In Memoriam – The Rockers We Lost in 2025

As the year concludes, we can now reflect on the staggering amount of talent that we’ve lost over the calendar year of 2025. Some of rock and metal’s biggest names died over this past year, but their musical legacy left behind is immense.

The biggest name to have passed over the last year is Ozzy Osbourne. The Black Sabbath leader realized his goal to hit the stage one last time with the original band lineup at the Back to the Beginning concert in early July, but on July 22 came the news that Ozzy had died. His legacy is one that transcends metal as people from all walks of life sent their condolences or seemingly had a story about how Ozzy’s music or life had an impact on them.

READ MORE: 10 Simple Ways to Honor Ozzy Osbourne in Your Daily Life

This year also saw the deaths of fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys and KISS’ iconic original guitarist Ace Frehley. Wilson died on June 11, leaving behind a legacy of surf rock favorites and one of the most influential albums of all-time in Pet Sounds. Frehley, meanwhile, was a self-taught talent on the guitar, influencing a generation of guitar players who gravitated to his unique style of playing and his “Spaceman” persona. The guitarist died Oct. 16 as the result of a fall.

It was a year in which we lost some more modern talents as well. Former Mastodon guitarist Brent Hinds died on Aug. 20 at the age of 51 after a late night motorcycle accident.  We also lost Limp Bizkit bassist Sam Rivers on Oct. 18 at the age of 48.

Those are some of the bigger names, but there’s still several Rock and Roll Hall of Famers and plenty of musicians who’ve contributed to the ongoing legacy of rock and metal music. Join us as we pay our respects with this In Memoriam feature shining a light on the impact of the rock and metal musician who have passed in 2025.

Their legacy lives on, as it does for all of the rockers we lost last year in 2024.