Ongoing History of New Music – "2025 In Memoriam"

Host: Alan Cross
Date: January 14, 2026
Podcast: Ongoing History of New Music (Curiouscast)

Episode Overview

Alan Cross hosts this annual “In Memoriam” episode, paying tribute to musicians from the worlds of alt-rock, hip hop, punk, classic rock, and more who died in 2025. With his trademark thoughtful, occasionally wry tone, Alan acknowledges the ongoing loss of musical legends as a grim but important ritual. The episode provides historical context, personal insights, and memorable stories about each artist, reminding listeners of their enduring impact.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Nature of Loss in the Rock Era

• Aging Rockers & Growing Losses: Alan observes that as the era of rock ages, the rate of musician deaths accelerates, often due to age, the consequences of “not so healthy” lifestyles, or occasional crime and accidents.

  "The longer the age of rock continues, the higher the attrition rate. We're seeing a slow acceleration of musicians leaving this world..." (01:01)

• Preparation for Death as a Media Reality: He describes how media began requesting advance obituaries from him, which has now become routine.

  "Radio stations also started having me produce obituaries in advance so they could be ready with tributes the moment one was needed. I created about a hundred of them, and at least a third of them have been used so far." (02:01)

Highlighted Losses of 2025

Ozzy Osbourne (July 22)

• Circumstances: Ozzy's death was the most high-profile of the year. Despite poor health (Parkinson's, chronic pain, multiple bouts of illness and surgery), he performed at the final “Back to the Beginning” show in Birmingham just two weeks before passing.
• Last Days: Ozzy had been secretly hospitalized, later returning to perform out of sheer determination. He even finished dictating an autobiography, Last Rites, the day before he died.
• Final Words to Fans:

  “My fans have been so loyal to me over the years. I cannot thank them enough. … My wife Sharon saved my life and my grandbabies are my bit. I love them all.” (04:40, Ozzy Osbourne)

Chronological Tribute List (Selected Highlights and Notable Moments)

• Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul, & Mary): January 7, bladder cancer, age 76.

• Sam Moore (Sam & Dave): January 9, surgery complications, age 89.

• P. Fluid (24-7 Spyz): January 13, murdered. Alan notes the unique circumstances—a tragic end for the Bronx punk/funk/metal frontman, Peter Forrest.

• David Lynch: January 15, cardiac arrest. Noted not just as a filmmaker and artist but as a musician and producer (“Floating into the Night”), emphasizing how music transcends categories.

• Garth Hudson (The Band): January 21, lingering poor health, age 87.

• Edwina Banger (Manchester punk): Date unspecified, no cause of death released. Alan respectfully notes her pioneering presence and unique story.

• Marianne Faithfull: January 30, age 78, struggles with various illnesses.

• Dave Jordan (producer/engineer): February 5, age 75.

• Rick Buckler (The Jam): February 17, illness, age 69.

  “Rick wrote several books on the group. He was scheduled to go on a North American speaking tour and it looked like I was going to be involved in some capacity. But then early this year he fell sick with an undisclosed illness and died shortly thereafter.” (09:20)

• David Johansen (New York Dolls): February 28, brain cancer, age 75. Also remembered as Buster Poindexter, and for acting roles.

• Brian James (The Damned): Bladder cancer, age 74.

• Kevin Staples (Rough Trade): March 23, cancer, age not specified.

Additional Call-Outs (April–October)

• Dave Allen (Gang of Four): April 5, dementia, age 69.

• Clem Burke (Blondie): April 6, cancer, age 70.

  “Clem was involved in an eight-year study jointly run by two English universities that looked at the physical and psychological effects of being a professional drummer. That netted him an honorary Doctor of Music. He continued that work with something called the Clem Burke Drummer Project.” (13:35)

• Roy Thomas Baker (producer): April 12, age 78, best known for producing Queen’s "Bohemian Rhapsody" and hits with The Cars.

• David Thomas (Pere Ubu): April 23, kidney disease, age not specified.

• Mike Peters (The Alarm): April 29, Richter’s syndrome (leukemia variant), age 66.

  “Through it all, Mike remained positive and he never gave up. He channeled all that musical energy into energy that helped others. No wonder he's a hero in Wales.” (15:30)

• Jill Sobule: May 1, house fire, age 66.

• Rick Derringer: May 26, medical crisis post-heart surgery.

• Alf Clausen (Simpsons composer): May, progressive supranuclear palsy, age 84.

