John Lewis, RIP

Dame Vera Lynn: Forces’ Sweetheart dies aged 103

The singer’s family confirmed she died on Thursday morning surrounded by her close relatives.

“The family are deeply saddened to announce the passing of one of Britain’s best-loved entertainers at the age of 103,” a statement said.

Bobby Lewis, ‘Tossin’ and Turnin” Singer, Dies at 95

Bobby Lewis, the R&B singer behind “Tossin’ and Turnin’” — one of the biggest hits of the early Sixties — died in late April at the age of 95.

Billboard confirmed Lewis’ death Saturday, nearly two months after the singer died after a bout with pneumonia.

Legendary Batman writer, Denny O’Neil dies at age 81

Dennis J. “Denny” O’Neil has died at age 81. As confirmed by his family, the legendary comic book writer died at home of natural causes on the night of June 11.

O’Neil was best known for his work on Batman, which included writing Batman, Detective Comics, and Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, as well as editing DC’s Batman titles from 1986 to 2000. He, editor Julius Schwartz, and artist Neal Adams are credited for guiding the Dark Knight back to his darker roots after a period of campiness brought on by the success of the 1960s Batman TV series.

Fred Willard, comedian, writer and actor, dies at 86

Willard’s daughter Hope announced his death in a statement, writing, “It is with a heavy heart that I share the news my father passed away very peacefully last night at the fantastic age of 86 years old. He kept moving, working and making us happy until the very end. We loved him so very much! We will miss him forever.”

Pretty Things frontman Phil May dies, aged 75

Phil May, the frontman of The Pretty Things, has died aged 75 after suffering complications from emergency hip surgery.

A representative of the rock ‘n’ roll band confirmed he died on Friday morning at a Kings Lynn hospital.

May had fallen off his bicycle earlier in the week.

Astrid Kirchherr, Artist/Photographer friend of The Beatles, dies 81

German newspaper Die Zeit confirmed Kirchherr’s death, noting the photographer died of a “short, serious illness.”

“Intelligent, inspirational, innovative, daring, artistic, awake, aware, beautiful, smart, loving and uplifting friend to many,” Beatles historian Mark Lewisohn tweeted (via NME). “Her gift to The Beatles was immeasurable. She died in Hamburg on Wednesday, a few days before turning 82.”

Florian Schneider, Kraftwerk Co-founder dies, 73

Florian Schneider, one of the founders of Kraftwerk, the German band that revolutionized pop music through its embrace of synthesizers and electronic beats, leading to a broad influence over rock, dance music and hip-hop, has died.

Was (Not Was) vocalist Hillard ‘Sweet Pea’ Atkinson dies aged 74

The singer was known for hits including Walk The Dinosaur and Spy In The House Of Love, and also performed with Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt and Iggy Pop.

He had the voice I always wished I had,” Don Was told Billboard magazine. “When I was writing songs, I was always writing with him in mind.“

Millie Small dies, 72

With international sales of 5m copies in 1964, the year of its release, the hit single My Boy Lollipop, sung by Millie, who has died aged 72, “opened the door for Jamaican music to the world,” said the producer Chris Blackwell.