The Soundtrack of Our Lives: Remembering the Legends Lost in 2025
The Music World In Memoriam 2025
The Final Chord.
The Last Bows of 2025
As the sun sets on 2025, the music world feels a little heavier. We lost some of the architects of our modern soundtrack. From the “teenage symphonies” of the West Coast to the heavy-metal thunder of the UK, these artists defined generations.
Today we remember the giants who took their final bow this past year.
We lost the people who built the rooms we’ve been dancing in for over sixty years. From the architects of the “California Sound” to the pioneers of heavy metal and the poets of the Nashville underground, these are the giants who left us this past year.
Goodbye and thank you!
The Mount Rushmore of Icons
These artists redefined the very architecture of popular music.
Brian Wilson: Brian was a composer who heard things others couldn’t. His struggle with mental health and his eventual triumph to finish SMiLE became a symbol of artistic resilience. He wrote “teenage symphonies to God” that changed the way the world used a recording studio. The Beach Boys co-founder was America’s Mozart - who invented a sound full of harmonies and sunshine. He pushed the boundaries of the recording studio until it became an instrument itself.
“Music is God’s voice. It’s a spiritual thing. It heals people.”
Ozzy Osbourne: The “Iron Man” himself. Beyond the bat-biting myths and reality TV fame, Ozzy’s haunting vocals on the first eight Black Sabbath albums created the blueprint for every metal band that followed. His 2025 farewell concert was the final, heavy exclamation point on a legendary career.
“I’ve always said that I’ll keep going until I can’t. And I’ve been saying that for 50 years.”
Sly Stone: The wildly inventive musician fused funk, rock, and soul to uplift the masses. He broke racial and gender barriers with his Family Stone ( a multi-racial, multi-gender band). Proving that “Everyday People” could change the world..
“Different strokes for different folks... we got to live together.”
D’Angelo: A perfectionist of the highest order. He brought a “handmade” feel back to R&B when everything was becoming digital. His mastery of the “behind the beat” groove on Voodoo influenced an entire generation of drummers and soul singers. He prioritized the “groove” over fame.
The Soulful Heavies and Pioneers
The voices that provided the soundtrack to our deepest emotions.
Roberta Flack: Known for her “quiet fire.” Roberta was a classically trained prodigy. She had the unique ability to take a song and make it feel like a private conversation between her and the listener. She was a classically trained prodigy who brought an unmatched elegance to the R&B charts.
“I want to be remembered as an artist who cared about the quality of the music.”
Jimmy Cliff: He was the primary ambassador for Reggae before Bob Marley became a household name. He gave a voice to the “rude boy” culture and the struggles of the Jamaican working class. Through The Harder They Come, he became a global symbol of resistance.
“I’d rather be a free man in my grave, than living as a puppet or a slave.”
Sam Moore: One-half of Sam & Dave. Sam was the “Tenor of Soul.” His chemistry with Dave Prater at Stax Records produced some of the most electrifying live performances in the history of rhythm and blues.
Roy Ayers: The man who made the vibraphone cool. By blending jazz with funk and disco. He created “Sunshine” music that became the foundation for the 90s Acid Jazz movement and countless hip-hop samples.
Jerry Butler: “The Iceman” was a founding member of The Impressions with Curtis Mayfield. He later transitioned into a successful political career in Chicago, proving his heart was always with the people.
The Rock & Roll Lifers
The guitarists and drummers who kept the engine of rock running for decades.
Ace Frehley: The “Spaceman” brought a raw, blues-based street swagger to KISS. His 1978 solo album is still cited by guitarists like Mike McCready and Dimebag Darrell as a life-changing influence.
“I’m from another planet. I’m just here to play guitar and have a good time.”
Steve Cropper: Known as “The Colonel,” his guitar playing was the backbone of Otis Redding’s greatest hits. The Stax Records guitarist co-wrote “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay.” He was a master of “the clip”—never playing a note that didn’t need to be there.
Marianne Faithfull: She went from being the face of “Swinging London” to a gritty, world-weary poet. Her 1979 album Broken English is one of the greatest “comeback” records in history. The Rolling Stones muse and “It girl” found a stunning second act as a gritty singer-songwriter. She spoke truths that few dared to whisper.
