Georgia Dobbins Davis, the founding member of the Marvelettes - one of the pioneering female vocal groups, and co-author of 'Please Mr. Postman', has died, Soul Track reports. 'Please Mr. Postman' was not only a 1961 hit, it was Motown’s first #1, and help set the label up for a decade of radio dominance in the 60s. Dobbins’ father forced her to leave the group because he was worried about the teens playing in nightclubs...

Stanley Crouch, the lauded and fiery jazz critic, has died aged 74, NPR says in a lengthy and enjoyable article about the controversial and charismatic figure from the jazz world. Jazz Times re-published Crouch's article about racism in jazz, one of his most-read and controversial pieces.

Sid McCray, the original singer of legendary punk band Bad Brains, affectionately known as SidMac, has died, CoS reports. McCray led the band from 1977 to 1978, when they were still a jazz fusion outfit known as Mind Power. He’s credited with introducing his bandmates to punk rock, specifically through albums by Sex Pistols and Ramones, when the band took the name Bad Brains. McCray wrote early Bad Brains songs like 'The Regulator', but ultimately stepped aside as frontman to let his friend and guitarist H.R. take over. He was part of the Brains road crew.

Toots Hibbert, frontman of the legendary reggae band Toots and the Maytals, has died at the age of 77, after recently been taken to hospital with Covid-like symptoms, Variety reports. One of Jamaica's most influential musicians, he helped popularise reggae in the 1960s with songs like 'Pressure Drop', Monkey Man' and 'Funky Kingston'. Hibbert even claimed to have coined the genre's name, on 1968's 'Do The Reggay'.

Ronald 'Khalis' Bell, one of the founding members of Kool & the Gang, has died at the age of 68, Rolling Stone reports. He started the band with his brother Robert "Kool" Bell in 1964, becoming one of the most influential soul, funk and R'n'B bands of the 1970s and 1980s, with hits including 'Celebration', 'Ladies' Night' and 'Get Down On It'. As the band's musical director, Bell co-wrote most of their biggest hits.

Simeon Coxe, co-founder of the pioneering 1960s experimental electronic band Silver Apples, has died aged 82, the Quietus reports. The duo was active in a short period of time, 1967–1970, releasing two highly influential albums in that period. Bands including Stereolab, Spiritualized and Portishead have cited the group as an influence. Silver Apples also found common ground with Jimi Hendrix, with whom they jammed on 'Star Spangled Banner' in the studio prior to the guitarist’s legendary Woodstock appearance in 1969. The group reunited twice - 1996–1999, and 2006–2016, releasing equally innovative albums. Alexis Petridis wrote a lovely obituary to the guy who "never actually learned to play a keyboard".

Producer and DJ Erick Morillo, best known for the 1993 hit 'I Like to Move It', has died aged 49, Local 10 reports. He began making music in the early ’90s under the name Reel 2 Real. In 1993, he collaborated with Trinidadian vocalist the Mad Stuntman for his iconic song 'I Like to Move It'. Morillo made one more album as Reel 2 Real, before launching his own label, Subliminal Records, in 1997. He released numerous singles and remixes, and an album under his own name.

Mike Noga, the Australian singer/songwriter and former drummer with celebrated alter rock band The Drones, has died at the age of 42, uDiscover Music reports. Noga and the Drones were outright stars of Australia’s independent music scene. Their place among the elite was confirmed when their April 2005 sophomore album 'Wait Long by the River and the Bodies of Your Enemies Will Float By' won the inaugural Australian Music Prize. After ten years, Noga left the band in 2014 to pursue a solo career. Two years later, in 2016, he released his critically acclaimed third solo set 'King'.

Riley Gale, frontman of the acclaimed Texas thrash metal band Power Trip, has tragically died at the age of 34, Blabbermouth reported. Since their formation in 2008, Power Trip have been among the leaders of a new wave of thrash metal, with a sound bridging thrash and hardcore punk. They’ve built up a substantial following, although they only released two albums, thanks in large part to their electrifying live shows. Countless musicians, labels, festival organizers, venues, writers, photographers, and others in the hardcore and metal communities have been paying tribute to Riley - Deafheaven, Code Orange, Creeping Death, Ice-T, Hatebreed, Thursday... Brooklyn Vegan picks out 5 great live Power Trip videos. Guardian lovingly said Gale "mixed philosophy, economics and genuine empathy into a searingly potent vision for a better world".

Justin Townes Earle, the award-winning singer-songwriter and son of Steve Earle, has died aged 38, Tennessean reports. The Nashville fixture, who was named after his father's friend and beloved songwriter Townes Van Zandt, won the Americana Music Honors & Awards new and emerging artist of the year in 2009. He released his first EP, 'Yuma', in 2007, and went on to deliver eight full-length LPs throughout his career. His last album, 'The Saint of Lost Causes', was released in 2019.

