RIP

Pioneering house DJ and producer Frankie Knuckles has died, aged 59. His business partner Frederick Dunson told The Chicago Tribune that Knuckles had died "unexpectedly" at his Chicago home.

Photographer Leee Black Childers, who made his name documenting the rise of the New York punk scene in the 1970s, has died. He has been seriously ill. 

Víta Chromek, the organiser of musical life in Uherské Hradiště and its surroundings, a member of the band Mírový sbor, and an advisor and friend to the Pohoda Festival in Slovakia has tragically lost his life. 

Film and music journalist Phil Hardy has died. Initially writing for titles like Time Out and Variety he also wrote numerous books about the music and movie industries, most recently 'Download! How Digital Destroyed The Record Industry' for Omnibus Press in 2012. Phil is survived by his son, Joel, and daughter, Emily.

Rashad Harden, a house music and footwork pioneer who performed as DJ Rashad, was found dead in Chicago of an apparent drug overdose, authorities said. He was 34. Harden's death comes just days before his EP was scheduled for release and as said above, less than a month after fellow house music star Frankie Knuckles, who also died the city.

Country music singer Kevin Sharp, who survived cancer as a teenager and became a big supporter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation has died aged 43. He had three hit albums including Measure of a Man and Love Is and the hit single Nobody Knows  and became a important motivational speaker for Make-A-Wish, which helps young people with life threatening illnesses. 

And farewell to two live music legends:

Mo Morrison, production manager to the likes of Michael Jackson and and Prince and most recently Lady Gaga's tour director has died aged 61.

Concert Productions International co-founder Bill Ballard has died aged 67.