“I’ve had a lot of luck, but I’ve also had to fight like a tiger.”
Clem Burke: A whirlwind behind the kit. Clem’s drumming for Blondie merged the aggression of punk with the danceability of disco. He remained one of the most physically fit and technically proficient drummers well into his 70s.
Rick Davies: The bluesy counterpart to Roger Hodgson in Supertramp. His Wurlitzer piano work and cynical, witty lyrics on tracks like “Goodbye Stranger” provided the perfect balance to the band’s prog-leaning tendencies.
Garth Hudson: The Band’s “musical director.” He lived in a world of his own, often seen surrounded by a literal wall of keyboards and saxophones. He defined Americana. His organ intro on “Chest Fever” remains one of the most haunting moments in rock history.
The Cult Legends and Storytellers
The artists who built massive legacies in the margins of the mainstream.
Todd Snider: The “Mayor of East Nashville.” Todd was a folk-hero who could make you laugh until you cried and then break your heart in the next verse. This one hurt. A lot. The roguish singer-songwriter was the conscience of Americana.
“I don’t think I’ve ever let the truth get in the way of a good story.”
Bill Fay: A songwriter’s songwriter. After his 1971 album Time of the Last Persecution flopped, he disappeared for decades. His music was kept alive by fans like Wilco and Nick Cave until his triumphant late-career return.
Tom Lehrer: A mathematical genius who moonlighted as a musical satirist. He famously “retired” from satire when Henry Kissinger won the Nobel Peace Prize, claiming reality had become too absurd to parody. His darkly comic lyrics proved that intelligence and music were a lethal combination.
Jill Sobule: A brilliant lyricist who often used humor to tackle difficult subjects like sexuality, depression, and politics. Her work was always more subversive and intellectual than her radio hits suggested.
David Thomas: The frontman of Pere Ubu. He was a pioneer of “avant-garage.” He used his unique vocal range to create a sound that was industrial and strange, His hometown is Cleveland.
The music world also lost a group of incredible “genre-defiers” who bridged the gap between different musical worlds.
Jack DeJohnette: A jazz titan who played with Miles Davis during his “electric period.” He was a brilliant drummer.
Donna Jean Godchaux stood as the only woman in the Grateful Dead, infusing their psychedelic jams with a deep Muscle Shoals soul.
Eddie Palmieri acted as a Latin jazz radical, blending heavy salsa rhythms with fearless social commentary.
The “Madchester” sound lost its secret sauce with the passing of Gary “Mani” Mounfield. His melodic basslines defined The Stone Roses
David Johansen: The New York Dolls frontman and punk pioneer also conquered the charts as Buster Poindexter. He was rock’s ultimate shapeshifter.
The metal world lost the “chicken-pickin’” country-infused brilliance of Mastodon’s Brent Hinds.
We also remember Flaco Jiménez, the accordion master who proved his instrument belonged in rock and roll alongside the likes of the Rolling Stones and Jeannie Seely.
Rick Derringer leaves behind a massive legacy ranging from “Rock & Roll, Hoochie Koo” to producing “Weird Al” Yankovic’s legendary comedy hits.
Joe Ely served as the essential bridge between Texas songwriting and London punk. A Texas legend who blurred the lines between country and punk. Famously touring with The Clash and bringing Lubbock to London.
We honor Brian James, the man who penned the first UK punk single “New Rose” in a single afternoon
Joey Molland, who navigated the dizzying highs and tragic lows of Badfinger’s “next Beatles” reputation with unwavering grace.
A Final Goodbye
We thank these artists for the sleepless nights their music accompanied. The long drives they made shorter. And the moments of pure joy they provided. Yes, they made music. They also made us feel less alone.
Thank you for listening. As we move into 2026, let’s keep their records spinning. They may be gone, but as long as there is a speaker and a soul to hear it, the music lives on.
Their voices may have fallen silent, but their “shaped by sound” echoes remain eternal.
A Final Thank You
To write about these people is to realize how much they gave us. They provided the soundtrack to our first heartbreaks, our wild drives, and our quietest moments of reflection.
Thank you for reading and listening. To the families and the fans, we stand with you. The stage may be dark, but as long as we keep the records spinning, the music never truly stops.
