THE SOUL JURNEE MEMORIAL 2025

"REST IN SOUL: THE JURNEE NEVER ENDS"
 

In Memoriam: Soul & R&B Artists Lost in 2026

Glenn O’Neil Wright (Feb 6, 1971 – Feb 22, 2026)- Longtime member of Public Announcement and a steady force in Chicago’s 90s R&B scene. His contributions helped shape the group’s signature harmonies and live presence.

Garland Green (June 14, 1942 – Feb 9, 2026)- Soul singer and pianist best known for the classic “Jealous Kind of Fellow.” His emotional delivery made him a respected voice of Chicago soul.

LaMonte McLemore (Sept 17, 1935 – Feb 3, 2026)- Founding member of The 5th Dimension and a key figure in the group’s polished “Champagne Soul” sound. He helped define an era of crossover pop-soul excellence.

Steve Washington (Dec 1, 1958 – Feb 1, 2026)- Core member of Slave and later Aurra, contributing to enduring funk staples like “Watching You.” His bass work anchored some of the genre’s most recognizable grooves.

Billy “Bass” Nelson (Jan 28, 1951 – Jan 31, 2026)- Original bassist for Funkadelic and a foundational architect of their psychedelic funk sound. A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, he helped define early funk’s rebellious edge.

Demond Wilson (Oct 13, 1946 – Jan 30, 2026)- Actor and minister whose cultural impact extended beyond television into faith leadership and community work. He remained a respected voice within Black entertainment history.

Bryan Loren (June 1, 1966 – Jan 28, 2026)- Singer, songwriter, and producer who collaborated with major artists including Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston. His behind-the-scenes influence helped shape late 80s and 90s R&B.

Sly Dunbar (May 10, 1952 – Jan 26, 2026)- Legendary drummer of Sly and Robbie whose rhythms bridged reggae, soul, and hip-hop. His innovative drum patterns influenced generations of producers and musicians.

John Forté (Jan 30, 1975 – Jan 12, 2026)- Grammy-nominated producer and artist associated with The Fugees and their landmark album The Score. His artistry blended hip-hop lyricism with soulful musicality.



                            In Memoriam: Soul & R&B Artists Lost in 2025


Don Bryant (Apr 4, 1942 – Dec 26, 2025)
Hi Records songwriter and performer who co-wrote classics including “I Can’t Stand the Rain.” His pen helped define the Memphis soul sound.

Richard Smallwood (Nov 30, 1948 – Dec 30, 2025)- Gospel composer and pianist whose works like “Total Praise” became modern church standards. His music bridged traditional gospel and contemporary soul influences.

Carl Carlton (May 21, 1952 – Dec 13, 2025)- R&B vocalist best known for the dance anthem “She’s a Bad Mama Jama.” His energetic style made him a staple of late 70s and 80s soul.

Jellybean Johnson (Nov 21, 1956 – Nov 21, 2025)- Drummer and producer closely tied to the Minneapolis Sound and a member of The Time. His work helped shape the funk-driven sound of the 1980s.

Chubby Tavares (June 16, 1944 – Nov 11, 2025)- Lead singer of Tavares, known for hits like “Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel.” His smooth falsetto defined the group’s disco-soul appeal.

D’Angelo (Michael Eugene Archer) (Feb 11, 1974 – Oct 14, 2025)- Neo-soul visionary behind Brown Sugar and Voodoo, widely credited with redefining modern R&B. His layered musicianship and mystique made him one of the genre’s most influential artists.

Robbie Pardlo (Aug 13, 1978 – July 17, 2025)- Member of City High, known for the hit “What Would You Do?” His voice helped capture early 2000s socially conscious R&B.

Cavin Yarbrough (Jan 22, 1954 – June 19, 2025)- One-half of Yarbrough & Peoples, creators of the classic “Don’t Stop the Music.” The duo blended funk grooves with dancefloor energy.

Walter Scott (June 21, 1943 – June 26, 2025)- Co-founder and lead vocalist of The Whispers. His smooth tenor helped sustain the group’s multi-decade run of soul hits.

