Editing 2003 in music (section)

==Deaths==
*[[January 1]] – [[Giorgio Gaber]] (63), actor, singer-songwriter
*[[January 5]]
**[[Gonzalo Brenes]] (95), Panamanian composer, musicologist, folk-song collector, music educator, and politician<ref>{{cite thesis|title=Catálogo cronológico, temático y bibliográfico de las obras musicales del compositor panameño Gonzalo Brenes Candanedo|first=Patricia Guerra M.|last=Etel Fowler|year=2022|publisher=[[University of Panama]]|type=M.M.|url=https://up-rid.up.ac.pa/6443/3/etel_guerra.pdf|page=21}}</ref>
**[[Doreen Carwithen]] (80), composer
**[[Daphne Oram]] (77), composer and electronic musician
*[[January 6]] – [[Hirini Melbourne]] (53), New Zealand singer-songwriter and poet 
*[[January 8]] – [[Ron Goodwin]] (77), composer and conductor
*[[January 11]] – [[Mickey Finn (musician)|Mickey Finn]] (55), [[Bongo drum|bongo]] player and [[T.Rex (band)|T.Rex]] sideman (liver failure)<ref>{{Cite magazine |author=Billboard Staff |date=2003-01-13 |title=T Rex Percussionist Finn Dies |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/t-rex-percussionist-finn-dies-72704/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>
*[[January 12]] – [[Maurice Gibb]] (53), [[Bee Gees]] singer and bassist (intestinal complications)<ref>{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/Music/01/16/gibb.autopsy/index.html?eref=sitesearch|title=Gibb autopsy cites twisted intestine|last=CandiottI|first=Susan|date=January 16, 2003|publisher=CNN|access-date=December 22, 2010}}</ref>
*[[January 15]] – [[Doris Fisher (songwriter)|Doris Fisher]] (87), singer-songwriter<ref>{{cite web|author=Doc Rock |url=http://www.thedeadrockstarsclub.com/2003.html |title=The Dead Rock Stars Club 2003 January To June |publisher=Thedeadrockstarsclub.com |access-date=May 2, 2014}}</ref>
*[[January 23]] – [[Nell Carter]] (54), singer and actress (heart disease)<ref>{{cite web|last1=Boehm|first1=Mike|title=Ruling In Nell Carter's Death|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-mar-05-et-quick5.1-story.html|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 7, 2017|date=March 5, 2003}}</ref>
*[[February 1]] – [[Mongo Santamaría]] (80), Latin jazz percussionist<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/03/arts/mongo-santamaria-85-influential-jazz-percussionist-dies.html|title=Mongo Santamaria, 85, Influential Jazz Percussionist, Dies|first=Ben|last=Ratliff|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=February 3, 2003}}</ref>
*[[February 2]] 
**[[Vincent "Randy" Chin]] (65), Jamaican record producer
**[[Lou Harrison]] (85), composer
*[[February 4]] – [[Charlie Biddle]], American-Canadian bassist, 76
*[[February 11]] – [[Moses Hogan]] (55), American pianist and composer
*[[February 16]] – [[Rusty Magee]] (47), American actor and composer
*[[February 19]] – [[Johnny Paycheck]] (64), country singer
*[[February 20]] – [[Ty Longley]] (31), guitarist of [[Great White (band)|Great White]] (fire accident)
*[[February 23]] – [[Howie Epstein]] (47), bassist for [[Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers]]
*[[February 26]] – [[Othar Turner]] (95), fife player
*[[March 3]]
**[[Hank Ballard]] (75), R&B singer (throat cancer)
**[[Malcolm Williamson]] (71), composer
*[[March 4]] – [[Celly Campello]] (60), Brazilian singer-songwriter and actress (breast cancer)
*[[March 8]] – [[Adam Faith]] (62), singer, actor (heart attack) 
*[[April 1]] – [[Leslie Cheung]] (46), actor, musician (suicide)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Archives |first=L. A. Times |date=2003-04-03 |title=Leslie Cheung, 46; Actor, Pop Singer Takes Suicide Leap |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-apr-03-me-cheung3-story.html |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