• Sly Stone: June 9, COPD, age 84. A complex tale of musical genius and personal battles.

• Brian Wilson (Beach Boys): June 11, respiratory failure, age not specified. His struggles with mental health and the impact of long COVID are discussed.

• Douglas McCarthy (Nitzer Ebb): June 11, cirrhosis, age 58.

Late-Year Losses (Highlighted)

• Patrick Walden (Babyshambles): June 25, addiction issues, age 46.

• Mick Ralphs (Mott The Hoople/Bad Company): June 23, stroke, age 81.

• Brendan Burke (Royal Canoe): July 1, car accident, age 42.

• David Kaff (Spinal Tap ‘Viv Savage’): July 11, natural causes, age 79.

• Brendan Hines (Mastodon): Motorcycle crash, age 51.

• Rick Davies (Supertramp): September 6, cancer, age 81.

• Stephen Liscombe (Blancmange): September 13, heart issues, age 70.

• John Lodge (Moody Blues): October 10, sudden, age 82.

• Tommy Price (Billy Idol, Joan Jett): October 10, undisclosed, age 68.

• Ian Watkins (Lostprophets): October 20, murdered in prison, age 48. Alan addresses this with appropriate gravity regarding Watkins' crimes.

• Ace Frehley (KISS): October 16, fall and brain bleed, life support withdrawn.

• Sam Rivers (Limp Bizkit): October 18, pulmonary embolism, age 48.

• Dave Ball (Soft Cell): October 22, pneumonia/sepsis after long illness, age 66.

• Gilson Lavis (Squeeze): November 5, alcoholism, age 74.

• Jimmy Cliff (reggae legend): November 24, seizure/pneumonia, age 81.

• Steve Cropper (Booker T. & the MG’s/Blues Brothers): December 3, age 84.

• Chris Rea: December 22, stroke complications, age 74.

• Jack Pedler (Teenage Head): December 23, age 72.

• Perry Bamonte (The Cure): December 24, short illness, age 65.

• Howie Klein (DJ/Critic/Exec): December 24, pancreatic cancer, age 77.

Final Noted Loss:

• Mani (Stone Roses/Primal Scream): End of December, details of musical contributions and impact on Manchester scene.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the Function of This Episode:

  "There’s no way around it. This is not a happy show. In fact, it’s probably the saddest episode of the year. Then again, it is an opportunity to pay tribute to the musicians we lost in 2025. They’re gone. But that’s the thing about being a musician. The songs they left behind will remain with us for many, many years." (02:46)

• Ozzy Osbourne’s Last Words to Fans:

  "My fans have been so loyal to me over the years. I cannot thank them enough. … If I hadn't met Randy Rhodes, I don't think I'd be sitting here now. … My wife Sharon saved my life and my grandbabies are my bit. I love them all." (04:40)

• Reflective Closing:

  “We’ll have to do this again in 12 months because, well, we’ll continue to lose our rock heroes as they age out of existence. And considering how many of them are now in their 70s and 80s, we are going to have to deal with a lot of really heavy stuff in the coming years.” (29:16)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Opening Reflections on Aging Rockers & Loss: 00:35–04:00
• Ozzy Osbourne’s Final Days and Farewell: 04:00–05:32 (Ozzy’s statement: 04:31–05:31)
• Chronological List of Notable Deaths Begins: 05:32
• Stories and Contexts for Each Loss: 05:32–29:15 (individual timestamps for each artist are generally mentioned as Alan transitions between artists)
• Musician Tributes with Song Clips/Memorable Facts: Interspersed (e.g., Blondie’s “One Way Or Another” for Clem Burke at 14:05)
• Closing Reflections on Legacy and Loss: 29:16

Episode Tone & Language

Alan Cross maintains his signature thoughtful and slightly somber, but always respectful tone. He mixes deep respect for the artists with personal anecdotes and historical perspective, and never shies from addressing difficult truths (e.g., crime, addiction, abuse) in a forthright manner. His delivery is warm, factual, and direct—a hallmark of his music-journalism style.

Summary

This episode presents a thoughtful, emotionally resonant, and comprehensive roll call of significant music figures lost in 2025. Alan Cross not only lists their passing but also humanizes them, contextualizes their art and influence, and, in several cases, shares unique stories or personal memories. The episode underscores the importance of remembering musical legacies and highlights the challenges ahead as more musicians from the classic rock era pass away.

Listeners are reminded that, though the people are gone, their music—and its effect on culture and listeners—remains.