Deaths So Far (and it's just July)

[IceWizard]

Jerry Butler, cofounder of the Impressions and baritone singer/songwriter known for hits such as
"For Your Precious Love" and "Only The Strong Survive," reportedly died Feb. 20. He was 85.
The R&B/soul musician, who earned two Grammy nods in his lifetime, had been living with
Parkinson's disease, according to the Chicago Sun-Times, The New York Times and The Washington Post.
Butler, along with childhood friend Curtis Mayfield, formed the Impressions alongside Sam Gooden,
Richard Brooks and Art Brooks in the late 1950s.Butler struck out on his own as a solo artist in 1960.
"Only the Strong Survive" became his highest-charting hit, per Billboard, and went on to be covered
by the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Presley and Rod Stewart.







Jesus Guerrero, a celebrity hairstylist who worked with stars including Kylie Jenner and Jennifer Lopez,
died at 34, according to a statementshared to his Instagram Story on Feb. 23.
A GoFundMe page that appeared to be organized by Guerrero's sister did not confirm a cause of death
but said "his passing came very suddenly and unexpectedly."
Guerrero's clients ranged from the Kardashian family to Selena Gomez, Katy Perry, Demi Moore,
Blackpink's Lisa and Rosalía. One of his final projects involved styling Lopez's hair while she was in
Abu Dhabi to perform for Saadiyat Nights on Feb. 20-21.









Between her smoky voice and cooing ballads, Roberta Flack distinguished herself as a soulful standout.
The singer died Feb. 24, 2024, at 88. A statement from her representative noted that Flack "died peacefully,
surrounded by her family."Flack's manager, Suzanne Koga, said in an appreciation of the multi-genre star,
"If Roberta Flack was unlike singers who came before her, there were many who would emulate her in her
wake. In fact, her influence has never stopped reverberating. She was a woman who sang in a measured
voice, but her measurements moved times and events as much as they moved hearts."








Screenwriter and producer Roberto Orci, co-creator of the CBS reboot "Hawaii Five-O," died at 51 after
battling kidney disease, manager Mike De Trana confirmed to USA TODAY on Feb. 25. Orci, who often
worked with filmmaker Alex Kurtzman, also boasted credits in the "Star Trek" and "Transformers"
movies as well as 2009's "The Proposal" and the Fox shows "Sleepy Hollow" and "Fringe."








"Gossip Girl" star Michelle Trachtenberg was found dead the morning of Feb. 26 in New York City,
a spokesperson for the New York Police Department confirmed to USA TODAY. She was 39. The NYPD
said no criminal involvement is suspected and the investigation is ongoing. Trachtenberg rose to fame
as a teenager, with roles in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Ice Princess."








Actor Gene Hackman died alongside wife Betsy Arakawa on Feb. 26, the sheriff's office in
Santa Fe, New Mexico, confirmed. An intense character actor who won two Oscars in a more
than 60-year career, Hackman brought a rogue charm and everyman believably to iconic roles
such as his best acting-winning performance as Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle in "The French Connection."









David Johansen, a punk legend and the last surviving member of the pioneering band the New York Dolls,
died Feb. 28.Johansen, 75, had been living with cancer for nearly a decade and a brain tumor for five years,
according to a Sweet Relief Musicians Fund fundraiser. "David Johansen passed away peacefully at home,
holding the hands of his wife Mara Hennessey and daughter Leah, in the sunlight surrounded by music
and flowers," the family posted on the fundraiser site. Johansen's death was confirmed by his stepdaughter,
Leah Hennessey, The New York Times and Rolling Stone reported.The New York Dolls, formed in 1971
and fronted by Johansen, were the forerunners of punk – thus, considered proto-punk pioneers – and
glam rock as well, showing the way for bands such as Queen and Kiss.








R&B singer Angie Stone died in a car crash in the early hours of March 1. She was 63.Stone was
traveling with members of her band from Mobile, Alabama, to Atlanta when their van collided with a
semi-truck on Interstate 65 about five miles south of Montgomery, according to police and her label.
Stone, who was a passenger in the van, was declared dead at the scene. Eight other passengers of
the van were injured and transported to hospitals for treatment, Lt. Jeremy Burkett of the
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency told USA TODAY.Grammy-nominated singer rose to prominence
in the 1970s as a member of female rap group The Sequence before a solo career that produced
hits like "Wish I Didn't Miss You."









Jazz-funk musician Roy Ayers, the "godfather of neo-soul" behind the hit '70s song
"Everybody Loves the Sunshine," died at 84 years old on March 4, his family said in a
statement shared on his social media accounts. Ayers, who formed Roy Ayers Ubiquity
in the 1970s and is known for tracks like "Searching" and "Running Away," has had his
works sampled by the likes of Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar and Ye.








Grammy-nominated singer and guitarist D'Wayne Wiggins died March 7 after "privately and courageously
battling bladder cancer," his family said in a statement shared on social media. Wiggins — a founding
member of the seminal R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné! alongside his brother Raphael Saadiq and their
cousin Timothy Christian Riley — had experienced "medical complications" two days earlier,
his family revealed.







Bruce Glover, remembered by James Bond fans for his role in "Diamonds Are Forever," died on
March 12 at the age of 92, his son Crispin Glover revealed on social media. A representative for
Crispin Glover confirmed to USA TODAY on March 30 that Bruce died of natural causes.
Aside from his role as Mr. Wint in "Diamonds," Glover racked up dozens of other film and
TV credits throughout his career, including "Chinatown," "Walking Tall," "Perry Mason,"
"Bonanza," "Mission: Impossible" and "Gunsmoke."









Jesse Colin Young, the former Youngbloods frontman known for the hit song "Get Together,"
diedat his home in Aiken, South Carolina. He was 83.Young died March 16, according to a
statement from Young's wife and manager, Connie Young, provided to USA TODAY.
The New York City-born singer and guitarist – with Jerry Corbitt, Lowell "Banana" Levinger
and Joe Bauer – fronted the 1960s-70s era rock band. "Get Together," the iconic call for
love and peace written by Chet Powers, was the group's sole hit.





To Be Continued