*[[April 2]] – [[Edwin Starr]] (61), soul singer (heart attack)<ref>{{Cite news |agency=Reuters |date=2003-04-04 |title=Edwin Starr, 61, Soul Singer With 'War' Hit |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/04/arts/edwin-starr-61-soul-singer-with-war-hit.html |access-date=2023-12-24 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
*[[April 6]] – [[Babatunde Olatunji]] (75), drummer (diabetes) 
* [[April 10]] – [[Little Eva]] (59), singer (cervical cancer)
*[[April 13]] – [[Alex Baroni]] (35), singer (motorbike accident) 
*[[April 17]] – [[Earl King]] (69), blues musician 
*[[April 19]] – [[Conrad Leonard]] (104), composer and pianist 
*[[April 20]] – [[Teddy Edwards]] (78), jazz saxophonist 
*[[April 21]] – [[Nina Simone]] (70), singer and pianist 
*[[April 22]] – [[Felice Bryant]] (77), Hall of Fame songwriter 
*[[May 4]] – [[Arthur Oldham]] (76), composer and choirmaster
*[[May 11]] – [[Noel Redding]] (57), bassist of [[The Jimi Hendrix Experience]] ([[cirrhosis]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/3022817.stm |title=Hendrix bassist dies |work=BBC News |date=May 13, 2003 |access-date=May 31, 2010}}</ref>
*[[May 15]] – [[June Carter Cash]] (73), musician and singer<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-05-15 |title=Country Star June Carter Cash Dies - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/country-star-june-carter-cash-dies/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
*[[May 19]] – [[Ivo Žídek]] (76), operatic tenor 
*[[May 25]] – [[Jeremy Ward (musician)|Jeremy Ward]] (27), sound technician and guitarist 
*[[May 27]] – [[Luciano Berio]] (77), composer 
*[[May 30]] – [[Mickie Most]] (64), record producer (mesothelioma) 
*[[June 6]] – [[Dave Rowberry]] (63), keyboardist ([[The Animals]]) (ulcer haemorrhage)
*[[June 17]] – [[Marcella Pobbé]] (81), operatic soprano 
*[[July 1]] – [[Herbie Mann]] (73), jazz flautist (prostate cancer) 
*[[July 3]] – [[Skip Scarborough]] (58), songwriter 
*[[July 4]] 
**[[André Claveau]] (87), singer 
**[[Barry White]] (58), singer and record producer (renal failure) 
*[[July 5]] – [[Bebu Silvetti]] (59), pianist, composer, arranger and record producer (respiratory failure) 
*[[July 6]]
**[[Skip Battin]] (69), singer-songwriter and bassist<ref>{{Cite web |last=Archives |first=L. A. Times |date=2003-07-10 |title=Skip Battin, 69; Musician Was Member of Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jul-10-me-passings10.2-story.html |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
**[[Buddy Ebsen]] (95), actor and singer 
*[[July 7]] – [[Izhak Graziani]] (79), conductor 
*[[July 12]] – [[Benny Carter]] (95), jazz saxophonist, composer, arranger and bandleader (bronchitis) 
*[[July 13]] – [[Compay Segundo]] (95), Cuban guitarist, singer and composer
*[[July 16]] – [[Celia Cruz]] (77), salsa singer (brain tumor) 
*[[July 17]] – [[Rosalyn Tureck]] (89), pianist 
*[[July 25]] – [[Erik Braunn]] (52), guitarist [[Iron Butterfly]]  (heart attack)
*[[July 26]] – [[Richard Wayne Dirksen]] (81), organist and choirmaster 
*[[July 27]] – [[Bob Hope]] (100), actor, comedian and singer 
*[[July 30]] – [[Sam Philips]] (80), producer and founder of [[Sun Records]] 
*[[August 2]] – [[Don Estelle]] (70), actor and singer 
*[[August 5]] – [[Tite Curet Alonso]] (77), songwriter (heart attack) 
*[[August 6]] – [[Julius Baker]] (87), flautist<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kozinn |first=Allan |date=2003-08-08 |title=Julius Baker, Principal Flutist Of Philharmonic, Dies at 87 |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/08/arts/julius-baker-principal-flutist-of-philharmonic-dies-at-87.html |access-date=2023-12-24 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
*[[August 9]] – [[Gregory Hines]] (58), actor, singer and dancer 
*[[August 10]] – [[Carmita Jiménez]], singer 
*[[August 13]] – [[Ed Townsend]] (74), singer-songwriter 
*[[August 15]] – [[Robert Moulson]] (70), operatic tenor 
