Many musicians died from AIDS, some well known and some less known, but all of them made an impact on the music scene, and AIDS changed the music world.
Here are some famous musicians who all died of this terrible disease:
Perhaps, the most famous of all was the flamboyant, Zanzibar-born, Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury, who died when he was only 45. He had this extraordinary voice and was voted one of the greatest singers in the history of pop music several times. Nobody can sing ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, ‘Somebody to Love’, ‘We are the Champions’ as he could, but he was before anything a true performer with a theatrical and extravagant style. He did an estimated 700 stadium-style concerts, all around the world.
The Nigerian, multi-instrumentalist Fela Kuti, was a political, anti-military activist, and a fervent defender of human rights. His complex fusion of Jazz, Funk and African rhythms and his wild performances made him an Afrobeat superstar before he died of AIDS at the age of 58.
The extravagant pianist Liberace with his out-of-this-world wardrobe and pompadour, was a true showman who died of AIDS when he was 67.
Rapper Eazy-E, regarded as the godfather of gangsta rap, who co-founded the record company Ruthless Records with his drug sale profits, and who formed the group N.W.A. with Dr. Dre and Ice Cube, also died from AIDS when he was only 31, although he did not know he was infected with the virus.
The German countertenor singer Klaus Nomi, with his unusual vocal range, theatrical outfits, and heavy white make-up was known for covering twitted opera tunes or classical pop songs. He died of AIDS when he was only 39.
There is a long list, and here are other musicians, composers, songwriters thanks to Wikipedia:, either dead by or HIV Positive
Peter Allen (1944–1992): an Australian born songwriter and singer who wrote the expatriate’s anthem ‘I Still Call Australia Home’
Andy Bell (born 1964): A British musician, singer of the synthpop duo Erasure.
Nadja Benaissa (born 1982): A German musician, member of the girl group No Angels.
Black Randy (1952-1988): An American leader of west coast art-punk soul band Black Randy and the Metrosquad.
Jorge Bolet (1914–1990): A Cuban pianist and conductor, well remembered for his performances and recordings of large-scale Romantic music.
Cazuza (1958–1990): A Brazilian singer and composer.
Stuart Challender (1947–1991): An Australian conductor of the Sydney Symphony
David Cole (1963–1995): An American dance music producer, part of C+C Music Factory
Patrick Cowley (1950–1982): An American synthesizer artist.
Robbin Crosby (1960–2002): An American guitarist nicknamed “The King”, member of the glam metal band Ratt.
Tony De Vit (1957–1998): A British club disc jockey
Bobby DeBarge (1956–1995): A singer, member of the American musical band DeBarge. Kiki Djan (1957–2004): A Ghanaian singer, member of the musical band Osibisa.
Youri Egorov (1954–1988): A Soviet classical pianist, defected to the United States.
Patrick Esposito Di Napoli (1964–1994): A French Canadian singer
Tom Fogerty (1941–1990): An American musician who played rhythm guitar in Creedence Clearwater Revival, and elder brother of John Fogerty.
Andy Fraser (born 1952): A British musician who played bass guitar in the influential 1970s group Free, and who wrote the hit ‘All Right Now’.
Ray Gillen (1959–1993): An American singer, best known for his work with the bands Black Sabbath and Badlands.
Paul Giovanni (1933–1996): An American playwright, actor, director, singer and musician, best known for writing the music for the film The Wicker Man
Kenny Greene (1969–2001): An American R&B singer from the group Intro.
Howard Greenfield (1936–1986): An American songwriter who was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1991.
Steven Grossman (1952–1991): An American singer-songwriter from the 1970s.
Calvin Hampton (1938–1984): An American organist and sacred music composer.
Dan Hartman (1950–1994): An American singer, songwriter and record producer.
Ofra Haza (1957–2000): An Israeli singer who gained international recognition with the single ‘Im Nin’alu’.
Jerry Herman (born 1933): An American composer/lyricist who composed the scores for the hit Broadway musicals Hello, Dolly! Mame, and La Cage aux Folles.
Fred Hersch (born 1955): An American contemporary jazz pianist.
Paul Jabara (1948–1992): An American actor and songwriter who wrote Donna Summer’s Oscar-winning hit ‘Last Dance’.
Paul Jacobs (1930–1983): An American pianist.
Jobriath (1946–1983): An American Glam Rock musician.
Holly Johnson (born 1960): A British singer, former lead singer of Frankie Goes to Hollywood.
Bernard Kabanda (1959–1999): A Ugandan guitarist.
Héctor Lavoe (1946–1993): A Puerto Rican salsa singer and composer.
Paul Lekakis (1966-): An American singer and actor
Andreas Lundstedt (born 1972): A Swedish musician, member of the pop-disco group, Alcazar.
Philly Lutaaya (1951–1989): A Ugandan composer and musician, and AIDS prevention activist in Africa.
Billy Lyall (1953–1989): A British keyboard player, member of Pilot (band) and the Bay City Rollers.
Jacques Morali (1947–1991): A French disco composer, and co-creator of the Village People.
Alan Murphy (1953–1989): An English guitarist who worked with Kate Bush and Level 42.
Stephen Oliver (1950–1992): An English composer, known for his operas.
Chuck Panozzo (born 1948): An American bass player, founding member of the rock band Styx.
Lonnie Pitchford (1955–1998): An American blues musician and instrument maker.
Louis Potgieter (1951–1993): A South African singer, fronted the German act Dschinghis Khan.
Sharon Redd (1945–1992): An American disco singer.
Scott Ross (1951–1989): An American harpsichordist.
Frankie Ruiz (1958–1998): A Puerto Rican salsa singer and composer.
Arthur Russell (1951–1992): An American disco artist and cellist.
Renato Russo (1960–1996): A Brazilian founder and leader of the rock band, Legião Urbana.
Mano Solo (1963–2010): A French singer
Jermaine Stewart (1957–1997): An American pop singer.
Sylvester (1944–19
88): An American disco artist and drag performer.
Umanji (c. 1968–2008): A South African musician and songwriter.
António Variações (1944–1984): A Portuguese musician and songwriter.
Ricky Wilson (1953–1985): An American guitarist, original member of The B-52’s.
Zombo (1979–2008): A South African singer, songwriter and music producer, best known as a member of kwaito group Abashante.