The Rockers We’ve Lost in 2025

We’re just barely a quarter of the year into 2025 and we’ve already seen some significant deaths in the world of rock and metal.

Over the course of their careers, some of these musicians have achieved major milestones in rock and metal, while others played more instrumental roles in the success of their respective bands.

For instance, Garth Hudson of The Band is the first Rock and Roll Hall of Famer to pass in 2025. He was the last living member of the supergroup who were notable not only for backing Bob Dylan but for their own outstanding career. Hudson was deemed The Band’s secret weapon, playing organ, piano, keyboards, accordion and saxophone for the group. The 87-year-old musician passed on Jan. 21.

It was also in January that we learned of the death of acclaimed guitarist John Sykes. The musician, best known for his work in Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake, had also performed with Tygers of Pan Tang and Blue Murder on top of issuing five solo albums. Sykes was 65.

And we also recently lost David Johansen, the iconic and influential vocalist of The New York Dolls who also spun off a second career as Buster Poindexter and even made his way to the big screen as a character actor later in his career. He had recently turned 75.

Those are just two of the significant losses in 2025 and we’ll continue to update this post throughout the year as more rockers and those working behind the scenes in the rock and metal community pass.

For now, take a look at those we’ve lost so far in 2025 and learn a little more about the legacy that they’ve left behind.