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Music Stars We Lost in the 2010s

David Bowie, Whitney Houston, Prince and others who helped shape the sounds of today

spinner image Whitney Houston, Prince, Aretha Franklin, David Bowie
Whitney Houston, Prince, Aretha Franklin, David Bowie/GETTY IMAGES

Aretha Franklin, singer-songwriter, 76

spinner image Aretha Franklin performs onstage at the Elton John AIDS Foundation Commemorates Its 25th Year And Honors Founder Sir Elton John During New York Fall Gala at Cathedral of St. John the Divine on November 7, 2017 in New York City.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

(March 25, 1942 — Aug. 16, 2018) From child gospel singer in Detroit to the “Queen of Soul,” Franklin built a career that spanned seven decades. The singer and pianist, a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and 18 Grammys(among a long list of other honors), was a trailblazer who inspired generations of music lovers.

David Cassidy, actor and singer, 67

spinner image David Cassidy performs during the Paradise Artists Party at IEBA Conference Day 3 at the War Memorial Auditorium on October 9, 2012 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Rick Diamond/Getty Images for IEBA

(April 12, 1950 — Nov. 21, 2017) Combining his love for singing and acting, Cassidy found his dream job (and became a teen idol) as Keith Partridge on The Partridge Family (1970-74). He went on to record albums and perform, though later struggled with alcohol addiction.

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Della Reese, singer and actress, 86

spinner image Singer/actress Della Reese
Gerald Smith/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

(July 6, 1931 — Nov. 19, 2017) Known first as an R&B singer, then as an actress, Reese rose to the top of the pop singles chart in 1959 with her biggest song, “Don't You Know?” Her greatest fame came in the 1990s, when she was cast as Tess, an angel on Touched by an Angel (1994-2003).

Tom Petty, musician, 66

spinner image Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers perform at DTE Energy Music Theater on August 24, 2014 in Clarkston, Michigan.
Scott Legato/Getty Images

(Oct. 20, 1950 — Oct. 2, 2017) For four decades, Petty's distinctive voice led the Heartbreakers, a band he formed in 1976; the group had just wrapped up a summer tour to celebrate its 40th anniversary shortly before he died. Music stars including Willie Nelson and Jakob Dylan have just come out with a tribute album, For Real — For Tom, featuring covers of Petty's tunes.

Glen Campbell, country singer, 81

spinner image Vocalist/musician Glen Campbell performs in concert at the Long Center on September 9, 2012 in Austin, Texas.
Gary Miller/FilmMagic

(April 22, 1936 — Aug. 8, 2017) Over his half-century career, Campbell excelled as a singer, musician, songwriter, television host and actor. He was the voice behind “By the Time I Get to Phoenix" (1967), “Wichita Lineman" (1968), “Rhinestone Cowboy" (1975) and more. He had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2011.

Chuck Berry, musician, 90

spinner image Singer Chuck Berry performs at the 'Les Legendes Du Rock and Roll' concert at the Zenith on November 14, 2008 in Paris, France.
Francois G. Durand/WireImage

(Oct. 18, 1926 — March 18, 2017) The seminal musician is considered by many to be the father of rock ‘n’ roll, known for his incredible guitar playing, singing and stage antics. Berry's oeuvre includes such timeless hits as “Roll Over Beethoven” (1956), and “Johnny B. Goode” and “Sweet Little Sixteen” (both 1958).

George Michael, musician, 53

spinner image British singer George Michael performs during a concert in Amsterdam, 26 June 2007.
EVERT ELZINGA/AFP via Getty Images

(Jun. 25, 1963 — Dec. 25, 2016) He was already wildly successful at age 23 as one half of British pop duo Wham!, known for their then-upiquitous 1984 hit “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.” Then he went solo, winning a Grammy for his uplifting album Faith (1987). You're likely to hear his 1984 song “Last Christmas” many times during the holiday season.

