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Aretha Franklin, singer-songwriter, 76
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(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
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(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
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(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
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(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
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(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
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(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).
