Remembering the Musicians We Lost in 2026

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As the calendar turned to January 2026, the music world faced a sobering reality: notable figures in the industry were lost. The first major loss was Jim McBride, a revered artist in the Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame, who passed away on January 6 at the age of 78. McBride was best known for collaborating with Alan Jackson on numerous country hits, including “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow” and “Chattahoochee,” the latter reaching No. 48 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1993.

Tragedy struck again on January 10 when Colombian singer-songwriter Yeison Jiménez died in a plane crash that claimed six lives. He was just 34 years old. That same day, a statement on Bob Weir’s Instagram shocked fans, revealing that the Grateful Dead co-founder had succumbed to lung complications at the age of 78 after a battle with lung cancer.

Another unexpected loss occurred shortly after the new year began. Grammy-nominated musician John Forté, known for his work with the Fugees, was found dead in his Massachusetts home on January 12 at age 50. Forté’s co-collaborator, Lauryn Hill, expressed her sorrow on Instagram, stating, “This loss is unexpected and surreal and my heart aches… for his family, for his wife, for his children, for his friends, and for all of us who were blessed to know him.”

With the year still fresh, Billboard reflects on the musicians we have already lost in 2026.

• Lowell “Sly” Dunbar

  (May 10, 1952 – Jan. 26, 2026)

• Francis Buchholz

  

  (Feb. 19, 1954 – Jan. 22, 2026)

• John Forté

  

  (Jan. 30, 1975 – Jan. 12, 2026)

• Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin (right)

  

  (January 2026)

• Bob Weir

  

  (Oct. 16, 1947 – Jan. 10, 2026)

• Yeison Jimenez

  

  (1991 – Jan. 10, 2026)

• Guy Moon

  

  (Feb. 7, 1962 – Jan. 8, 2026)

• Jim McBride

  

  (April 28, 1947 – Jan. 6, 2026)