Prince, musician, 57

spinner image Prince headlines the main stage on the last day of Hop Farm Festival on July 3, 2011 in Paddock Wood, United Kingdom.
Neil Lupin/Redferns

(June 7, 1958 — April 21, 2016) Born Prince Rogers Nelson, this music genius demonstrated stunning virtuosity on many instruments; broke stylistic barriers around R&B, rock, pop and funk; challenged racial, gender and sexuality conventions; and delivered such timeless hits as “Little Red Corvette" (1983), “When Doves Cry" (1984) and Sign o’ the Times (1987).

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David Bowie, musician, 69

spinner image Rock legend David Bowie performs on stage at the Forum in Copenhagen late 07 October 2003.
NILS MEILVANG/AFP via Getty Images

(Jan. 8, 1947 — Jan. 10, 2016) An icon of 20th-century popular music, Bowie was rarely predictable and often remarkable — beginning in the late 1960s with “Space Oddity" (1969) and continuing right up until his death. Bowie released his final album, Blackstar (2016), on his 69th birthday, two days before he passed away.

B.B. King, musician, 89

spinner image BB King performs on stage at Royal Albert Hall on June 28, 2011 in London, England.
Neil Lupin/Redferns

(Sept. 16, 1925 — May 14, 2015) The poor boy who lived in a sharecropper's shack grew up to become a legendary guitarist and the true king of American blues. “The Thrill Is Gone” (the title of his 1969 hit) was a note left on his website after he passed away; his countless fans agree.

Casey Kasem, radio host, 82

spinner image Radio Personality Kasey Casem with his award backckstage at The 2003 Radio Music Awards at the Aladdin Casino Resort October 27, 2003 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Carlo Allegri/Getty Images

(April 27, 1932 — June 15, 2014) As the host of the syndicated radio show American Top 40, Kasem offered his weekly countdown of popular hits and “long-distance dedications,” from 1970 until his retirement in 2004. Cartoon fans remember him as the distinctive voice of slacker-dude Shaggy on Scooby-Doo.

Whitney Houston, singer, 48

spinner image Singer Whitney Houston accepts the Winner of International - Favorite Artist Award onstage at the 2009 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 22, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

(Aug. 9, 1963 — Feb. 11, 2012) From singing in her church choir in Newark, New Jersey, as a child to becoming one of the best-selling musicians of all time, Houston had a vocal talent and range that was one of a kind. Her library of number one songs includes “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” (1987) and “I Will Always Love You” (1992).

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Donna Summer, singer, 63

spinner image Headshot of Donna Summer, US singer-songwriter, posing in a studio portrait, with her hands raised, open-palmed, either side of her head, wearing gold-sequinned cuffs and collar, 1976.
Fin Costello/Redferns/Getty Images

(Dec. 31, 1948 — May 17, 2012) The “Queen of Disco,” born LaDonna Adrian Gaines, was the first artist to have three consecutive double albums reach number one on the charts. Her songs “I Feel Love” (1977), “Last Dance” (1978) and “Hot Stuff” (1979) still get people up and moving. “What I aspire to in my life, truly, is to be loving,” she said before her death. “I don't always achieve that — but that's my aspiration."

Dick Clark, television personality, 82

spinner image Dick Clark at the taping of "American Bandstand's 50th...A Celebration" at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, Ca. Sunday, April 21, 2002.
Kevin Winter/ImageDirect

(Nov. 30, 1929 — April 18, 2012) It's hard to ring in the new year without thinking of Clark leading the countdown. The host of The $10,000 and $25,000 Pyramid (1973-88) and, most notably, American Bandstand (1952-89) is credited with advancing the careers of so many performers, including Paul Anka, Barry Manilow and Madonna.

Andy Williams, singer and television host, 84

spinner image Singer/Songwriter Andy Williams performs on stage during the 40th Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Ceremony at The New York Marriott Marquis on June 18, 2009 in New York City.
Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Songwriters Hall of Fame

(Dec. 3, 1927 — Sept. 25, 2012) The artist behind 43 albums, nine Top 10 hits (such as “Butterfly” and “Love Story") and the Emmy-winning Andy Williams Show (1962-71) brought his smooth voice and comedic sketches to households everywhere. And his Christmas songs remain some of the most beloved holiday classics.