BMI was tremendously saddened to learn today of the passing of its renowned longtime affiliate, songwriter and BMI Icon Cynthia Weil. As one half of the legendary songwriting duo Mann & Weil, native New Yorker Cynthia Weil crafted, alongside her husband Barry Mann, some of the most timeless music in the… Read more...
BMI was deeply saddened to learn that the incomparable Tina Turner passed away Wednesday at the age of 83 at her home in Switzerland. A genuine legend and innovator, Turner was a groundbreaking music creator and electrifying performer who first came to prominence as part of the Ike & Tina Turner… Read more...
BMI mourns the loss of singer/songwriter Keith Gattis, who passed away on April 23 at age 52. The Texas native was a renowned songwriter and guitarist whose melancholy voice, prolific guitar skills and poignant lyrics have left an indelible mark on Music City. Gattis began his career in Nashville in 1996… Read more...
BMI was greatly saddened to learn of the passing of incomparable jazz pianist/composer/arranger Ahmad Jamal, who died Sunday at age 92 at his home in Ashley Falls, MA. A hugely influential figure renowned for his nuanced playing, Jamal’s less-is-more style allowed for depth and understatement in his performances, allowing light and… Read more...
Both BMI and the jazz world are mourning the passing of innovative saxophonist/composer Wayne Shorter, who died today in Los Angeles at the age of 89. A player with a distinctive style, Shorter’s mastery of the tenor saxophone set him apart in the 1960’s as a name to know, and he… Read more...
BMI was saddened to learn of the death of storied New Orleans songwriter/producer and rock n’ roll innovator, Huey “Piano” Smith, who passed away on February 13 at his home in Baton Rouge. He was 89. Best known for rollicking hits like “Don’t You Just Know It,” “High Blood Pressure,” “I’ll… Read more...
BMI was saddened to learn of the passing of Trugoy the Dove of the groundbreaking band De La Soul. He was 54. Trugoy, (a.k.a. David Jolicoeur), as one-third of the renowned Amityville, Long Island-based hip-hop trio, helped expand the parameters of the genre in the late ’80s and ’90s by infusing… Read more...
BMI is very saddened to learn of the death of Lisa Marie Presley, who passed away on Thursday in Los Angeles at the age of 54. A talented singer/songwriter and music creator, the only daughter of the legendary Elvis Presley started her own career in the music business in the early… Read more...
BMI was very saddened to learn of the passing of music editor and longtime affiliate, Chris Ledesma, whose death was announced via a title card during the end credits of this past Sunday’s episode of The Simpsons, the iconic animated program for which he served as music editor for 33 years.… Read more...
BMI was saddened to learn of the death of Thom Bell, who passed away Thursday at his home in Bellingham, Washington at the age of 79. An influential figure in contemporary American pop and soul music and one of the preeminent architects of the Philadelphia Sound, Bell was already a seasoned… Read more...
