Writers, Musicians, and Visual Artists We Lost in 2023

A comprehensive tribute to the influential artists, writers, musicians, and visual artists who passed away in 2023. Celebrate their legacies and contributions to the world of art, literature, music, and culture.

Remembering the Icons of Art, Literature, and Music in 2023

In 2023, the world bid farewell to a host of luminous figures in the realms of art, literature, and music. Each of these individuals left an indelible mark on their disciplines, shaping the cultural landscape in unique and enduring ways. 

Musical Legends

2023 saw the loss of many remarkable figures in the music world, each leaving a significant impact on various genres. Among them were:

• Fred White (67) – Earth, Wind & Fire drummer known for his dynamic performances, passed away on January 1, 2023, in Los Angeles, California.
• Jeff Beck (78) – A virtuoso guitarist and member of The Yardbirds and The Jeff Beck Group, died on January 10, 2023, in East Sussex, England, due to bacterial meningitis.
• David Crosby (81) – Founding member of The Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, passed away on January 19, 2023, in Santa Ynez, California, due to COVID-19.
• Harry Belafonte (96) – Influential singer and civil rights activist, died on April 25, 2023, in New York City, New York, from congestive heart failure.
• Tina Turner (83) – Legendary singer, songwriter, and actress known for her powerful voice and electrifying stage presence, passed away on May 24, 2023​​​​​​.

Literary Luminaries

The literary world mourned the loss of several influential authors and poets who shaped contemporary literature:

• Edith Pearlman (86) – Celebrated for her collection “Binocular Vision,” died on January 1.
• Russell Banks (82) – Noted for his novel “Cloudsplitter,” passed away on January 7.
• Naomi Replansky (104) – A self-taught American poet, died on January 7.
• Charles Simic (84) – Pulitzer Prize-winning Serbian-American poet and U.S. Poet Laureate in 2007, died on January 9.
• Cormac McCarthy (89) – Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “The Road,” passed away on June 13​​.

Visual Art Visionaries

2023 marked the loss of several visual artists who left an indelible mark on art history:

• Peter Weibel – Artist and curator known for his multimedia experiments and advocacy for digital artists.
• Phyllida Barlow – Sculptor renowned for her large-scale, colorful assemblages.
• Kwame Brathwaite – Photographer whose work illuminated new directions for Black Americans.
• Françoise Gilot – Prolific artist who created over 1,600 canvases and was a dedicated ceramicist.
• Fernando Botero – Artist known for his distinctive style ‘Boterismo,’ characterized by plump figures and sumptuous depictions​​​​​​​​.

As we look back on 2023, the memories and contributions of these exceptional artists, writers, and musicians remain vivid in our hearts and minds. Their creative spirits, immortalized through their works, continue to enlighten, challenge, and enrich our world. In remembering them, we reaffirm the enduring power of art to transcend time, speaking to us with the same intensity as it did during their lifetimes.