Jack Sherman, the guitarist who appeared on the debut album of Red Hot Chili Peppers, has died at the age of 64, Louder reports. Sherman, who joined the band on their first US tour in 1984, also worked on future RHCP albums 'The Abbey Road EP' and 'Mother's Milk'. Sherman also worked with other prominent artists including Bob Dylan and George Clinton. "He was a unique dude and we thank him for all times good, bad and in between. Peace on the boogie platform" - a tweet on the RHCP's official account reads.

Hip-hop producer DJ Shay, a close collaborator of Griselda Records and the Black Soprano Family, has died aged 48, after being diagnosed with Covid-19 this summer, Complex reports. In addition to Westside Gunn, DJ Shay frequently collaborated with Benny the Butcher, Conway the Machine, and others. He also founded the label Buff City Records.

The Indian classical vocalist Pandit Jasraj has died at the age of 90, CNN reports. Known for his unique voice which had both depth and softness, Pandit Jasraj Jasraj was a pioneering artist well known for his egalitarian approach. Despite belonging to a traditional school of classical music, Pandit Jasraj is said to have pioneered adding a lighter style to his music to make it more audience-friendly. Grammy and Academy Award-winning musician AR Rahman tweeted saying "#RIPPanditJasraj indian classical music has lost one of its shining stars". Indian singer-composer Vishal Dadlani called it a "monumental loss".

Pete Way, the founding member of the pioneering UK hard-rock band UFO, has passed away at the age of 69, Blabbermouth reports. The legendary musician suffered major injuries in an unspecified accident two months ago and died Friday. Formed in 1968, UFO helped bridge the gap between hard rock and heavy metal, influencing acts like Iron Maiden, Metallica, and countless others, before disbanding in 1983.

Mexican-American singer Trini Lopez, who had a hit in 1963 with his version of 'If I Had A Hammer', and was a successful guitar-maker, has died at 83 of coronavirus, The New York Times reports. Lopez, an accomplished guitarist, was mentored by Buddy Holly and Frank Sinatra and designed two instruments for the Gibson Guitar Corporation. Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters said Lopez left "a beautiful music legacy", he called his own Trini Lopez guitar his "most prized possession" and said it had been "the sound of the Foo Fighters from day one". Lopez recorded more than 60 albums and was a popular headliner in Las Vegas.

English music producer and engineer Martin Birch, who worked on iconic albums by Iron Maiden, Deep Purple, Whitesnake, and Black Sabbath has died aged 71, Ultimate Classic Rock reports. Birch began his industry career as an engineer, earning early credits on albums by Jeff Beck and Fleetwood Mac. He worked also with Wishbone Ash, and Rainbow, while he finished his career with the epic 'Fear of the Dark' by Iron Maiden.

Vern Rumsey, who played bass in the very influential '90s/early 2000s post-hardcore noise-rock band Unwound, has died aged 47, Consequence of Sound reports. Unwound made eight albums over 10 years, including their classic 2001 swan song 'Leaves Turn Inside You'. Rumsey also played in Fitz of Depression, Witchypoo, Long Hind Legs, and other groups over the years, and he played bass on Blonde Redhead's album 'Fake Can Be Just as Good'. Rumsey also ran his label, Punk In My Vitamins? Records. Thursday, Speedy Ortiz, Cave In, and other artists pay tribute to Rumsey.

Original Machine Head drummer Tony Costanza has died at the age of 52, Blabbermouth reports. Costanza joined Machine Head in 1992 and sat behind the kit for the band's first three shows, being replaced by Chris Kontos. Also, Machine Head frontman Robb Flynn said that "a big chunk" of the band's classic debut album, 'Burn My Eyes', was written with Costanza.

Malik B, the rapper who was a co-founding member of the Roots and appeared on their first four LPs, has died at the age of 47. The Roots’ Questlove and Black Thought said in a statement - “May he be remembered for his devotion to Islam, his loving brotherhood, and his innovation as one of the most gifted MCs of all time". Malik B. was the co-founding member of the band, he left the Roots at the turn of the millennium, due to drug issues, but he continued to make guest appearances on the group’s albums. Black Thought shared his warmhearted sentiment: “Your steel sharpened my steel as I watched you create cadences from the ether and set them free into the universe to become poetic law, making the English language your b****. I always wanted to change you, to somehow sophisticate your outlook and make you see that there were far more options than the streets, only to realize that you and the streets were one... and there was no way to separate a man from his true self”.

Manchester singer Denise Johnson, best known for her performances on Primal Scream's classic 1991 album 'Screamadelica', has passed away aged 56, BBC reports. Johnson was a prolific singer - she also sang with New Order, Johnny Marr, Bernard Sumner, A Certain Ratio, Pet Shop Boys, New Order and many more. Johnson sang with A Certain Ratio for 25 years.

Japanese fashion designer Kansai Yamamoto, known for styling musician David Bowie, has died at the age of 76, the New York Times reports. Yamamoto designed some of Bowie's most famous outfits including those of the singer's alter ego Ziggy Stardust. His clothing was also worn by Elton John, Stevie Wonder and John Lennon. More recently, singer Lady Gaga had been pictured in Yamamoto designs. Yamamoto was known for his colourful creations and incorporating traditional Japanese designs into fashion.

