Photo: Diana Castro | Our thanks to Chris Daniels for alerting us to Ms. Castro’s passing. Memorial services are planned for later this year. No obituary was available at this time so we gathered up a few memoriams from Facebook in honor of Ms. Castro.
Peggy Strauss: Heaven has gained an amazing beautiful angel.
RIP my friend. My life is so blessed. That I was given the opportunity to know you, you are one of the most genuine loving, accepting people that I’ve had the honor to meet 9 1/2 years ago. You are truly missed. She will be forever missed. You touched so many people’s hearts with your music, your charismatic personality, loving heart , acceptance of those around you and so much more. You came into my life through work 9 1/2 years ago and stayed because of friendship. I will carry you in my heart and memories. Love you forever and know I will see you again and hear your amazing voice. RIP . Love you beautiful Diana Castro.
Ken Jones: I arrived in Aurora, Colorado, in November 2007. Diana was the first person to hire me as a bass player. My first official gig was at the downtown El Chapultepec with Tony Black, Jessie Lewis, and a sax player whose name I don’t recall. That was the absolute freest I ever felt on stage. Diane was pulling songs out of the air. I remember saying, This woman is singing, and I loved it. Thank you, Diana, for blessing my life. Rest in Peace, my friend.
Scott Mooney: My dearest Diana, I’m so sad to hear you’ve left us so suddenly. Trying now to get my head wrapped around the reality of never again seeing your pretty face and gorgeous smile, hearing your incredible voice, watching you own the stage with The Big Time at the Little Bear or a trio at the Pec, and performing stunning covers of super stars including Chaka Khan and so many others across myriad musical genres. You were a force to be reckoned with in so many ways. I will forever remember and miss your sarcasm and sharp sense of humor, along with your kind and gentle soul. May God bless you in your new home in heaven.
Lannie Garrett: 5/19/25 Unbelievable. The beautiful Diana Castro is gone. I have no details. Just total shock. Loved her inside and out. One of the greatest singer/entertainers…EVER. Could sing ANYTHING! Soul? Oh, man, she had it. Generous. Funny. Kind. Open-hearted. We are all numb. Goodbye, Beauty, you sure were (are) loved. RIP. Dammit. Just. Dammit.
Diana passed away on April 26, 2025 in Alamosa, CO. She was 73.
Photo: Diana Castro
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2148395188571314&set=t.100002025628651&type=3
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OTHER NOTABLE MUSICIANS’ DEATHS
Fans gather in Denver to honor late singer-songwriter Jill Sobule
by: Hanna Powers, DENVER (KDVR) — What was supposed to be a concert at Swallow Hill Music turned into a heartfelt tribute Friday night [May 2nd ], as fans and friends gathered to celebrate the life of Jill Sobule.
The Denver-born singer-songwriter, best known for her 1995 hit “I Kissed a Girl,” died Thursday in a house fire in Woodbury, Minnesota. She was 66.
“She lived her life on her own terms, and that’s a life clearly worth celebrating,” said Barry Osborne with Swallow Hill Music.
Sobule was known for her sharp songwriting, activism, and trailblazing voice in support of LGBTQ+ rights and social justice. A graduate of Denver schools, she began performing around the city in the early 1980s and even played a show at Swallow Hill in the summer of 1982.
“She was very energetic, very outspoken, and very true to the causes she held dear,” continued Osborne.
Sobule’s career spanned more than three decades and included 12 albums. After the success of “I Kissed a Girl,” she followed up with “Supermodel” from the “Clueless” movie soundtrack. Her work ranged from pop hits to stage musicals, with a fanbase that admired her creativity and authenticity.
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Go here to read more and to watch a video:
https://kdvr.com/news/local/fans-gather-in-denver-to-honor-late-singer-songwriter-jill-sobule/
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Warning Signs of Suicide – National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or if you want to discuss, call the old numbers at 800-273-TALK or 800-273-8255 for English and 888-628-9454 for Spanish. Learn the signs of someone who may be contemplating suicide.
If you want to know more about any of the musicians we lost, please check them out at http://www.wikipedia.com
MAY
20: Dre Love, 55, American-born Italian singer and rapper; Michael B. Tretow, 80, Swedish record producer and sound engineer (ABBA).
19: Colton Ford, 62, American gay pornographic actor (Naked Fame, The Lair) and singer, hiking accident; Heorhiy Gina, 93, Ukrainian composer; Chris Hager, 67, American guitarist (Rough Cutt, Mickey Ratt).
17: Werenoi, 31, French rapper, heart attack.
16: Dada KD, 56, Ghanaian highlife musician; Jadwiga Rappé, 73, Polish operatic contralto.
15: Luigi Alva, 98, Peruvian tenor; Junior Byles, 77, Jamaican reggae singer; Charles Strouse, 96, American composer (Bye Bye Birdie, Applause, Annie).
14: Dharío Primero, 72, Dominican singer.
13: Billy Earheart, 71, American country keyboardist (The Amazing Rhythm Aces, The Bama Band), Grammy winner (1977), cancer.
12: Ernst Mahle, 96, German-Brazilian composer and conductor.