Sly Stone (Mar 15, 1943 – June 9, 2025)- Frontman of Sly and the Family Stone and a revolutionary force in funk and soul. He fused rock, gospel, and psychedelic elements into a new musical language.

Wayne Lewis (Apr 13, 1957 – June 5, 2025)- Founder and lead singer of Atlantic Starr, known for 80s ballads like “Always.” His songwriting fueled the group’s crossover success.

Michael Sumler (Oct 3, 1953 – May 25, 2025)- Keyboardist and longtime contributor to Kool & the Gang. His musicianship supported the band’s signature blend of funk and R&B.

Mark Greene (Nov 14, 1958 – May 20, 2025)- Original lead singer of The Moments and the voice behind “Love on a Two-Way Street.” His emotive tone made the song a timeless soul classic.

D’Wayne Wiggins (Feb 14, 1961 – Mar 7, 2025)- Founding member of Tony! Toni! Toné! and a key architect of 90s neo-soul. He later mentored and developed emerging artists.

Randy Brown (Mar 15, 1952 – Mar 5, 2025)- Memphis soul singer and former member of The Newcomers. His solo recordings carried the warmth of Southern soul tradition.

Harry Elston (Nov 4, 1938 – Mar 4, 2025)- Co-founder of The Friends of Distinction, best known for “Grazing in the Grass.” His harmonies helped define late 60s sunshine soul.

Roy Ayers (Sept 10, 1940 – Mar 4, 2025)- Jazz-funk vibraphonist often called the “Godfather of Neo-Soul.” His catalog became a foundation for hip-hop and contemporary R&B sampling.

Angie Stone (Dec 18, 1961 – Mar 1, 2025)- Neo-soul pioneer and former member of The Sequence. Her solo career delivered rich, grown-folk R&B storytelling.

Roberta Flack (Feb 10, 1937 – Feb 24, 2025)- Grammy-winning vocalist known for classics like “Killing Me Softly.” Her elegant phrasing and emotional control made her one of soul’s most refined interpreters.

Chris Jasper (Dec 30, 1951 – Feb 23, 2025)- Songwriter and keyboardist who helped craft the 70s and 80s sound of The Isley Brothers. He penned enduring hits including “Between the Sheets.”

Gwen McCrae (Dec 21, 1943 – Feb 21, 2025)- Soul powerhouse best known for the 1975 anthem “Rockin’ Chair.” Her voice carried the grit and passion of Miami soul.

Jerry Butler (May 31, 1938 – Feb 20, 2025)- “The Iceman” and original lead singer of The Impressions. His smooth baritone became a defining sound of 60s Chicago soul.

Tommy Hunt (June 18, 1933 – Feb 12, 2025)- Member of The Flamingos and later a solo star in the UK Northern Soul movement. His recordings remain dancefloor staples abroad.

Irv Gotti (June 26, 1970 – Feb 5, 2025)- Producer and label executive who merged hip-hop grit with melodic R&B sensibility. His influence reshaped early 2000s urban radio.

Gary Grier (June 18, 1945 – Jan 26, 2025)- Longtime member of the Motown group The Contours. He helped sustain the legacy of classic Detroit soul.

Ron Carroll (July 1, 1968 – Jan 20, 2025)- Chicago house pioneer whose gospel-infused vocals bridged club culture and soul tradition. His work connected dance music to its spiritual roots.

Leslie Wilson (Dec 22, 1946 – Jan 14, 2025)- Lead singer and original member of New Birth. His voice powered the group’s dynamic funk-soul catalog.

Sam Moore (Oct 12, 1935 – Jan 10, 2025)- One half of the legendary duo Sam & Dave. His powerful tenor helped define the Stax Records sound.

Brenton Wood (Jan 26, 1941 – Jan 3, 2025)- Smooth soul singer remembered for “The Oogum Boogum Song.” His lighthearted charm made him a lasting favorite of old-school soul fans.