Goodbye to the legends of 2025.
NEXT – The Notable Songs of 2025 (Shows 2 & 3 of 5)
Welcome to NEXT. Your deep dive into the sounds that defined our lives over the last twelve months. We are currently right in the thick of our year-end countdown, moving through Shows 2 and 3 of our 5-part series on the most notable music of 2025.
This year has been a bittersweet symphony. We’ve had to say some incredibly difficult goodbyes to absolute legends of the craft, the new music rising to take their place has been nothing short of spectacular. Today, we continue our journey through the tracks that moved us, challenged us, and kept us dancing. It’s time to celebrate the brilliant, the bold, and the bloody awesome music of 2025.
NEXT show 2 of 5. One of these may be your NEXT, new favorite song
Fontaines D.C. – It’s Amazing To Be Young. Leading things off, the Dublin boys who can do no wrong. They’ve traded some of that post-punk gloom for a shot of adrenaline and a bit of a smirk.
Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers – Wonderful. Heading over to Australia now. These four have become the queens of the hooky, punch-in-the-gut rock song. It’s crunchy, it’s sarcastic, and honestly? Wonderful
They Are Gutting a Body of Water – American Food. Time for something a little weirder and a lot noisier. This Philly outfit is redefining shoegaze for a new generation.
Momma – Cross Your Heart. If you miss that fuzzy, 90s alt-rock aesthetic, Momma has you covered. They just keep getting better at writing these effortless anthems.
Ten Hail Marys – I Still See Your Face. Next up, a track that’s been haunting the airwaves all month. It’s atmospheric, it’s emotional, and it’s got that late-night driving energy.
NewDad – Misery. Galway’s own NewDad. Nobody makes Misery sound quite as lush and shimmering as Julie Dawson and the crew. Get lost in this one.
Ratboys – Anywhere. The Chicago ‘post-country’ legends are back. Ratboys have this magical way of making a song feel like a road trip with your best friends. This is about the guitarists dog.
The Criticals – High Life Clinic. Nashville isn’t just for country, and The Criticals are the proof. This is pure, strutting rock and roll.
Pacifica – Soltame!. Let’s head down to Buenos Aires. Pacifica has been one of the most exciting breakouts of the year, bringing that Strokes-esque energy to the Spanish language.
The Thing – Something To Say. Coming out of the NYC garage scene, these guys play like their instruments are on fire. They’ve got Something To Say, and you’re gonna want to hear it.
Liquid Mike – Selling Swords. The hardest-working band in Michigan. Short, fast, and impossibly catchy power-pop.
Ski Team – New BF. A little bit of indie-pop gold next. It’s witty, it’s relatable, and it’s been stuck in my head since January.
The Beths – Metal. New Zealand’s finest. Elizabeth Stokes is arguably the best lyricist in the game right now, and the band is tighter than ever. Let’s get heavy with Metal.”
Kathleen Edwards – Save Your Soul. A welcome return from one of the most honest voices in Americana. Kathleen Edwards reminds us that sometimes, you’re the only one who can Save Your Soul.
Tony Molina – Faded Holiday. The master of the two-minute masterpiece. Tony Molina gives us all the guitar harmonies we could ever need in a perfect bite-sized portion.
The Tisburys – Forever. Philly heartland rock at its absolute best. This track feels like a classic from the very first chord.
The Backfires – Replace It All. This trans-Atlantic outfit is bridging the gap between London and NYC. It’s high-energy, it’s anthemic, and it’s got that ‘last night of summer’ feel.
Jay Som (feat. Jim Adkins) – Float. A collaboration we didn’t know we needed. Melina Duterte’s dream-pop sensibilities meet the emo-rock royalty of Jimmy Eat World’s Jim Adkins. Just let it Float.”
Margo Price – Don’t Let The Bastards Get You Down. And finally for this hour, the outlaw queen herself. Margo Price with a survival anthem for 2025. Whatever you do, Don’t Let The Bastards Get You Down.
Goodbye to Show 2. We’ve still got hundreds of songs to go as we count down the 1025 Notable Songs of 2025. Thank you for listening to NEXT. We’ll see you for Week 3.
Hello to Show 3 of 5 of our Notable Songs of 2025 And more music to make your ears smile.
