As we move into a new year we look back at 2011, which will be remembered for many great achievements in the world of music, but also some notable losses. Here's a reminder of the songwriters, composers and musicians we lost in 2011. Click on a name to read the original obituary.
January
Mick Karn 1958 – 2011
Multi-instrumentalist and former bass player with the group Japan.
Trish Keenan1969 – 2011
Lead singer of influential psch-pop group Broadcast.
John Barry 1933 – 2011
John Barry OBE was an Oscar-winning composer, Ivor Novello award winner and Fellow of the British Academy of Songwriters and Composers.
Gerry Rafferty 1948 - 2011
Singer-songwriter Gerry Rafferty died from liver disease.
Keith Lowde 1945 - 2011
The former MCPS deputy managing director, was killed in a boating accident just after New Year.
February
Gary Moore 1952 – 2011
The rock and blues guitarist died on holiday in Spain.
March
Loleatta Holloway 1946 - 2011
Chicago-born soul singer Holloway began her career singing gospel music with her mother in the Holloway Community Singers.
Jet Harris MBE 1939 - 2011
Helped pioneer British rock 'n' Roll as bassist with The Shadows
Smiley Culture1962 – 2011
Reggae and UK rap pioneer David David Emmanuel aka Smiley Culture died at his home following a police raid.
April
Poly Styrene 1957 - 2011
The British-Somali musician and songwriter, who fronted the pioneering punk band X-Ray Spex, lost her battle with breast cancer just weeks after the release of her comeback solo album Generation Indigo.
May
Gil Scott-Heron 1949 – 2011
Singer, songwriter, musician, poet and author Gil Scott-Heron died aged 62 at St. Luke's Hospital in New York.
George Webley 1957 - 2011
Composer and radio presenter.
John Walker1943 - 2011
The singer, songwriter, musician and co-founder of the classic 60s group The Walker Brothers.
June
Cyril Ornadel 1924 - 2011
Respected British composer, songwriter and conductor Cyril Ornadel has passed away in his adopted country of Israel.
Andrew Gold 1951 – 2011
Never Let Her Slip Away writer Andrew Gold died at home in California.
Martin Rushent 1948 – 2011
Rushent was reknowned for his work with the Human League - he won the Best British Producer in 1982 for the band's Dare album.
July
Amy Winehouse 1983 - 2011
Winehouse, considered by many as one of the most outstanding singers of her generation, passed away at just 27 years old.
Jerry Ragovoy 1930 – 2011
Soul songwriter responsible for some of the world's best-loved songs
August
Nick Ashford 1942 - 2011
The songwriter Nick Ashford was one half of the songwriting duo Ashford and Simpson.
Jerry Leiber 1933 - 2011
The songwriter behind some of Elvis Presley's most well-loved songs,alongside co-writer Mike Stoller.
October
Edmundo Ros OBE 1910 – 2011
Latin Band Leader, club, dance school and record label-owner.
David Eaves 1950 - 2011
Musician, songwriter, woodworker and classical music teacher, who co-founded acoustic band Dulcimer in the late 1960s.
David Bedford 1937-2011
Composer, arranger and musician, and former PRS Board member
December
John Gardner CBE 1917 - 2011
Tribute to the classical composer John Gardner, who passed away at the age of 94.
January
Mick Karn 1958 – 2011
Multi-instrumentalist and former bass player with the group Japan.
Trish Keenan1969 – 2011
Lead singer of influential psch-pop group Broadcast.
John Barry 1933 – 2011
John Barry OBE was an Oscar-winning composer, Ivor Novello award winner and Fellow of the British Academy of Songwriters and Composers.
Gerry Rafferty 1948 - 2011
Singer-songwriter Gerry Rafferty died from liver disease.
Keith Lowde 1945 - 2011
The former MCPS deputy managing director, was killed in a boating accident just after New Year.
February
Gary Moore 1952 – 2011
The rock and blues guitarist died on holiday in Spain.
March
Loleatta Holloway 1946 - 2011
Chicago-born soul singer Holloway began her career singing gospel music with her mother in the Holloway Community Singers.
Jet Harris MBE 1939 - 2011
Helped pioneer British rock 'n' Roll as bassist with The Shadows
Smiley Culture1962 – 2011
Reggae and UK rap pioneer David David Emmanuel aka Smiley Culture died at his home following a police raid.
April
Poly Styrene 1957 - 2011
The British-Somali musician and songwriter, who fronted the pioneering punk band X-Ray Spex, lost her battle with breast cancer just weeks after the release of her comeback solo album Generation Indigo.
May
Gil Scott-Heron 1949 – 2011
Singer, songwriter, musician, poet and author Gil Scott-Heron died aged 62 at St. Luke's Hospital in New York.
George Webley 1957 - 2011
Composer and radio presenter.
John Walker1943 - 2011
The singer, songwriter, musician and co-founder of the classic 60s group The Walker Brothers.
June
Cyril Ornadel 1924 - 2011
Respected British composer, songwriter and conductor Cyril Ornadel has passed away in his adopted country of Israel.
Andrew Gold 1951 – 2011
Never Let Her Slip Away writer Andrew Gold died at home in California.
Martin Rushent 1948 – 2011
Rushent was reknowned for his work with the Human League - he won the Best British Producer in 1982 for the band's Dare album.
July
Amy Winehouse 1983 - 2011
Winehouse, considered by many as one of the most outstanding singers of her generation, passed away at just 27 years old.
Jerry Ragovoy 1930 – 2011
Soul songwriter responsible for some of the world's best-loved songs
August
Nick Ashford 1942 - 2011
The songwriter Nick Ashford was one half of the songwriting duo Ashford and Simpson.
Jerry Leiber 1933 - 2011
The songwriter behind some of Elvis Presley's most well-loved songs,alongside co-writer Mike Stoller.
October
Edmundo Ros OBE 1910 – 2011
Latin Band Leader, club, dance school and record label-owner.
David Eaves 1950 - 2011
Musician, songwriter, woodworker and classical music teacher, who co-founded acoustic band Dulcimer in the late 1960s.
David Bedford 1937-2011
Composer, arranger and musician, and former PRS Board member
December
John Gardner CBE 1917 - 2011
Tribute to the classical composer John Gardner, who passed away at the age of 94.