Fleetwood Mac co-founder and influential blues rock guitarist Peter Green has died at the age of 73, Ultimate Classic Rock reports. The English singer-songwriter and guitarist, from Bethnal Green in East London, formed Fleetwood Mac with drummer Mick Fleetwood in 1967. Green wrote some of the band's most notable hits, including 'Albatross', 'Black Woman Magic', and 'Man of the World'. He left the band in 1970, after it had released three albums.

Veteran jazz singer, actress and jazz innovator Annie Ross died on July 21, four days before her 90th birthday. In 1957, Ross, a chic redhead with a cool, tart sound, teamed with Dave Lambert and Jon Hendricks to form the historic vocal trio Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, which explored a genre known as vocalese — the setting of lyrics to modern jazz solos. Ross could lurch into the vocal stratosphere, imitating trumpets and saxophones and tearing through bebop lines with swinging rhythm, NPR says. "I only wanted to sing and be free" - she told years later...

Tim Smith, frontman with cult British band Cardiacs, has died aged 59, after 12 years of health issues following a heart attack, Louder reports. Smith formed an early version of Cardiacs in 1977 with his brother Jim, called the Filth, who soon changed their name to Cardiac Arrest. They released eight studio albums between 1980 and 1999. The band’s complex songcraft drew equally from punk and prog – often thought by many fans of each style to be mutually exclusive – and delivered surreal, theatrical performances, Guardian writes.

Emitt Rhodes, cult musician, singer-songwriter, onetime frontman of '60s baroque pop group The Merry-Go-Round, power pop icon and home recording pioneer, has died aged 70, has died aged 70. In addition to The Merry-Go-Round, Rhodes is best known for his 1970 self-titled debut which garnered many comparisons to Paul McCartney ("The One Man Beatles" was his nickname), and he went on to become a prolific multi-instrumentalist and record producer. His songs have been covered by Fairport Convention, The Bangles, Linda Ronstadt, Tift Merritt and more. After a 40+ year absence from recording, Emitt returned in 2016 with a new album, 'The Rainbow End'. Watch 'The One Man Beatles', a documentary about him, here.

Chi Pig, founder of the legendary Canadian punk band SNFU, has passed away on Thursday (July 16) at the age of 57, Exclaim reports. SNFU have been a formative influence on the skate punk subgenre, and their work has on occasion been included in rankings of the best Canadian music. Chi's life was documented in the biographical film 'Open Your Mouth and Say... Mr. Chi Pig', which was released in 2010.

Eddie Gale, a pioneering jazz trumpeter, best known for his outstanding work in the free jazz realm, had died aged 78, The Mercury News reports. Gale got a front-row seat with the finest bebop jazz musicians of the early era, including Bud Powell and trumpeter Kenny Dorham. A fast learner, he soon found himself in jam sessions with the likes of drummers Art Blakey and Max Roach and saxophonists Illinois Jacquet, Sonny Stitt, and Jackie McLean. In the early ’60s, a 20-something Gale connected with Sun Ra, and he ended up touring and recording with Ra’s Arkestra throughout the ’60s and ’70s. As a bandleader, he cut the “visionary” late ‘60s albums 'Ghetto Music' and 'Black Rhythm Happening' for Blue Note.

US rapper Lil Marlo has died, after being shot late Saturday in what investigators believe was a targeted shooting. Officers responded to a single-car wreck on Interstate 285 in Atlanta at about 11.30pm Saturday night and found the driver, later identified as Rudolph Johnson, dead inside his vehicle. Police identified Johnson as 30 years old, while the social media post from Quality Control Music says he was born in 1993. Johnson joined Quality Control Music in 2017 alongside rappers Migos, Lil Yachty, and his collaborator Lil Baby. Lil Yachty posted a tribute to Johnson on Instagram on Sunday, saying, “We just did a song [at] 4 this morning smh rip brother”.

Lisa Marie Presley's son and Elvis Presley's only grandson Benjamin Keough has died on Sunday aged 27, CNN reports. According to TMZ, Keough died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Lia Marie Presley's close relationship with her son, whose middle name was Storm, apparently inspired the title track on her third album, 'Storm & Grace', released in 2012. He was the younger of the two children Lisa Marie Presley had with her first husband, musician Danny Keough, before their divorce in 1994. The other is actress Riley Keough, 31. Lisa Marie also has twin 11-year-old daughters with her fourth husband, musician and producer Michael Lockwood, who she wed in 2006 after brief marriages to pop star Michael Jackson and actor Nicolas Cage. Benjamin Keough has tried to become a musician - he struck a record deal back in 2009 worth $5 million.

The Fairport Convention singer Judy Dyble, who also had a solo career as a folk singer, has died aged 71. Dyble was one of the pioneers of the English folk rock scene in the 1960s, most notably as a founding member of Fairport Convention and vocalist with cult band Trader Horne. Ultimate Classic Rock writes fondly about her career.