*[[August 18]] – [[Tony Jackson (singer)|Tony Jackson]] (55), singer and bass player ([[The Searchers (band)|The Searchers]])
*[[August 21]] – [[Wesley Willis]] (40), novelty musician 
*[[August 23]] – [[Imperio Argentina]] (96), singer and actress
*[[September 4]]
**[[Lola Bobesco]] (82), violinist
**[[Susan Chilcott]] (40), operatic soprano (breast cancer)
**[[Tibor Varga (violinist)|Tibor Varga]] (82), violinist and conductor
*[[September 5]] – [[Gisele MacKenzie]] (76), singer
*[[September 7]] – [[Warren Zevon]] (56), rock and roll singer; mesothelioma
*[[September 12]] – [[Johnny Cash]] (71), country and rock 'n roll singer
*[[September 14]] – [[John Serry, Sr.]] (88) concert accordionist, organist, composer, arranger
*[[September 19]] – [[Slim Dusty]] (76), country singer
*[[September 25]] – [[Matthew Jay]] (24), English singer-songwriter
*[[September 26]] – [[Robert Palmer (singer)|Robert Palmer]] (54), singer (heart attack)<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine |author=Billboard Staff |date=2003-09-26 |title=Robert Palmer Dies At Age 54 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/robert-palmer-dies-at-age-54-68925/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>
*[[September 27]] – [[Donald O'Connor]] (78), actor, singer and dancer (congestive heart failure)
*[[September 30]] – [[Ronnie Dawson (musician)|Ronnie Dawson]] (64), rockabilly singer and guitarist
*[[October 5]] – [[Denis Quilley]] (75), actor and singer (liver cancer)
*[[October 10]] – [[Eugene Istomin]] (77), pianist (liver cancer)
*[[October 21]] – [[Elliott Smith]] (34), singer-songwriter
*[[October 22]] – [[Gabriella Gatti]] (95), operatic soprano
*[[October 23]] – [[Tony Capstick]] (59), comedian, actor and musician
*[[October 24]] – [[Rosie Nix Adams]] (45), singer-songwriter<ref>{{Cite news |title=Daughter of Singer June Carter Cash Found Dead |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2003/10/26/daughter-of-singer-june-carter-cash-found-dead/534375d3-54d6-4695-817c-989d9644737f/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>
*[[October 25]] – [[Robert Strassburg]] (88), composer, educator, musicologist
*[[October 29]] – [[Franco Corelli]] (82), operatic tenor
*[[October 30]] – [[Franco Bonisolli]] (65), operatic tenor
*[[November 5]] – [[Bobby Hatfield]] (63), singer ([[The Righteous Brothers]])
*[[November 9]] – [[Buddy Arnold]] (77), jazz saxophonist
*[[November 12]] – [[Tony Thompson (drummer)|Tony Thompson]] (48), drummer of [[Chic (band)|Chic]] (kidney cancer)
*[[November 14]] – [[Gene Anthony Ray]] (41), actor and dancer (complications of a stroke)
*[[November 15]]
**[[Dorothy Loudon]] (70), actress and singer
**[[Speedy West]] (79), American guitarist and producer (b. 1924)
*[[November 17]]
**[[Arthur Conley]] (57), soul singer (intestinal cancer)
**[[Don Gibson]] (75), country musician
*[[November 18]] – [[Michael Kamen]] (55), composer, conductor and musician (heart attack)
*[[November 19]] – [[Greg Ridley]] (56), English bassist ([[Humble Pie (band)|Humble Pie]])
*[[November 26]] – [[Soulja Slim]] (26), rapper (homicide)<ref>{{Cite magazine |author=Billboard Staff |date=2003-12-01 |title=Rapper Soulja Slim Murdered |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/rapper-soulja-slim-murdered-67970/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>
*[[November 28]] – [[Thekra]], Tunisian singer (murdered by her husband)
*[[December 8]] – [[Rubén González (pianist)|Rubén González]] (84), pianist
*[[December 16]] – [[Gary Stewart (singer)|Gary Stewart]] (59), country singer (suicide)
*[[December 22]] – [[Dave Dudley]] (75), country singer (heart attack)
*[[December 27]] – [[Vestal Goodman]] (74), gospel singer (influenza complications)
*[[December 30]] – [[Anita Mui]] (40), Hong Kong pop singer
*[[December 31]] – [[Sieglinde Wagner]] (82), operatic contralto