit single, “Caramel” with rap star Eve. Walter C. Scott Jr. R&B icon Walter C. Scott Jr. died on June 26. He was 81. Billboard.com said that Scott Jr. had been battling cancer for six months before his death. The outlet noted his “buttery vocals” and said that combined with his twin, Wallace, he was a force behind the hitmaking group, The Whispers. Fans and friends took to social media to remember Scott Jr. “Very sad to hear of Walter Scott’s passing of legendary The Whispers,” Jody Watley wrote on X. “Condolences to Scotty, the family & loved ones. From my Shalamar days on Solar to recent shows — we always shared smiles & good vibes. A kind soul with an everlasting legacy. #RIPWalterScott.” “Walter and Wallace ‘Scott’ Scott have ALWAYS shown up to support whatever I’ve done for the community,” Tavis Smiley wrote on X. “Two of the best human beings I have ever known. Prolific artists, but even better men. Love you, Walter. RIP.” “R.I.P. Walter Scott,” MC Hammer wrote on X. “Thank you for the beautiful melodies and memories. Whispers 4 Live.” “RIP to the legendary Walter Scott of The Whispers — a voice that defined an era,” another person wrote on X. “As one half of the iconic twin vocal duo alongside his brother Wallace ‘Scott’ Scott, Walter helped shape the smooth, soulful sound that made The Whispers R&B royalty.” Billboard said that The Whispers are best known for a string of R&B hits produced in the 1980s. That included “And the Beat Goes On,” which the site said was the group’s first No. 1 dance anthem. They had another No. 1 hit with “Rock Steady,” and Billboard said the group wound up with 15 top 10 R&B hits and eight top 10 R&B albums. Angie Stone Grammy-nominated R&B singer Angie Stone was killed on March morning 1 a car crash. She was 63. Music producer Walter Millsap III told The Associated Press that at about 4 a.m. the cargo van that Stone was riding in back to Atlanta from Alabama “flipped over and was subsequently hit by a big rig.” The Associated Press saidthat everyone else in the vehicle survived. It said that Stone was slated to sing during the halftime show of Saturday’s Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association men’s championship basketball game. Her death sent shockwaves across the R&B community and with fans on social media. Stone was a native of Columbia, South Carolina where she began singing in the church. Her professional career began in 1979. The Associated Press saidthat Stone “found a sweet spot in the early 2000s” alongside the likes of Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Maxwell and D’Angelo during the rise of neo-soul. Michael Sumler Michael Sumler, a member of the legendary R&B group Kool & the Gang, died on May 25. He was 71. Fox 5 Atlanta reported that Sumler died in a car crash in Mableton, Georgia over Memorial Day weekend. The outlet said Sumler was driving his own car and collided with another car. He died on the scene. “We’re deeply saddened to hear about the passing of our longtime wardrobe valet, Mike Sumler,” the group said in a statement to People. “Mike worked alongside Kool & the Gang from 2004-2015, making sure the guys looked their best on stage every night. “He also enthused the crowd with his energy and dance moves,” the statement added. “Most recently, Mike helped Kool with LeKool champagne events. Everyone here at Kool & the Gang has fond memories of Mike and will miss him. May he rest in peace.” “This Memorial Day weekend the world lost a music legend,” Mableton Mayor Michale Owens said in a statement. “Michael Sumler, known as ‘Chicago Mike’ of Kool and the Gang died in a crash Sunday night on Veterans memorial Highway near Buckner Road. He was 71. The City of Mableton, City Council and I join his friends, family and fans in mourning his loss.” Sumler said in a 2018 interview that he was playing in a local band out of Chicago called Power Pac when he met one of Kool and the Gang’s security guys. He said they became friends, and that eventually led to him meeting the band and then joining as a stylist-choreographer. “Once they saw that I could do some other things,” he said, “they said we need to have you onstage.” D’Wayne Wiggins D’Wayne Wiggins, a founding member of the iconic R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné!, died March 7. He was 64. USA Today reported that Wiggins had been battling bladder cancer. “With broken hearts, we share with you that our beloved D’Wayne passed away this morning surrounded by family and loved ones,” a statement on the group’s Facebook page wrote. “Over the past year, he has been privately and courageously battling bladder cancer. Through this fight, he remained committed and present for his family, his music, his fans and his community. “D’Wayne’s life was incomparable, and his music and service impacted millions around the world, including in his hometown of Oakland, California,” the statement continued. “He was a guitarist, producer, composer, philanthropist, mentor and founding member of Tony! Toni! Tone! He was deeply passionate about providing artist development and mentorship to emerging young musicians, helping to shape the early careers of many. “For now, we ask that you continue to respect our privacy. We mourn with you and are deeply grateful for your love and support.” A Grammy-nominated singer and guitarist, Wiggins was a founding member of Tony! Toni! Tone! in 1986. The group was one of the most popular and influential through the 1980s and mid-1990s, releasing four albums. Tony! Toni! Tone! had a reunion tour in 2023. Brenton Wood Legendary soul singer Brenton Wood died on Jan. 3. He was 83. His manager, Manny Gallegos, told Variety that he died from natural causes and was surrounded by family at home. Per Variety, Gallegos said Wood had a final message for fans: “Catch you on the rebound.” That, the site said, was a reference to his 1967 song. Wood, whose real name is Alfred Jesse Smith, was born in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1941. He is perhaps best known for his 1967 hit “The Oogum Boogum Song,” which rose to No. 19 on the Billboard R&B charts. Variety noted that the song “found new audiences” throughout the years as it was used in films and TV shows including “Almost Famous,” and “The Umbrella Academy.” Another of his 1967 songs, “Gimme Little Sing,” hit No. 9 on the pop charts. Variety reported that Wood launched a farewell tour called “Catch You on the Rebound: The Last Tour,” recently but that was paused when he had to be hospitalized. Cavin Yarbrough Legendary R&B singer Cavin Yarbrough died on June 19. He was 72. Yarbrough died due to complications from heart disease, his wife and longtime music partner, Alisa Peoples, reportedly said. “He was the love of my life, my protector,” she said. “Now he’s my guardian angel.” “Cavin was not only an extraordinary talent, but a kind man with a great heart,” his longtime friend and representative, Michele Elyzabeth, said. “His legacy will live on in the music, in our memories, and in the hearts of everyone who knew him.” Yarbrough and Peoples were a popular duo through the 1980s, and even scored a major hit. Their “Don’t Stop the Music,” reached n/o. 1 on the U.S. Billboard R&B chart in 1981. They also had a handful of other top 25 chart hits including “Heartbeats” which hit No. 25 in 1983, “Be a Winner” which hit No. 6 in 1984 and “Guilty,” which hit No. 13 in 1986. Fans took to social media to share their thoughts about the star after news of his death broke. “We lost another of the world’s great creatives in Cavin Yarbrough,” Linny Nance wrote. “In addition to being a world class vocalist Cavin was a musician, writer, arranger, producer, actor and captivating performer that will be missed and remembered forever. Rest Peacefully.”