Shame – Quiet Life. Kicking things off with the South London legends. Shame has traded in a bit of the chaos for some incredible craftsmanship, but don’t worry—the bite is still there.
Car Seat Headrest – The Catastrophe (Good Luck With That, Man). Will Toledo is back, and he’s leaning into the beautiful, messy complexity we love him for. It’s twitchy, it’s brilliant, and it’s very 2025. Good luck with this one, man.
Royel Otis – Car. The Australian duo that owned the airwaves this year. They have this knack for making every guitar line feel like a classic. Put the windows down for this one.
Beddy Rays – Stay The Same. More goodness from the land down under. These guys make feel-good, rowdy surf-punk that makes you want to grab a beer and never grow up.
Wet Leg – Mangetout. The Isle of Wight duo returns! They’ve kept that deadpan wit and those infectious hooks that made us fall in love with them in the first place.
Pale Blue Eyes – Rituals. Time for some hypnotic, motorized pop from the English countryside. Pale Blue Eyes specializes in songs that make you want to dance and stare at the stars at the same time.
Fanclubwallet – Know You Anymore. Hannah Judge has a way of writing about being stuck in your own head that feels incredibly universal. It’s lo-fi, it’s relatable, and it’s a total earworm.
Sunday (1994) – Still Blue. This band has been a massive discovery this year. If you like your indie rock with a side of cinematic melancholy, this is for you.
Black Lunge – All Eyes. Turning the volume up now. Black Lunge brought the heavy hitters this year with a track that demands your attention from the first second. All Eyes on this.
New Age Healers – Radiate. Coming out of the Seattle scene, these guys are masters of the ‘wall of sound.’ It’s psych-rock that feels like it’s actually glowing.
Neykid – Summerbreeze. Don’t let the title fool you—this isn’t a soft acoustic track. This is jagged, high-energy post-punk that’ll blow the cobwebs out.
Hotline TNT – Break Right. Will Anderson’s project is the gold standard for that fuzzy, overdriven shoegaze-pop. It’s loud, it’s distorted, and it’s absolutely gorgeous.
Natalie Bergman – Gunslinger. Natalie Bergman has one of the most unique spirits in music today. This track feels like a lost psych-folk treasure from the 70s brought into the modern day. This is Gunslinger.
Kristen Ford – Whiplash. A high-octane blast of indie-rock energy next. Kristen Ford doesn’t hold back on this one—it’s punchy, fast, and lives up to the name.
Brandi Carlile – Church And State. A true powerhouse. Brandi Carlile continues to show why she is the definitive voice of her generation, tackling the big themes with that unmistakable vocal grit.
Mystic Knights – This High Up. Next up, something with a bit of a psychedelic groove. The Mystic Knights are taking us on a trip with a track that feels like it’s floating somewhere above the clouds.
The Barr Brothers – Upsetter. And finally for this hour, the folk-rock innovators from Montreal. They always find the most interesting rhythms and textures to wrap their stories in.
Show 3. We are over the hump, but the best is yet to come. Thank you for listening to NEXT. We’re celebrating the music that shaped 2025, one song at a time. I’m your host, and I’ll catch you for the next round.
A Final Note for Today
That wraps up the second and third chapters of our look back at 2025. It’s been an emotional ride so far—honoring the giants who left us while discovering the new voices that are already shaping our future. Music has a way of anchoring us, even when the world feels like it’s shifting beneath our feet. This year’s playlist is proof that the spirit of creativity is as restless and vibrant as ever.
Thank you so much for reading and listening. We truly appreciate you joining us here at NEXT to champion these artists. We’ll be back soon with the final two shows of the series to crown the ultimate sounds of the year.
Until then, keep the volume up and the memories close.
Music is Life. Music is Magic. Live Music Is Good For Your Soul.
And remember if you love someone hug them right now.
The Thing: I’m totally obsessed!! Such a good garage band sound. I’ve seen them 2x— the first by accident. The second at Lager’s in Detroit. I like to think of myself as their biggest Detroit fan!
Beautiful tribute section Chris. Thank you. And I appreciate the recap of 2025 shows. I didn't arrive here on Substack until June so these look backs are helpful. Keep up the good work. HNY.