Billboard has published a remembrance of musicians who have died so far in 2026, starting with losses reported just days into the new year. The piece notes that January began with the deaths of several notable artists across country, rock, hip-hop and Latin music.
According to Billboard, Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame artist Jim McBride died on Jan. 6 at age 78. McBride was known for co-writing a number of hits with Alan Jackson, including “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow,” “Someday,” “That’s All I Need to Know,” “(Who Says) You Can’t Have It All” and “Chattahoochee.”
The article also says Colombian singer-songwriter Yeison Jiménez died in a plane crash on Jan. 10 that killed six people. On the same day, a statement shared to Bob Weir’s Instagram account announced that the Grateful Dead founding member had died at 78 after having beaten lung cancer but later succumbing to underlying lung issues.
Billboard further reports that Grammy-nominated musician John Forté was found dead in his Massachusetts home on Jan. 12 at age 50. Later in February, the Wu-Tang Clan confirmed the death of co-founder Oliver “Power” Grant at 52, and Neil Sedaka’s family announced two days later that the singer-songwriter had died at 86.
The article says the year is still early, but Billboard is already remembering the musicians lost in 2026 so far.
