So many deaths this week that, as one COMBO member wrote: “The newsletter is looking more [sadly] like the Obituary Pages.” So I’ve condensed this into one article. I’ve put URLs after each name and the last names are in alphabetical order in case you’d like to read more.
- Ronnie Bowman, 64 – Country star dies following horror motorcycle accident
- Terry Cox dead aged 89: British drummer for Pentangle
- Darrell “Dash” Crofts – Soft rock icon dead at 85
- Paul Geremia, revered blues musician dead at 81
- Rainelle Krause, Soprano Who Reigned Supreme as Mozart’s Queen of the Night
- Gino Paoli, Legendary Italian Singer/Songwriter Has Died Aged 91
- Josh Smith, music director for Capital Rep, dies at 49
- Chip Taylor, “Wild Thing” and “Angel of the Morning” Songwriter, Dies at 86
Ronnie Bowman:
This article contains a lot of photos of Mr. Bowman and friends:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/news/music-world-rocked-as-country-star-ronnie-bowman-64-dies-following-horror-motorcycle-accident/
Darrell “Dash” Crofts (Seals & Crofts):
https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/soft-rock-icon-darrell-dash-crofts-dead-at-85/
Paul Geremia:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/news/revered-blues-musician-dead-at-81-family-confirms-death-of-paul-geremia/
Rainelle Kraus:
Article contains a video clip of her singing as the Queen in the Magic Flute:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/rainelle-krause-soprano-who-reigned-supreme-as-mozart-s-queen-of-the-night-in-the-magic-flute/
Gino Paoli:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/news/gino-paoli-has-died/
Josh Smith:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/josh-smith-music-director-for-capital-rep-dies-at-49/
OTHER NOTABLE MUSICIANS’ DEATHS
Posting for my Veteran/singer/songwriter/musician friend Troy Hoss: Heavy on my heart so here goes: This is a very real problem … 22 Veterans a day surrender to their demons. #SuicideAwareness | Call Veteran’s Hotline: 988 #1 or 844-647-1354
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.
From Care2 via Jock Bartley on Facebook: Trump shut down our LGBTQ+ suicide and mental health hotline, but CANADA opened a US toll-free number to theirs… so our citizens can get help anytime, at no cost: 1-877-330-6366
Kindness & empathy have no borders.
If you want to know more about any of the musicians we lost, please check them out at http://www.wikipedia.com
March 2026
24: Gino Paoli, 91, Italian singer-songwriter (“Il cielo in una stanza”, “Senza fine”, “Sapore di sale”) and politician, deputy (1987–1992).
23: Jerry Dee Lewis, American rapper (The Cold Crush Brothers); Chip Taylor, 86, American singer and songwriter (“Angel of the Morning”, “Wild Thing”), cancer.
22: Ronnie Bowman, 64, American bluegrass musician (Lonesome River Band), traffic collision.
21: Daniel Buira, 54, Argentine drummer (Los Piojos); Steve Houben, 76, Belgian jazz saxophonist and flutist.
20: Aref, 84, Iranian pop singer; Louie Louie, 63, American singer (“Sittin’ in the Lap of Luxury”); Richard Phillips, 85, British music promoter.
19: Terry Cox, 89, British drummer (Pentangle, The Humblebums).
18: Robert White, 89, American tenor.
